If you check the most downloaded apps of the moment on Google Play in Europe, you will find a bit of everything: some come from the United States like Instagram or WhatsApp, others are Chinese like Temu or TikTok and there are Spanish ones, like Cl@go. The same does not happen in China: The most downloaded apps are all Chinese.
Another demonstration of the difference between the Android ecosystem in China and the rest of the world can be found in the hegemony of local applicationsthat are sweeping app stores compared to international alternatives, many of which do not operate in the country.
WeChat is one of the few apps on the list that needs no introduction, as it has been trying to expand internationally for years, without much success. WeChat is primarily a messaging app like WhatsAppalthough over time it has become one of the clearest examples of super apps or apps for everything, as it contains a multitude of mini-apps to do everything.
Other messaging giant is QQ Messenger, which has offered chats between its users for more than two decades, as well as a growing list of additional features. Like WhatsApp, it offers calls and video calls, as well as other extras such as mini-games.
Douyin (TikTok)
Douyin needs no introduction as it is. the name TikTok is called in China. The Douyin app is very similar to Western TikTok, but not exactly the same, offering different content and with small differences in how it works.
Alipay
Alipay is Alibaba’s online payments spin-off and one of the Most popular mobile payment systems from China. The app, which is a bit like China’s Google Wallet, operates in over 300 markets, so it’s no surprise that it’s also available on Google Play. As a bonus, you can use it to see if you’re going bald.
Gaode: map
Gaode Map, which is also owned by Alibaba, is primarily a route applicationsomething like Waze. However, as is common in many Chinese applications, over time it has acquired additional functions, so you can even use it to buy flowers.
Taobao
Yes, it is also owned by Alibaba. Taobao is the official app of the e-commerce site of the same name, so we could call it one of the Amazons of China you are “another Temu”.
Baidu Entry
Baidu Input is the keyboard application of the giant Baidu, something like the chinese Gboard. Like Gboard, it has a ton of additional features like dictionary integration, voice typing, AR, and a healthy dose of AI.
Sogou Entrance
The Baidu entry is the Baidu Gboard and the Sogou entry is Tencent’s Gboard. It is a keyboard app that comes with additional features like emojis, animated GIFs, and different themes to customize its appearance.
Baidu Map
Baidu Map most similar to Google Maps what’s in China. It’s an app where you have both full maps and a full route function.
Baidu
If Baidu is Google, the Baidu app is something like the Google app. It is mainly the search bar but nowadays it has many additions ranging from short videos to novels, news, comics and a long, long etc.
Kuaishou (Kwai)
Kuaishou is a Chinese short video app that try to follow TikTok steps expanding internationally under the name Kwai, although it has yet to gain much traction outside its borders.
Pinduoduo
Pinduoduo is an e-commerce site owned by PDD Holdings, the same owners of Temu. The app was available on Google Play, until it was removed because it contained malware.
Youku
Youku is the official app of the streaming service of the same name. The app promises us series, movies and anime, It is owned by Alibaba and is available in a few other countries besides China.
Tencent Video (WeTV)
In China they call it Tencent Video but In other countries it is called WeTV. This is another streaming service for shows, dramas, and variety shows, but in this case, owned by Tencent.
IQIYI
We continue with another official application of a streaming service: IQIYI. If you have a Chinese TV, your remote control may include a button to open the app. IQIYI also operates in Europe.
In simple terms, we can say that Weibo is the Chinese Twitterwith 15 years of experience and owned by Sina, born as an online information portal.
Tencent News
The Tencent News app describes itself as: Tencent’s news appwith news categorized by topics, sports and columns. It’s the equivalent of Google News.
Kugou Music
Kugou is a music streaming servicesomething like a Spotify made in China. Since 2004 it has been owned by Tencent, owner of other streaming services such as QQ Music, Kuwo Music or WeSing.
Meituan
Meitian is a home delivery service app that can be used to order food, call a taxi or run errands. In other words, it is something like Glovo.
JD.com
Finally, we have JD.com, another e-commerce giant which fills the void of Amazon in China and one of Alibaba’s biggest competitors in the country.
By | Statist
In Xataka Android | If you think Google Maps is full of buttons, wait until you see Baidu Maps in China
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