Disclosure: Brooks Cooper, the author, is the CEO of PayStubVault. Details for both tools come from public pages checked in October 2026 and may change.
Freelancers do not receive pay stubs by default. When a landlord or lender asks for one, many freelancers build their own.
A pay stub generator for freelancers turns income from several clients into a familiar one-page format. SecurePayStubs and PayStubVault both offer a free first stub and charge per stub with no subscription, so the choice comes down to checkout steps, price and extras. This comparison covers each and says which freelancer each suits.
SecurePayStubs vs PayStubVault at a Glance
Both tools produce a PDF stub and run on a pay-per-stub model. The gaps show up at checkout and in the price.
| SecurePayStubs | PayStubVault | |
| First stub | Free with code FIRSTSTUB | Free, no code |
| Account or card for the free stub | Card details requested at checkout, per its FAQ | No account, no card |
| Each extra stub | $4.99 | $1.99 |
| Corrections | Unlimited, free | Unlimited, no stated deadline |
| Tax calculation | Federal, state, Social Security, Medicare; local taxes per a March 2026 announcement | Automatic tax calculation |
| Extras | Address book, deposit slips, W-9 generator | Single builder, instant PDF |
What a Freelancer Needs From a Pay Stub
A freelancer’s stub is a summary the freelancer prepares, not a record an employer issues. The IRS treats client income as business income reported on Schedule C, and clients usually withhold no tax along the way.
Because of that, landlords and lenders often read a stub next to bank statements, 1099-NEC forms or tax returns. A generator therefore needs to do three things well: show earnings and deductions the freelancer controls, group several clients’ payments into one pay period, and produce a layout reviewers recognize.
Take a designer paid by three clients in one month. She needs one stub for the month’s total, plus the invoices and deposits that back it up.
Price, Free Stub and Corrections Compared
Price and the free first stub
SecurePayStubs gives the first stub free with the code FIRSTSTUB at checkout, and its FAQ explains why card details are still requested. PayStubVault skips the code, the account and the card.
After that, the SecurePayStubs pricing page lists $4.99 per stub with no add-on charges, while PayStubVault charges $1.99. An older post on the SecurePayStubs blog still mentions $2.99, so the live page deserves a look before paying.
Over a year, a freelancer who needs 12 stubs pays about $21.89 on PayStubVault and $54.89 on SecurePayStubs. That assumes the first stub is free on both and the listed prices hold. PayStubVault’s current pricing is on its site.
Corrections and account access
Both tools fix mistakes at no charge. SecurePayStubs advertises unlimited free updates, and PayStubVault describes unlimited corrections with no stated deadline. Independent reviews of SecurePayStubs are sparse, so reading each site’s terms matters more than star ratings.
Before paying on either tool, the preview deserves a careful read. Pay period dates, net pay and year-to-date totals are the lines reviewers compare first.
Where Each Tool Is the Stronger Pick
Where SecurePayStubs leads
SecurePayStubs offers more around repeat use. It lists an address book for saving employee details, free deposit slips and a W-9 generator. A March 2026 company announcement also describes local tax calculation on top of federal and state. A freelancer who pays helpers, or works where local income tax applies, gets more from that.
Where PayStubVault leads
PayStubVault stays narrower. The lower price, the code-free first stub and a builder aimed at freelancers suit someone who needs one or two stubs for an application. The SecurePayStubs homepage describes small businesses paying employees and contractors, although the site also has a self-employed page.
Which Tool Fits Which Freelancer?
Three common cases show where the tools split:
- One stub for a lease or loan: the free first stub works on either tool. The difference is the checkout, since one asks for a code and card details and the other does not.
- Several stubs a year: the $1.99 versus $4.99 gap adds up. PayStubVault does not keep a copy in an account, so the PDF should be saved.
- A freelancer who also pays helpers: the SecurePayStubs address book and local tax support fit better.
A pay stub generator comparison covers more tools for anyone who wants a wider view. Whichever tool is used, the stub should match real deposits, because landlords and lenders compare it with bank records.
FAQ
Does SecurePayStubs offer a free first pay stub?
Yes. Its site gives the first stub free with code FIRSTSTUB at checkout, then lists $4.99 per stub.
Do landlords accept a generated pay stub as proof of income?
It varies. Many landlords want supporting records such as bank statements or 1099 forms, and some verify income with bank-linked tools or by contacting clients. A stub that matches real deposits holds up better than one that does not.
How can a freelancer check a generator’s price before paying?
Open the live pricing page, look for add-on fees, and compare the total on the preview screen with the listed price. A screenshot of the total helps if a dispute comes up later.
For a freelancer who needs one or two stubs, price and checkout steps decide the choice. For one who also runs small payroll, the extras may matter more.
References
- SecurePayStubs. “Pricing.” SecurePayStubs, accessed October 2026. https://www.securepaystubs.com/pricing/
- SecurePayStubs. “SecurePayStubs Becomes a Go-To Trusted Platform with Advanced Paystub Features for Proof of Income.” Company announcement, March 9, 2026, as published by Norfolk Daily News. https://norfolkdailynews.com/online_features/press_releases/securepaystubs-becomes-a-go-to-trusted-platform-with-advanced-paystub-features-for-proof-of-income/article_47e6df30-d25b-559a-b5db-74102e7d9b57.html
- Internal Revenue Service. “Schedule C (Form 1040), Profit or Loss From Business.” IRS, accessed October 2026. https://www.irs.gov/forms-pubs/about-schedule-c-form-1040
Author bio: Brooks Cooper is the CEO of PayStubVault, a platform that helps freelancers, self-employed professionals, independent contractors and small businesses create pay stubs and income documentation. Learn more at paystubvault.com.
