If you love a bargain, you’ve probably heard of Temu and Shein – two Chinese-based apps offering extremely low prices on everything from women’s fashion to electronics and home goods. But which one is the better deal? In this comparison we’ll break down price, quality, shipping, selection, legal issues and more. We’ll also sneak in some exclusive Temu promo codes (grab a $100 coupon bundle on Temu with code alg250888!), so stick around if you decide Temu is your pick.

What Are Temu and Shein?

• Origins: Temu (launched 2022) is backed by Chinese e-commerce giant PDD Holdings (parent of Pinduoduo) and sells a huge range of products – fashion, gadgets, home goods, etc.. Shein (founded 2008) became famous for trendy women’s clothing and accessories and is a global fast-fashion name. Both ship items directly from Chinese factories to consumers worldwide.
• Business Model: They exploit a U.S. “de minimis” rule (and similar loopholes in other countries) to avoid many import taxes on small orders. A U.S. Congressional report even found Shein and Temu together make up ~30% of under-$800 packages shipped to the U.S. (all duty-free). This helps explain their rock-bottom prices.

Shein’s branding on display in a Johannesburg pop-up store (Aug 2024). Shein constantly adds new styles (up to 10,000 items per day) focusing on women’s fashion. Temu, by contrast, offers fashion plus home decor, electronics and more across ~200 categories.

• User Experience: Both apps gamify shopping with flash deals and rewards. Think of Temu as a giant discount department store app, and Shein as a fast-fashion boutique app. Wish (another budget app) was popular a few years ago, but many shoppers now prefer Temu/Shein for sleeker apps and better deals. Generally Temu is cheaper on most items, Shein is a bit pricier (but still cheap), and Wish falls behind on shipping speed and quality these days.

Price & Deals – Is Temu Cheaper Than Shein?

• Everyday Prices: Temu is known for rock-bottom prices. It often sells items for just a few dollars. TechBullion notes you can find fashion, gadgets or home goods on Temu for around $2–$3. Shein’s prices are low but higher – e.g. dresses or tops often run $10–$25. In short, Temu usually has the edge on price. (For example, the same phone case might be $3 on Temu but $10 on Shein.)
• Ongoing Sales: Both run sales and coupons constantly. However, Temu routinely offers deep discounts or free-shipping promotions. Shein also has big sales (seasonal or clearance), but its base prices are slightly higher. Many users report Temu has more flashy deals and coupon “stacking” options.
• Wallet-Friendly Rankings: If you put Temu, Shein, and Wish side by side, Temu comes out cheapest on average, Shein in the middle, and Wish often lags behind in value. In one comparison, a gadget was $7.99 on Temu, about $20 on Shein, and even higher on Wish.
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Product Quality & Selection

• Quality Expectations: Both Temu and Shein follow the “you get what you pay for” rule. Since prices are so low, you should expect budget-quality goods. Harvard marketing professor John Deighton even quips that obviously, “you get what you pay for” at these ultra-cheap retailers. In practice, this means some items will surprise you (they hold up surprisingly well), but others will disappoint (thin fabric, weak plastic, etc.). Many customers admit that if a cheap item breaks or looks wrong, they often discard it rather than deal with returns.
• Shein’s Clothing vs Temu’s: Shoppers generally find Shein’s clothes slightly better. TechBullion notes Shein’s apparel tends to be “adequately constructed for the price,” with fabrics and stitching considered decent for the low cost. In contrast, Temu’s quality varies widely by seller. Some Temu items (especially electronics and housewares) can be surprisingly good, but its clothing is hit-or-miss. On Temu, user reviews are your friend: a few people praise certain finds, but others warn of poor durability or bad fit. In short, Shein edges out in clothing quality, while Temu wins on price.
• Product Categories:

1. Shein (Clothing & Fashion): Overwhelmingly known for women’s fashion. New items drop constantly (up to 10,000 new pieces daily), from dresses and tees to shoes and accessories. Shein’s strengths are trendy styles and a huge variety of apparel. (They’ve even opened pop-up stores like the one shown above, signaling global fashion reach.)
2. Temu (Everything Else + Some Fashion): More of a mega-marketplace. Yes, you can buy clothes on Temu, but it also specializes in home decor, kitchen gadgets, tools, beauty devices, and electronics – categories Shein mostly lacks. (Tech gadgets like wireless earbuds or power banks are popular deals on Temu.) Temu’s clothing selection is smaller and simpler; its real selling point is the breadth of categories. In fact, sources point out Temu now has items across 200+ categories, far beyond Shein’s fashion focus.
3. Wish (Low-cost Throwback): Wish is an older Chinese app similar to Temu, but it never blew up like these two. Many shoppers now find Wish’s interface dated and its shipping painfully slow. In price wars, Temu often beats Wish on cost, and Temu/Shein have slicker apps and promotions. (Think of Wish as a predecessor – it's still around, but Temu has become the new favorite for cheap everything.)

Shipping & Delivery

• From China (1–3 weeks): Expect slow shipping compared to Amazon/AliExpress. Since both ship direct from China, most orders take at least a week or more to arrive. In practice: Temu shipping often falls in the 7–20 day range, while Shein is slightly faster (roughly 6–10 days on standard shipping). Shein has improved its logistics, so it usually delivers a bit quicker than Temu’s free economy shipping. (If you need super-fast, both apps offer expedited options for a fee.)
• Free vs Paid: Temu often gives free shipping on many items (no minimum), making the wait “bearable”. Shein typically offers free shipping only if you spend above a certain amount (e.g. $19), otherwise shipping costs extra. So with Temu, you may get a $5 gadget shipped free in 3 weeks; with Shein, a dress over $20 might get free shipping in 1–2 weeks.
• Global Considerations: Delivery times can vary by country. For U.S. or European shoppers, 1–3 weeks is normal. In South Africa, things have changed: late in 2024 South Africa closed a tax loophole (the de minimis rule), so now every small Temu/Shein parcel pays full customs + 15% VAT. This has slowed shipments and raised costs by ~35%. South African buyers now pay more at checkout and will wait longer, making shopping there less of a steal than before.

Customer Service & Returns

• Returns: If an item fails or isn’t as described, both have return policies (and both can be a hassle). Temu allows returns within 30 days (most stores). Shein is more generous with 45-day returns for clothing. Shein’s return process is more established (and often gives store credit), whereas Temu refunds can be slower. Given how cheap items are, many shoppers skip returns entirely: it might cost more in time/shipping than the item’s worth.
• Reviews and Complaints: Both apps boast millions of users, so expect mixed feedback. Temu’s Better Business Bureau profile shows thousands of complaints in recent years (often late/missing items or quality issues). Shein also has complaints (wrong sizes, dyes, etc.), but it’s been around longer and has slightly better polished service. In short, neither is perfect – customer service can be hit-or-miss on both.

Controversies & Lawsuits

• IP Lawsuits: The two are embroiled in a legal feud. Shein filed a lawsuit (Aug 2024) accusing Temu of copyright infringement and impersonation – saying Temu was selling counterfeit designs and even posing as Shein on social media. Time and AP report Shein claims Temu “steals” its styles and trademarks. Temu fired back, suing Shein for antitrust issues, calling Shein’s tactics “mafia-style intimidation” of suppliers. Bottom line: both firms trade accusations, but everyday shoppers aren’t impacted unless these suits escalate (the latest suits are still in early legal stages).
• Regulatory Scrutiny: Policymakers are watching. Temu and Shein have even drawn lawmakers’ attention for their massive low-value imports. U.S. and international regulators are considering closing de minimis tax breaks that give these apps an advantage. (Congress saw they send millions of duty-free packages every day.) This could affect prices in future.
• Labor & Ethics: Fast fashion has a dark side. Both Temu and Shein have been accused of poor labor practices. Investigations and US congressional probes link their supply chains to Chinese factories under scrutiny for forced labor (especially in cotton). In fact, UK lawmakers recently summoned executives from both companies to testify on working conditions. Both companies claim to have zero-tolerance policies on forced labor, but watchdogs remain concerned. In short, both share similar labor controversies, so if ethics are a top priority, this is something to consider.

Temu vs Shein: Which Should You Choose?

It ultimately comes down to what you value most:

• Price & Variety → Temu. If your priority is rock-bottom prices and a huge variety of products (not just clothes), Temu wins. It often beats Shein on price and has thousands of gadgets, home items and more. Just be ready for slower shipping and mixed quality. Use those promo codes (alg250888, frf038618) to save even more!
• Fashion & Convenience → Shein. If you mainly shop for trendy clothing and want a more polished experience, Shein might be better. Its clothes generally have slightly better quality, and delivery tends to be faster. Shein’s app is geared toward fashionistas, with large catalogs and frequent style drops.
• Wish vs. Others: For completeness, Wish is another global discount app. For many users today, Temu is cheaper than Wish on similar goods and has a better user experience. If you tried Wish in the past and found it lacking, Temu is likely an upgrade, and Shein is also usually more reliable.

Ultimately, which is better? If you want lowest price and the thrill of bargain-hunting, try Temu (don’t forget our coupon codes!). If you prioritize quality in clothing and speed, stick with Shein for fashion purchases. Both have earned their place in the budget-shopping world – it’s up to your needs.

FAQs

• Is Temu cheaper than Shein? Yes – in general Temu offers lower prices. Many products (clothes, gadgets, etc.) cost significantly less on Temu (often just a few dollars) compared to Shein. For example, a dress that’s $20 on Shein might be $5–$10 on Temu. (Exclusive coupon codes on Temu can make it even cheaper!)
• Which has better clothes quality: Temu or Shein? Neither is high-end, but Shein’s clothing quality is usually a notch above Temu’s. Reviews note that Shein’s garments are “decent for the price”, whereas Temu’s vary widely (some Temu tops may feel very flimsy). If quality in fashion is important, Shein has the edge.
• How long is shipping – Temu vs Shein? Both ship from China, so expect about 1–2 weeks for standard delivery. In tests, Temu tends to be slower (often 7–20 days) and is usually free, while Shein is a bit faster (around 6–10 days standard). Neither is as fast as Prime shipping. The difference is usually a few days, so plan accordingly.
• Temu vs Shein vs Wish: which is best? Temu usually beats both on price and selection. Wish is similar to a cheaper version of Temu but often has slower shipping and less reliable quality. So for most shoppers today: Temu is lowest-cost, Shein is for fashion, and Wish is the oldest competitor (now mostly superseded by Temu).
• Are Temu/Shein orders now taxed in South Africa? Yes. South Africa recently scrapped the small-order tax exemption. Now Temu and Shein packages (even small ones) pay a flat 20% import duty plus 15% VAT. That means goods cost about 35% more at the checkout compared to pre-2024 prices. Many South African shoppers have noticed higher final prices and slower deliveries as a result.

• What about labor/ethical concerns? Both companies have faced allegations over supplier labor conditions. Investigations and even UK parliamentary hearings have questioned them about forced labor and poor working conditions. Both Temu and Shein say they do not tolerate forced labor, but the fast-fashion model does carry such risks. In short, there’s no clear “clean” winner here; it’s a global issue tied to how fast fashion works.

For more details on pricing, quality reviews and tips, see our comparisons above – and don’t forget to use our exclusive Temu promo codes (like alg250888, frf038618) to save big when you shop!