Coupa vs Ariba vs Stampli

Today’s common procure-to-pay (P2P) challenges slow down operations and increase risk. Fragmented systems and siloed data force teams to juggle multiple tools, creating manual workarounds and communication bottlenecks. The result? Delayed payments to vendors and lengthy approval cycles, which strain supplier relationships. 

Compliance risks also surge when processes lack central oversight. Disorganized P2P workflows can lead to contract violations, tax errors, and regulatory noncompliance (resulting in unnecessary penalties). These pain points point to the need for an integrated solution that connects all the stages of the P2P process into a cohesive workflow.

Coupa, SAP Ariba, and Stampli are three platforms that aim to automate purchasing and invoicing, increase visibility, and enforce controls to prevent errors. But how do they stack up against one another? 

In this guide, we’ll see how each addresses five key challenges — time-to-value, procurement and accounts payable (AP) capabilities, user experience, customer support, and scalability — and how you can choose the best solution for your business.

Bridging the procure-to-pay gap with the right solution

Before diving into features, let’s set the stage: Coupa and SAP Ariba are long-established procurement suites known for serving large enterprises. Coupa is a broad spend management platform covering everything from sourcing and procurement to expenses and invoicing. 

SAP Ariba, part of the SAP ecosystem, focuses on global procurement and supplier management, offering access to SAP’s vast supplier network. Both are powerful tools, but often at the cost of complexity and lengthy deployments.

Stampli’s mission is to connect every dot between requests, procurement, AP, payments, vendor management, and your enterprise resource planning (ERP) bridging departmental gaps. Stampli tackles the same challenges of fragmentation and manual work by providing a single, integrated workflow from procurement through payment. This is crucial for finance functions that need both procurement efficiency and AP control without managing multiple disparate systems.

Customers say this comprehensive approach pays off. “I love how easy and efficient Stampli has made our AP process,” says one Capterra customer. “It has cut back 80% of our processing time and significantly improved our accuracy.”

Coupa vs SAP Ariba vs Stampli at a glance

To start, here’s a high-level overview of the three solutions and their focus areas.

Coupa: A comprehensive source-to-pay and spend management platform

Here’s Coupa at a glance:

• Offers modules for procurement, invoicing, expenses, sourcing, and analytics
• Designed for large enterprises and global supply chains
• Strengths include broad feature coverage and deep analytics, but can be expensive and complex for smaller teams
• Typical customers: Fortune 1000 companies seeking unified spend visibility

SAP Ariba: Enterprise-grade procurement and supply chain management system by SAP

Here’s SAP Ariba at a glance:

• Excels at automating sourcing, contract management, and supplier management with integration into SAP’s ERP and Business Network
• Built for multinational companies (especially SAP ERP users) with high procurement complexity
• Known for its robust features and global supplier network, but carries a steep learning curve and often requires a large IT budget

Stampli is the only procure-to-pay platform that connects every dot

Here’s Stampli at a glance:

• Provides end-to-end procure-to-pay capabilities including purchase requests, purchase order creation, advanced invoice capture and PO matching, approval workflows, and integrated payments
• Tailored for mid-market and enterprise businesses and AP teams that need rapid deployment and user-friendly design
• Offers AI-driven invoice processing and PO matching to minimize manual data entry. Praised for its ease of use and fast time-to-value in months, not years

Ease of implementation and time-to-value

Why this matters: You need a solution you can roll out efficiently — a lengthy implementation means delayed ROI and more disruption.

Coupa: Complex and can take months to implement

As a broad enterprise suite, Coupa implementations can be months-long projects. Deploying multiple modules (procurement, AP, expenses) often requires coordination with IT and sometimes even third-party consultants. 

Users note that certain advanced features (like configuring risk or sourcing modules) demand expertise — one reviewer said without prior Coupa knowledge it was “almost impossible” to become proficient in some admin areas. 

While Coupa is powerful, the learning curve during setup is steep. The payoff can be worth it for large firms, but mid-sized teams might find the rollout onerous.

SAP Ariba: Lengthy for full SAP integration and complex setup for non-SAP systems

Being part of SAP’s ecosystem, Ariba is part of a large digital transformation involving SAP ERP. Implementation is lengthy and complex, especially if integrating Ariba with non-SAP systems.

One G2 reviewer cautioned that “integrating SAP Ariba with existing systems…can sometimes present challenges.” It requires careful planning and technical expertise for smooth data sync. 

Ariba’s deployment is usually a multi-month endeavor led by IT specialists. Companies already using SAP products will have an easier time, whereas others will face a heavier lift. This long timeline can delay the time-to-value and increase project risk.

Stampli: Deploys in weeks with minimal IT effort

Unlike the other two solutions, Stampli emphasizes speed to value. As a cloud-based solution, Stampli deploys in a matter of weeks, not months. It offers pre-built integrations to popular ERPs (like Dynamics, NetSuite, Sage, QuickBooks, and even SAP), so you don’t need a big IT project to connect systems.

Customers often highlight Stampli’s streamlined onboarding‌ process. G2 data shows Stampli’s Ease of Setup scores 9.3/10 vs. 7.8 for SAP Ariba — revealing a much faster, simpler implementation process.

Customers say Stampli’s team guides them through setup and that the system is ready to use very quickly. “We were up and running within weeks of signing our contract,” says one Stampli customer. 

This means finance teams can start automating purchase requests, PO creation, invoice processing, and PO matching within weeks. Rapid implementation reduces strain on IT and lets you start seeing benefits — like faster approvals and fewer late payments — in the same quarter you implement. This is a huge advantage for mid-sized companies that can’t wait a year to see benefits.

The bottom line

Coupa and Ariba are proven solutions but require patience (and budget) for a successful rollout. Stampli shines by delivering fast time to value, making it the best choice when ‌quick, efficient implementation is a priority.

Procurement and AP capabilities

Why this matters: A procure-to-pay platform needs to balance procurement features (requisitions, purchase orders, supplier management, sourcing) with AP features (invoice processing, approvals, payments). The solution you choose will have to cover the entire P2P spectrum relevant to your operations.

Coupa: Comprehensive S2P + an AP module

Coupa is a source-to-pay (S2P) suite with rich procurement functionality — like sourcing events, contract management, supplier onboarding, purchase requisition workflows, budget controls, and spend analysis. For companies aiming to centralize all procurement activities, Coupa provides the tools to do so. It includes extras like expense management and even supply chain design modules.

On the AP side, Coupa includes accounts payable automation, but some users note it’s not as AP-focused in design. Coupa’s AP features get the job done but may require more configuration to fit unique AP processes because the product’s design paradigm is “spend management” (procurement-driven) rather than “AP-first.” 

Still, for organizations where procurement complexity is the bigger pain, Coupa’s breadth is attractive.

SAP Ariba: Deep procurement features and integration with SAP AP

Ariba is often synonymous with procurement automation. It covers requisition-to-order-to-invoice processes thoroughly. Think vendor discovery through SAP’s network, RFQs/RFPs, purchase orders, receiving, and invoice reconciliation. It also has strong supplier management features and compliance checks (including a module for vendor risk).

For AP, Ariba handles e-invoicing and can integrate with SAP’s financial modules for payments. However, Ariba’s heritage is in procurement. As a standalone, its AP module may not have all the functionality an AP specialist would want, like conversational invoice collaboration or AI coding assistance. Many Ariba users use it to capture invoices and approvals, then hand them off to SAP ERP for payment.

SAP Ariba’s capabilities heavily favor the procurement side of P2P. If your priority is sourcing efficiency and supplier management at scale, it’s a strong contender. Just remember that you might need additional AP workflow tools or custom integrations to fully satisfy an AP department’s needs if you’re outside the SAP ecosystem.

Stampli: Focused on simplicity with an AP-centric design

Stampli started in the accounts payable space and its industry-leading AP capabilities adapt to your processes. It offers advanced invoice capture with AI (optical character recognition and machine learning) to extract data and even auto-code general ledger (GL) fields. 

Its hallmark is a collaborative AP workflow. Every invoice has a central communications feed so that procurement, AP, and approvers can all interact in context (no more emails flying around). This addresses the classic disconnect between procurement and AP. Stampli brings procurement and AP teams onto one page for each transaction.

For procurement, Stampli manages everything from request to reconciliation. It transforms disjointed procurement processes into a streamlined workflow where every step, approval, and conversation happens in one place. 

Stampli Cognitive AI™ for PO Matching — led by Billy the Bot — means you can automate eliminate manual PO-to-invoice matching, and make all your procurement workflows more accurate and efficient.

Customers say these integrated capabilities make Stampli feel like an end-to-end solution rather than just an invoice processing tool. One reviewer notes, “Stampli simply solved our AP problem. My experience with their team and product has been exceptional from the introductory sales call through ‘go live.’”

For organizations processing hundreds or thousands of invoices, Stampli hits the sweet spot: robust enough procurement features to manage POs and enforce policies, combined with unparalleled AP automation and payment processing. Stampli bridges the gap between procurement and AP in a way the legacy players do not, by treating P2P as a unified process rather than two separate silos.

The bottom line

Coupa and Ariba deliver deep procurement functionality, suited for procurement-led initiatives (strategic sourcing, complex vendor networks), whereas Stampli delivers a more balanced P2P approach with an AP emphasis.

For pure procurement depth, Coupa or Ariba might have an edge, but they may require supplementing or integrating an AP-focused tool. If your organization’s bottleneck is invoice processing and inter-department coordination, Stampli’s all-in-one procure-to-pay workflow provides a clear advantage.

User experience and interface

Why this matters: A solution is only effective if people actually use it. For finance software, user experience (UX) translates to adoption rates across your team (and even outside departments like purchasing or department managers who approve POs/invoices). A clunky interface can reduce employee compliance and require more training, whereas an intuitive user interface (UI) speeds up processes and lowers errors.

Coupa: Modern UI, but overwhelming breadth of features

Coupa’s interface is relatively modern and web-based. Users often find the dashboard and reporting UI appealing, and basic tasks like creating a requisition or approving an invoice are straightforward.

However, certain modules are complex, especially for users without experience. One reviewer notes, “Especially the Risk module requires more knowledge than all, so if someone comes from no Coupa background is almost impossible to become a CRA expert like it’s possible with the other modules.”

While everyday users (like an employee submitting a purchase request) might find Coupa simple enough, power users (procurement ops or AP admins) may need significant training to use all its features. Overall, Coupa scores well on UX for broad spend management activities, but the complexity hiding under the surface can be a hurdle. The design is clean, but because it’s an all-in-one, there are lots of menus and options that can overwhelm new users.

SAP Ariba: Non-SAP users face a learning curve

Historically, SAP software has a reputation for being powerful but not always user-friendly. SAP Ariba has improved its UI in recent years, introducing more guided buying experiences to simplify procurement for casual users. Still, many users perceive Ariba’s interface as less intuitive than newer SaaS tools.

There’s a split — for someone in procurement day-in and day-out, the interface is okay once learned. But for an occasional user (like a manager who needs to approve a purchase or an invoice once a week), Ariba’s UI can feel confusing and dated. Given its enterprise depth, Ariba’s screens often contain a lot of fields and options, which can intimidate non-procurement folks.

The bottom line on Ariba’s UX is that its robust but complex. It may take longer for teams to get comfortable, and you might rely on power users to operate it while others only interact minimally.

Stampli: Intuitive, easy-to-use interface loved by users

Don’t let the simplicity fool you — Stampli delivers enterprise-grade P2P functionality under the hood. Its intuitive design has earned Stampli rave reviews: G2 users rate Stampli’s Ease of Use at 9.3/10, significantly higher than SAP Ariba’s 8.0 and Coupa’s 8.3. 

One Stampli customer writes, “The interface is extremely easy to use. I much prefer this over Ariba and other SAP platforms…Stampli is solving the simplicity of what other SAP systems have yet to figure out. It is straightforward and it would be easy for anyone to pick up.”

The bottom line

Coupa and Ariba have made strides in user experience but still carry some legacy complexity that can affect adoption, particularly for smaller teams or occasional users. Stampli is purpose-built to be both powerful and user-friendly, earning the highest marks in user satisfaction. 

Consider who will be using the platform day-to-day. If you want something your AP team and expense stakeholders will embrace with minimal training, Stampli’s intuitive UI is a decisive advantage.

Customer support and onboarding

Why this matters: Beyond software features, the vendor partnership — including customer support, training, and onboarding — plays a crucial role in success. Consider not just what the tool does, but how the company behind it will support your team during implementation and beyond.

Coupa: Added costs for support and implementation partners

As a large company, Coupa offers standard support channels, with premium support packages available. These are often at extra cost or included for larger enterprise deals. 

The support experience can sometimes feel tiered. Top-paying customers or those with dedicated account managers might get faster responses, whereas mid-market clients could be routed through standard ticketing systems.

Coupa does have a user community and resources for self-service such as documentation and a knowledge base.

During onboarding, many Coupa customers work with third-party implementation partners rather than Coupa’s in-house team directly, which means the support experience can vary. In general, Coupa’s support is competent, but you may not get the white-glove treatment unless you’re a big account. 

Consider that if your team is smaller and will need hands-on guidance, Coupa’s model might leave a gap.

SAP Ariba: Requires in-house SAP experts or partners to optimize

SAP’s support structure is known to be bureaucratic — tickets, long response times, and a need to escalate through layers for complex issues. For SAP-centric organizations, there’s likely internal SAP expertise that buffers this. Large IT departments might know how to solve issues or implement notes and patches themselves. But if you’re a finance team expecting the vendor to offer timely help with issues, you might feel frustrated.

When onboarding new customers, SAP’s consultants or partners often do the heavy lifting, and once you’re live, you transition to standard support. Training materials are available, but again, a lot of Ariba’s support assumes you have a dedicated internal IT or procurement ops team to liaise with. Small-to-mid-sized companies without that layer might struggle to get the attention they need in critical moments.

Stampli: Highly rated support and dedicated success teams

Stampli focuses on customer success and has earned a stellar reputation for support and service. On G2, reviewers gave Stampli a 9.6/10 for Quality of Support, versus much lower scores for its competitors — 7.8 for SAP Ariba and 7.5 for Coupa.

“[Stampli’s] customer support in this process has been outstanding,” one customer says of their implementation experience. “Each time we have reached out to customer support, they have been quick to resolve our problems.”

Stampli assigns dedicated customer success managers to help new clients configure the system, import data, and train users. Chat support is also available around the clock.

“The few times we’ve had to reach out to support, we are chatting with a real person within 1 minute,” a customer says.

The bottom line

When comparing Stampli with Coupa and Ariba, support is a major differentiator. Coupa and Ariba, as large enterprise software providers, have vast resources but also a more corporate support approach. This can feel slow or impersonal for mid-sized clients.

Stampli offers a concierge-level support experience, so even a lean AP team feels fully supported during implementation and beyond. For AP-centric organizations that may not have in-house tech support, Stampli’s high-touch customer success model is invaluable.

Scalability and best-fit use cases

Why this matters: Scalability isn’t just about handling large volumes, but also about whether the solution fits your company’s size, industry, and growth trajectory. The best choice aligns with your current needs and can grow with you, without being overkill or outgrown too soon.

Coupa: Mid-large enterprises with global operations and spend complexity

Scalability is one of Coupa’s strengths — it can handle the complexity of global enterprises with tens of thousands of users and billions in spend. If your organization is on a rapid growth path to that scale, Coupa could grow with you in terms of features and capacity.

However, for companies that are mid-sized, Coupa might actually over-scale. You might end up paying for and navigating functionality meant for a larger entity.

In terms of best fit, large corporations who want a single platform for all spend often choose Coupa across various industries. It’s particularly prevalent in tech, manufacturing, and other sectors where controlling spend and procurement is mission-critical across many departments. 

If you’re a mid-market firm with plans to scale in a few years, Coupa could be a forward-looking choice, albeit with the cost and complexity caveats discussed throughout this article.

SAP Ariba: Large enterprises already in SAP ecosystem

Ariba is highly scalable for procurement operations. It’s used by some of the world’s biggest companies to manage procurement across many countries and business units. It’s best fit for large enterprises and those heavily invested in SAP infrastructure. For example, a Fortune 500 in automotive or pharmaceuticals with a full SAP stack would see Ariba as a natural extension for procurement.

Mid-market companies may find Ariba to be too large of a solution for their needs — unless their business model requires tapping into SAP’s network or they have exceptionally complex procurement even at smaller size. Ariba truly excels in industries with complex compliance and sourcing needs (like the public sector or manufacturing) at a big scale. 

It’s less appropriate for small-to-mid companies or those who don’t have a robust IT department — these organizations might struggle with Ariba’s maintenance and cost.

Stampli: Any organization seeking full P2P functionality without enterprise-level complexity

Stampli is designed with the mid-market and enterprise markets in mind. It can scale to handle growing invoice and PO volumes. 

Think of companies with lean AP teams processing a few hundred to a few thousand invoices a month who also manage purchasing but don’t have a massive procurement department. These could be in industries like manufacturing, construction, services, retail, or any sector where operational efficiency in AP is a priority.

Stampli also fits companies that plan to grow because it’s easier to implement at a smaller size and then add on capabilities as needed. For example, a company might start using Stampli for AP automation at 200 employees. As they grow to 1,000 employees, they can activate more procurement features or handle more entities in Stampli. Your AP process in Stampli can scale without you needing to adopt an entire suite meant for an enterprise.

The bottom line

Choose the solution that fits your company’s profile. SAP Ariba and Coupa are top choices for very large, complex enterprises (especially Ariba for SAP environments).

Stampli is the top choice for mid-sized and growing companies, or any size organization that identifies accounts payable efficiency as a core need. It provides plenty of scalability in volume, without forcing an enterprise-oriented complexity on an organization that doesn’t need it. 

Stampli often replaces manual processes at mid-market firms and scales them up gracefully. “We process over 1,000 invoices a month where each had to be manually added to our ERP system which would take our staff days,” says one Stampli customer. “Stampli has been able to reduce this entry time to a fraction of what it was — hours. This has freed up our staff’s time to work on other areas of our business.”

Confidently choose Stampli for end-to-end P2P

Making a final decision between Coupa, SAP Ariba, and Stampli comes down to your organization’s priorities. All three platforms can address fundamental P2P challenges — fragmented processes, slow approvals, and compliance issues — but they do so in very different ways and contexts.

Stampli is recognized as the highest rated AP automation solution by G2 customer reviews because it empowers businesses to:

• Accelerate P2P processes by automating tasks and minimizing errors.
• Adopt an AP-first platform with prebuilt ERP integrations like Sage, Microsoft, Oracle, SAP, QuickBooks, Acumatica, and Dealertrack.
• Gain full visibility into procurement-to-payment workflows with real-time tracking from request to payment.
• Maintain compliance by enforcing policies consistently and capturing a complete audit trail.
• Implement in weeks, not months, with an intuitive interface that doesn’t require extensive training.

Ready for a seamless procure-to-pay experience? Contact us today for a free demo of Stampli.