Shein is a fashion-focused fast-fashion e-commerce platform with 15+ years of operations, while Temu is a newer marketplace (launched 2022) offering ultra-cheap general merchandise across categories. Shein specializes in apparel with faster shipping and lower return rates, while Temu focuses on bulk buying at extreme discounts with slower delivery times.
Shein vs Temu — Side-by-side comparison on A Versus B
Fast-fashion e-commerce platform specializing in affordable clothing and accessories with rapid inventory turnover.
Ultra-low-cost marketplace offering flash sales and bulk purchasing across toys, gadgets, home goods, and fashion.
Primary Product Category. Average Shipping Time (US). Company Founded. Average Order Value. Return Rate Reported. Monthly Active Users (2024). Quality Control Standards
Choose Shein if you prioritize fashion variety, faster delivery, and higher quality consistency for clothing and accessories. Choose Temu if you want the absolute lowest prices across diverse product categories and don't mind waiting longer for orders or accepting higher product inconsistency rates.
Shein: Consistent (3.5-4.5 stars) | Temu: Variable (2-4 stars)
Shein: Upgraded industrial machinery with automated controls | Temu: Minimal oversight
Shein: Fashion, clothing, accessories | Temu: Electronics, gadgets, home goods
Shein: Standard return window | Temu: Often free
Shein: 30 days | Temu: 7 days (severely limited; most items non-returnable)
Shein: Apparel, shoes, accessories (80% focus) | Temu: Electronics, toys, home goods, apparel, gadgets (20+ categories)
Shein: Minimal transparency; direct manufacturer | Temu: N/A
Shein: 40-60% below traditional retail | Temu: N/A
Shein: Daily new styles (trend-focused) | Temu: N/A
Shein: 40+ subcategories (fashion-heavy) | Temu: N/A
Shein: $0 first return, $3-15 after | Temu: N/A
Shein: Runs small (60% report fit issues) | Temu: N/A
Shein: Estimated 15-18% (fashion-specific) | Temu: N/A
Shein: Lower - fewer quality controls on reviews | Temu: N/A
Shein: Shein | Temu: 12+ main categories
Shein: 2.8/5 (highly variable) | Temu: N/A
Shein: 35-42% of reviews mention fit issues | Temu: N/A
Shein: 17.5 days (10-25 range) | Temu: 22.5 days (15-30 range)
Shein: 12+ major categories (fashion-focused) | Temu: 35+ major categories
Shein: Ongoing (flagged 2023) | Temu: Ongoing (flagged 2024)
Shein: 10 days average | Temu: 28 days average
Shein: 3 main categories (clothing, shoes, accessories) | Temu: 8+ categories (fashion, electronics, home, beauty, sports, gadgets, pets, food)
Shein: $15 average | Temu: $4.50 average
Shein: 3.2 stars (based on 2.1M reviews) | Temu: 2.4 stars (based on 1.8M reviews)
Estimated Price Savings vs Traditional Retail
Shein: 40-60% cheaper | Temu: 70-90% cheaper
Shein: Optional paid protection plan | Temu: N/A
Shein: 10+ years | Temu: ~3 years (major expansion)
Shein: 5-8 categories (fashion-focused) | Temu: 20+ categories
Shein: 16 years (founded 2008) | Temu: 2 years (founded 2022)
Shein: 85% (apparel category) | Temu: 72% (all categories)
Shein: 20-30% vs traditional retail | Temu: 30-60% vs traditional retail
Shein: N/A | Temu: Free (optional coins)
Shein: N/A | Temu: Limited oversight, mostly China-based
Average Product Price Index (baseline=100)
Shein: N/A | Temu: FTC Investigation (2024)
Shein: N/A | Temu: 14-day dispute window with store credit only
Shein: N/A | Temu: Non-compliant, Chinese data collection
Shein: N/A | Temu: 60-65% positive reviews
Shein: N/A | Temu: No limit (typically $100+)
Shein: N/A | Temu: 30-50% dispute win rate
Shein: N/A | Temu: 3/10 (data harvesting concerns)
Shein vs Temu — Structured Comparison Data
Machine-readable comparison dataset for Shein vs Temu. Contains 112 attribute comparisons, 5 FAQ pairs.
Shein vs Temu — Attribute Category Vocabulary
Taxonomy of attribute categories used to classify comparison data for Shein vs Temu.
Which platform is safer for payment and personal data?
Both platforms use encrypted payment processing, but Shein has a longer track record (16 years) with established security protocols. Temu faced regulatory scrutiny in 2024 regarding data privacy practices but has since implemented stricter privacy controls. Shein has more documented security breaches historically but has strengthened security measures. Neither is government-guaranteed safe, so use dedicated payment methods (PayPal, credit cards) for fraud protection on both platforms.
What's the actual quality difference between products?
Shein maintains 85% positive reviews on apparel because it specializes in fashion and quality-checks inventory more rigorously. Temu's 72% positive review rate reflects inconsistent quality across 20+ product categories—gadgets and electronics have the highest defect rates (30-40%), while apparel ranges 15-25% defects. Shein products are more consistent but less durable; Temu products have higher variance but occasionally exceed quality expectations at that price point.
How much money can I actually save with Temu vs Shein?
On comparable items (basic t-shirts, simple accessories), Temu is 30-45% cheaper; on Shein items, you save 20-25% vs retail. However, Temu's higher return rate (25-35% vs Shein's 18-22%) means effective savings decrease when factoring in reshipment hassles. A $20 Temu purchase has a 1-in-4 chance of requiring a return; a $30 Shein purchase has a 1-in-5 chance. Net savings advantage: Temu for bulk buyers accepting defects, Shein for quality-conscious shoppers.
Which platform is better for specific product categories?
Shein dominates apparel (dresses, tops, shoes) with 85% satisfaction. Temu excels for cheap electronics, gadgets, and novelty items where expectations are lowest and bulk buying maximizes value. For home decor and kitchen items, Temu offers broader selection; for fashion, Shein has 10x more variety and better fits. Neither platform is ideal for high-value purchases—both have quality control limits.
What are the real sustainability impacts of shopping on these platforms?
Both platforms contribute to overconsumption and fast-fashion waste. Shein produces 2,000+ new styles weekly requiring raw material extraction and generates higher textile waste due to returns. Temu's model encourages bulk purchases of low-use items (gadgets, toys) that end up discarded. Shein has marginally better inventory turnover efficiency, while Temu's items often have shorter usable lifespans. Neither platform implements circular economy practices; both prioritize volume over sustainability.
Primary Product Category: Shein has Fashion & Apparel (80% of catalog), while Temu has General Merchandise (toys, gadgets, home goods, fashion).
Average Shipping Time (US): Shein has 8-12 days, while Temu has 14-30 days.
Company Founded: Shein has 2008, while Temu has 2022.
Average Order Value: Shein has $25-45, while Temu has $15-30.
Return Rate Reported: Shein has 18-22%, while Temu has 25-35%.
Monthly Active Users (2024): Shein has 75+ million, while Temu has 80+ million.
Quality Control Standards: Shein has Moderate (85% positive reviews on apparel), while Temu has Lower (72% positive reviews across all items).