Temu vs Amazon for Sellers: Key Differences and How to Choose

Selling online in 2025 means navigating more platforms than ever — from long-standing giants like Amazon to fast-growing newcomers like Temu and Shein. While Amazon remains the undisputed heavyweight in global eCommerce, new players like Temu are quickly gaining ground. If you’re a seller looking to start or scale your online business, understanding the differences between Temu and Amazon is crucial to making the right decision.

In this guide, we’ll compare Temu vs Amazon across several key areas: business model, seller requirements, logistics, tools, and long-term profitability. Whether you're a first-time seller or a seasoned eCommerce entrepreneur, this breakdown will help you figure out where your products and goals align best.

Temu is a relatively new eCommerce platform launched in 2022 as part of Chinese tech giant PDD Holdings (also the parent company of Pinduoduo). Temu operates on a direct-from-manufacturer model, emphasizing low-cost goods with heavily discounted prices. Unlike Amazon, which allows independent sellers to manage their own brands, Temu takes a more centralized approach to control pricing and logistics.

Temu’s key appeal lies in its ultra-low prices and factory-direct sourcing, but this comes at the expense of brand autonomy. Products are often sold under generic listings, and the platform does not prioritize long-term seller branding.

In contrast, Amazon has evolved over the last two decades into a comprehensive marketplace where sellers can launch and grow brands, reach global audiences, and tap into powerful fulfillment and advertising systems.


Here’s a quick comparison of Temu vs Amazon:

Temu has a tightly controlled onboarding process. As of 2025, you can only register as a seller if you meet specific requirements — usually being a direct manufacturer or wholesaler based in China. The approval process includes a thorough application, factory audits, and pricing negotiations with the platform. Temu reserves the right to control listing content, pricing, and inventory availability.

Amazon, by contrast, offers a much more open entry point. Anyone can start selling by creating an Individual or Professional Seller account. The documentation requirements are straightforward: a government-issued ID, tax info (SSN or EIN), a phone number, and a bank account.

Marketplace selection is also flexible: sellers can choose from North America, Europe, the Middle East, and Asia-Pacific regions.

Amazon is more accessible to new sellers and provides a clear, self-service path. Temu is ideal only if you meet their strict criteria and are prepared to work within a controlled ecosystem.

Shipping speed and customer service are deal-breakers for many buyers, which means sellers need to carefully assess logistics when choosing a platform.

Temu relies on centralized fulfillment, mostly from warehouses in China. Standard delivery times to the U.S. or Europe range from 7 to 20 days. Temu handles all customer service, but sellers have little control over return policies or shipping delays.

Amazon offers multiple fulfillment options:

Here’s how logistics compare:

Amazon provides more control and better logistics infrastructure. Temu favors simplicity for factory sellers but with significant shipping delays.

One of Amazon’s biggest advantages is the wide range of third-party tools and support systems available to sellers. Whether you're a beginner or an advanced user, Amazon provides extensive resources to help manage and grow your business.

Sellers on Amazon benefit from platforms like Helium 10, AMZScout, and Jungle Scout, which offer features such as keyword research, competitor analysis, and sales trend tracking. For instance, the Jungle Scout Sales Estimator gives sellers the ability to estimate monthly sales volumes using a product’s Best Seller Rank (BSR), helping them make informed decisions before launching new products.

Temu, in contrast, provides minimal seller-side tools. The platform handles pricing and marketing internally, leaving sellers with little control over how their products are promoted or analyzed. There’s no ability to run ads, create customized content, or access advanced reporting. Product listings are standardized, and optimization is limited to what Temu decides.

That’s why, in the Amazon haul vs Temu debate, sellers often favor Amazon — not just for customer trust and market share, but because of the seller-first ecosystem that enables real growth. Whether you're planning to sell on Temu or grow on Amazon, understanding the tools available is crucial.

Temu's low-price strategy means sellers often operate on razor-thin margins. The platform discourages brand-building and controls most aspects of pricing and promotion. While this can offer high sales volume in the short term, it rarely leads to sustainable growth.

Amazon allows sellers to own the customer experience. You can build email lists (through brand programs), run retargeting ads, and create your own packaging and inserts to drive loyalty.

LTV and branding are also stronger on Amazon. Buyers come back for repeat purchases, leave detailed reviews, and often follow specific brands. On Temu, customers are shopping for price — not loyalty.

When it comes to Amazon vs Temu in 2025, the choice depends on your business goals. If you're a manufacturer focused on moving high volumes of low-cost goods with minimal involvement, Temu might be a fit. But for independent sellers who want to build a real brand, control pricing, and access advanced tools, Amazon remains the clear winner.

So, is Temu better than Amazon? It depends who’s asking. But for independent sellers building sustainable businesses, Amazon still leads the way.