# 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.

Source: https://www.paystubnest.com/guides/paystubnest-vs-123paystubs
Published: 2026-10-20
Publisher: PayStubNest.com

## Short answer

123PayStubs lists $3.99 per pay stub and a free first stub, but its pricing page adds $1 for state withholding, $2 for additional earnings and deductions, $1 for a deposit slip and $1 for time-off policies. A stub with state tax and overtime therefore costs about $6.99. PayStubNest charges $1 per pay stub with state withholding, extra earnings and YTD included, and offers unlimited plans from $9.99 a month.

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](https://www.paystubnest.com/app/new) — preview is free, a download is $1.

## Side by side

FeaturePayStubNest123PayStubs  Base price per pay stub$1$3.99 (first stub free) State income tax withholdingIncluded+$1.00 per stub Overtime, tips, bonuses, extra deductionsIncluded+$2.00 per stub Direct deposit slipOptional, half a credit ($0.50)+$1.00 per stub Time-off balancesIncluded+$1.00 per stub Typical stub with state tax and overtime$1About $6.99 Preview before payingFreeYes Unlimited plan$9.99 / month or $99.99 / yearNot offered Year-to-date totalsAutomatic, carried across a seriesEntered per stub Templates18, plus your own designsSeveral Free first stub3 free credits after email verification1 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](https://www.paystubnest.com/acceptable-use).

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*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](mailto:support@paystubnest.com) and we will correct it.*