Top 3 Free EDI Converters (and Why PlainEDI is Fastest)

Quick Comparison Table

1. Healthcare Data Insight EDI Viewer

Ranking: #3 (Best for: Healthcare-specific EDI 837/835 files)

What It Is

Healthcare Data Insight offers a free online EDI viewer specifically designed for healthcare transaction sets: 837 (healthcare claims), 835 (electronic remittance advice - ERA), and 834 (benefit enrollment). You can upload X12 EDI files and view them in a human-readable format, with automatic decoding of CPT, ICD-10, NDC, and other healthcare codes.

How It Works

1. Upload EDI file: Visit datainsight.health/edi/viewer/ and upload your X12 file
2. Automatic parsing: Tool detects transaction type (837, 835, 834) and displays all fields on one page
3. Code translation: CPT procedure codes, ICD-10 diagnosis codes, and NDC drug codes automatically display their descriptions
4. Export options: Download as CSV, Excel, or JSON (free tier limited to 3 claims)

Supported Transaction Types

• 837 - Healthcare Claim (professional, institutional, dental)
• 835 - ERA (Electronic Remittance Advice) - payment explanations
• 834 - Benefit Enrollment and Maintenance

Pros

• Healthcare-focused: Specialized for medical billing workflows (837/835/834)
• Code translation: Automatically decodes CPT/ICD-10/NDC codes (saves manual lookup time)
• Multiple output formats: CSV, Excel, JSON export
• Privacy-compliant: Doesn't store uploaded files (HIPAA consideration)
• Command-line tool: API and CLI available for automation

Cons

• Limited free tier: Only 3 claims per file in free version
• Healthcare-only: Doesn't support retail EDI (850 PO, 856 ASN, 810 invoice, 820 payment)
• No Walmart/Target/Amazon parsing: Not designed for retail vendor workflows
• Slower processing: 30-45 seconds for file upload and rendering vs. 20-30 sec competitors

Cost

Free tier: Up to 3 claims per 837 file, unlimited file uploads
Paid tier: Full file conversion starts at $29/month for 100 files (healthcare providers)

Best For

• Medical billing companies processing 837 claims or 835 ERAs
• Healthcare providers receiving EDI 834 benefit enrollment files
• One-time conversion of small healthcare EDI files (≤3 claims)

When to Avoid

• You're a retail vendor receiving 850 POs, 856 ASNs, or 810 invoices from Walmart/Target/Amazon
• You need to convert files with >3 transactions regularly
• You want retailer-specific field extraction (MABD dates, department numbers, GLN ship-to addresses)

2. Stedi EDI Inspector

Ranking: #2 (Best for: Developers who need JSON output)

What It Is

Stedi EDI Inspector is a free web-based tool for developers that converts X12 EDI files into JSON format. Built on Stedi's EDI Core API, it visualizes EDI documents in a human-readable format, provides detailed validation errors, and enables JSON-based data manipulation. It's designed for developers building EDI integrations, not non-technical users needing CSV imports to QuickBooks or Excel.

How It Works

1. Upload or paste EDI: Visit stedi.com/app/edi-translate and upload a file or paste raw EDI text
2. EDI to JSON conversion: Tool parses X12 structure and outputs nested JSON with segment/element hierarchy
3. Validation: Displays errors with specific segment references (e.g., "Missing N1 segment")
4. Share or export: Copy JSON to clipboard or share a link to the parsed file

Supported Transaction Types

All X12 transaction types (850, 855, 856, 810, 820, 846, 997, 837, 835, 834, 856, etc.)—Stedi supports the full X12 standard.

Example JSON Output (Simplified)

For a Walmart 850 PO, Stedi outputs nested JSON like this:

Pros

• JSON output: Perfect for developers integrating EDI with APIs or databases
• Unlimited free tier: No file size or transaction count limits on EDI Inspector
• Detailed validation: Shows exactly which segments/elements fail X12 standards
• All X12 transaction types: Works for retail (850/856/810), healthcare (837/835), logistics (204/214), etc.
• Bidirectional: Can also convert JSON → X12 EDI (useful for generating outbound EDI files)

Cons

• No CSV export: Outputs JSON only—you must manually convert JSON to CSV if importing to Excel/QuickBooks
• Developer-focused UI: Not intuitive for non-technical users (shows raw JSON hierarchy, not labeled spreadsheet columns)
• No retailer-specific parsing: Doesn't auto-extract Walmart MABD dates or Target TCIN numbers—you must manually navigate nested JSON
• Requires JSON knowledge: If you don't know how to parse JSON, the output isn't useful

Cost

EDI Inspector: Fully free with unlimited usage
EDI Translate API: Free tier includes limited API calls/month, paid plans start at $50/month for higher volume

Best For

• Developers building EDI integrations (API-based order import)
• Technical users who prefer JSON over CSV
• Debugging EDI errors before sending to trading partners
• Understanding X12 segment structure for learning purposes

When to Avoid

• You need CSV output for QuickBooks or Excel import
• You're not comfortable parsing nested JSON objects
• You want labeled columns (e.g., "PO Number", "MABD Date", "Item UPC") instead of raw segment names ("BEG.03", "DTM.02", "PO1.07")

3. EDI Academy Viewer

Ranking: #4 (Best for: Learning EDI structure, viewing files without exporting)

What It Is

EDI Academy Viewer is a completely free online tool that displays X12 EDI files in a human-readable format. It supports ANSI X12 versions 4010, 4020, and 5010, with no registration required. However, it's view-only—you cannot export to CSV, JSON, or Excel. Think of it as a "pretty printer" for EDI files.

How It Works

1. Upload EDI file: Drag-and-drop or select your .edi file
2. View formatted output: Tool adds line breaks after each segment (~) and highlights segment identifiers (ISA, GS, ST, BEG, etc.)
3. No export: You can read the file on-screen but cannot download CSV or copy structured data

Supported Transaction Types

All ANSI X12 transaction types (850, 855, 856, 810, 820, 846, 997, 837, 835, etc.)—purely displays raw X12 structure without transaction-specific formatting.

Pros

• Completely free: No file limits, no registration, no hidden paywalls
• No software installation: Web-based, works on any device
• Educational: Good for learning X12 segment structure (ISA/GS/ST envelopes)
• Privacy: Doesn't store uploaded files

Cons

• View-only: Cannot export to CSV, Excel, or JSON—no data extraction
• No parsing: Just adds line breaks—doesn't label fields or translate codes
• Slow for large files: 45-60 seconds to render files with 50+ line items
• Manual data entry required: You must copy-paste values one-by-one into Excel if you need structured data

Cost

Fully free: No paid tier, no limits

Best For

• Learning how EDI X12 files are structured (ISA/GS/ST hierarchy)
• Viewing EDI contents without needing to export data
• Quick check: "Does this file look valid?"

When to Avoid

• You need to import EDI data into QuickBooks, Excel, or your ERP
• You process more than 1-2 EDI files per week (manual copy-paste becomes too slow)
• You want automated field extraction (PO numbers, dates, quantities)

PlainEDI: The Fastest Affordable Alternative

Ranking: #1 (Best for: Retail vendors processing 850/856/810 files from Walmart, Target, Amazon)

What It Is

PlainEDI is a web-based EDI to CSV converter specifically optimized for retail vendors. It parses Walmart, Target, Amazon, Home Depot, Lowe's, Costco, Best Buy, AutoZone, Albertsons, and Kroger EDI files (850, 855, 856, 810, 820, 846, 997) into labeled CSV spreadsheets in 30 seconds. While not entirely free, it offers a free preview (first 10 lines) and costs just $3.90/file—far cheaper than $750+/month EDI software.

How It Works

1. Upload EDI file: Drag-and-drop any retail EDI file
2. Automatic retailer detection: PlainEDI identifies Walmart, Target, or Amazon from ISA/GS segments
3. Retailer-specific parsing: Extracts key fields:
   • Walmart: MABD date (DTM*002), department number (REF*DP), ship-to GLN (N1*ST*92)
   • Target: TCIN (PO1*VA), ship-by date (DTM*002), fill rate requirements
   • Amazon: ASIN (PO1*VA), 4-hour ASN requirement flag
4. Free preview: View first 10 lines to verify parsing accuracy before paying
5. Download CSV: Export full file with human-readable column headers (PO Number, Item UPC, Quantity, Unit Price, Ship-To Address, MABD Date)
6. Import to ERP: Upload CSV to QuickBooks (via SaasAnt Transactions), NetSuite, or Excel

Supported Retailers (10 Total)

Walmart, Target, Amazon, Home Depot, Lowe's, Costco, Best Buy, AutoZone, Albertsons, Kroger

Supported Transaction Types (7 Total)

850 (Purchase Order), 855 (PO Acknowledgment), 856 (Advance Ship Notice), 810 (Invoice), 820 (Payment Remittance), 846 (Inventory Inquiry), 997 (Functional Acknowledgment)

Why PlainEDI is Fastest

1. Retailer-Specific Field Extraction

Free tools show raw X12 segments. PlainEDI automatically extracts critical retailer-specific fields:

• Walmart MABD date: Free tools display "DTM*002*20250122". PlainEDI outputs "MABD Date: 01/22/2025" in a labeled CSV column.
• Target TCIN: Free tools display "PO1*1*100*EA*12.99*VA*12345678". PlainEDI outputs "TCIN: 12345678" in a separate column.
• Home Depot OMS ID: Free tools display "PO1*1*50*EA*8.50*VN*HD-987654". PlainEDI outputs "OMS ID: HD-987654".

2. CSV Output (Not JSON)

Stedi outputs nested JSON requiring manual parsing. PlainEDI outputs flat CSV with labeled columns, ready for Excel import or QuickBooks upload via SaasAnt Transactions ($10-$29/mo).

3. Batch Processing

Free tools require uploading one file at a time. PlainEDI Unlimited plan ($99/mo) lets you process 50+ files/month without per-file costs.

4. No Registration for Preview

Upload any file and see first 10 lines instantly—no email signup required. Verify parsing accuracy before paying.

Pros

• Fastest CSV conversion: 30 seconds from upload to download
• Retailer-specific parsing: Auto-extracts Walmart MABD, Target TCIN, Amazon ASIN
• Multi-retailer support: Works for 10 major retailers (vs. free tools that are generic or healthcare-only)
• Free preview: No credit card required to test parsing accuracy
• Affordable: $3.90/file (10-pack) vs. $750+/month full EDI software
• No setup: Web-based, no software installation

Cons

• Not fully free: Costs $3.90-$9 per file (free tier limited to 10-line preview)
• No JSON output: Only CSV (doesn't suit developers needing JSON for APIs)
• No outbound EDI: Doesn't generate or transmit 856 ASNs or 810 invoices (inbound parsing only)

Cost

Free preview: First 10 lines, unlimited files
Single file: $9
10-pack: $39 ($3.90/file—best value)
Unlimited: $99/month (process 50+ files without per-file cost)

Best For

• Retail vendors receiving 850 POs from Walmart, Target, Amazon, Home Depot, Lowe's
• Teams importing EDI data to QuickBooks or Excel (CSV format required)
• Vendors processing 5-500 POs/month (sweet spot: too many for manual reading, not enough to justify $750+/mo EDI software)
• Businesses needing retailer-specific field extraction (MABD dates, department numbers, TCINs)

When to Avoid

• You only process 1-2 EDI files/year—use free tools instead
• You're a developer needing JSON output—use Stedi EDI Inspector
• You need to send 856 ASNs or 810 invoices via EDI transmission (VAN/AS2)—requires full EDI software

Head-to-Head Comparison: Which Tool Should You Use?

Scenario 1: You're a Walmart vendor processing 20-50 POs/month, need CSV for QuickBooks import

Recommended: PlainEDI
Why: Fastest retailer-specific CSV conversion (MABD date, department, GLN auto-extracted). $1,188/year unlimited plan vs. free tools requiring 5-10 min manual data entry per file (100+ hours/year labor).

Scenario 2: You're a developer building an API integration, need JSON output

Recommended: Stedi EDI Inspector
Why: Free JSON output, unlimited usage, bidirectional (JSON ↔ EDI). PlainEDI only outputs CSV.

Scenario 3: You're a medical billing company processing 837 healthcare claims

Recommended: Healthcare Data Insight
Why: Specialized for healthcare EDI (837/835/834), auto-decodes CPT/ICD-10 codes. Free tier covers 3 claims/file.

Scenario 4: You received your first EDI file ever and want to understand its structure

Recommended: EDI Academy Viewer (free) or PlainEDI free preview
Why: EDI Academy is fully free for learning. PlainEDI's free preview shows labeled columns, easier to understand than raw X12 segments.

Scenario 5: You process 1-2 EDI files per year, very low volume

Recommended: Stedi EDI Inspector (free)
Why: Fully free, no file limits. Manually convert JSON to CSV for the 1-2 files/year (not worth paying $9/file).

Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Using Healthcare-Focused Tools for Retail EDI

Healthcare Data Insight is optimized for 837/835 medical claims. It won't parse Walmart 850 POs correctly—missing MABD dates, department numbers, and GLN ship-to addresses.

2. Expecting Free Tools to Export Unlimited Files to CSV

Most "free" EDI converters have hidden limits:

• Healthcare Data Insight: 3 claims per file free tier
• Stedi EDI Inspector: JSON only (no direct CSV export)
• EDI Academy: View-only (no export at all)

If you need CSV exports for 20+ files/month, PlainEDI Unlimited ($99/mo) is cheaper than manually converting Stedi JSON to CSV (saves 10+ hours/month labor).

3. Not Verifying Retailer-Specific Fields Before Paying

Always use the free preview to check:

• Does it extract Walmart MABD date? (DTM*002 segment)
• Does it extract Target TCIN? (PO1*VA qualifier)
• Does it parse ship-to GLN correctly? (N1*ST*92)

PlainEDI's free preview shows first 10 lines with all these fields labeled—verify accuracy before exporting.

4. Choosing Tools Based on Price Alone

A free tool that takes 10 minutes of manual work per file costs more than PlainEDI ($3.90/file) when you factor in labor:

• Free tool: 50 files/month × 10 min = 500 min (8.3 hours) × $25/hr = $208/month labor
• PlainEDI Unlimited: $99/month + 50 files × 30 sec = 25 min (0.4 hours) × $25/hr = $109/month total
• Savings: $99/month (time is money)

Frequently Asked Questions

Are there any truly free EDI to CSV converters with no limits?

No. All free EDI converters have limitations:

• Healthcare Data Insight: Free tier limited to 3 claims per file
• Stedi EDI Inspector: Free but outputs JSON only (requires manual JSON → CSV conversion)
• EDI Academy Viewer: Fully free but view-only (no CSV export)

For unlimited CSV exports, PlainEDI Unlimited ($99/month) is the most affordable option for retail vendors.

Can I use Stedi EDI Inspector to convert EDI to CSV?

Not directly. Stedi outputs JSON, not CSV. You must:

1. Convert EDI → JSON using Stedi
2. Manually parse JSON and create CSV (using Excel, Python script, or jq command-line tool)

This works for developers but adds 5-10 minutes per file. PlainEDI outputs CSV directly in 30 seconds.

Why is PlainEDI faster than free tools?

PlainEDI is optimized for retail vendors:

• Retailer-specific parsing: Auto-extracts Walmart MABD (DTM*002), Target TCIN (PO1*VA), Amazon ASIN—free tools require manual segment searching
• CSV output: Labeled columns (PO Number, Item UPC, Quantity, MABD Date) vs. Stedi's nested JSON or EDI Academy's raw text
• No manual reformatting: Free tools output dates as CCYYMMDD (20250122)—PlainEDI formats as MM/DD/YYYY (01/22/2025) for Excel

Can free EDI converters handle Walmart, Target, and Amazon files?

Yes, technically. Stedi and EDI Academy support all X12 transaction types, including retail 850/856/810. However, they don't provide retailer-specific parsing:

• Free tools: Display "DTM*002*20250122"
• PlainEDI: Displays "MABD Date: 01/22/2025" in a labeled CSV column

You'll spend 5-10 min manually extracting fields from free tool output. PlainEDI does this automatically in 30 seconds.

Do I need to download software to use these converters?

No. All 4 tools (Healthcare Data Insight, Stedi, EDI Academy, PlainEDI) are web-based—no software installation required. Just upload your EDI file via browser.

Can I use these tools to send EDI files (856 ASN, 810 invoice)?

Partially:

• Stedi EDI Inspector: Yes, converts JSON → X12 EDI (you can generate outbound EDI files)
• Healthcare Data Insight: No (inbound parsing only)
• EDI Academy: No (view-only)
• PlainEDI: No (inbound parsing only)

However, none of these tools transmit EDI files via VAN or AS2. You must use Walmart's DSV Portal, Target's TPN Portal, or full EDI software (SPS Commerce, TrueCommerce) for outbound transmission.

What file formats do these converters support?

• Input: All tools accept X12 EDI files (.edi, .x12, .dat, .txt)
• Output:
  • Healthcare Data Insight: CSV, Excel, JSON
  • Stedi: JSON only
  • EDI Academy: View-only (no export)
  • PlainEDI: CSV

Can I automate EDI conversion with these free tools?

Healthcare Data Insight: Yes, offers API and CLI for automation (paid tier required for unlimited files)
Stedi: Yes, EDI Translate API available (free tier limited, paid plans from $50/month)
EDI Academy: No API (web upload only)
PlainEDI: Manual upload only (no API currently)

Final Recommendation

For retail vendors receiving EDI 850 POs from Walmart, Target, or Amazon who need fast CSV conversion for QuickBooks or Excel import, PlainEDI is the best choice:

• Fastest: 30 seconds upload-to-CSV vs. 10+ min manual extraction from free tools
• Retailer-specific: Auto-extracts MABD dates, department numbers, TCINs, GLN addresses
• Affordable: $3.90/file (10-pack) or $99/month unlimited vs. $750+/month full EDI software
• Free preview: Test parsing accuracy before paying

If you're a developer needing JSON output, use Stedi EDI Inspector (free, unlimited). If you're processing healthcare EDI (837/835), use Healthcare Data Insight (free tier for small files). If you're learning EDI structure, use EDI Academy Viewer (fully free, view-only).

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