is aliexpress the same as alibaba is a common question among people exploring online shopping platforms. Although AliExpress and Alibaba are both owned by the Alibaba Group, they serve different purposes. Alibaba is primarily a wholesale platform that connects businesses with suppliers for bulk purchasing, while AliExpress caters to individual consumers, offering a wide range of products in small quantities. Buyers on AliExpress can find products similar to those available on Alibaba, but with the convenience of purchasing at retail prices and quantities.