AS2 Solution Comparisons
See how Serverless AS2 compares to other AS2 solutions and protocols.
Quick Comparison Overview
Here's a high-level comparison of AS2 solutions:
| Feature | Serverless AS2 | AWS Transfer Family | OpenAS2 | Commercial |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly Cost (Low Volume) | $0 | $220+ | $15-30 | $500-2000+ |
| Monthly Cost (1000 msgs/day) | $1-3 | $500+ | $30+ | $500-2000+ |
| Setup Time | 15 minutes | Hours | Hours-Days | Days-Weeks |
| Web UI | Full-featured | AWS Console | None | Yes |
| Open Source | Yes | No | Yes | No |
| Auto-scaling | Yes | Yes | No | Varies |
| Maintenance | Zero | Low | High | Low |
| Infrastructure | Your AWS account | Your AWS account | Your servers | Vendor cloud/on-prem |
Serverless AS2 vs AWS Transfer Family
Most Common ComparisonBoth solutions run on AWS, but they have very different pricing models and feature sets.
| Aspect | Serverless AS2 | AWS Transfer Family |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Pay-per-use only | Always-on ($0.30/hr) + per message |
| Minimum Monthly Cost | $0 (Free Tier) | $220 (endpoint always running) |
| Cost at 1000 msgs/day | ~$1-3/month | ~$500/month |
| Web Interface | Dedicated management UI | AWS Console only |
| Partner Management | Visual UI with forms | CLI/Console configuration |
| Message Tracking | Built-in TrackLog UI | CloudWatch logs |
| Setup Complexity | Single command | Multiple console steps |
| Open Source | Yes - GPL-3.0 | No - AWS managed service |
Potential Savings: Save $217+/month compared to AWS Transfer Family at low volumes. At 1000 messages/day, save approximately $497/month (~99% savings).
Choose Serverless AS2 if: You want lower costs, a better management UI, or open-source flexibility.
Choose AWS Transfer Family if: You need AWS-managed service with AWS support contracts.
Choose AWS Transfer Family if: You need AWS-managed service with AWS support contracts.
Serverless AS2 vs OpenAS2
Both are open-source AS2 solutions, but with different architectures.
| Aspect | Serverless AS2 | OpenAS2 |
|---|---|---|
| Architecture | Serverless (AWS Lambda) | Java application on server |
| Infrastructure | Fully managed AWS services | Self-managed server (EC2, on-prem) |
| Monthly Cost | $0 (Free Tier) | $15-30 (EC2 instance) |
| Scaling | Automatic | Manual (bigger server) |
| High Availability | Built-in (multi-AZ) | Requires manual setup |
| Maintenance | Zero | OS patches, Java updates, backups |
| Configuration | Web UI | XML files |
| Setup Time | 15 minutes | Hours to days |
Choose Serverless AS2 if: You want zero maintenance, auto-scaling, and easier configuration.
Choose OpenAS2 if: You need to run on-premises or have existing Java infrastructure.
Choose OpenAS2 if: You need to run on-premises or have existing Java infrastructure.
Serverless AS2 vs Commercial Solutions
Commercial AS2 solutions (Cleo, Axway, IBM Sterling, etc.) offer enterprise features but at enterprise prices.
| Aspect | Serverless AS2 | Commercial (Cleo, IBM, etc.) |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly Cost | $0-20 | $500-2000+ |
| Licensing | Free (GPL-3.0) | Annual license fees |
| Setup Time | 15 minutes | Days to weeks |
| Support | Community / GitHub | Vendor support contracts |
| EDI Translation | Not included | Often included |
| Multiple Protocols | AS2 only | AS2, SFTP, FTPS, etc. |
| Compliance Certs | AWS compliance | Vendor certifications |
Choose Serverless AS2 if: Cost is a concern, you only need AS2, or you're a small/medium business.
Choose Commercial if: You need vendor support contracts, EDI translation, or multi-protocol support.
Choose Commercial if: You need vendor support contracts, EDI translation, or multi-protocol support.
AS2 vs SFTP
Understanding when to use AS2 versus SFTP for B2B file transfers.
| Feature | AS2 | SFTP |
|---|---|---|
| Delivery Receipt | Yes (MDN) | No built-in receipt |
| Non-repudiation | Yes (signed MDN) | No |
| Push Model | Yes (HTTP POST) | Requires polling or triggers |
| Encryption | Payload + Transport | Transport only |
| Retailer Requirement | Required by most | Sometimes accepted |
| Setup Complexity | Higher (certificates) | Lower (SSH keys) |
Use AS2 when: Trading partner requires it, you need delivery receipts, or compliance requires non-repudiation.
Use SFTP when: Simpler file transfers are acceptable and receipts aren't required.
Use SFTP when: Simpler file transfers are acceptable and receipts aren't required.
Summary: Which Solution Should You Choose?
Best for Cost Savings
Serverless AS2 - $0/month on Free Tier, pay only for what you use.
Best for Ease of Use
Serverless AS2 - Web UI, single-command deploy, no XML config.
Best for Enterprise Support
Commercial Solutions - Vendor support contracts and SLAs.
Best for On-Premises
OpenAS2 - Run on your own servers without cloud dependency.