Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

EC21 VS Global Sources

Compare EC21 VS Global Sources 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.

Global Sources logo Global Sources

Find The Latest Products From Reliable Suppliers & Manufacturers. Global Sources is the Leading B2B Marketplace Connecting Buyers and Suppliers Worldwide.
  • EC21 Landing page
    Landing page //
    2021-07-26
  • Global Sources Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-05-10

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.

Global Sources features and specs

  • Wide Range of Products
    Global Sources offers a large and diverse catalog of products, allowing buyers to find a variety of items across different categories, which is ideal for businesses looking for multiple product types.
  • Verified Suppliers
    The platform emphasizes supplier verification, attempting to ensure that the suppliers are legitimate and reliable, which helps in building trust between buyers and suppliers.
  • Industry-Specific Expos
    Global Sources organizes tradeshows and expos, which provide opportunities for suppliers and buyers to meet face-to-face, enhancing business relations and networking opportunities.
  • Comprehensive Supplier Information
    Detailed profiles and information about suppliers help buyers make informed decisions by offering insights into the supplier's capabilities, production lead times, and certifications.

Possible disadvantages of Global Sources

  • Complex Navigation
    Users may find the website navigation complex due to the vast array of products and categories, which can make the browsing experience overwhelming for new users.
  • Language Barriers
    While Global Sources aims to connect international buyers and suppliers, language differences can sometimes cause communication issues or misunderstandings in negotiations.
  • Potential for Variable Quality
    Despite supplier verification efforts, the quality of products may still vary between suppliers, requiring buyers to be cautious and conduct due diligence before large purchases.
  • Limited Buyer Protection
    Compared to some other platforms, Global Sources might offer less comprehensive buyer protection, which means buyers need to be more proactive in ensuring secure transactions.

EC21 videos

What is EC21?

Global Sources videos

Alibaba vs. Global Sources

More videos:

  • Review - Alibaba Alternative | Global Sources for Finding Profitable Products on Amazon FBA

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to EC21 and Global Sources)
Online Marketplace
31 31%
69% 69
eCommerce
34 34%
66% 66
eCommerce Platform
32 32%
68% 68
Data Dashboard
39 39%
61% 61

User comments

Share your experience with using EC21 and Global Sources. For example, how are they different and which one is better?
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Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, Global Sources seems to be more popular. It has been mentiond 4 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.

Global Sources mentions (4)

  • Is globalsources.com Verified status legit?
    However, I wanted to know how trustworthy and legit the Verified status (and any other verified information of these companies) is on globalsources.com. Source: about 2 years ago
  • How do you really source internationally?
    I know about globalsources.com but it's more focused on Asia and electronics. I've seen another one for coffee but it's not transparent, you can't browse suppliers on your own. Source: over 2 years ago
  • Hey guys! I want to start a bag business but I’m not too sure who to go to for manufactures or vendors. Any tips?
    Definitely ! An interesting sphere to get into. I would suggest globalsources.com for it. Just try it once. It's a good B2B wholesale marketplace. Source: about 3 years ago
  • What’s the best price you can get an L7 for today?
    How does one go about looking for suppliers? I could only find 2 sites this one which seems shady with the url alone and this I'm sure there's more reliable sites out there that I know nothing about. Source: about 3 years ago

What are some alternatives?

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

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

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

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.

eWorldTrade - eWorldTrade is the best online business to business portal to connect with international manufacturers & worldwide wholesale suppliers, exporters

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