As a self-employed professional, keeping track of your income and financial records is not just good practice—it’s essential. Whether you’re applying for a loan, renting an apartment, or filing taxes, having a reliable check stub (or pay stub) can make all the difference. Unlike traditional employees who receive paystubs from their employers, freelancers, contractors, and gig workers need to generate their own.

Fortunately, there are several check stub generators designed with the self-employed in mind. In this guide, we’ll explore the top tools to generate check stubs for self-employed, highlighting their key features, benefits, and why they’re worth your attention.

1. StubCreator

Best for: Easy, fast, and free check stub generation

StubCreator is one of the most popular check stub generators on the market, and for good reason. It’s built specifically to cater to freelancers and small business owners who need a simple way to create professional check stubs.

Key Features:

• User-friendly interface

• Option to input hours worked, deductions, and taxes

• Instant PDF download

• Preview before downloading

• Free trial available for first-time users

Why Self-Employed Love It:
StubCreator offers the right balance of simplicity and detail. You can generate your stub in minutes and ensure all your earnings and deductions are accurately reflected.

2. PayStubsNow

Best for: Generating paystubs and other business documents

PayStubsNow provides more than just check stubs. It allows you to create a variety of documents including 1099 forms, invoices, and W-2s—all essential for self-employed professionals.

Key Features:

• All-in-one document creation tool

• Secure and encrypted processing

• Email delivery option

• IRS-compliant pay stub templates

Why It Stands Out:
PayStubsNow is ideal for those who want a comprehensive solution. It’s great for freelancers juggling multiple income streams or managing a growing client base.

3. CheckStubMaker

Best for: Accuracy and IRS-compliant stubs

CheckStubMaker focuses on ensuring that your check stubs comply with legal and tax standards. This is especially helpful if you’re using stubs for loan applications or tax filings.

Key Features:

• Step-by-step input forms

• Auto-calculation of taxes and deductions

• Printable and email-ready stubs

• Mobile-friendly interface

Why Choose CheckStubMaker:
It’s highly trusted for creating official-looking stubs. If accuracy and compliance are your priorities, this is a reliable tool for you.

4. FormPros

Best for: Customized and branded paystubs

FormPros offers extensive customization, making it ideal for self-employed individuals who want to personalize their check stubs with business logos or unique layouts.

Key Features:

• Customizable templates

• Real-time tax and deduction calculations

• Instant email or download option

• Access to other business forms (invoices, W-9s, etc.)

Why It Works for Freelancers:
FormPros gives your stubs a professional edge, which can be especially helpful when presenting financial records to clients or institutions.

5. ThePayStubs

Best for: Affordability and frequent users

ThePayStubs is one of the more cost-effective tools available, with pricing options that cater to both one-time users and regular freelancers.

Key Features:

• Instant stub generation

• Simple interface

• Affordable per-stub pricing

• Secure cloud storage options

Why It’s a Favorite:
Budget-friendly without skimping on functionality, ThePayStubs is a great choice if you frequently need paystubs and want to keep your costs low.

6. PDFPaystub

Best for: Offline use and manual editing

PDFPaystub stands out for users who prefer more control over their documents. It allows you to download editable templates and customize them offline.

Key Features:

• Downloadable templates

• No recurring fees

• Works without internet connection after download

• Suitable for manual customization

Why Self-Employed Users Like It:
It offers a DIY approach, making it a good fit for those with accounting knowledge or unique formatting needs.

7. 123PayStubs

Best for: Mobile users and on-the-go professionals

123PayStubs is built for mobile-first freelancers who want to create paystubs from their smartphones or tablets quickly and easily.

Key Features:

• Mobile app available for iOS and Android

• E-filing of 1099-NEC, W-2, and other forms

• IRS and SSA approved

• Pay-as-you-go pricing

Why It’s Perfect for the Gig Economy:
If you’re always on the move and need a fast, mobile-friendly solution, 123PayStubs has you covered.

8. Zintego

Best for: Freelancers who need multi-document solutions

Zintego offers a wide array of free tools for small businesses and freelancers, including invoice makers, quote creators, and pay stub generators.

Key Features:

• Multiple templates

• Integration with other document tools

• Free and premium options

• User-friendly and quick setup

Why It’s Unique:
Zintego acts as a full business suite for self-employed individuals, allowing you to manage different financial documents from one place.

How to Choose the Right Check Stub Generator

When picking the best tool for your self-employed needs, consider the following:

✅ Ease of Use – Does the platform have a clean interface and simple form fields?
✅ Accuracy – Does it auto-calculate taxes, deductions, and net pay correctly?
✅ Compliance – Are the stubs legally compliant and suitable for official use?
✅ Customization – Can you add your business logo or edit fields as needed?
✅ Affordability – Is the pricing structure fair for your frequency of use?

Final Thoughts

Generating check stubs for self-employed individual doesn't have to be complicated or expensive. With the right tools, you can create professional, IRS-compliant pay stubs in just minutes—saving you time, reducing errors, and helping you stay organized.

From platforms like StubCreator for beginners to robust solutions like PayStubsNow or FormPros for advanced users, there's a tool out there to match your unique needs.

Start today and take control of your financial documentation—it’s one more step toward running your freelance business like a pro.