If you look at the most downloaded apps at the moment on Google Play in Spain, you will find a bit of everything: some are from the United States, like Instagram or WhatsApp, others are Chinese, like Temu or TikTok, and there are some Spanish ones, like Cl@ve. In China, the same is not true: The most downloaded apps are all Chinese.
Further proof of how different the Android ecosystem is in China compared to the rest of the world can be found in the hegemony of local applicationswhich are sweeping the app stores against 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 applications for everything, since it has a multitude of mini apps inside to do everything.
Other messaging giant QQ Messenger has been offering chats between its users for over two decades, as well as a growing list of additional features. Like WhatsApp, it has voice and video calls, as well as other extras such as mini-games.
Douyin (TikTok)
Douyin needs no introduction as it is The name TikTok has in ChinaThe Douyin app is very similar to the Western TikTok, although not exactly the same, offering different content and with small differences in its operation.
Alipay
Alipay is Alibaba’s online payments spinoff and one of the Most widespread mobile payment systems from China. The app, which is sort of 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 mainly a route applicationsomething like Waze. However, as is usual with many Chinese applications, over time it has gained extra functions so you can even use it to buy flowers.
Taobao
Yes, it also belongs to Alibaba. Taobao is the official app of the ecommerce site of the same name, so it could be called as One of China’s Amazons or “another Temu”.
Baidu Input
Baidu Input is the keyboard application of the giant Baidu, something like China’s Gboard. Like Gboard, it has a ton of extra features like dictionary integration, voice input, AR, and a healthy dose of AI.
Sogou Input
Baidu Input is Baidu’s Gboard and Sogou Input is Tencent’s GboardIt is a keyboard app with additional features like emojis, animated GIFs, and different themes to customize its appearance.
Baidu Map
Baidu Map is the closest thing to Google Maps that is in China. It is an application in which you have both complete maps and a complete route function.
Baidu
If Baidu is Google, then Baidu App is something like the Google app. It’s mainly the search bar, but nowadays it has a lot of add-ons ranging from short videos to novels, news, comics and a long, long etcetera.
Kuaishou (Kwai)
Kuaishou is a Chinese short video app that Try to follow in TikTok’s footsteps expanding internationally under the name Kwai, although it has not yet gained much traction outside its borders.
Pinduoduo
Pinduoduo is an ecommerce site owned by PDD Holdings, the same owners of TemuThe app was available on Google Play until it was removed for containing malware.
Youku
Youku is the official app for 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 more countries besides China.
Tencent Video (WeTV)
In China they call it Tencent Video but In other countries it is called WeTV. It is another streaming service for programs, 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 Spain.
In plain words, We can say that Weibo is China’s Twitterwith 15 years of experience behind it and owned by Sina, which was born as an online news portal.
Tencent News
The Tencent News app describes itself: it is Tencent’s news appwith news classified by topics, sports and columns. It is 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, the owners 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 do your shopping. In other words, it is something like Glovo.
JD.com
Lastly we have JD.com, another e-commerce giant filling Amazon’s void in China and one of Alibaba’s biggest competitors in the country.
Via | Statista