PayStubNest vs Check Stub Maker: $1 vs $8.99 per pay stub (2026)
Check Stub Maker charges $8.99 per pay stub. PayStubNest charges $1 with a free preview, 50-state withholding, 18 templates and unlimited plans from $9.99 a month. Here is how the two compare.
Published
Check Stub Maker is a long-running pay stub generator that also sells W-2 and 1099-MISC forms. Its pay stubs cost $8.99 each. This page compares it with PayStubNest on price, tax handling and templates.
Create a pay stub on PayStubNest — preview is free, a download is $1.
Side by side
| Feature | PayStubNest | Check Stub Maker |
|---|---|---|
| Price per pay stub | $1 | $8.99 |
| W-2 and 1099-MISC forms | Not offered | $15.49 each |
| Preview before paying | Free | Yes |
| Unlimited plan | $9.99 / month or $99.99 / year | Not offered |
| Federal and state withholding | All 50 states + DC | Yes |
| Year-to-date totals | Automatic, carried across a series | Entered per stub |
| Templates | 18, plus your own designs | Several |
| Contractor (1099) stubs | Yes | Yes |
Where Check Stub Maker is the better fit
If you want W-2 or 1099-MISC forms generated by the same tool, Check Stub Maker sells them. PayStubNest only makes pay stubs and contractor payment statements.
Where PayStubNest is the better fit
For the pay stubs themselves, the gap is $8.99 against $1. A year of biweekly stubs for one employee is 26 stubs: about $233.74 on Check Stub Maker, $26 on PayStubNest, or $99.99 for an unlimited year that covers 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.