How to Create Shopping Apps Like Temu : Cost, Timeline, and Tech Stack

The marketplace for eCommerce has seen a dramatic increase, with massive online shopping applications driving the trend. With the advent of the digital revolution, the way people shop is changing, and shopping apps like Temu are at the heart of this change. Among the many online shopping applications available, Temu stands out as an exceptional example of how to succeed. 

More than 30% of U.S. adult shoppers have used the platform to purchase various needs over the last 12 months. Given the fierce competition in the marketplace, these figures are truly impressive and demonstrate that Temu is a formidable force with a large customer base. It’s an excellent eCommerce platform that offers merchandise in a variety of categories, catering to women, men, and family needs.

The demand for shopping apps has never been higher, fueling the growth of app like Temu. If you’re looking to become an entrepreneur or a business aiming to capitalize on this growing market, creating an app like Temu could be a great opportunity. But how do you start? More importantly, how do you create an application that not only exceeds user expectations but also provides a memorable shopping experience?

In this guide, we’ll walk you through the process of developing an app like Temu, including its must-have features, the costs involved, and the key considerations you should keep in mind. 

What is the Temu App and how does it look like?

Temu is basically an online shopping app that connects customers to a wide range of goods right from clothing to electronics, usually at affordable prices. The platform was established in 2022 and is affiliated with PDD Holdings, the parent company of the renowned Chinese marketplace Pinduoduo. The Temu app is a great way to save money and shop conveniently, allowing customers to browse products from various sellers all on one platform.

It is designed to offer the best shopping experience possible, with user-friendly navigation, personalized recommendations, and regular discounts. When you launch the Temu app, it will display a clean and simple layout that is easy to navigate. The home screen shows diverse product categories, including beauty, fashion, and tech. You can scroll through items, read descriptions, and check prices. If you find something you like and want to know more, simply tap for additional information.

The app also offer features like integrated search function, which makes it easy to find particular items. If you come across something you’d like, you can add it to your shopping cart. When you’re ready to pay, checkout is quick and simple. The Temu shopping app also allows customers to track their orders and receive alerts about discounts or sales.

It’s important to note that Temu’s model favors direct manufacturing, helping to keep costs affordable. It has a global user base, with a primary focus on the U.S. market while expanding its international reach.

Key Market Statistics for eCommerce Apps Like Temu

Are you looking to create Temu like apps? It’s an exciting venture! Before diving in, you should familiarize yourself with the current marketplace for eCommerce apps. Analyzing trends, patterns, and user behavior will help you make informed decisions and increase your app’s chances of success.

• The eCommerce market in the United States is experiencing extraordinary growth. Forecasts predict a 67.47% increase in revenue from 2023 to 2028, continuing a decade-long pattern of steady growth.
• E-commerce is projected to generate $1.7 trillion in sales by 2027.
• Global eCommerce transactions are expected to surpass $4,886.34 billion by 2028, marking a significant increase compared to previous years and reflecting the growing popularity of online shopping.
• A little over 10% of the world’s online commerce takes place in the U.S., ranking just behind China in total expenditure.
• The Chinese retail site Temu became the most downloaded shopping app globally by 2024, with 5 million downloads across both the Apple App Store and Google Play Store.

Must-Have Features of an App Like Temu

Building shopping apps like Temu involves incorporating a range of features that are essential to meet customer needs and enhance the shopping experience. Let’s take a closer look at the features of apps like Temu that make a difference in creating an effective app.

Registration and Login

A simple registration and login process is a must-have feature for shopping apps like Temu. These features not only provide customers with a smooth and easy onboarding experience but also ensure security for their profile access. Along with quick access, these features offer customized experiences, effective order tracking, and secure gateways to users’ profiles.

User Accounts

A personalized shopping experience heavily relies on user profiles. By allowing users to create, sign in to, and manage their accounts, businesses can ensure a seamless app experience. Users can track preferences and past purchases, which is crucial for providing targeted marketing and personalized suggestions.

Product Catalog

A comprehensive product catalog is essential for an app like Temu. This feature should include detailed product listings with high-quality photos, descriptions, prices, and stock availability. Customers should be able to navigate through various categories and filter products by brand, price range, and customer reviews.

Payment Integration

To ensure smooth transactions, shopping apps like Temu must offer multiple payment options. These should include debit and credit cards, PayPal, mobile wallets, and possibly even cryptocurrency. It’s essential to secure transactions through SSL encryption and comply with PCI DSS standards, helping to establish trust and protect customers’ financial information.

Order Management

Efficient order management is very important for customer satisfaction. Users must be able to track their orders in real-time, receiving updates from the moment the order is processed until it arrives. A section for order history should also be included, allowing customers to easily reorder past purchases with just one click, enhancing the overall shopping experience.

Shopping Cart

A simple shopping cart is crucial for any e-commerce site. App users should be able to easily add items to their cart, modify quantities, and remove items as needed. The cart should display an ongoing total of the expenses, including taxes and shipping charges, so customers are fully aware of all costs before completing their purchase.

User Reviews and Ratings

Reviews and ratings offer valuable feedback on both the app’s performance and the products offered. Transparency through customer reviews helps potential buyers make informed decisions and builds confidence in the product and service.

Promotions and Discounts

To attract and retain customers, it’s important to incorporate features that promote special offers and discounts. This could include the use of coupons or loyalty programs that reward repeat customers that too with discounts or points.

Shipping and Delivery

In today’s competitive market, offering a variety of delivery and shipping options can set your app apart. Customers should have access to clear shipping options, with transparent pricing and estimated delivery times.

Analytics and Reporting

Analytics and reporting tools are indeed vital for tracking customer behavior, sales performance, and inventory levels. This data is very important for understanding customer preferences and optimizing marketing strategies.

Push Notifications

Push notifications can significantly increase user engagement. By sending alerts about special offers, sales, or order status updates, you can keep customers informed and encourage them to return to your app.

Customer Service

For an app like Temu, customer service is essential for ensuring a seamless shopping experience. Customers should have multiple ways to seek assistance, address issues, and build trust. Live chat is an ideal option for instant communication with support staff, especially for quick inquiries or troubleshooting.

Advanced Features of an App Like Temu

If you’re planning to elevate your apps like Temu beyond the norm, incorporating modern features can greatly enhance the customer experience and help your site stand out in a crowded marketplace. These innovative features not only improve convenience but also add a personal touch, making shopping more enjoyable and efficient. 

By adding these features, you can appeal to a broader audience, also increase your customer engagement, and boost sales. Here are some advanced features you should consider when designing your application:

Augmented Reality (AR) Shopping

Augmented Reality (AR) allows customers to visualize the products they are purchasing in real life. For example, users can see how furniture looks in a room or how clothing fits their bodies using their phone’s camera. This feature improves the shopping experience and helps customers make better purchasing decisions.

AI-Powered Personalized Recommendations

Using artificial intelligence (AI), your app can suggest items based on the user’s browsing habits and preferences. These personalized recommendations increase the likelihood of making a sale by displaying products users are more likely to purchase, creating a more tailored and enjoyable shopping experience.

Voice Search Integration

Voice search allows customers to look up products using spoken commands, making shopping more efficient and convenient. This feature is particularly very useful for shoppers who are in a hurry or prefer hands-free shopping, enhancing accessibility and overall satisfaction.

Social Shopping Features

Social shopping features enable customers to share their favorite items, reviews, or shopping plans with friends via social media. This adds a social element to the shopping experience, increasing user engagement and promoting word-of-mouth marketing, which can easily attract more users to the app.

Multi-Language and Multi-Currency Support

To reach a wider market, the apps like Temu should support multiple languages and currencies. This allows users from different countries to browse, shop, and pay in their preferred language and currency, improving accessibility and expanding the app’s global reach.

One-Tap Checkout

One-tap checkout simplifies the purchasing process by saving user data, such as payment methods and shipping addresses. With just one tap, customers can complete their purchase quickly and effortlessly. This reduces cart abandonment rates and provides a seamless, convenient purchasing experience.

Top 10 Apps Like Temu in 2025

Online shopping has become very popular these days due to the rise of eCommerce platforms. Temu is one of the most popular apps, offering great shopping choices at reasonable prices. However, there are many alternatives available. In this section, we’ll explore other app like Temu.

Wish

Wish is a shopping app that offers a vast array of items at very low prices. It’s often seen as an alternative to Temu, another app known for its affordability. Wish recommends items based on your previous browsing and purchasing habits, helping you discover new products you may not have seen before. The shipping time for Wish products can vary between 15 and 45 days, and refunds are granted within 30 days of delivery.

AliExpress

AliExpress is an online marketplace featuring independent sellers from China. It’s popular among consumers seeking a low-cost selection of items, including food, fashion, and gadgets, making it one of the most popular apps. 

Like Temu, AliExpress offers highly inexpensive items, many priced below $1. Standard shipping generally takes between 15 to 45 days, but you can opt for AliExpress Premium Shipping to receive your purchase in 15 business days. Returns are usually free, with a 15-day window to initiate returns after receiving your item.

Amazon

The Amazon app is an acclaimed online shopping platform for mobile devices developed by Amazon, the world’s largest online retailer. It allows a massive user base to browse and purchase millions of premium items, while also managing the delivery process, placing orders, and accessing other Amazon services. The app offers everything from furniture to accessories and clothing, with a user-friendly experience and affordable pricing.

eBay

The eBay app is a marketplace for mobile devices developed by eBay, a global online auction platform. This app enable users to discover and purchase thousands of new and used products across various categories. 

You can track your listings, bids, and shipments, and use other features of eBay while on the go. Anyone can buy or sell anything on the marketplace, from electronics and vehicles to clothes and accessories.

Shein

Shein is one of the top Chinese online fashion apps and a top Temu alternative, offering free products and affordable merchandise. With over 13 million active customers worldwide, Shein is a popular choice for purchasing products. The app sells cosmetics, accessories, clothing, and similar products. Shein’s fast-fashion business model has made it a household name, selling fashionable clothing at reasonable prices.

Faberlic

Faberlic is an Android lifestyle app that is free to use. It allows customers to shop for the items they need easily. Users can browse the company’s catalog, stay updated on the latest deals, and order anytime and anywhere. One of its notable features is the quick and easy payment process, which eliminates any difficulties when placing an order or making a payment.

Etsy

The Etsy app is a marketplace for mobile devices developed by Etsy, the world’s largest online marketplace for exclusive and unique items. Customers can shop for hundreds of exclusive, handmade, antique, and handcrafted items from independent sellers around the world. 

They can also track their purchases and monitor shipment statuses. Etsy offers a wide range of categories, including clothing, bags, jewelry, furniture, home furnishings, toys, art, and crafting supplies.

Rakuten

The Rakuten app is another eCommerce-related platform similar to Temu, developed by Rakuten, a Japanese online retailer. Customers can shop and purchase thousands of items across a variety of categories, monitor their orders, and track shipments. Rakuten also offers cashback and discounts. If you shop from over 3,500 affiliated stores, you can use the Rakuten app to find the best deals, coupons, and earn up to 10% cashback on purchases.

Walmart

Walmart is a leading eCommerce app that offers a broad range of items that too at affordable prices. The Walmart app provides a user-friendly interface with quick checkout options. Customers can explore and purchase items across various categories, track orders and shipments, and choose from pick-up in-store or delivery services. Walmart’s extensive selection includes household and office supplies, home decor, and groceries.

Geek

Geek is one of the most popular shopping apps for Android users. Similar to Temu, it offers huge discounts that can save you money. Geek secures competitive prices by negotiating directly with manufacturers, cutting out unnecessary charges and mark-ups. 

Customers enjoy significant price cuts on a wide range of limited-edition items, such as electronics, household goods, watches, accessories, and timepieces. With Geek, you can always find what you’re looking for at a more affordable price than you’d find at retail stores.

Business Model of an App Like Temu

The business model of the apps like Temu to make money focuses on connecting buyers and sellers through an online platform while generating revenue from multiple sources. The app like Temu allows users to purchase a variety of goods at affordable prices, all through a user-friendly and seamless experience.

Marketplace Model

Temu operates as a marketplace, meaning it doesn’t hold inventory or produce products. Instead, it connects third-party sellers with customers. Sellers can list their items on the app, and Temu earns a percentage of every completed sale. This model also reduces the need for inventory and upfront expenses.

Advertising

Another way apps generates revenue is through advertising. Sellers can pay apps to advertise their products within the app, helping them gain more visibility. This creates a win-win situation: sellers get more attention, and apps earns money from the ads.

Profits from Commissions

App like Temu earns money by charging sellers a commission on each item sold through the app. The commission amount can vary based on factors such as product categories or agreements with sellers. Since Temu takes a share of the profits but doesn’t purchase the products, it keeps business costs to a minimum.

Subscription Plans

Certain apps like Temu, may also offer premium subscription plans to sellers. These plans may provide access to exclusive tools, such as advanced analytics, better product positioning, or lower commission rates. Subscription plans can also provide a stable income stream for the app.

Freemium and Discount Strategies

Temu attracts users with deep discounts and special deals, especially for new customers. Offers like free shipping or significant markdowns can be a strong incentive for users to sign up. Additionally, Temu offers referral programs that reward users for sharing the app, helping to increase its virality and expand its user base.

Logistics and Shipping

Temu relies on third-party logistics companies, many of which are located in China, to manage the fulfillment process and handle shipping. While this can result in longer delivery times, the low product prices help offset the inconvenience. Bulk shipping can also be more cost-effective, and Temu’s ability to export internationally allows it to reach a global customer base, making it an appealing option worldwide.

Aggressive Marketing & User Acquisition

Apps like Temu invest heavily in digital marketing, particularly on social media apps like Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok. They also collaborate with influencers and use viral marketing strategies to increase brand awareness. By offering attractive deals and leveraging referral programs, Temu has been able to grow its user base rapidly within a short period.

Step-by-Step Process to Develop an App Like Temu

Here are the essential stages involved in creating an app like Temu. 

Market Research

It’s crucial to determine the audience you want to target. Understanding their needs and preferences is vital. What is the target market for your app, and what is its purpose? To answer these questions, you must conduct extensive market research. Study existing shopping apps like Temu, Amazon, and Wish. Identify their strengths and weaknesses to discover your own unique selling points.

Pick the Right Features

Once you’ve conducted your research, you can begin selecting the features needed to create an app like Temu. Investors focus on app development with the aim of generating significant profits. In this regard, features are the most important aspect. 

It is essential to allow customers to create accounts, manage their profiles, and easily track their order history. The features should enhance the user’s experience. It is recommended to implement a secure online shopping cart, reliable payment gateways, and real-time order tracking.

App Design

A clean, user-friendly, and visually attractive interface is crucial for a seamless user experience. Additionally, provide high-quality product photos and videos. Focus on an easy-to-use UI/UX layout that is intuitive and user-friendly. Create wireframes and prototypes to sketch out the interface and user interactions for your app.

App Development

Now it’s time to bring your concept to life. Mobile application development company will transform your idea into a fully functional app. The apps like Temu will be built for your preferred platform, whether you opt for native solutions or cross-platform technologies. We also recommend implementing strong security measures, including user authentication, authorization, and data protection compliance.

Testing

After developing the app, it’s time to test it. This phase enables you to identify and fix any bugs or issues. Testing makes sure that the app functions correctly and provides a satisfying experience for users. Once the final version is launched, you can take additional steps to enhance and refine the app.

Deployment of the App

The following step is to make your application available to people all over the world, by submitting it to several apps marketplaces. It is possible to submit your application to be reviewed via both the App Store as well as the Google Play Store. The both stores review applications to make sure they are in line with the security and quality standards.

Make sure you are ready to answer any queries or make minor adjustments in the event of a request. While it might take days to get a reply however, you should begin thinking about strategies for marketing to greatly increase your number of downloads for your app in the interim.

Maintenance and Updates

Once you’ve launched your application it is essential to keep it up and enhance the app. The world of digital technology is constantly changing and security enhancements appear frequently. Make sure your application is regularly up-to-date with the most recent security patches, and safeguards the personal information of users. With time, performance can decrease. Therefore, regular maintenance is required for improving processes and optimizing the resources of your application, making sure it operates effectively.

Cost to Develop an App Like Temu

Are you wondering how much it would cost you to build an eCommerce app like Temu? The Temu-style app costs of development could range between $40,000-$120,000. The cost could vary depending on the requirements of your project so, make sure you keep some additional funds to hand in the event that your budget goes over.

Here’s a simple breakdown of the costs based on the app’s complexity:

Basic App: $40,000-$60,000

Medium App: $60,000-$90,000

Advanced App: $90,000-$120,000

The final cost of your app depends on several things:

Features and Functionality

Fundamental features such as user authentication, product search, shopping carts, payment processing and order tracking are required. Architectural factors emerge from the infrastructure of your system, which can get much more complicated with integrated features, like social media, push notifications and user reviews, and, as a result, that will also affect the expenses.

Platform

Building an app that works across multiple operating systems (such as iOS, Android, and web platforms) requires more time, resources, and effort. The overall price will rise as the development team must ensure the app functions seamlessly across these different platforms.

Design

Custom designs are also more expensive than pre-built templates, as it takes more time and resources on the part of the designer. Customization allows for a unique interface and user experience, scaling up costs because of its complexity.

Development Team

In-house development teams could be more costly when compared with outsourcing to countries that have low labor costs. The expertise and knowledge of the team plays an important role in determining overall costs of development as well as the quality of the work.

Technology Stack

The decision to choose a language for programming frameworks, tools, and languages will affect the process of development and its expenses. Certain technology may be better but will require experienced developers. The tech stack must be in sync with the application’s features as well as scalability needs and can affect the cost of development.

Maintenance and Updates

Following development, ongoing assistance, bug fixing as well as feature enhancements are essential to ensure the long-term viability of your app. Planning for maintenance on a regular basis ensures your app is current, functional and able to work with all new gadgets, which is crucial in keeping customers happy and keeping the app’s users.

Why Choose EmizenTech to Build Your Temu-like App?

EmizenTech is the trusted shopping app development company that excel at designing feature-rich shopping apps that stand out in the highly competitive eCommerce marketplace. Our team of experts is committed to helping you incorporate modern technologies and advancements into your app. With our support, you’ll experience a hassle-free and seamless process while building your dream eCommerce app.

We provide innovative solutions that seamlessly integrate into the ever-changing world of online business, offering not only functionality but also a competitive edge. By partnering with EmizenTech, you gain the expertise and assistance needed to create apps similar to Temu.

Conclusion

Creating a successful eCommerce mobile application like Temu is a meticulous process that requires planning, patience, and time. It’s essential to research the market, understand customer needs, and choose the best features for your app. Additionally, you must focus on making your app user-friendly, ensuring excellent performance, and optimizing it for use across various platforms.

Finding the ideal development company is key to keeping your app’s cost low while maintaining top quality. Moreover, focusing on developing a simple, user-friendly layout, robust features, and an effective monetization strategy will help your app succeed in the crowded online marketplace. It’s important to plan for the long term and pay close attention to details like user experience and revenue models to ensure your app’s success and growth.

Call us now, and let’s transform your dream into a reality.

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