If you need to create a paystub online, two names you'll likely come across are Paystub Studio and thePayStubs. Both generate downloadable paystub PDFs in a few minutes, but they differ in two areas that matter most: how they price the service and how they calculate your taxes. Here's an honest, side-by-side comparison to help you decide.
What thePayStubs Does
thePayStubs is an online check stub maker that has been around for years and positions itself as a high-volume paystub and tax-form service. Beyond paystubs, it offers a large catalog of downloadable tax forms — W-2, 1099 variants, 1040 schedules, 941 forms, and more — aimed largely at businesses and accountants.
The paystub flow is template-driven: you enter your company and salary information, choose a visual theme for the stub, preview it, then download. The site emphasizes 24/7 customer support by phone, chat, and email, and highlights a large volume of customer reviews.
Where it's less clear is pricing and tax accuracy. thePayStubs charges a fee per stub rather than a flat rate, and the price isn't shown until you're inside the form. Its marketing focuses on templates and support rather than on calculating withholding from current IRS and state tax tables.
What Paystub Studio Does
Paystub Studio is a focused paycheck calculator and paystub generator built around two priorities: accurate tax math and simple, flat pricing.
When you enter your pay rate, filing status, and state, Paystub Studio calculates federal income tax using the IRS percentage method, applies each state's published brackets, and adds Social Security (6.2%) and Medicare (1.45%) automatically — including state-specific items like California SDI. It covers all 50 states plus city-level taxes for places like New York City, Philadelphia, Detroit, Kansas City, and St. Louis.
The pricing is the clearest differentiator: $4.99 for unlimited pay periods. One flat fee generates a single PDF containing every pay period you need, with year-to-date totals carried forward across each one — the same way a real payroll system works. No account is required, and you can preview the full paystub with all tax calculations before you pay.
The Price Difference
This is where the two tools diverge most sharply.
thePayStubs charges per stub. If you need paystubs for several pay periods — common for a rental application, a loan, or catching up on records — those per-stub fees add up quickly.
Paystub Studio charges one flat $4.99 for unlimited pay periods in a single order. Whether you need one paystub or twelve, the price is the same.
| Pricing Factor | thePayStubs | Paystub Studio |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | Per stub | Flat fee per order |
| Cost | Shown after entering the form | $4.99 |
| Multiple pay periods | Typically priced per stub | Unlimited, included in one price |
| Preview before paying | Yes | Yes, with full tax breakdown |
If you only ever need a single paystub, the cost gap is small. The savings compound when you need several pay periods — Paystub Studio includes them all in one $4.99 order.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Feature | thePayStubs | Paystub Studio |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | Per stub | $4.99 flat, unlimited pay periods |
| Account required | No | No |
| Preview before paying | Yes | Yes |
| Automatic tax calculation | Template-based entry | IRS tables + state brackets, calculated automatically |
| All 50 states | Yes | Yes |
| City/local tax support | Limited | NYC, Philadelphia, Detroit, Kansas City, St. Louis |
| Multiple pay periods | Per stub | Unlimited in one order, with running YTD |
| Pre-tax deductions | Basic | 401(k), health, dental, vision, HSA, FSA |
| Overtime calculation | Manual entry | Auto-calculates at 1.5x |
| Other tax forms (W-2, 1099) | Yes, large catalog | No, paystubs only |
| Customer support | 24/7 phone, chat, email | Email support |
When to Use Each Tool
Use thePayStubs When:
- You also need other tax forms like W-2s, 1099s, or 941s from the same place
- You want to choose from multiple visual stub templates
- You value 24/7 phone and live-chat support and don't mind per-stub pricing
Use Paystub Studio When:
- You want one flat price — $4.99 — no matter how many pay periods you generate
- You care that withholding is calculated from current IRS and state tax tables, not just typed in
- You need city-level tax accuracy for places like NYC or Philadelphia
- You're producing several consecutive paystubs and want year-to-date totals to carry forward automatically
- You're self-employed or a small business owner who needs accurate, professional documentation
Both tools serve legitimate needs. thePayStubs is a broad tax-form service with template options. Paystub Studio is a focused paystub generator built around accurate tax math and flat, predictable pricing.
The Bottom Line
If you need a single quick stub and want template choices or other tax forms in the same place, thePayStubs is a reasonable option. If you want predictable pricing and tax accuracy — especially across multiple pay periods — Paystub Studio is built for exactly that. One $4.99 order covers unlimited pay periods, with federal, state, and local taxes calculated for you and year-to-date totals carried forward automatically.
Whatever you choose, only ever generate paystubs that reflect your actual earnings. Submitting falsified income documents is fraud and can carry serious legal consequences.
Frequently Asked Questions
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