Chinese e-commerce platforms are seeing a major uptick in popularity among U.S. iPhone users, with both DHgate and Taobao making impressive climbs in the App Store rankings. As of Thursday, Taobao has secured a spot in the top five free apps in the U.S., joining DHgate, which recently rose to the No. 2 position.
This unexpected rise in popularity appears to be fueled by a viral wave of TikTok content. Videos shared by Chinese manufacturers and creators have revealed how many luxury goods — such as designer clothing, bags, shoes, and accessories — are initially produced in China. According to these videos, products are shipped to countries like Italy or France for rebranding and repackaging under luxury labels, often with significant markups.
In response, several TikTok influencers began promoting apps like DHgate and Taobao as more affordable ways to purchase similar items directly from Chinese sellers. This sparked a flurry of downloads from U.S. shoppers eager to bypass rising costs on more established platforms like Shein and Temu.
New data from Appfigures shows Taobao’s U.S. downloads surged by an astounding 514% in April, jumping from 30,000 the previous month to approximately 185,000. The most dramatic spike occurred over the past weekend, when downloads increased 5.7 times between Friday and Saturday alone.
On Saturday, Taobao ranked No. 461 overall in the iOS App Store (excluding games). By Sunday, it had shot up to No. 188, and by Thursday, it was sitting firmly in the No. 5 position. This leap reflects not just install volume but also the rapid pace of those downloads.
In the Shopping category, Taobao’s rise was just as impressive — going from the No. 49 app on Saturday to the No. 2 spot, surpassing industry giants like Amazon, Walmart, Temu, and Shein. Another Chinese platform, Alibaba.com, is also climbing fast, now sitting at No. 6 in the shopping category.
Interestingly, this is the first time Taobao has appeared in the top overall U.S. App Store rankings, based on Appfigures’ data, which dates back to early 2017.
While these apps don’t help consumers avoid import tariffs, many shoppers seem motivated by the potential savings or are simply looking for luxury-style products at a more accessible price. As always, buyers are advised to check seller ratings and customer reviews before making a purchase to ensure quality.
