PlainEDI vs Orderful vs SPS Commerce: Which EDI Solution for Your Business Size?

You're a vendor selling to Walmart, Target, or Amazon. You receive EDI purchase orders (850), need to send advance ship notices (856 ASN), submit invoices (810), and reconcile payments (820). The question is: which EDI solution matches your business size and technical needs?

The EDI market has three distinct tiers:

• PlainEDI: Simple CSV conversion for vendors who receive EDI but submit responses through retailer web portals
• Orderful: Modern API-first EDI platform for growing businesses that need automated transmission but want faster onboarding than legacy providers
• SPS Commerce: Legacy managed service EDI provider with the largest retailer network but slower onboarding and higher costs

This guide compares all three solutions across pricing, features, onboarding time, ideal use cases, and total cost of ownership.

Understanding the Three Tiers of EDI Solutions

Tier 1: PlainEDI - Simple CSV Conversion ($99/month)

What it does: Converts EDI files (850, 855, 856, 810, 820, 846, 997) to CSV format instantly. You upload an EDI file, get a labeled CSV with all key fields extracted.

What it doesn't do: No EDI transmission (you can't send 856 ASN or 810 invoice via VAN/AS2). No ERP integration. No automated workflows.

Ideal workflow:

1. Download 850 purchase order from Walmart Retail Link / Target Partners Online / Amazon Vendor Central
2. Upload to PlainEDI → Get CSV with PO number, items, quantities, MABD dates, ship-to addresses
3. Import CSV to QuickBooks / Excel / Google Sheets
4. Fulfill order
5. Submit ASN and invoice through retailer web portals (Retail Link ASN Builder, Partners Online, Vendor Central)

Cost structure: $9 single file, $39 for 10-pack ($3.90/file), $99/month unlimited. No setup fees. No contracts.

Time to first conversion: 30 seconds. Upload file, preview CSV, download.

Tier 2: Orderful - Modern API-First Platform ($189-$1,999/month)

What it does: Full EDI transmission (VAN/AS2) with modern API-first architecture. Real-time validation, automated compliance checks, faster onboarding than legacy providers.

Key differentiator: "Connect Once" API means you integrate with Orderful's API once, then access all trading partners without custom integrations for each retailer.

Ideal workflow:

1. 850 purchase order arrives via Orderful API → Automatically creates order in your ERP (NetSuite, Shopify, custom system)
2. You fulfill order → Your system sends shipment confirmation to Orderful API
3. Orderful generates 856 ASN, validates against retailer requirements (Walmart MABD, Target TCIN, Amazon timing)
4. Orderful transmits 856 via AS2 to retailer → Receives 997 FA confirmation
5. Same process for 810 invoice → 820 payment reconciliation

Cost structure:

• Web EDI: $189/month (includes webforms for manual entry, good for low volume)
• Integrated API: $1,999/month (API access, automated workflows)
• Per-relationship pricing: Each unique integration (retailer + transaction type) = 1 relationship. 20 retailers × 3 transaction types = 60 relationships.

Time to go live: 9 days average (vs 6-12 months for SPS Commerce)

Technology advantage: Cloud-native, API-first, real-time validation with AI rules engine. Modern developer experience.

Tier 3: SPS Commerce - Legacy Managed Service ($750-$2,000/month)

What it does: Full-service EDI with the largest trading partner network (500K+ connections). Managed service means SPS handles mapping, testing, compliance, troubleshooting.

Key differentiator: Largest retailer network, deepest retail expertise (strong Walmart/Target/Amazon compliance knowledge), hands-off managed service.

Ideal workflow:

1. SPS receives 850 PO from retailer via VAN
2. SPS maps to your ERP format, delivers to your system
3. You fulfill order, your ERP creates shipment
4. SPS receives shipment data, generates 856 ASN with retailer-specific compliance checks
5. SPS transmits 856 to retailer, monitors 997 FA for errors
6. SPS team handles any compliance issues, chargebacks, or transmission failures

Cost structure:

• Monthly subscription: $750-$2,000/month depending on volume and trading partners
• Setup fees: $5,000-$15,000 for implementation, mapping, testing
• Per-transaction fees: Some plans charge per document (e.g., $0.10-$0.50 per 850/856/810)

Time to go live: 6-12 months (includes custom mapping, retailer testing cycles, compliance validation)

Technology limitation: Legacy VAN-based architecture, slower to adapt to new retailer requirements, less transparency in integrations (managed service model means less direct control).

Feature-by-Feature Comparison

1. Onboarding Speed & Complexity

PlainEDI: Instant (30 seconds)

• Sign up → Upload EDI file → Get CSV preview → Download
• No IT department required, no training needed
• Works immediately with all 7 EDI transaction types (850, 855, 856, 810, 820, 846, 997)
• Supports 10 retailers out of the box (Walmart, Target, Amazon, Home Depot, Lowe's, Costco, Best Buy, AutoZone, Albertsons, Kroger)

Orderful: 9 days average

• Day 1-3: Connect your ERP/system to Orderful API, map data fields
• Day 4-6: Configure retailer requirements (Walmart MABD dates, Target TCIN, Home Depot OMS ID)
• Day 7-8: Test transactions with each retailer (send test 850/856/810, verify 997 FA)
• Day 9: Go live with production transactions
• Why faster than SPS? Pre-configured retailer requirements, "Connect Once" API eliminates custom integrations per retailer

SPS Commerce: 6-12 months

• Month 1-2: Discovery calls, requirements gathering, custom mapping design
• Month 3-5: Map your ERP data to SPS format, configure transformation rules
• Month 6-9: Test with each retailer individually (Walmart testing can take 4-6 weeks alone)
• Month 10-12: Parallel testing (run EDI alongside existing process to verify accuracy)
• Why so long? Legacy architecture requires point-to-point integrations, managed service coordination adds layers, retailer testing cycles are sequential not parallel

2. Pricing & Total Cost of Ownership (5-Year)

PlainEDI: $8,587 (5-year TCO for 50 POs/month)

• Year 1: $99 × 12 = $1,188 + $29 SaasAnt QuickBooks import × 12 = $348 + $100 learning = $1,636
• Years 2-5: ($99 + $29) × 12 × 1.05 annual increase = $1,536-$1,867/year = $6,951
• 5-Year Total: $8,587

Orderful: $120,000-$150,000 (5-year TCO for Integrated plan)

• Year 1: $1,999 × 12 = $23,988 + first trading partner FREE (save ~$2,000) = ~$22,000
• Years 2-5: Assuming 3 retailers × 3 transaction types = 9 relationships at ~$200/relationship/month = $1,800 + $1,999 base = $3,799/month × 12 × 1.05 annual increase = $45,588-$53,000/year = ~$200,000 over 4 years
• 5-Year Total: ~$120,000-$150,000 (varies by relationship count)

SPS Commerce: $60,000-$120,000 (5-year TCO)

• Year 1: $10,000 setup + $750 × 12 = $9,000 = $19,000
• Years 2-5: $750-$1,200/month × 12 × 1.05 annual increase = $9,000-$15,000/year = $40,000-$70,000
• Additional: Per-transaction fees (if applicable) can add $5,000-$15,000/year at high volumes
• 5-Year Total: $60,000-$120,000

3. Technical Architecture & Integration

PlainEDI: Deterministic X12 Parser

• Technology: Rules-based X12 EDI parser (100% standards-compliant, same input = same output)
• Integration: CSV export → Manual import to QuickBooks/Excel/ERP via CSV import tools
• Retailer-specific parsing: Automatically extracts Walmart MABD dates, Target TCIN, Home Depot OMS ID, Amazon ASIN
• API: No API (file upload/download only)
• Hosting: Cloud-based SaaS, instant processing

Orderful: API-First Cloud Platform

• Technology: Cloud-native, "Connect Once" REST API for all trading partners
• Integration: RESTful API integrates with any system (NetSuite, Shopify, custom apps)
• Real-time validation: AI rules engine validates transactions against retailer requirements before transmission
• Visibility: Dashboard shows all EDI transactions, errors, compliance issues in real-time
• Modern stack: JSON/XML API responses, webhook notifications, event-driven architecture

SPS Commerce: Legacy VAN-Based Managed Service

• Technology: Traditional VAN (Value-Added Network) store-and-forward architecture
• Integration: Custom point-to-point mappings for each ERP system and retailer combination
• Managed service: SPS team handles mapping, transformation, transmission, error resolution
• Visibility: Web portal shows transaction status, but less real-time than Orderful
• Limitation: Slower to adapt to new retailer requirements (managed service coordination required vs API configuration)

4. Retailer Compliance & Validation

PlainEDI: Manual Validation

• Parses EDI files accurately (100% X12 standards-compliant)
• Extracts retailer-specific fields (MABD, TCIN, OMS ID, department numbers, GLNs)
• You validate compliance manually based on CSV data
• Submit ASN/invoice through retailer web portals (Retail Link, Partners Online, Vendor Central) which have built-in validation
• Best for: Low volume where web portal validation is sufficient

Orderful: Real-Time AI Validation

• Validates transactions in real-time against retailer requirements before transmission
• AI rules engine flags potential compliance issues (missing MABD date, invalid TCIN format, incorrect GLN structure)
• Pre-configured compliance rules for Walmart, Target, Amazon, Home Depot, Lowe's, Costco
• 997 Functional Acknowledgment monitoring with automatic retry on errors
• Best for: Medium-high volume where automated validation prevents costly chargebacks

SPS Commerce: Managed Service Validation

• SPS team validates all transactions before transmission
• Deep retail expertise (Walmart OTIF 90%/95%, Target Perfect Order Program May 4 2025, Home Depot $1,000 missing ASN penalty)
• Proactive compliance monitoring (SPS team alerts you to upcoming retailer requirement changes)
• Handles chargeback disputes on your behalf (documents compliance for Walmart/Target/Amazon disputes)
• Best for: High volume where dedicated compliance support justifies cost

Decision Framework: Which Tier Is Right for You?

Migration Paths: Scaling Up When You're Ready

Path 1: PlainEDI → Orderful (Most Common Scale-Up)

When to migrate:

• You consistently exceed 100 POs/month for 3+ months
• You add 4th-5th retailer and manual web portal submission becomes overwhelming
• Retailers mandate EDI transmission (Costco 2024 full EDI requirement, Best Buy testing mandate)
• You implement ERP (NetSuite, Shopify Plus) and want automated workflows

Migration process:

1. Months 1-6 with PlainEDI: Learn EDI structure, retailer requirements, identify pain points
2. Month 7: Sign up for Orderful, connect API to your ERP/system (first trading partner FREE)
3. Month 7 Week 2-3: Configure Walmart/Target/Amazon retailer requirements in Orderful
4. Month 7 Week 4: Test transactions, verify 997 FA confirmations
5. Month 8: Go live with automated EDI, keep PlainEDI for backup/troubleshooting

Cost impact: $99/mo → $1,999/mo (20x increase, but saves 5-10 hours/week in manual processing)

Path 2: PlainEDI → SPS Commerce (For Managed Service)

When to migrate:

• You exceed 500 POs/month
• You work with 10+ retailers
• You don't have internal IT resources to manage EDI
• Compliance chargebacks exceed $10,000/year and you need expert support

Migration process:

1. Month 1-12 with PlainEDI: Establish workflows, learn retailer requirements
2. Month 13: Engage SPS Commerce, 6-12 month implementation begins
3. Months 13-18: SPS maps your data, tests with each retailer
4. Month 19+: Go live with SPS managed service

Cost impact: $99/mo → $750-$2,000/mo + $10,000 setup (but eliminates 10-20 hours/week internal EDI management)

Path 3: Orderful → SPS Commerce (Rare, But Happens)

When to migrate:

• You outgrow Orderful's network (need obscure retailers not in Orderful's ecosystem)
• You want fully managed service instead of self-service API management
• You need SPS's deep retail compliance expertise for complex chargeback disputes

Note: Most companies that choose Orderful stay with Orderful because the modern API architecture and self-service model scale well. SPS is typically chosen upfront for managed service needs, not as an upgrade from Orderful.

Real-World Vendor Scenarios

Scenario 1: Craft Food Producer - PlainEDI User

• Retailers: Whole Foods (Amazon), Albertsons
• Volume: 20-25 POs per month
• Software: QuickBooks Online for accounting, Excel for inventory
• Workflow: Download 850 PO from Amazon Vendor Central and Albertsons portal → Upload to PlainEDI → CSV import to QuickBooks via SaasAnt Transactions → Fulfill order → Submit ASN via Vendor Central and Albertsons web portal
• Monthly cost: $99 PlainEDI + $29 SaasAnt = $128
• Why PlainEDI? Low volume (25 POs/month), only 2 retailers, both allow web portal ASN submission. Orderful at $1,999/mo would cost 15x more for minimal time savings.

Scenario 2: Electronics Accessories Vendor - Orderful User

• Retailers: Best Buy, Target, Amazon, Walmart, Costco
• Volume: 200 POs per month
• Software: Shopify Plus with custom ERP integration
• Workflow: Orderful API receives 850 PO → Creates order in Shopify automatically → Warehouse fulfills → Shipment triggers Orderful API → 856 ASN generated with Best Buy/Target/Walmart specific compliance → Transmitted via AS2 → 997 FA confirmation → 810 invoice sent automatically
• Monthly cost: $1,999 base + 5 retailers × 3 transaction types (850/856/810) = 15 relationships × ~$150 = $2,250 + $1,999 = ~$4,249/month
• Why Orderful? High volume (200 POs/month), 5 retailers all require EDI transmission. Best Buy mandates EDI testing, Costco requires full EDI (2024 mandate). Modern API integrates with Shopify Plus. 9-day onboarding vs 6-12 months for SPS was critical for fast market entry.

Scenario 3: National Furniture Distributor - SPS Commerce User

• Retailers: Walmart, Target, Amazon, Home Depot, Lowe's, Costco, Wayfair, Overstock, Ashley Furniture, Bob's Discount Furniture, Living Spaces (11 retailers)
• Volume: 800 POs per month
• Software: NetSuite ERP with warehouse management
• Workflow: SPS receives 850 PO from all 11 retailers → Maps to NetSuite format → NetSuite creates sales order → Warehouse picks/packs → NetSuite shipment confirmation → SPS generates 856 ASN with retailer-specific compliance → SPS transmits via VAN/AS2 → 997 FA monitoring → 810 invoice generated from NetSuite billing → SPS transmits → 820 payment reconciliation → SPS team handles any compliance issues
• Monthly cost: $1,500/month base + per-transaction fees ~$500/month = ~$2,000/month
• Why SPS Commerce? High volume (800 POs/month), 11 retailers with complex requirements, no internal IT staff to manage EDI. SPS's managed service means zero EDI resources needed internally. Dedicated account manager handles Walmart OTIF compliance, Target Perfect Order Program updates, Home Depot penalty disputes. $2,000/month is cheaper than hiring EDI specialist ($60K-$80K/year salary).

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use PlainEDI with Orderful or SPS Commerce?

Yes. Many vendors use PlainEDI as a backup even after implementing Orderful or SPS Commerce. When full EDI platforms have issues, PlainEDI provides instant visibility into raw EDI files for troubleshooting. Cost: $99/month is cheap insurance.

Which solution has the fastest ROI?

PlainEDI: Immediate ROI. $99/month saves 2-4 hours per file vs manual EDI reading ($37.45/file labor cost). Break-even at 3-4 files/month.

Orderful: ROI at 100-150 POs/month. $1,999/month + per-relationship fees vs manual web portal submission (15 min/PO at $25/hr = $6.25/PO labor). Break-even at ~300 POs/month.

SPS Commerce: ROI at 500+ POs/month OR when compliance chargebacks exceed software cost. $2,000/month vs hiring EDI specialist ($60K/year = $5,000/month). Break-even if managed service saves full-time employee.

Is Orderful really faster to implement than SPS Commerce?

Yes. Orderful's average onboarding is 9 days vs SPS Commerce's 6-12 months. Why? Orderful's API-first architecture with pre-configured retailer requirements eliminates custom integration per retailer. SPS's legacy VAN architecture requires point-to-point mappings and sequential retailer testing.

Does PlainEDI work with all retailers that Orderful and SPS support?

PlainEDI parses all standard X12 EDI files (850, 855, 856, 810, 820, 846, 997) from any retailer. We have retailer-specific parsing for Walmart, Target, Amazon, Home Depot, Lowe's, Costco, Best Buy, AutoZone, Albertsons, and Kroger. However, PlainEDI only reads EDI files—it doesn't transmit them. If a retailer mandates EDI transmission (no web portal), you need Orderful or SPS Commerce.

Can I negotiate pricing with Orderful or SPS Commerce?

Yes. Both offer discounts based on volume and annual contracts. Orderful's per-relationship pricing is negotiable at scale. SPS Commerce often provides volume discounts for multi-year commitments. PlainEDI pricing is fixed: $9 single, $39 for 10-pack, $99/month unlimited (no negotiation, but also no hidden fees).

What if my retailer requires EDI certification?

Some retailers (Costco, Best Buy) require EDI testing/certification before issuing POs. PlainEDI cannot help with certification (read-only). Orderful and SPS Commerce both handle EDI testing and certification as part of onboarding. Orderful's 9-day average includes certification; SPS's 6-12 months includes extensive testing cycles.