Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

EC21 VS Alibaba

Compare EC21 VS Alibaba and see what are their differences

EC21 logo EC21

EC21 is a global B2B marketplace - the easy and fast way to buy and sell globally.

Alibaba logo Alibaba

Find quality Manufacturers, Suppliers, Exporters, Importers, Buyers, Wholesalers, Products and Trade Leads from our award-winning International Trade Site. Import & Export on alibaba.com
  • EC21 Landing page
    Landing page //
    2021-07-26
  • Alibaba Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-10-09

EC21 features and specs

  • Wide Range of Products
    EC21 offers a vast selection of products across various categories, allowing buyers to find virtually anything they might need from suppliers around the world.
  • Global B2B Marketplace
    EC21 connects buyers and sellers globally, facilitating international trade and providing opportunities for businesses to expand their market reach.
  • Free Membership Option
    The platform offers a free membership option, making it accessible for small businesses or individuals looking to explore B2B opportunities without upfront costs.
  • Verification Services
    EC21 provides verification services for suppliers, which can help ensure more secure and trustworthy transactions between international parties.
  • Marketing Support
    The platform offers marketing tools and services to help businesses promote their products, such as premium listings and advertising opportunities.

Possible disadvantages of EC21

  • Competition from Similar Platforms
    EC21 faces strong competition from other well-established B2B marketplaces, which might limit its visibility and attractiveness to potential users.
  • Membership Costs for Premium Services
    To access advanced features and services, users need to subscribe to paid plans, which might be expensive for some small businesses or startups.
  • Potential for Fraud
    Despite verification processes, the risk of encountering fraudulent suppliers or buyers still exists, necessitating vigilance and due diligence by users.
  • Complex User Interface
    Some users may find the website interface complex or overwhelming, which can hinder navigation and efficient use of the platform's features.
  • Limited Control Over Transactions
    As a marketplace, EC21 does not directly manage transactions or logistics, which means issues related to shipping, payment disputes, and returns are handled between the buyer and seller.

Alibaba features and specs

  • Wide Product Variety
    Alibaba offers a vast selection of products across numerous categories, providing buyers with many options to choose from.
  • Competitive Pricing
    Due to the presence of many suppliers and manufacturers, Alibaba can offer competitive prices on bulk purchases.
  • Global Reach
    Alibaba connects buyers and sellers from around the world, facilitating international trade.
  • Business Scaling
    Small businesses can scale effectively by sourcing affordable and varied products from Alibaba.
  • Supplier Ratings and Reviews
    Buyers can view ratings and reviews from other customers, helping them make informed decisions.
  • Trade Assurance
    Alibaba offers a trade assurance program that provides a money-back guarantee if an order does not meet the agreed-upon terms.

Possible disadvantages of Alibaba

  • Quality Control
    There is a risk of receiving poor-quality products, as it can be challenging to verify the quality of items before purchasing.
  • Shipping Time
    Shipping from international suppliers can take a long time, which may not be ideal for time-sensitive orders.
  • Minimum Order Quantities
    Many suppliers have minimum order quantities that might be too high for small businesses or individual buyers.
  • Communication Barriers
    Language barriers and differences in time zones can make communication with suppliers difficult.
  • Customs and Duties
    Purchases from Alibaba might incur additional costs due to customs duties and import taxes.
  • Scams and Fraud
    There is a potential risk of encountering fraudulent suppliers, despite Alibaba’s efforts to vet them.

Analysis of Alibaba

Overall verdict

  • Alibaba is generally considered a good platform for sourcing products due to its extensive catalog and global reach. However, due diligence is necessary to ensure a positive experience. Thorough research on suppliers and attention to buyer protection policies are recommended.

Why this product is good

  • Alibaba is one of the world's largest e-commerce platforms, connecting buyers and suppliers globally. It offers a vast range of products and competitive pricing, making it appealing for businesses looking for cost-effective sourcing solutions. Its user-friendly interface and various supplier verification systems enhance buyer confidence. However, the platform's size and scope can sometimes lead to inconsistencies in product quality and supplier reliability.

Recommended for

    Alibaba is best suited for entrepreneurs, small to medium-sized businesses, and large companies looking to source products from manufacturers, especially in bulk. It is also beneficial for those interested in exploring a wide range of product categories and finding competitive prices.

EC21 videos

What is EC21?

Alibaba videos

Getting Started With Alibaba Is It Safe | Tips Before Ordering Wholesale

More videos:

  • Review - life of an entrepreneur; shopping from alibaba
  • Tutorial - ALIBABA VS WHOLESALE7 REVIEW | My business experiences | How to import | ZIMBABWEAN YOUTUBER

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to EC21 and Alibaba)
Online Marketplace
20 20%
80% 80
eCommerce
20 20%
80% 80
eCommerce Platform
21 21%
79% 79
Data Dashboard
100 100%
0% 0

User comments

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Reviews

These are some of the external sources and on-site user reviews we've used to compare EC21 and Alibaba

EC21 Reviews

We have no reviews of EC21 yet.
Be the first one to post

Alibaba Reviews

25 Best Sites Like eBay To Sell and Buy Stuff in 2022
Overall, Alibaba is one of the best alternatives to eBay because of its wide range of product categories and powerful search tools.

Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, Alibaba seems to be more popular. It has been mentiond 150 times since March 2021. We are tracking product recommendations and mentions on various public social media platforms and blogs. They can help you identify which product is more popular and what people think of it.

EC21 mentions (0)

We have not tracked any mentions of EC21 yet. Tracking of EC21 recommendations started around Mar 2021.

Alibaba mentions (150)

  • Who makes the best split rings
    You can get massive bulk small parts on alibaba.com. Source: over 1 year ago
  • Hevolution Foundation benefits Saudi Aramco, and millions of people with value adding longevity benefits perceived as "free" and mailed
    Some longevity drugs are are super affordable from alibaba.com like amazon-for-companies made-in-china.com. Rapamycin is only $80-194/Kg. At 21mg/24 hours as a daily delicious candy, that is just 7 grams annually, or about $1.40. If fluororapamycin works, and has 100 times dose potency, that is just 1.4 cents annually per Saudi Aramco shareholder. Source: almost 2 years ago
  • Ideas for a business that requires specialized equipment?
    You can checkout alibaba.com . They have many specialized equipment that are for sale. Might be worth just checking it out. Source: almost 2 years ago
  • As the Brand VP of Huanuo, I'm curious: Why Ergotron over Huanuo for your monitor arms?
    I totally agree with your opinion. It's unlikely for businesses to buy the office supplies online, they'd rather procure locally. I'm building a store at alibaba.com these days and hopefully we can find a local sales agent in every country, who will supply local channel. Source: almost 2 years ago
  • LPT Request : what are some things you can buy cheaply in bulk?
    Oh, man, you're going to love alibaba.com :). Source: almost 2 years ago
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What are some alternatives?

When comparing EC21 and Alibaba, you can also consider the following products

DHGate - Find cheap tablet computers, cell phones and electronics here at Dhgate.com. Buy wedding dresses direct from China at low wholesale prices.

Amazon - Online shopping from the earth's biggest selection of books, magazines, music, DVDs, videos, electronics, computers, software, apparel & accessories, shoes, jewelry, tools & hardware, housewares, furniture, sporting goods, beauty & much more

Global Sources - Find The Latest Products From Reliable Suppliers & Manufacturers. Global Sources is the Leading B2B Marketplace Connecting Buyers and Suppliers Worldwide.

TradeKey - TradeKey.com Business to Business marketplace, B2B Marketplace, Import export marketplace - over 9,323,180 members, offers b2b directory, catalog & trade leads to importer, buyer, exporter, manufacturer, wholesaler, supplier.

Made in China - Made in China connects worldwide buyers with Chinese suppliers.

GlobalMarket - GlobalMarket is the largest Manufacturer-to-Business marketplace. Find manufacturers, suppliers, factories, exporters and wholesalers with qualified made in China products.