SecurePayStubs vs ThePayStubs: An Honest Look at Both Before You Decide
Choosing an online pay stub generator is about more than price. Accuracy, tax compliance, features, and ease of use all influence which platform offers the best value.
In this comparison, we evaluate SecurePayStubs and ThePayStubs using publicly available information as of September 2026. We compare pricing, features, tax support, transparency, and overall user experience to help you make an informed decision.
This comparison was prepared by the SecurePayStubs team using publicly available information as of September 2026. We aim to present a fair assessment of both platforms and highlight areas where each solution performs well.
Complete Feature Comparison Table
Every feature, every category, side by side with no spin.
 | Feature |  |
|---|---|---|
✓$4.99/stub ★ You save 58% | Price per Stub | ✗Starts at $11.99/stub (volume pricing applies) Up to 2.40× more expensive |
✓Yes — use code FIRSTSTUB | Free First Stub | ✗Not available |
✓Optional at no extra cost | Deposit Slip | ✗+$2.99 paid add-on (pricing varies by quantity) |
✓Add unlimited custom earnings (overtime, bonuses, tips, commissions, etc.) | Custom Earnings | ✓Custom earnings supported |
✓Add unlimited custom deductions (401(k), insurance, garnishments, etc.) | Custom Deductions | ✓Custom deductions supported |
✓View complete tax calculations before downloading or paying | Tax Preview Transparency | ✗Tax calculations are hidden until after purchase |
✓Vacation, sick leave, and custom PTO fields | Time-Off / PTO Tracking | ⚠Time-off tracking available only with the Per Policy add-on (+$1.99) |
⚠Generate up to 12 prior pay stubs in one go. | Multi Pay Stub | ✓Generate up to 26 prior pay stubs in one go. |
✓Automatically calculated based on employee address | Local / City Tax Calculations | ✓Local tax calculation supported |
✓Supports all 50 U.S. states | State Tax Calculations | ✓State tax calculations supported |
✓Uses current IRS tax tables and W-4 calculations | Federal Tax Calculations | ✓Federal tax calculations supported |
✓Built-in support | Multi-State Employees | ✓multi-state support available |
✓Automatically updates YTD on every pay stub | Year-to-Date (YTD) Tracking | ✓YTD amounts displayed on pay stubs |
✓Save employee and employer profiles for faster creation | Address Book | ✗Not available |
✓Generate the next pay period instantly without re-entering data | One-Click Next Pay Stub | ✗Re-enter information every time |
✓20+ professional templates with multiple colors and branding options | Pay Stub Templates | ⚠3 color options only (Black, Blue, White) |
✓Send pay stubs directly from your dashboard | Email to Employee | ✗Not available |
✓Edit and re-download instantly at no extra cost | Self-Service Corrections | ✗Requires contacting customer support |
✓Native apps for iOS and Android | Mobile App | ✗No mobile app |
✓Prepaid credits that never expire | Prepaid Pay Stub Credits | ✗Not available |
✓No subscription — pay only for what you create | Subscription Required | ✓No subscription |
Out of the 20+ features compared in this article, ThePayStubs is missing or does not offer 10 of them. SecurePayStubs covers all 20. This isn't a minor gap — it's a fundamentally different product depth at a fraction of the price.
Pricing — The Real Numbers, Side by Side
This is where the comparison gets uncomfortable for ThePayStubs. The sticker price isn't just slightly higher it's more than three times the cost for a single paystub. And that's before you factor in add-ons.
SecurePayStubs
Was $5.99/stub
$4.99/per stub
- First paystub completely free (code: FIRSTSTUB)
- No monthly subscription ever
- No hidden fees
- 30-day money-back policy
- Free unlimited self-serve corrections
ThePayStubs
Was $19.99/stub
$11.99/(varies by quantity) per stub
- No free first stub or trial
- No promo codes available
- No subscription model
- Corrections require contacting support
- 30 days refund policy
Based on each platform's publicly advertised pricing as of as of September 2026, a business generating 4 pay stubs pay approximately $19.96 with SecurePayStubs compared with $39.96 with ThePayStubs based on its quantity-based pricing for 4 stubs—a difference of $20.00, or approximately $240.00 per year at the same monthly usage.
What About the Direct Deposit Add-On?
This is a detail that often gets overlooked. ThePayStubs charges extra for a deposit slip — it's an add-on that costs $3.98 per stub on top of the base price. SecurePayStubs includes deposit slips which are optional, at no additional charge, with every paystub you generate.
SecurePayStubs — Deposit SlipFREE
Optional with every paystub. No add-on. No extra step.
ThePayStubs — Deposit Slip+$2.99 / (pricing varies by quantity)
Paid add-on charged on top of the $11.99 base price.
Real Cost with Deposit Slip
If your business requires a deposit slip for the 5 paystubs:
ThePayStubs costs
$52.70 for 5 pay stubs ($42.75 + $9.95 deposit slip), based on ThePayStubs' quantity-based pricing for 5 stubs.
SecurePayStubs costs
$22.45 for 5 pay stubs with a deposit slip included, based on the 5-credit package.
That makes ThePayStubs' total approximately 2.35× higher than SecurePayStubs for 5 pay stubs with deposit slips included.
Tax Accuracy — Transparent Calculations vs Hidden Math
Both platforms calculate federal and state taxes. But there's one critical difference that most users only discover after they've already paid: ThePayStubs hides the tax breakdown in the preview. You generate your stub, you see a preview — but the actual tax calculation figures are not visible. You can't verify your numbers before downloading.
SecurePayStubs takes the opposite approach. Before you pay and download anything, you see a full, itemized tax calculation like federal withholding, Social Security, Medicare, state tax, and local tax all listed clearly. You can review every number, catch any errors, and confirm the math before completing your purchase. That kind of transparency matters, especially when the stub is being used for a loan application or income verification.
Federal Tax Calculations
SecurePayStubs uses the 2026 IRS withholding tables and supports the updated 2020 W-4 format. Federal income tax, Social Security (6.2%), and Medicare (1.45%) are all calculated automatically — and displayed transparently in the preview before you download. ThePayStubs also calculates federal taxes, but you can't see the breakdown until after the document is generated.
State Tax Coverage
Both platforms cover all 50 states. SecurePayStubs applies correct graduated brackets, flat rates, and zero-tax rules depending on the state — visible in your pre-download preview. ThePayStubs calculates state taxes but, again, the figures aren't surfaced until the final document, giving you no chance to catch an error.
Local & City Tax
Both platforms support local and city tax calculations for jurisdictions that require them. SecurePayStubs lets you review local tax amounts before completing your purchase through its transparent tax preview, while ThePayStubs includes local taxes in the final pay stub without providing a detailed pre-download tax breakdown.
Multi-State Worker Support
In today's remote-first world, many employees live in one state and work for a company in another. Both platforms support multi-state tax calculations — allowing you to specify both the work state and residence state so the correct rules are applied for each. This is one area where ThePayStubs keeps pace.
Who Should Use Which?
There’s no single right choice for everyone—it depends on the features, workflow, and pricing that fit your needs.
Final Verdict
Both SecurePayStubs and ThePayStubs provide tools for generating pay stubs, but they differ in pricing, features, and workflow. SecurePayStubs may suit users who want more built-in workflow features and upfront tax calculation visibility, while ThePayStubs may fit users whose needs align with its available features, add-ons, and quantity-based pricing.
Try SecurePayStubs Free Today
Explore SecurePayStubs with a transparent tax preview, 20+ templates, custom earnings, deposit slips,
and more — before spending a dollar.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why compare pay stub generators before choosing one?
Even small differences in pricing, tax transparency, editing options, and workflow can affect both your costs and your experience. Comparing platforms helps you choose the option that best fits your needs.
What matters more than price when choosing a pay stub generator?
Accuracy, ease of editing, tax calculation transparency, document quality, customer support, and time-saving features are often more valuable than the lowest price alone.
Is it okay to switch to a different pay stub generator in the middle of the year?
Why does tax calculation transparency matter?
Being able to review tax withholdings before downloading helps you verify that your earnings, deductions, and taxes are accurate. Catching errors early can save time and help avoid the need to recreate or correct pay stubs later.