AliExpress is built for one-by-one international orders; 1688 is a domestic wholesale platform. The right choice depends on your stage, quantity, and how much handling you want to manage.
When 1688 tends to win
- You have a clear product and can test a small batch.
- Unit price and margin matter more than per-order convenience.
- You want consolidation, prep, or labeling before shipping.
When AliExpress can be simpler
- You need true one-by-one automated dropshipping today.
- You want a single international checkout with no China-side handling.
Compare landed cost, not unit price. The cheapest unit price can lose to MOQ, domestic shipping, and freight once everything is added up.
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