An Alternative to PaystubsNow
PaystubsNow and ValidPaystubs both calculate taxes and sell pay stubs as PDFs. The differences are in how you pay, and what you can see before you do.
Preview free, no account. $8.99 to download one stub, or a pack of 10 at $4.00 a stub. No subscription.
The short answer
- Both calculate taxes for you and deliver a PDF.
- PaystubsNow prices each document separately — pay stubs, W-2s and 1099s.
- ValidPaystubs lets you build and preview a stub free, then pay once per stub or buy a pack.
What PaystubsNow’s service does
- Describes automatic tax calculations, professional templates and email delivery.
- Sells pay stubs, W-2 forms and 1099 forms, each priced per document.
- Sends the PDF after purchase.
- Offers a free invoice generator.
PaystubsNow and ValidPaystubs side by side
| PaystubsNow | ValidPaystubs | |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | Per document, priced separately for pay stubs, W-2s and 1099s | Per stub, or packs of 3, 10 or unlimited — no subscription |
| Tax calculation | Automatic, per its own description | Federal income tax, Social Security, Medicare and state income tax, for all 50 states |
| Delivery | PDF sent after purchase | PDF download after purchase |
| W-2s | Sold as a document | Not sold. Employers create and file W-2s free through the Social Security Administration |
| 1099s | Sold as a document | 1099-NEC recipient and payer copies; the IRS copy is filed free in IRIS |
When PaystubsNow is all you need
If you also want a W-2 from the same place, PaystubsNow sells one and we do not — though an employer can create and file W-2s free through the Social Security Administration’s Business Services Online.
When ValidPaystubs is worth it
If you want to see the finished stub, with the taxes worked out, before spending anything, ours shows a full watermarked preview with no account. You pay only when you download.
How each tax is worked out, with the rates and their sources, is on our tax methodology page.
What neither tool does
A pay stub from PaystubsNow or from us is a formatting and recordkeeping document, not a verified employment record. Landlords and lenders who verify income contact the employer, or ask for an IRS transcript, which you can get free from IRS Get Transcript. Any service promising “verifiable” third-party proof of income is one to avoid.
Related
- Shopify Pay Stub Generator — Shopify’s tool is free: four steps, and the finished pay stub arrives as a PDF by email.
- Wix Paystub Generator — Wix’s tool is free, but you sign in to a Wix account to download or email the stub.
- Wave Pay Stub Generator — Wave’s tool is free and saves the stub as a PDF.
- Tax methodology — the brackets, rates and wage bases our calculations use.
Frequently Asked Questions
How is PaystubsNow priced?
Per document. Its pricing page lists pay stubs, W-2 forms and 1099 forms as separately priced items, with a free invoice generator. We do not print other companies’ prices, because they change — check its site for the current figures.
Can I see my stub before paying on ValidPaystubs?
Yes. You build the whole stub and see it with the taxes worked out, carrying a watermark. Building and previewing needs no account; you pay only to download the clean PDF.
Do you make W-2s like PaystubsNow does?
No. Employers can create and file W-2s free through the Social Security Administration’s Business Services Online, and employees can get their wage information free from the IRS. We make pay stubs and 1099-NEC copies.
Are you affiliated with PaystubsNow?
No. ValidPaystubs is a separate company. This page names PaystubsNow only to compare the two honestly.
Can a pay stub from either site prove my income?
Neither is a verified employment record. A pay stub is a formatting and recordkeeping document. Landlords and lenders who verify income contact the employer or ask for an IRS transcript, which you can get free from the IRS.
Facts about PaystubsNow were checked on October 29, 2026. PaystubsNow’s site showed a bot check on 2026-10-29, so its pricing model is taken from its pricing page as archived on 2026-05-01, and its features from its own search listing. Sources: PaystubsNow pricing page, archived 2026-05-01 (web.archive.org); PaystubsNow (paystubsnow.com). PaystubsNow is a trademark of its owner. ValidPaystubs is not affiliated with, endorsed by or sponsored by PaystubsNow.