Common Apps Used in China

Picture this: You’re standing in a crowded Beijing subway, surrounded by people glued to their phones. But they aren’t just scrolling through Instagram or messaging on WhatsApp. No, the Chinese digital ecosystem is a world unto itself, dominated by a unique set of apps that you won’t find topping the charts elsewhere. For anyone curious about what apps the average Chinese citizen uses on a daily basis, this article is going to take you deep into the heart of China's tech landscape, where domestic giants like WeChat and Alipay reign supreme. These apps aren’t just tools; they are digital lifelines—everything from paying bills to ordering dinner, to chatting with friends happens within these platforms.

Let’s start with WeChat (微信). You’ve probably heard of it, but it’s not merely a messaging app. Imagine if WhatsApp merged with Facebook, PayPal, Amazon, and Uber. That’s WeChat in a nutshell. With over a billion monthly active users, WeChat serves as the backbone of social communication in China. People use it to send messages, share moments (similar to Facebook’s newsfeed), and most importantly, make payments. Whether you're buying street food or booking a doctor’s appointment, WeChat Pay has become so ingrained in everyday life that carrying cash is almost an afterthought.

What makes WeChat even more powerful is its “mini-programs”—tiny apps within the app. These mini-programs allow users to do things like shop online, play games, or even order groceries without ever leaving the WeChat ecosystem. For example, say you want to buy a new pair of sneakers; instead of visiting a website, you could find the brand’s mini-program and place your order directly. It’s like the app has swallowed the internet whole and made it more convenient.

But WeChat isn’t alone in China’s app market. Alipay (支付宝), operated by Alibaba’s Ant Group, competes head-to-head in the mobile payment sector. Alipay is used by over 700 million people and powers transactions for everything from e-commerce purchases to utility bill payments. And just like WeChat, Alipay offers its own ecosystem of mini-programs and services, including investments, loans, and even insurance. So if you’re living in China, chances are you’re bouncing between WeChat Pay and Alipay on a daily basis.

Now, let’s talk shopping. You can’t go a day without hearing about Taobao (淘宝) or its cousin Tmall (天猫). These platforms are like Amazon, but on steroids. Taobao is a consumer-to-consumer marketplace where individuals can sell anything from handmade crafts to electronics. Tmall, on the other hand, is a business-to-consumer platform where major brands like Nike and Apple have set up shop. The scale is staggering—Alibaba’s shopping platforms handle more transactions than any other e-commerce sites in the world, and their influence over China’s retail landscape cannot be overstated.

But shopping online in China doesn’t just stop at physical goods. Pinduoduo (拼多多) has revolutionized social commerce. The app allows users to form shopping groups with friends or strangers to get steep discounts on everything from vegetables to smartphones. It’s almost like a game, where the more people who buy, the lower the price becomes. This has made Pinduoduo particularly popular in rural areas, where users are looking for affordable goods and enjoy the social aspect of the shopping experience.

If you’re wondering where Chinese netizens go for short-form video entertainment, you can’t ignore Douyin (抖音)—which you probably know better as TikTok outside China. Douyin offers endless streams of addictive, short videos—everything from lip-syncing to viral challenges. While Douyin and TikTok share the same parent company (Bytedance), the two apps are distinctly different in content and culture. Douyin is heavily integrated with e-commerce, allowing influencers to promote products directly through their videos. Many businesses even run official Douyin accounts to engage with younger audiences.

Then there’s Kuaishou (快手), Douyin’s chief rival in the short-video space. While it’s not as internationally recognized as Douyin, Kuaishou has carved out its niche by focusing on China’s smaller cities and rural communities. The app has a more community-focused vibe, with users frequently showcasing their daily lives, from farming to cooking. This makes Kuaishou an integral part of the "real China"—the parts of the country that aren’t typically featured in glossy tourism ads.

China’s app ecosystem is also home to Meituan (美团) and Ele.me (饿了么), two titans in the food delivery game. Imagine Uber Eats and Grubhub combined, and then add on bike rentals, hotel bookings, and travel arrangements. That’s Meituan. Its all-in-one nature makes it the go-to app for millions of people looking to do everything from ordering takeout to booking a massage. Meituan processes tens of millions of orders daily, and Ele.me, its main competitor backed by Alibaba, isn’t far behind. The sheer convenience of these platforms is a testament to how China has integrated the online-to-offline (O2O) economy.

For news, Toutiao (今日头条) is the app that everyone uses to stay informed. It uses powerful algorithms to deliver personalized content to users based on their interests. Whether it’s politics, sports, or pop culture, Toutiao tailors news feeds to keep people engaged for hours. It’s an AI-driven content machine, and its success is proof of just how much data-driven personalization is valued in Chinese apps.

One of the most significant emerging players is DingTalk (钉钉), an app developed by Alibaba. It's primarily used for workplace communication, offering everything from video conferencing to project management. With the rise of remote work, DingTalk has seen massive adoption, especially in businesses that are part of the Alibaba ecosystem. It’s sort of like a combination of Slack and Zoom, but with added features for HR management, making it the go-to platform for companies in China.

Of course, we can’t forget Bilibili (哔哩哔哩), the quirky video platform that started as a hub for anime and gaming fans. Bilibili has evolved into a multi-faceted platform that now offers everything from e-learning to live streaming. What sets Bilibili apart is its community-driven nature. Users can post real-time comments that appear on-screen, creating a live interaction between the video and its viewers. It’s become the place for Gen Z in China to consume entertainment and interact with content creators.

Let’s not overlook Weibo (微博), China’s version of Twitter, though with a lot more functionality. Weibo allows users to post, share, and comment on everything from celebrity gossip to political news. It’s particularly popular among influencers and brands, who use the platform to engage directly with millions of followers. Key Opinion Leaders (KOLs) on Weibo have huge sway over public opinion and product trends in China, making it a key marketing tool for businesses.

Lastly, there’s the gaming world, dominated by Tencent's Honor of Kings (王者荣耀) and PUBG Mobile (和平精英). Gaming apps in China have an enormous user base, and these two are at the top. Honor of Kings alone has over 100 million daily active users, and both games are key examples of how mobile gaming has become a major part of entertainment in China. The country’s gaming community is vast, and the ecosystem is heavily regulated, but that hasn’t stopped these games from thriving.

As China continues to innovate in the tech space, the apps mentioned above will likely continue to evolve, offering more services and further integrating into daily life. The sheer variety and scope of apps used in China is a reflection of the country’s fast-paced, tech-forward society.