Shopee vs. Lazada: Which Is Better?

In the world of online shopping, two major players have dominated the Southeast Asian market: Shopee and Lazada. Both platforms offer a wide array of products, competitive prices, and convenient shopping experiences. 

You must be wondering, is Shopee better than Lazada? In this article, we will compare and contrast Shopee and Lazada across various factors to determine which platform reigns supreme.

Related Podcast: E429: An Interview with Pierre Poignant, Lazada Co-Founder

Shopee vs. Lazada Overview

Shopee and Lazada are two of the biggest ecommerce platforms in Southeast Asia. Both platforms employ the business-to-business-to-consumer (B2B2C) model, a combination of business-to-consumer and business-to-business models. It means they allow third-party merchants to sell their products through their platform. 

Both platforms offer immense product diversity. Shopee is known for its extensive product selection across various categories, including electronics, fashion, and more. It has also expanded its operations to multiple countries in Southeast Asia and other regions, giving customers access to a broader range of international products. 

What Is Shopee?

Here's a summary table below on some of the basic information of Shopee and Lazada.

Shopee vs. Lazada: User Interface Comparison

Shopee adopts a more vibrant and visually appealing design, focusing on product images and a slightly more cluttered and visually dynamic layout. The freedom and flexibility Shopee provides their sellers in adding product images, videos, and descriptions might have something to do with their platform's product listing diversity.

Shopee's User Interface and Sign-Up Process

Another unique selling point of Shopee's user interface is its stronger emphasis on social interactions and engagement. Their app and website have features such as live chat, in-app games, a dedicated section for live streaming, and interactive promotions to encourage user interaction.

Much like Shopee, Lazada's platform has many deals and features. However, their creative branding differs and tends to be more traditional and organized. There are sections for each product category, a navigation bar at the top, and products are displayed in a standardized grid format with their description structured cleverly.

In general, Lazada has a more conventional e-commerce experience and customer-centric interface. While they offer seller tools, they've put more emphasis on the buyer experience through a user-friendly interface for shoppers.

Shopee vs. Lazada: Sign-Up Process Comparison

Here's how you create a buyer account on Shopee.

1. Visit the Shopee website or download the Shopee mobile app.
2. Click the “Sign Up” button.
3. Choose a buyer account.
4. Enter your mobile number and verify ownership through a verification code.
5. Set your account password.
6. Fill in your personal information and complete the registration.

There's also an optional method to verify your account by going through additional verification steps such as email verification or social media account linking.

A Lazada account is also a prerequisite before you can make any purchase. Below are the steps on how to sign up:

1. Visit the Lazada website or download the Lazada mobile app.
2. Click the “Sign Up” button for website registration or “Register” for the mobile app.
3. Choose a buyer account..
4. Fill in your personal information and set an account password.
5. Read and accept Lazada's terms and conditions to complete the registration.

You may link your Lazada profile to your social media accounts or verify your account by following the additional verification steps.

Who Has Better Deals? 

When it comes to prices and deals, the two online shopping platforms have a fair fight. They both have frequent promotional campaigns, flash sales, and discount codes, providing their buyers significantly discounted prices.

Prices and deals can vary, depending on several factors, including the specific products, sellers, and ongoing promotions in a particular region.

Which Has a Better Order and Delivery Process?

Lazada and Shopee have similar procedures for order fulfillment, but there may be some variations in specific details. Moreover, since both providers have different logistics partners in each location, the buyer's region or country might also impact the fluidity of the order fulfillment and delivery process.

Shopee operates on a peer-to-peer marketplace model. It means, the owner of the store you ordered from processes your purchase. Meanwhile, Lazada employs a hybrid model, combining both third-party sellers and direct partnerships with brands. When you place an order on Lazada, the platform coordinates with the respective brand to process and fulfill the order. 

Lazada also has an in-house logistics system, so you might have fewer shipping options. Meanwhile, Shopee lets their sellers choose their preferred logistic partners, providing you with cheaper delivery options—but with a slightly longer delivery duration.

If you want speedy delivery, Lazada is a better choice. However, if you like more affordable shipping options and don't mind longer shipping duration, then Shopee has got your back.

Which Has Better Loyalty Programs?

Like many other e-commerce platforms, Shopee and Lazada employ various strategies to engage and retain their users, as well as attract new ones. One of those strategies is a loyalty system or program, a system that rewards customer loyalty.

Shopee's loyalty program is called Shopee Loyalty. In this program, Shopee offers its users exclusive deals, perks, and privileges as a token of appreciation for their loyalty. It has three tiers, Silver, Gold, and Platinum.

Your loyalty tier on Shopee is determined by the number of orders you complete within a specific cycle. As of today, the cycle resets every six months.

Depending on your loyalty tier, you can enjoy a wide array of benefits each month, ranging from sitewide free shipping and discount vouchers.

For Lazada, its loyalty initiative is known as LazRewards. Lazada engages users by setting up ‘missions' for them to complete. Upon completing a certain number of missions, users unlock a variety of perks based on their respective tiers.

Users have the opportunity to advance to higher tiers by consistently completing missions, which primarily involve placing orders within a three-month cycle. However, it's important to note that reaching the VIP level signifies the highest tier attainable.

Both e-commerce platforms offer enticing perks and privileges for their loyal customers. The best part is that both loyalty programs are free to join and user-friendly.

When it comes to accumulating points, LazRewards takes the lead by incorporating interactive missions into their program and offering users a flexible range of benefits through multiple tiers.

What Payment Methods Does Each Platform Offer?

In terms of purchasing products, Shopee and Lazada have similar payment methods. They both have their own digital wallets (ShopeePay and Lazada Wallet), offer installment and pay later options, cash on delivery, and local credit/debit cards.

Outside of those payment methods, Shopee and Lazada offer extra payment solutions depending on the country you buy their products.

* If the country above isn't found on the table, their accepted payment methods are only cash on delivery, local credit/debit cards, and their respective digital wallets.

Which Has a Better Return Process and Policy?

When it comes to their respective return policy, both platforms have a similar return process. It's in their return policy that the two platforms vary.

Lazada & Shopee’s Return Process

1. On your Lazada or Shopee account, initiate a return request.
2. Wait for the seller's response.
3. Arrange for the return shipment.
4. Send the item back.
5. Get the item replacement or refund.

Return Policy

In comparison, Lazada has a longer return duration and more buyer-friendly refund terms. Their Easy Refund Policy offers a seven days return period for items from local and overseas marketplaces and 30-day return coverage for Lazmall orders. Lazada also processes all return/refund requests.

Meanwhile Shopee's Return/Refund policy only has a five day return period for local marketplace purchases and seven days for Shopee Mall and international marketplace orders.

Shopee vs Lazada: Product and Review Display Comparison

The reviews section is a valuable tool to assist customers in making informed decisions when contemplating a purchase. In both platforms, fake reviews are unavoidable and it's nearly impossible to detect them unless you do a little digging. While both platforms employ mechanisms to filter out “paid” reviews, they can't guarantee that all reviews will be caught and deleted.

Regarding presentation, both platforms implore a similar style. Shopee mostly uses a dark shade of red to signify the price and star rating. Meanwhile Lazada uses orange to show the price and yellow for a product's star rating.

Shopee vs Lazada: Customer Service Comparison

Both platforms strive to provide outstanding customer support. However, its quality may still differ based on factors like country of operation, specific customer service representatives, and the nature of the issue or inquiry. 

Here's a comparison of each platform's buyer protection and customer services.

Alternatives to Shopee and Lazada

If you've tested the waters of both Shopee and Lazada and want to explore a similar platform, here are some options you can consider if you're shopping in Southeast Asia. 

• • Zalora
  • Etsy
  • eBay
  • Carousell
  • AliExpress
  • Amazon
  • Tokopedia

Final Verdict: Shopee or Lazada?

Both Shopee and Lazada have excellent features; they both have pros and cons, but are doing their best to provide great customer service. In the end, if you're wondering where to shop online, it all boils down to what you're looking for, your budget, and how quickly you need your items delivered.