A one-time desktop purchase costs less over many years for one person on one computer, and a monthly plan costs less up front and covers every computer you own. Software listed at about $30 to $60 once is cheaper than $5.99 a month after about five to ten months, but it adds extra costs for upgrades, extra users and a second operating system. The right choice depends on how you print.
How we compared: we read each product's public pages in October 2026. We make Check Writer 123, so we are not neutral. We only state what we could see on the other product's site and we word it as listed or according to its site. Prices and features change, so confirm the details with the vendor before you buy.
List prices we saw, side by side
| Product | Model | Price as listed | Three-year cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Check Writer 123 (Occasional) | Monthly | $5.99 a month | $215.64 |
| Check Writer 123 (Mid Tier) | Monthly | $10.99 a month | $395.64 |
| Check Writer 123 (Unlimited) | Monthly | $25.99 a month | $935.64 |
| i-logic CheckPrinter | One-time | About $30 | About $30 (one computer) |
| ezCheckPrinting (Windows) | One-time | About $59 | About $59 (one computer) |
| CheckBuilderPro | One-time | $59.95 | $59.95 (one computer) |
| CHAX | One-time | Listed from about $99 | From about $99 |
| VersaCheck editions | One-time or subscription | About $129.99 to $499.99 one-time | Depends on edition |
| PrintBoss Online (QuickBooks Online) | Monthly per company | $10 to $22 a month | $360 to $792 per company |
What the one-time price does not include
- Another computer or another operating system. A Windows licence does not cover a Mac or a Chromebook, and some products charge for extra users or network use.
- Upgrades. Newer versions or a new operating system may need a paid upgrade.
- Support and backups. Check what support and backup are included, and where your data lives if the computer fails.
- Your time. Installing, activating and updating desktop software takes some of it.
What a monthly plan does not include
- Ownership. If you stop paying, you lose access. Download your register as a CSV file before you cancel.
- Offline use. Browser-based software needs an internet connection.
- Paper and ink. You still buy check stock and ink or toner with any software. See check printing supplies.
Who should pick which
- One-time desktop: one person, one Windows or Mac computer, mostly offline, wants to pay once.
- Monthly browser plan: more than one computer, a Mac or a Chromebook, or a team, and you want no installs.
- QuickBooks add-on: you pay many QuickBooks bills every week and want no re-typing.
Try our check printing cost calculator to compare printing your own checks with ordering them, then see the full comparison. To test Check Writer 123, start the 14-day free trial with no card.