Temu

Temu is an online marketplace selling a very wide range of inexpensive goods: clothing, shoes, home decor, beauty products, craft supplies, phone accessories and plenty of small items you didn't know you wanted. It suits shoppers who care more about a low price than a brand name, and who are happy to try something cheap before committing to a better version.

Day to day, the app is busy. Expect constant flash sales, countdown timers, coupons, games and prompts to invite friends for credit. Browsing can be fun, but it can also feel like the app is working hard to keep you scrolling and adding to your cart. Checkout is simple, and many orders ship free with a return window that the store listing puts at 90 days, subject to conditions. Many items ship from overseas, so delivery can take longer than you might be used to from local retailers.

Why we picked it: For low-cost basics and novelty items, the prices and selection are hard to ignore, and the app is available almost everywhere.

Watch out for: Quality varies a lot between sellers, product photos can flatter, and the gamified promotions and data collection have drawn public criticism.