Online vs desktop check printing software: which is right for you?
Online check printing software runs in your browser with nothing to install. Desktop software is a program you install on each computer. Both print on your own printer. Choose online for speed and access from anywhere, and desktop for a one-time purchase on a single computer.
14-day free trial. No card needed. Nothing to install.
The four ways to get checks
Before comparing software, it helps to see all the options. You can print checks with online software or with desktop software, order pre-printed checks from your bank or a check printer, or use a service that prints and mails checks for you. Each fits a different kind of user, and the right choice depends on how many checks you write, how many computers you use, and how much setup you want to do.
Side-by-side comparison
| Online (browser-based) | Desktop software | Ordered checks | Print-and-mail service | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| How you get it | Sign in with a web browser | Download and install on each computer | Order from your bank or a check printer | Sign in to a service that prints and mails for you |
| Works on | Windows, Mac and Chromebook | Usually the systems the program supports | Not applicable | Any computer with a browser |
| Time to your first check | Minutes | Minutes after the install | Days to weeks | Minutes to set up, plus mailing time |
| Updates | Automatic, nothing to do | You download new versions | Not applicable | Automatic |
| Where your data lives | In your account online | On your computer, so back it up yourself | On paper | In the service's account |
| Typical pricing model | Monthly subscription | Often a one-time fee or a subscription | Per box of checks | Usually per check plus a plan |
| Prints on your own printer | Yes | Yes | No | No, the service prints and mails |
| Best for | Anyone who wants to start fast and print from any computer | One dedicated computer and a preference for owning the program | Very few checks a year | Businesses that want checks mailed for them |
This is a general comparison of the kinds of options. Features and prices differ between products, so check each one before you decide.
Online (browser-based) check printing software
Online software lives on a website. You sign in, enter the payee, amount and date, check the live preview and print. Check Writer 123 works this way, on Windows, Mac and Chromebook.
Advantages
- Nothing to install, so you can start the same day on a Windows PC, a Mac or a Chromebook.
- Updates arrive automatically, so you never run an old version or chase a new download.
- Your checks, bank accounts and register are available from any computer you sign in on, not tied to one machine.
- A subscription is a small monthly cost with no large upfront purchase, and you can stop any time.
Trade-offs
- You pay monthly instead of once, so a very long-term, high-volume user may prefer a one-time fee.
- You need an internet connection to sign in and print.
- Your records are stored with the provider, so check how they protect your data before you choose.
Desktop check printing software
Desktop software is a program you download and install. It runs on your computer and prints checks to your printer, often with templates you adjust to fit your check paper.
Advantages
- Some programs can be bought once, with no monthly bill.
- Your data stays on your own computer if you want that control.
- Many can work without a constant internet connection.
Trade-offs
- You install it on each computer, and it is tied to the systems it supports.
- You handle updates, and you handle backups of your own data.
- Moving to a new computer or sharing the work with a bookkeeper means reinstalling or copying files.
- Setting up the check layout can be more hands-on, with templates to adjust yourself.
Ordered checks and print-and-mail services
Ordered checks arrive pre-printed with your details and security features. They suit people who write very few checks, but you wait for delivery, reorder before you run out, and pay for every box. Print-and-mail services print and send checks for you, usually at a price per check. They save the trip to the mailbox, and they cost more as your volume grows. Printing on your own printer, with either kind of software, avoids both.
Which should you choose?
Online software fits if
- You want to print your first check today without installing anything.
- You use more than one computer, or you work with a bookkeeper or a partner.
- You use a Chromebook or switch between Windows and Mac.
- You like automatic updates and a searchable register you can reach anywhere.
Desktop software fits if
- You print from one dedicated computer and want a one-time purchase.
- You prefer to keep all data on your own machine and manage your own backups.
- You often print without an internet connection.
If you are unsure, start with something you can try for free and cancel without a commitment. Check Writer 123 gives you a 14-day free trial with no card, so you can print a test check on plain paper and see whether the online approach suits you. Read what to look for in easy check printing software, or see who needs check printing software and what it changes.
Getting started with online check printing
Add your bank account once, write a check and watch the live preview, run a free Test Print on plain paper to check alignment, then print on blank check stock, pre-printed stock or plain paper. Using QuickBooks? See check printing for QuickBooks users, or whether you need MICR toner. Follow how to set up your first check. Works on Windows, Mac and Chromebook. Plans start at $9.99 a month with no per-check fee. See the complete guide to check printing software.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between online and desktop check printing software?
Online software runs in your web browser, so you sign in and print with nothing to install. Desktop software is a program you download and install on each computer. Both print checks on your own printer. The main differences are where your data lives, how updates work, how many computers you can use, and whether you pay monthly or once.
Is online check printing software safe?
Safety depends on the provider. Look for HTTPS everywhere, a clear privacy policy, no sale of your data, and careful handling of bank details. Check Writer 123 explains how it protects accounts on its security page. As with any software, use a strong, unique password and print only on a computer you control.
Is desktop software cheaper than a subscription?
It can be, if you buy once and use it for many years on one computer. A subscription spreads the cost out and includes updates and access from any computer. Compare the total over the time you expect to use it, including check paper, ink, updates and any extra computers.
Do I still need check stock with either option?
Yes. Both print on your own printer, so you need check paper: blank check stock, pre-printed check stock or plain paper. Blank stock with the bank number line (MICR) printed by the software is the most complete setup. Plain paper is usually best for deposits you make yourself.
Can I try online software before I pay?
With Check Writer 123, yes. Every account starts with a 14-day free trial and no card is needed. You can run a free Test Print on plain paper to check alignment before using any real check stock.
Does an online service mail my checks?
Some services print and mail checks for you, usually for a fee per check. Check Writer 123 is different: you print on your own printer and send the checks yourself, so there is no per-check fee. Choose a print-and-mail service if having checks mailed for you matters more than the cost.
Try the online way for free
Start your 14-day free trial, run a free Test Print, and print your first check in minutes. No card, nothing to install.