SecurePayStubs vs PayStubs.netWhich One Is Right for You?
If you're searching for the best online pay stub generator, you've probably landed on both SecurePayStubs and PayStubs.net. They both handle the core job generating professional, tax-accurate pay stubs but at very different prices, with very different features.
This comparison breaks down every major feature side by side. We'll tell you where each one wins, where it falls short, and which situations each tool is best suited for.
Full Feature Comparison
Here's every feature we evaluated. Green rows indicate where one service has a clear advantage.
![]() | Feature | ![]() |
|---|---|---|
| ✓ $4.99 flat | Price per stub | ✗ From $11.99 |
| ✓ Yes — code FIRSTSTUB | Free first stub | ✗ Not available |
| ✓ Free add-on | Deposit slip | ⚠ +$2.99 paid add-on |
| ✓ Unlimited | Custom earnings | ✓ Unlimited |
| ✓ Unlimited | Custom deductions | ✓ Unlimited |
| ✓ Full tax calculation shown in the preview before payment | Tax preview before paying | ✗ Hidden until after purchase |
| ✓ Vacation, sick, custom | PTO / Time-off tracking | ✗ Not available |
| ⚠ Up to 12 stubs | Bulk historical stubs | ✓ Up to 26 stubs |
| ✓ Auto-calculated | Local / city tax | ✓ Auto-calculated |
| ✓ All 50 U.S. states | State tax — all 50 states | ✓ All 50 U.S. states |
| ✓ Current IRS tables | Federal tax (IRS W-4) | ✓ Available |
| ✓ Built-in | Multi-state employees | ✓ Available |
| ✓ Auto-updates | YTD tracking | ✓ Auto-updates |
| ✓ Save employee profiles | Address book | ✗ Not available |
| ✓ Data carries over | One-click next pay stub | ✗ Re-enter every time |
| ✓ 20+ designs, multi-color | Pay stub templates | ⚠ Fewer template options |
| ✓ Send from dashboard | Email to employee | ✗ Not available |
| ✓ Edit & re-download free | Self-service corrections | ✗ Contact support required |
| ✓ Native iOS & Android | Mobile app | ✗ No mobile app |
| ✓ Pay per stub only | Subscription required | ✓ Pay per stub only |
| ✓ Buy in advance and use whenever needed; credits never expire | Prepaid Pay Stub Credits | ✗ Not available |
SecurePayStubs
$4.99/stubFlat price, free first stub, mobile app, 20+ templates
PayStubs.net
$11.99/stubVolume pricing available, No free paystubs
Based on published pricing at the time of writing, PayStubs.net base rate is roughly 2.4× higher than SecurePayStubs. PayStubs.net offers volume discounts when you generate multiple stubs, so the per-stub cost drops in bulk, but it still doesn't match SecurePayStubs flat $4.99 rate based on our checks.
Feature-by-Feature Breakdown
Here's a closer look at the features that matter most and how each service handles them.
- Tax Transparency Before You Pay
SecurePayStubs shows you the complete tax breakdown, federal, state, and local — before you pay or download anything. With PayStubs.net, those calculations are hidden until after the purchase is complete.
Tax accuracy is often the main reason someone uses a stub generator. Not being able to verify the numbers before committing is a real drawback, especially when figures don't match your expectations and you've already paid.
- Self-Service Corrections
Mistakes happen — a misspelled employer name or an incorrect address. With SecurePayStubs, you fix it yourself and re-download instantly, at no extra cost. With PayStubs.net, corrections mean contacting their support team and waiting.
This is a small thing until you're in a hurry and need an accurate document right now.
- Address Book & One-Click Next Stub
For anyone generating stubs on a regular schedule, saved employee profiles reduce repeated data entry, especially for businesses generating payroll on a recurring schedule. The address book saves your employer and employee profiles, so you don't re-enter them each time. The one-click "next pay stub" carries all existing data forward; you only update what's changed.
PayStubs.net requires starting from scratch every single session. For a small business owner running biweekly payroll for even two or three employees, that's a lot of repeated data entry over time.
- Mobile App
SecurePayStubs has native apps for iOS and Android, with full feature parity to the desktop version. PayStubs.net is web-only with no dedicated mobile app. If you run your business on your phone or ever need to generate a stub while away from your desk, this is a genuine practical advantage.
- Template Variety
SecurePayStubs offers 20+ professional templates with multiple color and branding options. PayStubs.net provides three color choices: black, blue, grey and green. If the professional appearance of the stub matters for your situation — employer branding, client-facing documents, or just personal preference — SecurePayStubs gives you more to work with.
- Deposit Slip Add-On
SecurePayStubs includes a deposit slip as a free optional add-on with any stub. PayStubs.net charges an extra $4.99 for it every time, regardless of how many stubs you're generating. If you need deposit slips regularly, that fee adds up.
- Tax Engine — Federal, State, Local
Both services cover all 50 U.S. states, current IRS federal tax tables, local and city tax calculations, multi-state employee scenarios, and automatic year-to-date tracking. Neither has a meaningful edge here; the tax math appears reliable on both platforms.
- Custom Earnings & Deductions
Both platforms let you add unlimited custom earnings (overtime, tips, bonuses, commissions) and custom deductions (401k, health insurance, wage garnishments, and others). Neither restricts you to a fixed list. This is table stakes for any real-world payroll situation, and both handle it equally well.
- Prepaid Pay Stub Credits
Buy pay stub credits in advance and use them whenever you need to generate a stub. You don't need to enter your payment details for every purchase, and your unused credits never expire.
Who Should Use Which?
There's no universal "better“ answer here — it depends on your situation.
Choose SecurePayStubs if you…
Choose PayStubs.net if you…
Final Verdict
Both SecurePayStubs and PayStubs.net are capable options for generating pay stubs, but they suit different needs. SecurePayStubs is the better all-around choice for most users, while PayStubs.net may be a better fit for those who primarily need to create multiple historical pay stubs in one session. Ultimately, the right choice depends on your specific requirements and how you plan to use the service.
SecurePayStubs
Lower price, more features, greater transparency wins on nearly every dimension for most users
PayStubs.net
Generates up to 26 prior-period stubs in one session useful for longer employment records
Try SecurePayStubs Free
Your first stub is completely free. Then just $4.99 per stub — no subscription, no hidden fees.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is SecurePayStubs a good PayStubs.net alternative?
Yes. If you're looking for a PayStubs.net alternative with lower pricing, a free first pay stub, reusable employee profiles, self-service edits, and a mobile app, SecurePayStubs offers a broader feature set for most users. PayStubs.net's main advantage is the ability to generate up to 26 historical pay stubs in a single session.
Which is the best pay stub generator?
The best pay stub generator depends on your needs. If you want affordable pricing, transparent tax calculations before checkout, mobile access, and time-saving features like saved employee profiles and one-click pay stub creation, SecurePayStubs is a strong choice. If your priority is generating a larger number of historical pay stubs at once, PayStubs.net may better fit that specific use case.
Which online pay stub generator is more affordable?
Based on published pricing at the time of writing, SecurePayStubs charges $4.99 per pay stub, while PayStubs.net starts at $11.99 per stub. Although PayStubs.net offers bulk discounts, SecurePayStubs remains the affordable option for most users.
Which pay stub software lets me review taxes before paying?
SecurePayStubs displays federal, state, and local tax calculations before checkout, allowing you to verify your information before purchasing. PayStubs.net does not display the complete tax breakdown until after payment.
Which service is better for creating historical pay stubs?
If you need to generate a long employment history in one session, PayStubs.net supports up to 26 prior pay periods, while SecurePayStubs supports up to 12 prior pay periods. For most individuals and small businesses, 12 pay periods is sufficient, but users needing larger batches may prefer PayStubs.net.


