Free check printing software: 5 checks a month, $0
Check Writer 123 has a free plan that costs $0, needs no card and never expires. It includes up to 5 printed checks a month and 1 bank account, with all check templates, batch printing, the automatic MICR line, the amount in words and a list of your printed checks. Checks print with an empty signature line you sign by hand. Logo, signature and cloud backup come with Mid Tier and Unlimited. It runs in your browser on Windows, Mac and Chromebook.
No card needed. No download. Free Test Prints never count toward the 5 checks.
Why people look for free check printing software
You only write a few checks a month
A landlord with one tenant, a freelancer who pays a subcontractor now and then, a family member who pays a few bills by check: for them a monthly subscription is hard to justify. Five checks a month covers a lot of real-life use without paying anything.
You do not want to hand over a card to find out if it works
Many tools ask for a card before you have printed anything. The free plan never asks for one. You make an account, add your bank details and print, and the card question only comes up if you decide you need more than the free limits.
Most "free" check tools are templates in disguise
A free template in Word or Excel needs you to line up the numbers, type the amount in words yourself and build the MICR line by hand. Check Writer 123 does those parts for you, so the free plan is a working check printer rather than a layout you have to maintain.
You do not want to install anything
Desktop check software has to be downloaded, installed on one computer and updated. The free plan runs in the web browser, so a Chromebook, a Mac and a Windows laptop all work the same way, and your settings follow you from one to the next.
How to start printing checks on the free plan
Setup takes about ten minutes, and you do not need any check paper to start. For a longer walkthrough, see how to print checks online for free.
- 1
Create your account
Sign up on the signup page with your name, email and a password, or continue with Google, then confirm your email address.
- 2
Choose the Free plan
After you confirm your email, pick Continue with the Free plan. There is no card to enter and no trial clock running.
- 3
Add your bank account
Enter the name and address on the account, the routing number and the account number. The routing number is checked for you and the bank name is suggested. The free plan includes 1 bank account.
- 4
Sign your checks by hand
Free plan checks print with an empty signature line and no logo, so you sign each check with a pen. A company logo and a saved signature (photo, scan, drawn or typed) come with Mid Tier and Unlimited.
- 5
Run a Test Print, then print a real check
A Test Print on plain paper is watermarked and free, so use it to line up the page against a real check or blank check stock. Then enter the payee, amount, date and memo, check the preview and print. Each printed check counts as one of your 5 for the month.
What the free plan includes
5 printed checks every month
The count starts fresh each calendar month. A check counts at the moment you press Print. Test Prints and reprints of a saved check never count.
The core features of the paid plans
Every check layout, saved payees, batch entry, the alignment tool and the list of printed checks are not held back. Logo, signature and cloud backup come with Mid Tier and Unlimited, and the paid plans also give you more checks and bank accounts.
Automatic MICR line and amount in words
The routing and account numbers are placed for you in the MICR line, and the written amount is generated as you type the number, which removes two common reasons for a check to be wrong.
Three ways to print
Print on blank check stock, which prints the whole check including the MICR line, on pre-printed stock from your bank, or on plain paper. See the plain paper check printing tips for the sharpest result on plain paper.
A list of every check you print
Every printed check is saved with its number, payee, amount and date, and you can search the list and reprint any check for free. The printable register report and CSV download for your bookkeeper come with the paid plans.
A clear upgrade path
If you outgrow 5 checks or need more than 1 bank account, you can move to a paid plan from Settings. Your checks, payees and settings stay exactly as they are.
An example month on the free plan
Priya owns one rental house and pays her gardener, her insurance premium and the water bill by check, which is three checks a month, plus an occasional repair. The figures here are an illustration, not a customer story.
She signs up on a Sunday, chooses the Free plan, adds the house account and prints a Test Print on plain paper to check the alignment. In an ordinary month she prints three or four checks and stays inside the limit. In a month with a large repair she prints five and is done. If she ever needed ten, she could move to the Occasional plan at $5.99 a month, and nothing she has saved would be lost.
An illustration with made-up figures, not a real customer.
What is the catch with a free check printing plan?
There is no hidden fee, but there are two real limits: 5 printed checks a month and 1 bank account. The paid plans also add the full register report and CSV download, and Mid Tier and Unlimited add a logo, a saved signature and cloud backup. Check templates and batch printing are the same, and the free plan does not expire, so you are not on a countdown.
You still pay for your own printer paper and ink, and for blank check stock if you choose to print on it. Software that prints the check for you does not change what the paper costs. If you want to compare the cost of the paper side, see the cost of printing your own checks.
Free plan, free trial or paid plan: which should you pick?
The answer depends on how many checks you print and how many bank accounts you use.
- Free: up to 5 checks a month and 1 bank account. Best if you write only a few checks and want no bill at all.
- Occasional, $5.99 a month: up to 20 checks and 1 bank account. Best for a small business or landlord with regular but modest volume.
- Mid Tier, $10.99 a month: up to 60 checks and 4 bank accounts.
- Unlimited, $25.99 a month: no limit on checks or bank accounts, for payroll and high volume.
- A 14-day free trial of a paid plan: no card needed, useful if you want to try the higher limits before deciding. The free plan itself has no trial because it has no end.
How does Check Writer 123 compare with free templates and other free tools?
A blank check template gives you a layout and leaves the work to you. You type the numbers, spell out the amount, line up the MICR digits and keep your own record. A free check generator may print a check but usually will not remember your bank, your payees or your numbering.
The free plan keeps all of that. For a side-by-side look at what other tools charge and include, read the best free check printing software guide and the check printing software comparison. Prices on other sites change, so check each one before you decide.
Is printing your own checks worth it?
If you still pay by check, printing can save retyping, cut wasted checks and give you a searchable record. It is not worth it for everyone, and it does not remove bank fees or fraud risk. Start with why use check writing software, then see printing vs handwriting, printing vs ordering checks, how it compares with your bank, saving time, check records and avoiding mistakes.
What it costs
One flat monthly price. Every paid plan has all check templates, batch printing and the check register. Logo, signature and cloud backup come with Mid Tier and Unlimited. You also pay for your own paper and ink.
Occasional Pack
$5.99
per month
20 checks a month
1 bank account
Mid Tier
$10.99
per month
60 checks a month
4 bank accounts
Unlimited
$25.99
per month
Unlimited checks
Unlimited bank accounts
A check counts when you press Print. Reprints and Test Prints are free. 30-day money-back guarantee on your first payment; see the refund policy.
Frequently asked questions
Is Check Writer 123 really free?
The Free plan is free: $0, no card and no end date. It includes up to 5 printed checks a month and 1 bank account, with all check templates and batch printing. If you need more checks or more bank accounts you can move to a paid plan, but you never have to.
Do I need a credit card for the free plan?
No. You create an account, confirm your email and choose the Free plan. A card is only asked for if you decide to move to a paid plan. Nothing is ever charged on the free plan.
Does the free plan expire?
No. It has no trial period and no end date. Your account stays on the free plan until you choose to upgrade.
What counts as one of my 5 checks?
A check counts when you press Print and it is saved. Test Prints are free and never count, and reprinting a check you already saved never counts again. A printed check still counts if you delete it later. The count resets at the start of each calendar month (US Eastern time).
Can I print on blank check stock with the free plan?
Yes. The free plan prints on blank check stock, on pre-printed stock from your bank or on plain paper, the same as the paid plans. You buy the stock and ink yourself.
What happens when I reach 5 checks in a month?
Printing pauses with a message that you have used the checks in your plan. Your saved checks, payees and settings stay, and printing starts again at the beginning of the next month. If you need more sooner, you can upgrade from Settings.
Can I upgrade from the free plan later?
Yes. Open Settings, choose a paid plan and add a card. Your first payment is charged right away, you keep everything you have saved, and you can cancel any time. Paid plans also have a 30-day money-back guarantee on the first payment.
Does the free plan work on a Chromebook, Mac or Windows PC?
Yes. It runs in the browser, so there is nothing to install. It works on Windows with Chrome or Edge, on a Mac with Safari or Chrome and on a Chromebook with Chrome, and it prints to any printer your computer can use.
Guides for people who want free check printing software
- Best Free Check Printing Software: What 'Free' Really Means in 2026
- How to Print Checks Online: Step-by-Step Guide (Try It Free)
- Plain Paper Check Printing Tips: Get a Sharp, Professional Check on a Color or Black-and-White Printer
- Check Printing Software Compared: 10 Options, Prices and Who Each Suits
- Check Printing Software Cost: Subscription vs One-Time Purchase (3-Year Table)
- Blank Check Template: Sizes, Layout and Every Field You Need
Also for
- Anyone who prints their own checks
- Small businesses
- Mac users
- Windows users
- Chromebook users
- Landlords and property managers
- Contractors and trades
- Churches and nonprofits
- Bookkeepers and accountants
- Daycares and small shops
- Law firms and small practices
- Auto repair shops and dealerships
- People who want to try check printing software first
- People deciding whether to pay for ACH payment software
- People deciding whether to pay for wire transfer software
- People deciding whether to pay for check mailing services
- People deciding whether check writing software is worth it
- People who handwrite checks and want something easier
- People deciding between printing checks and ordering them
- People comparing check writing software with what their bank offers
- People who want to save time writing checks
- Small businesses that need better check records
- People who want to avoid check writing mistakes and wasted checks
- People who print checks now and then
- People searching to buy checks online
- People who do not want a subscription
- People wondering what a digital checkbook is
- People comparing a digital checkbook with regular checks
- People who want to know how a digital checkbook works
- People weighing the benefits of a digital checkbook
- People checking the price of a digital checkbook
- Businesses that pay by check
- Employers who pay staff by check
- People who print on blank check stock
- People who print the MICR line on checks
- LLC owners
- Anyone: print checks online
Print your first 5 checks free
Create an account, choose the Free plan and print a Test Print in about ten minutes. No card, no download and no end date.