Timy Space

Category: Products

  • Single App Everywhere? Shopee Says No

    While Grab and Lazada offer a seamless experience by allowing users to access their apps across regions without installing a separate app for each country, Shopee takes a very different approach.

    Shopee basically says no to a single app everywhere.

    Hmm… that caught my attention.
    This topic instantly triggered so many whys in my head, haha.

    Whether an app chooses a single global version or multiple regional versions usually depends on its target audience. Some apps are designed to serve users globally, while others focus deeply on localization. In this post, I want to share my experience using apps that operate across Southeast Asia (SEA).

    The first app that feels super useful for me as a traveler is Grab. As a ride-hailing service across SEA, it solves so many travel problems: not knowing public transport routes, avoiding taxi scams, and dealing with language barriers.

    What I really appreciate is that I don’t need to install a new app when visiting another country. Grab automatically switches the regions, while the UI and user flow stay the same as the version I use in Indonesia. Since the payment accepts Visa/Mastercard, there is no problem at all with the payment.

    During a short visit to Thailand, I also explored local e-commerce apps like Lazada and Shopee. Naturally, I chose platforms I already knew.

    This is where I was surprised.

    Lazada works just like Grab. I didn’t need to install Lazada Thailand. I simply switched the region and logged in with the same account I use in Indonesia. That felt like a great user experience.

    But when I tried to access Shopee Thailand, I felt a bit sad : (
    Shopee Thailand wasn’t available in my Google Play Store. To install it, I had to change my Google Play region to Thailand. As an alternative, I searched for a Shopee APK online and installed it manually, not via the Play Store.

    I’m not saying this method is 100% safe, but it worked for me.
    The reason I avoided changing my Google Play region is simple: once you change it, you have to wait one year before you can change it again.

    Shopee and Lazada are competitors, yet they run completely different strategies for regional apps. I read several articles explaining why Shopee chooses to build a separate app for each region. The idea is to give regional teams more freedom to deeply localize the app so it truly resonates with local users. And honestly, they do a great job at localization. Some UI elements and features are clearly different between Shopee Thailand and Shopee Indonesia.

    From a product perspective, this might also make development more efficient. Fixes, experiments, or feature rollouts can happen at a regional level without affecting the global app.

    A related thought
    Why Online Shopping in Thailand Feels Easier Than in Indonesia

    My final thought? As a user, especially as a traveler, I personally prefer one global app. It feels simpler, more efficient, and more convenient. But I understand why Shopee chose a different path.

    How about you?
    Would you rather use one app everywhere, or separate apps for each country?

    Share your thoughts below.



    —
    If you need a +1 on something you’re building, I’m in.

  • Why Online Shopping in Thailand Feels Easier Than in Indonesia

    Online shopping in Thailand genuinely surprised me, especially the payment experience.

    Using QR payments on e-commerce here feels incredibly seamless. I don’t need to input a virtual account number or manually type a bank account for transfers. It’s as simple as paying for street food: scan the QR code, confirm, and done. No copying and pasting numbers, no worrying about entering the wrong digits, just a smooth checkout flow.

    Especially since Thailand receives the cross-border QR, the payments remove so many small frictions. I want to share this experience because, as a tourist, this feature was really helpful.

    I don’t fully know how the online shopping culture works in other countries. But coming from Indonesia, this stood out to me. Most big e-commerce platforms still don’t offer QR payments as a default option.

    In Indonesia, QR payments (QRIS) become popular during the COVID-19 era, mainly to minimize contact when handling cash. Since then, QRIS has grown fast, especially among millennials and Gen Z, myself included.

    I really appreciate apps and platforms that adapt QRIS as a payment option. I hope Indonesian e-commerce platforms like Shopee and Tokopedia will soon add QR payments as a standard option. As of writing this post, Lazada Indonesia has already implemented it.

    Good job, Lazada Indonesia!

    —
    If you need a +1 on something you’re building, I’m in.