How we make this list: we compare pricing pages, product documentation and public user reviews. Ratings come from G2, Capterra or Trustpilot, with the date we checked them.
Key takeaways
- Ordering checks online usually costs far less than ordering through your bank, often by half or more, because third-party printers skip the bank markup.
- Walmart Checks and Costco Checks lead on everyday price, while CheckAdvantage and Checks Unlimited win on design variety and frequent coupons.
- All legitimate check printers meet bank security standards, but high-security checks with holograms and heat-reactive ink add real protection against alteration.
- Box sizes, shipping costs, and coupon availability change the true per-check price, so compare the total at checkout, not just the headline price.
- You will need your routing number, account number, and the exact name and address format your bank has on file before ordering.
Quick comparison
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The best check ordering companies
Starting priceSee website
Free planNo
Checks Unlimited is one of the oldest direct check printers in the US, in business since 1986, and its pitch is choice plus security. Its personal check catalog spans classic, scenic, animal, charity, and licensed designs, with matching checkbook covers and address labels for many themes. Every design meets bank security standards, and the company offers an optional SentryShield check fraud protection program plus high-security checks with two-dimensional holographic foil and other anti-alteration features. That security layer matters if you mail checks regularly.
The drawbacks show up on the business side. Business check prices vary by design and quantity in ways that are not always clear up front, and some reviewers report handling fees that only appear at checkout. Personal check buyers, by contrast, usually find the pricing straightforward, especially with frequent coupons. For households that want a specific design and solid fraud protection, Checks Unlimited remains a dependable first stop.
What we like- Very large design selection including licensed characters
- SentryShield fraud protection program
- High-security checks with holographic foil
Watch out for- Business check pricing is less transparent than personal
- Handling fees have drawn complaints in reviews
Starting priceSee website
Free planNo
CheckAdvantage is a check manufacturer rather than a reseller, which lets it offer free shipping and handling on personal checks while keeping prices competitive. Its catalog holds more than 2,500 designs in top-tear and side-tear formats, with matching labels and covers, and its business checks work with QuickBooks, Quicken, and other major accounting programs. The company reports that orders have been 99 percent on time and 99.9 percent error-free since 2001, and every order is hand-checked by print professionals before shipping.
The honest trade-off is presentation: the site looks older than Walmart Checks or Costco Checks, and personal check prices land in the middle of the pack rather than the cheapest. Business buyers get the better deal here, with competitive per-box pricing and fast turnaround. For buyers who want a huge design choice, free shipping, and a manufacturer-direct guarantee, CheckAdvantage is a strong all-around pick.
What we like- More than 2,500 personal check designs
- Free shipping and handling
- Strong business check pricing and software compatibility
Watch out for- Website feels dated compared with newer competitors
- Personal check prices sit in the middle, not the lowest
Starting priceFrom $12.75
Free planNo
Walmart Checks wins on simple, everyday value. Its best-selling personal checks start from $12.75 on its own site, no membership or coupon needed, and the catalog covers thousands of personal, designer, and desk checks, including licensed Disney, Star Wars, and ASPCA designs. Checkout is secure, most orders ship in about three business days, and accessories like checkbook covers, registers, deposit slips, and address labels are available in the same order. For a buyer who just wants decent checks at a low price without hunting for a promo code, that simplicity is the appeal.
The catch is that Walmart Checks rarely runs coupons, so during a 20 to 30 percent sale at a competitor, its effective price can be beaten. Its design catalog is also broad but not as deep as CheckAdvantage's 2,500-plus designs. Still, for price-first buyers who dislike membership requirements and coupon games, Walmart Checks is the easiest recommendation on this list.
What we like- Low everyday prices with no membership required
- Thousands of designs including Disney and Star Wars
- Most orders ship in about three business days
Watch out for- Rarely offers coupons, so sale prices elsewhere can beat it
- Design breadth is smaller than the biggest specialists
Starting priceSee website
Free planNo
Costco Checks, printed by Harland Clarke, offers some of the lowest member prices in check printing, with free trackable standard delivery on every order. Its high-security personal and business checks include features like 3D holograms and heat-reactive ink, and its business bundles combine checks, envelopes, and accessories for additional savings. The site also makes reordering easy for returning customers, which matters for businesses that burn through checks steadily.
The membership requirement is the deciding factor. A Costco membership costs $65 per year for Gold Star, so the check savings alone do not justify joining unless you already shop there. Design choice is also narrower than at Checks Unlimited or CheckAdvantage, leaning toward classic and safety designs rather than licensed themes. For existing Costco members, though, this is usually the cheapest way to order checks, personal or business.
What we like- Member pricing is among the lowest available
- Free trackable standard delivery on all check orders
- High-security business and personal checks
Watch out for- Requires a paid Costco membership
- Personal design selection is narrower than specialist printers
Starting priceSee website
Free planNo
Bradford Exchange Checks is the design-first printer on this list. Its catalog leans into licensed and artistic themes: Thomas Kinkade artwork, Disney characters, MLB team designs, dog breeds, nature scenes, and charity causes, each with coordinating checkbook covers and address labels. The company claims savings of up to 70 percent off bank check prices, and its checks exceed bank security standards and meet ANSI requirements, with an optional EZShield service for added protection. Personal accessories like tote bags and luggage tags in matching designs are a bonus for buyers who enjoy a theme.
The price reflects the artistry: Bradford Exchange checks typically cost more per box than Walmart Checks or Carousel Checks. It also focuses on personal checks rather than business formats, so companies should look elsewhere. For buyers who treat checks as a small personal expression and want a design nobody else in the checkout line has, Bradford Exchange delivers where value printers cannot.
What we like- Unique licensed and artistic designs (Thomas Kinkade, Disney, MLB, dog breeds)
- Designs meet ANSI security standards
- Coordinating covers and labels
Watch out for- Prices run higher than value printers
- No business check focus
Starting priceSee website
Free planNo
Carousel Checks positions itself as a value printer with a security conscience. Its value-priced personal checks promise savings of up to 80 percent off bank prices, and it offers hologram checks as its most secure option, alongside side-tear, top-stub, desk set, and secretary deskbook formats. Top-selling designs include florals, dots, patriotic themes, and beach scenes, and the accessory range covers registers, covers, labels, deposit tickets, and self-inking stamps. That breadth of formats makes it a good fit for buyers with specific needs, like a desk set for a home office.
The brand is less well known than Checks Unlimited or Walmart Checks, which may matter to cautious first-time buyers, though its checks meet the same bank standards. Design depth is good but not chart-topping. For buyers who want low prices, a hologram security option, and formats beyond the standard personal check, Carousel Checks offers a strong balance of value and choice.
What we like- Value-priced checks with savings up to 80 percent off bank prices
- Hologram security checks available
- Wide range of formats including desk sets
Watch out for- Smaller brand recognition than the biggest printers
- Design catalog is solid but not the largest
Starting priceSee website
Free planNo
Deluxe is the enterprise-grade name on this list. For more than a century it has supplied checks and payment systems to banks and businesses, and today it serves 3 million small businesses and 4,000 financial institutions, processing over $2 trillion in payments a year. Its check ordering systems, security and protection services, lockbox and remote capture, and merchant services make it a full payments partner rather than a simple print shop. Businesses that need checks integrated with accounting, fraud protection, and payment workflows get a depth here that consumer printers cannot match.
That scale is also the drawback for individuals. Deluxe's site speaks to businesses and financial institutions, not to someone ordering one box of personal checks, and pricing for business solutions is typically quote-driven. A household buyer will find the consumer printers on this list easier and cheaper. For a business that wants checks as part of a larger payments setup, Deluxe is the most established option available.
What we like- Over 100 years in payments
- Serves 3 million small businesses and 4,000 financial institutions
- Full payments and check ordering systems
Watch out for- Consumer check shopping is not its focus
- Pricing is quote-driven for business solutions
Starting priceSee website
Free planNo
Checks In The Mail rounds out the list with a broad catalog and a useful business sideline. Its personal checks span licensed designs from ASPCA, Peanuts, and Star Wars alongside patriotic and inspirational themes, and its business section covers checks, tax forms (W-2, 1099, 1096), deposit solutions, and checkbook covers. Reorders are fast and secure, which helps businesses that order on a schedule. The combination of personal designs and business supplies in one store is convenient for a small business owner who also needs household checks.
Prices vary by design more than at the value leaders, so the total at checkout can surprise buyers who pick a premium theme. The site is also less polished than Walmart Checks or CheckAdvantage. For buyers who want licensed designs plus business forms in a single order, Checks In The Mail is a practical one-stop shop.
What we like- Thousands of personal and business checks
- Licensed ASPCA, Peanuts, and Star Wars designs
- Business tax forms and deposit solutions in one order
Watch out for- Prices vary widely by design
- Site navigation is less polished than top competitors
How we chose
We compared printers on the factors that determine the real cost and experience: per-box pricing and shipping, design variety, security features, business versus personal coverage, and turnaround time. We favored printers that guarantee bank acceptance and meet ANSI security standards, and we treated third-party price comparisons as directional only, since box sizes and coupons change constantly. Where a price could not be confirmed on the vendor's own site, we wrote "See website" instead of repeating a comparison site's figure. We did not order or test any checks ourselves.
What to check before you order
Have your bank details ready: routing number, account number, the exact name format on the account, and your starting check number. A mismatch here causes rejected orders or checks your bank will not honor. Next, decide between single and duplicate checks: duplicates create a carbon copy of every check you write, which helps with record keeping but costs more per box. For security, consider high-security checks with holograms, heat-reactive ink, or chemical alteration protection if you mail checks often.
Compare the total, not the headline. Add shipping, handling, and any fraud protection upsell before judging a price, and check whether a coupon applies. Order quantity matters too: buying two or four boxes at once usually cuts the per-box price substantially, which is worth it if you write checks regularly. Finally, store blank checks safely and never share images of a filled check online, since the routing and account numbers on it are enough for fraud.
Frequently asked questions
Are third-party checks accepted by banks?
Yes. Legitimate third-party printers produce checks with the same MICR encoding and bank-approved paper stock as bank-ordered checks, and they guarantee acceptance. The only real difference is usually price. Stick to established printers on this list and avoid unknown sellers with no bank-acceptance guarantee.
How many checks come in a box?
It varies by printer and format. Personal single checks commonly come 120 to 150 per box, while duplicates come fewer per box because each check includes a copy. Business laser checks are sold by sheets or in different quantities. Always check the quantity on the product page before comparing prices.
How long does it take to receive ordered checks?
Most printers ship within about three business days of ordering, with delivery taking several more days depending on the shipping method. CheckAdvantage and Walmart Checks both cite roughly three business days to ship. If you need checks urgently, choose expedited shipping at checkout or ask your bank about temporary checks.
What are high-security checks?
High-security checks add features that make alteration or copying harder: holograms, heat-reactive ink that disappears when warmed, chemical wash detection, microprinting, and security screens. They cost more than standard checks but are worth considering if you mail checks to unfamiliar recipients or write large amounts.
Should I order duplicate or single checks?
Duplicate checks create a copy of each check for your records, which helps at tax time and when tracking payments. They cost more per box and you get fewer checks per box. Single checks are cheaper and give you more checks per box. If you already track payments digitally, singles are usually the better value.
Sources we checked (8)
- https://www.checksunlimited.com
- https://checkadvantage.com
- https://www.walmartchecks.com
- https://www.costcochecks.com
- https://www.bradfordexchangechecks.com
- https://www.carouselchecks.com
- https://www.deluxe.com
- https://www.checksinthemail.com
Is your product missing or out of date?
We review this list regularly. Vendors can request a listing, send updated pricing or ask about featured placement.
Shihab Mia · Founder, Rankite
Shihab has 5+ years in B2B and SaaS SEO. He writes Rankite's software buying guides from pricing pages, documentation and public user reviews. More about Shihab.
CheckAdvantage
Walmart Checks
Costco Checks
Bradford Exchange Checks
Carousel Checks
Deluxe
Checks In The Mail