Is Temu Legit? Everything You Need to Know About the Shopping App

Have you been looking for an alternative to Amazon? If you don’t want to get in your car and head to your local store (scary, we know), one of the smartphone- and tablet-friendly shopping tools is Temu.

Launched in September 2022, Temu prides itself on its budget-friendly approach to online shopping. But can it be a worthy replacement for Amazon, or should you stick to the almighty five for your home goods? Let's find out!

What is Temu?

Temu is an online shopping app similar to Amazon that claims to have the best deals you can find online. With over 250 different categories to choose from, it functions as a general shopping app rather than an app for specific interests. Temu claims that what makes it unique is that its prices are lower than other online retailers. While this isn’t always the case for non-discounted items, full-priced items are at least as good, if not the same, as sites like Amazon, Target, or Walmart.

However, the app often runs sales and multi-week promotions, so before you buy anything online, it’s worth checking there first to see if you can get what you’re looking for a little cheaper. Keep in mind, however, that not all big brands sell on Temu yet, as it’s still a developing marketplace. However, there are plenty of big brands that already sell on the platform.

Is Temu app legit?

As mentioned above, Temu has received a fair amount of skepticism, which is only natural. When an app deals with sensitive information—like your credit card numbers and home addresses—it’s a good idea to be a little cautious. However, concerns about Temu’s legitimacy are easily allayed. Although the app is new, it is backed by PDD Holdings Inc., a multibillion-dollar company with decades of experience in global commerce.

As for other forms of legitimacy verification, Temu supports several types of secure payment methods, including Apple Pay, Google Pay, PayPal, and most credit cards. Temu appears to be as legitimate as all the other major online stores.

Is Temu a scam?

In short, no, Temu is not a scam. It is a completely legitimate marketplace that, like all new online stores, has faced skepticism from people.

It appears that the fear of the company is unfounded, as another major company owned by Temu's parent company, PDD Holdings Inc, is Pinduoduo, a Chinese agricultural company. However, there is ample evidence that both PDD Holdings Inc. and Pinduoduo are legitimate companies and that there is nothing suspicious.

According to a Temu spokesperson who contacted Digital Trends, "PDD Holdings Inc. owns and operates a portfolio of companies around the world, including Temu in the U.S. and Canada and Pinduoduo, a social commerce app in China. Pinduoduo is a sister company of Temu."

How to download Temu app

Downloading the Temu app is easy, whether you're on iOS or Android, as it's available on both. Go to your phone's app store and search for "Temu." The app icon is orange with white text and four little symbols. In the store, the app will be called "Temu: Shop Like a Billionaire." Select the offer to download the app, and Temu will be on your phone whenever you want to shop at a discount.

If you don't want to download the app, Temu is fully functional in the browser. Just go to Temu.com and you'll have access to all the features that the app has.

Download Temu for iOS

Download Temu for Android

Do I need to download the Temu app?

Absolutely not. If you prefer to shop from a laptop or desktop computer (or use a web browser on your smartphone or tablet), you can head to the Temu website.

You'll be able to do everything you can do in the Temu app, including filtering by category, tracking orders, entering your payment method, and more.

Why are Temu prices so low?

Based on the company's own responses to this question, Temu is able to offer much lower prices than competitors like Amazon, Best Buy, and Target due to its supply chain structure.

Using a seller-to-consumer approach, all Temu products are sold through third parties. Additionally, no products are manufactured outside of China, so Temu is not subject to the same regulations as American developers.

Does Temu provide user data security?

It's a bit of a gray area at the moment. According to Temu's security and privacy terms, protecting customer information is one of the company's top priorities. However, Temu has recently come under fire for mishandling user data.

In February 2024, law firm Hagens Berman filed a class action lawsuit against the company. Representing plaintiffs from Illinois, California, Massachusetts, and Virginia, the lawsuit accuses Temu of using spyware and malware to access user data and transmit it to third parties.

In its response to CBS 2's inquiry, Temu says it does not share customer data with third parties.