Cider vs. Shein: Which brand should you buy? [2026]

Cider offers a curated selection of edgy, streetwear-inspired clothing at an affordable price, while Shein is a fast-fashion giant with an enormous catalog of every imaginable trend at rock-bottom prices. The primary difference lies in a focused aesthetic versus sheer volume, Cider provides a specific "cool girl" vibe, whereas Shein aims to offer everything for everyone as cheaply as possible.

Let's compare everything you need to know to pick the right fast-fashion retailer for your wardrobe.

Cider: The Edgy Tastemaker

Cider is a social-first fashion brand targeting Gen Z and young millennials who want trendy, statement-making outfits without department store prices. The brand has built a strong following through platforms like TikTok and Instagram by focusing on a specific aesthetic that mixes Y2K nostalgia, festival vibes, and modern streetwear. Its collections feel curated, making it easier to build a cohesive, on-trend look.

• Product mix: Focuses on women's apparel like crop tops, baggy jeans, mesh dresses, and unique knitwear. Cider is known for creating pieces that reflect popular micro-trends seen online.
• Price point: Most items fall between $20 and $80. While more expensive than Shein, prices remain highly accessible compared to brands like Zara.
• Quality: Quality is typical for fast fashion - serviceable for trendy wear but not built for long-term durability. Materials are primarily polyester and cotton blends, and consistency can vary.
• Sizing/Fit: Sizing is fairly inclusive, running from XS to 3X. Most shoppers find their items fit true to size, making it a more predictable shopping experience than some competitors.
• Style aesthetic: Highly curated around bold, edgy, and youthful looks. Expect to find lots of cut-outs, unique prints, and dramatic silhouettes designed to stand out.
• Return policy: Accepts returns within a 30-day window.

Cider is the ideal choice for shoppers with a distinct personal style who want trendy, statement-making pieces from a brand with a focused, edgy point of view.

Shop Cider: cider.com

Shein: The Ultra-Fast Fashion Giant

Shein is one of the world's largest online retailers, defined by its astonishingly large product selection and extremely low prices. It targets anyone looking for trendy clothing on a strict budget, offering thousands of new styles daily across every conceivable category - from apparel and accessories to home goods. Shein’s business model relies on rapid trend replication and a constant stream of new arrivals, fueled by data and a powerful supply chain.

• Product mix: Enormous variety covering women's, men's, and children's clothing, plus a huge selection of accessories, beauty products, and home goods. If a trend exists, Shein likely has a version of it.
• Price point: The main draw is a price point that's nearly impossible to beat. Most items are priced between $5 and $30.
• Quality: Quality is highly variable and often a gamble. Materials are typically inexpensive synthetics like polyester. Shoppers rely heavily on customer reviews with photos to gauge the quality of a specific item.
• Sizing/Fit: Sizing is extremely inclusive, with most items available from XXS to 4X or larger. However, fit is notoriously inconsistent across different items, so checking individual sizing charts and user reviews is essential.
• Style aesthetic: Shein has no single aesthetic. It offers everything from minimalist basics to glamorous party dresses and office-appropriate attire.
• Return policy: Offers a 30-day return policy. The process is generally straightforward due to its large-scale logistics network.

Shein's massive catalog and ultra-low prices make it perfect for budget shoppers who want to experiment with many different styles or quickly add trendy pieces to their closet.

Shop Shein: shein.com

Cider vs. Shein Comparison

Price Comparison

There's no contest here: Shein is significantly cheaper than Cider. Shein's average item price hovers around $5-$30, while Cider's typically ranges from $20-$80. You can often purchase multiple items from Shein for the price of one similar piece at Cider.

Both brands run constant promotions and sales, but Shein’s are more aggressive, with flash sales, deep discounts, and a points system that offers further reductions. If your decision is based purely on the lowest possible price, Shein is the clear winner. Cider positions itself as an affordable brand, but it isn't competing at the same rock-bottom price level as Shein.

Quality & Materials

Both Cider and Shein operate in the fast-fashion space, so high-end quality and long-term durability are not primary features of either brand. Items are generally made from inexpensive synthetic materials like polyester, acrylic, and thin cotton blends designed to last for a season or two of trend-focused wear.

However, many shoppers report that Cider’s quality is slightly and more consistently better. Its higher price point allows for slightly better construction on some pieces. Shein's quality is famously inconsistent - you might find a surprisingly decent item, but you could just as easily receive something with poor stitching or flimsy fabric. With Shein, reading user reviews is your best tool for assessing product quality.

Style & Aesthetic

The style offerings are the biggest differentiator. Cider has a clear, curated brand identity. Its collections are built around specific aesthetics like "Feeling K-Pop," "Edgy," or "Minimalist." This makes it easy for shoppers who identify with those styles to find what they're looking for.

Shein, conversely, has every aesthetic imaginable. Its website is a massive, sprawling catalog of every micro-trend, classic style, and niche category. While this provides unparalleled choice, it can also be overwhelming. The shopping experience at Cider is like walking into a trendy boutique, while shopping at Shein is like browsing a gigantic, endless department store.

Fit & Sizing

Both brands offer inclusive sizing, but their approaches differ. Shein has one of the most extensive size ranges online, often going up to 4XL or 5XL. However, its sizing is wildly inconsistent from item to item. A "large" in one top could fit completely differently from a "large" in another, making it crucial to check the specific measurements and photos in the reviews for every single product.

Cider's sizing, while not as expansive as Shein's, is far more consistent. Shoppers generally find that Cider’s clothes run true to size, offering a more reliable and less stressful shopping experience. If you hate the guesswork of sizing, Cider has the edge.

Sustainability & Ethics

Both brands represent the fast-fashion model, which faces significant criticism for its environmental impact and labor practices. Neither can be considered a sustainable brand by any meaningful standard. Their business models rely on producing large quantities of inexpensive clothing to keep up with rapidly changing trends, which contributes to waste and overconsumption.

Shein, in particular, has been the subject of intense scrutiny regarding its labor practices and lack of transparency. Cider brandishes some eco-friendly claims and initiatives, such as using some recycled materials, but its core business model remains rooted in fast fashion. Shoppers concerned with sustainability should approach both brands with caution and research more ethical alternatives like Everlane or secondhand platforms.

Which One Should You Choose?

The right choice comes down to your shopping priorities - a focused style or maximum variety at the lowest cost.

Choose Cider if:

• You have a specific edgy, Y2K-inspired, or trendy aesthetic.
• You value a more curated shopping experience and don't want to sift through thousands of items.
• You prefer more consistent sizing and are willing to pay a little extra for it.
• You're looking for a standout piece for a specific event like a concert or festival.

Choose Shein if:

• Your primary concern is the absolute lowest price possible.
• You want endless options and enjoy trying out every new micro-trend.
• You don't mind spending time reading reviews and checking sizing charts to avoid duds.
• You need a wider range of sizes, especially on the plus-size spectrum.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Cider or Shein cheaper?

Shein is significantly cheaper. Most of its items are priced under $30, while Cider's products generally start around $20 and go up to $80.

Which brand has better quality?

Neither brand is known for high quality, but Cider is generally considered to have slightly better and more consistent quality than Shein. With Shein, the quality is often unpredictable and varies greatly from item to item.

Which has a better return policy?

Both brands offer a similar 30-day return policy for unworn items. The process is straightforward for both, though Shein's larger logistics operation may make returns feel more streamlined in certain regions.

Is Cider's sizing accurate?

Cider’s sizing is generally more accurate and consistent than Shein’s. Most shoppers report that Cider items fit true to size. Shein's sizing is notoriously inconsistent, so you must check reviews and charts for each item you buy.

Does Shein have more variety than Cider?

Yes, by a massive margin. Shein's catalog is exponentially larger and more diverse than Cider's. Shein offers clothing in nearly every style, category, and size imaginable, in addition to accessories, beauty products, and home goods.

Which brand is better for plus sizes?

Shein offers a much broader range of plus-size clothing, often extending to 4X and sometimes larger. While Cider is inclusive, Shein provides more options in its plus-size "Curve" collection.

Which is more sustainable?

Neither Cider nor Shein is a sustainable brand. Both are pillars of the fast-fashion industry, which is linked to environmental waste and ethical labor concerns. If sustainability is a priority, consider thrifting or shopping from brands with transparent ethical practices.

Is Cider just like Shein?

While both are online fast-fashion retailers, they serve slightly different functions. Cider has a distinct, curated aesthetic that appeals to shoppers with a specific style. Shein is more of a massive marketplace for ultra-cheap, trend-driven items of every kind.