PayStubNest vs 123PayStubs: the real cost per pay stub (2026)
123PayStubs advertises $3.99 per stub, but state withholding, extra earnings, a deposit slip and time-off each cost $1 to $2 more. PayStubNest includes all of that for $1. Full comparison.
Published
123PayStubs has one of the lowest headline prices in the category: $3.99 per pay stub, with the first one free. The headline is not the whole story, because several things most employers need are priced as add-ons. This page shows the list price, the typical real price, and how PayStubNest compares.
Create a pay stub on PayStubNest — preview is free, a download is $1.
Side by side
| Feature | PayStubNest | 123PayStubs |
|---|---|---|
| Base price per pay stub | $1 | $3.99 (first stub free) |
| State income tax withholding | Included | +$1.00 per stub |
| Overtime, tips, bonuses, extra deductions | Included | +$2.00 per stub |
| Direct deposit slip | Optional, half a credit ($0.50) | +$1.00 per stub |
| Time-off balances | Included | +$1.00 per stub |
| Typical stub with state tax and overtime | $1 | About $6.99 |
| Preview before paying | Free | Yes |
| Unlimited plan | $9.99 / month or $99.99 / year | Not offered |
| Year-to-date totals | Automatic, carried across a series | Entered per stub |
| Templates | 18, plus your own designs | Several |
| Free first stub | 3 free credits after email verification | 1 free stub |
Where 123PayStubs is the better fit
If you need exactly one pay stub for a state with no income tax, with no overtime or deductions, the first stub on 123PayStubs is free and that is hard to beat. It also has a mobile app.
Where PayStubNest is the better fit
Most real pay stubs include state withholding and at least one extra earnings line, which puts 123PayStubs at about $6.99 each. PayStubNest includes those for $1, and new accounts get three free credits after verifying their email. For regular payroll the unlimited plan at $9.99 a month covers every stub and every employee.
What PayStubNest includes at $1
- Federal income tax, state income tax, Social Security and Medicare withholding for all 50 states and DC, from the published withholding tables (tax years 2025 and 2026).
- Year-to-date totals carried forward across a series of pay stubs, generated in one go.
- 18 templates, your own template designs, and your company logo.
- Hourly or salary pay, overtime, bonuses, commissions and custom deductions on their own lines.
- Contractor (1099) payment statements and an optional direct deposit advice.
- A free preview of every pay stub before you pay. Credits never expire.
- Unlimited plans for businesses that run payroll regularly: $9.99 a month or $99.99 a year.
PayStubNest is a payroll record-keeping tool. It is meant for pay stubs that reflect pay that was actually issued or received; see the Acceptable Use Policy.
Competitor prices and features were checked on October 20, 2026 from the vendors' public pages and can change at any time. PayStubNest is not affiliated with any company named on this page. If you spot an error, email support@paystubnest.com and we will correct it.