As a US shopper, you’ve probably noticed how expensive things have become — especially luxury items. Lately, however, a growing number of people like you have been turning to new ways of shopping to get more for less. Two Chinese shopping apps, DHgate and Taobao, are rapidly gaining popularity on the US App Store. In fact, as of Thursday, Taobao has joined DHgate in the country’s Top 5 free iPhone apps.
Why Chinese apps are gaining popularity
The recent download surge for these apps is linked to viral TikTok videos. You may have seen them — Chinese manufacturers revealing that many high-end luxury products, including handbags, shoes, clothing, and accessories, are initially made in China. According to these clips, the items are shipped to countries like Italy or France, where luxury labels are added before being sold at steep prices.
This has led US consumers, including many on TikTok, to explore shopping platforms like DHgate and Taobao. These apps offer a chance to buy directly from the same manufacturers — cutting out the luxury brand markup. And in a time when prices on other popular platforms like Shein and Temu are also rising, the appeal is clear.
Taobao’s rise in the US App Store
In April, you weren’t alone if you downloaded Taobao — the app saw about 185,000 new installs in the US. That’s a 514% jump compared to just 30,000 downloads during the same time in March. The real boom came over the past weekend, according to app data firm Appfigures. Downloads surged 5.7 times from last Friday to Saturday.
On Saturday, Taobao entered the Top Overall iOS App Store rankings (excluding games) at 461. By Sunday, it had climbed to 188. And by Thursday, it made a major leap to No. 5 — an unprecedented move for the app, which had never ranked in the Top Overall US charts before. This rise reflects not just the number of downloads but also how quickly those downloads happened.
Taobao also made a strong leap in the Shopping category. It rose from No. 49 on Saturday to No. 2 by Thursday, beating out giants like Amazon, Walmart, Shein, and Temu. Meanwhile, another Chinese app, Alibaba.com, is also rising in the ranks, now holding the No. 6 spot among shopping apps in the US.
What this means for you
It’s important to remember that using these apps doesn’t help you avoid tariffs placed on Chinese imports — those costs are still part of the price. However, for many shoppers, the idea of getting similar items at a lower cost by buying directly from the source is appealing. Some are even searching for “dupes” — look-alike items with luxury styling without a high price tag.
Still, a word of caution: like any online marketplace, quality can vary. Before making a purchase, it’s a good idea to read seller reviews and browse through photos shared by other buyers. You want to make sure you’re getting what you expect.
Ultimately, it’s all about finding value and making informed choices. If you love a good deal and aren’t afraid to try something new, these apps might be worth exploring—just be sure to shop smart.
