66 / Meituan: The Super App That’s Both a Lifesaver and a Chaos Machine
China’s ultimate super app that’s as convenient as it is overwhelming
Ever wondered what it’s like to have an app that does everything—from renting a power bank to delivering your forgotten keys across town? Welcome to Meituan, China’s ultimate super app that’s as convenient as it is overwhelming. Let’s dive into why this app is a game-changer for millions, yet a navigational nightmare for even the savviest users.
The Magic of Meituan’s Convenience
Meituan is like a digital Swiss Army knife for urban life in China. Launched in 2010 by entrepreneur Wang Xing as a simple coupon service, it has evolved into a powerhouse super app with over 770 million monthly active transactional users and 3 million delivery riders zipping around the country (Meituan.txt). Need a power bank on the go? Just scan a QR code, pay 2 yuan (about $0.30 USD), and you’ve got 30 minutes of juice—return it anywhere in the city. Forgot your keys at home? For just 20 yuan (~$3 USD), Meituan’s riders can deliver them to you in about an hour. From food delivery to scooter rentals to buying medicine, Meituan’s vast network makes daily life ridiculously convenient. It’s no wonder it’s a staple for modern Chinese city dwellers.
The Chaos of Meituan’s User Experience
But here’s the catch: Meituan’s app is a hot mess. Imagine opening a digital Chinese buffet where every dish is screaming for your attention. The interface bombards you with menus, pop-ups, live-streaming promotions, and gamified features like “silver membership” badges. Want to order food? You’ll wade through sliding banners, promotional landing pages, and a homepage that’s more like a labyrinth than a starting point. Even the Chinese locals call it chaotic. The app’s design feels like it’s trying to sell you everything at once—coupons, live streams, even loans (more on that later). It’s so overwhelming that finding what you need can feel like a treasure hunt gone wrong.
A Financial Powerhouse in Disguise?
Speaking of loans, Meituan isn’t just about food or power banks—it’s a financial juggernaut. By tracking your purchases, the app builds a profile of your financial habits, offering services like borrowing money directly through its platform. For example, I was offered a loan of 197,000 RMB (~$30,000 USD) based on my spending data. This integration of e-commerce, delivery, and financial services makes Meituan a true super app, but it also raises eyebrows. With so much personal data in one place, concerns about privacy and sustainability linger, though those debates are for another day.
You can even watch livestream shows from Meituan app!
Love It, Hate It, Can’t Live Without It
Meituan is a paradox: a brilliantly convenient tool that can also drive you up the wall with its cluttered interface. It’s a testament to how far technology can go in simplifying life while complicating the user experience. Next time you’re in China, give it a spin—just brace yourself for the chaos. What’s your take—would you trade a bit of app insanity for unmatched convenience?
Chinese Super App Meituan: Convenience vs UX Chaos
Meituan proves that a super-app’s mind-blowing convenience can clash with chaotic UX—offering priceless design lessons for every product team.
Hello, I’m Bear—a product designer, UX mentor and an award‑winning bilingual podcast host, currently living in Auckland, New Zealand. I enjoy sharing insights from my work, life, and study, helping all of us grow together.
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