CheckWriter vs OnlineCheckWriter vs Checkeeper: Check Writer Comparison (2026)
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Key Takeaways
- •All three let you design checks online and print them on blank check stock
- •CheckWriter is the lowest-cost option for printing your own checks: $5.50/week, $11.50/month or $55.50/year, with no signup and no bank connection
- •OnlineCheckWriter is a broader payments platform with a free tier (5 checks/month), paid plans from $19.99/month, check mailing, ACH and wires
- •Checkeeper charges $14.99/month for unlimited printing and offers check mailing from about $1.25 per check
- •Prices were checked in October 2026 and change often; confirm on each site before buying
If you want to write and print checks online, three names come up again and again: CheckWriter (this site), OnlineCheckWriter and Checkeeper. They solve overlapping but different problems, and the right choice depends on whether you just need to print checks or want a full payments platform.
Disclosure: CheckWriter is our product. We've tried to keep this fair, including where the others are the better choice. Competitor details come from their websites and public software listings and were checked in October 2026; prices and features change, so confirm on each site before you buy.
At a Glance
| CheckWriter | OnlineCheckWriter | Checkeeper | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free option | Yes, with watermark | Free plan, 5 checks/month | Not listed |
| Paid pricing | $5.50/week, $11.50/month, $55.50/year | Pay-as-you-go $1/check; Standard $19.99/month; Business $29.99/month | $14.99/month, unlimited printing |
| Print on blank check stock | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Check mailing service | No | Yes, from about $1.25/check | Yes, from about $1.25/check |
| ACH, direct deposit, wires | No | Yes (higher plans) | Not listed |
| Signup required | No | Account-based | Account-based |
| Bank account connection | Never | Check their site | Check their site |
| Templates | 46 check designs | Not listed | Not listed |
| Batch printing | Up to 50 checks at once (Pro) | Yes (paid plans) | Not listed |
"Not listed" means we couldn't confirm the detail on the product's public pages, not that it doesn't exist.
CheckWriter
Best for: individuals, landlords and small businesses that want to print their own checks quickly and cheaply, without creating an account or linking a bank.
- Enter payee, amount, date, memo, and your own routing and account numbers
- Amount converted to words automatically, MICR line placed for you
- 46 designs: business, personal, payroll, voucher, blank and bank-style layouts
- Print-ready PDF for standard blank check stock
- Pro removes the watermark and adds batch generation (up to 50 checks) and saved templates: $5.50/week, $11.50/month or $55.50/year
Trade-off: no mailing, ACH or multi-user features. You print the checks yourself.
OnlineCheckWriter
Best for: businesses that want checks, mailing and electronic payments in one platform.
- Free plan with 5 checks per month
- Pay-as-you-go at $1 per check, or Standard ($19.99/month) and Business ($29.99/month) plans with more bank accounts and users
- Check mailing, plus ACH, direct deposit and wire transfers on higher plans
Trade-off: more than you need if you only want to print a few checks, and the monthly plans cost more.
Checkeeper
Best for: small businesses that print checks often and sometimes want them mailed.
- One plan: $14.99/month for unlimited check printing, with no per-check fees
- Optional check mailing from about $1.25 per check
Trade-off: no free tier listed, and a monthly subscription even if you print rarely.
Which Should You Choose?
- You print a handful of checks and want the lowest cost: CheckWriter.
- You want checks mailed for you, or need ACH and wires: OnlineCheckWriter or Checkeeper.
- You print lots of checks every month on one flat fee: Checkeeper or a CheckWriter yearly plan.
Before You Print
Whatever tool you use, print only on your own account, use blank check stock from a reputable supplier, and ask your bank whether it requires MICR toner. For a refresher on filling in each line, see how to write a check. For paper and printer setup, see printing checks at home.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cheapest online check writer?
For printing your own checks at home, CheckWriter's Pro plan costs $5.50 per week, $11.50 per month or $55.50 per year, and the free version works with a watermark. OnlineCheckWriter has a free tier limited to 5 checks per month, and Checkeeper costs $14.99 per month (prices checked October 2026).
Which check writer can mail checks for me?
OnlineCheckWriter and Checkeeper both offer check mailing for a per-check fee of roughly $1.25 or more. CheckWriter does not mail checks; it produces a print-ready PDF you print yourself.
Do I need to connect my bank account?
Not with CheckWriter: you type in your own routing and account numbers and nothing is linked. OnlineCheckWriter and Checkeeper are account-based services; check their sign-up process for what they require.
What do I need to print checks at home?
Blank check stock paper, a printer, and your correct routing and account numbers. Many banks also expect MICR toner or ink for the bottom line of the check; check with your bank if you print checks regularly.
Is it legal to print your own checks?
Yes, printing checks for your own bank account is legal in the US, as long as the account and routing numbers are yours and the checks follow your bank's requirements. Printing checks on someone else's account is fraud.