SimpleChex

SimpleChex is a web-based tool for preparing business checks, aimed at small businesses and bookkeepers. It is a good fit for routine check creation through an existing bank account, but the free plan’s 10-check monthly cap makes it better for light use than ongoing payroll or payment runs.

Overview

SimpleChex creates check PDFs with routing and account numbers in E-13B MICR, the font used by bank scanners. You can print on plain white paper or blank check stock, including Costco NL-VT-compatible stock, or email a PDF for the recipient to print and deposit as a check. This is check preparation, not payment processing: funds are not held, transmitted, or processed by SimpleChex, and checks clear through your existing bank relationship.

Key features

Check creation and repeat work

Saved payees can include addresses, and checks can carry either a signature image or typed signature. SimpleChex records checks, batches, and emails, and lets users reprint past checks as PDFs. That combination is useful for recurring payments and a check trail, though it does not replace the user's bank relationship or turn the service into an accounting system.

Payroll and team access

For QuickBooks payroll, users can upload a payroll PDF and have SimpleChex add a MICR line to each page. This is a narrow but practical payroll workflow; it is not an accounting import feature. Firm subscribers can invite unlimited team members and limit their access to selected businesses or bank accounts, making that plan more suitable for bookkeeping teams than the single-user tiers.

Security and support

The privacy policy describes encryption in transit with TLS 1.3 and at rest with AES-256, with workspace isolation through Postgres row-level security. Email support is offered at [email protected], with a typical response time of one business day. That is a defined support channel, but not an immediate one.

Pricing

The Free plan costs nothing, billed forever. It includes one business, unlimited bank accounts, 10 checks per month, and one user. It works for occasional check writing, but the monthly quota is restrictive for businesses with regular payment runs.

Solo costs $5 a month, billed monthly, for one business, unlimited bank accounts and checks, and one user. It is the straightforward upgrade for a single operator who has outgrown the free cap; the tradeoff is that it still does not provide team access or multiple businesses.

Firm costs $19 a month, billed monthly, and includes up to 10 businesses, unlimited bank accounts, checks, and team members. Each business beyond 10 costs +$2/mo. This is the relevant tier for bookkeepers managing several clients or teams that need scoped access, while a single-business user may not need its broader allowance. There is no free trial.

Platforms

SimpleChex is delivered on the web. Its customizable check layouts and support for plain paper or blank check stock offer printing flexibility, but it is not a desktop or mobile app.

Who it's for

SimpleChex suits small businesses and bookkeepers that need printable checks, recurring payee details, and a retrievable check history without changing their bank relationship. Solo users who write more than 10 checks monthly get unlimited checks for $5 a month. Firms handling multiple businesses benefit from unlimited team members and scoped access. It is less suitable for anyone seeking a payment processor or a broad accounting import workflow.

Pros and cons

• Pro: MICR checks can be printed on plain paper or blank stock, including Costco NL-VT-compatible stock, giving users options beyond preprinted checks.
• Pro: Saved payees, check history, and PDF reprints support repeat payments and recordkeeping.
• Pro: The Firm plan combines up to 10 businesses with unlimited checks and team members, plus scoped access to businesses or accounts.
• Con: Free use stops at 10 checks per month, so regular check writing calls for a paid plan.
• Con: Solo is limited to one business and one user, and QuickBooks payroll support is a PDF upload workflow rather than accounting import.
• Con: Checks still depend on the user's existing bank relationship; SimpleChex does not process funds.

Alternatives

Compare check printing software if you want to weigh this against other options. Choose CHECKPRINT if Android or iOS access matters, or if a free plan with unlimited checks and printable PDFs is preferable despite its watermark and 30-day storage. Zil Money is another freemium option, with Android, iOS, web, and API platforms and a free tier for limited monthly transactions; its Business and Enterprise plans have custom pricing.

ChequePro is worth considering for Windows users who want a free plan for one device, up to three bank accounts, and one company, or a 99.00 USD one-time Essential plan. For medium-to-large businesses willing to request a quote, TROY AssurePay Check is another option. PrintCheck may suit users who prioritize a free web tool with no subscription or signup and batches of up to 500 checks, though its free plan is limited to five templates.

VersaCheck is an alternative for users who need desktop or mobile platforms and are comfortable with paid plans; its Silver monthly plan is $14.98 a month for one user, three bank accounts, five templates, and 10 free print credits. CheckWriter may suit users looking for a paid multi-platform option, with a CheckWriter Cloud Single User Limited plan at $8 a month. OnlineCheckWriter.com is another paid, multi-platform alternative, with a cloud check-printing plan at $5 a month.

Verdict

SimpleChex is a strong fit for small businesses and bookkeepers that want MICR check PDFs, repeat-payee tools, and useful history while continuing to clear checks through their bank. The $5 a month Solo plan removes the free tier’s 10-check limit, and Firm adds multi-business team access. Look elsewhere if you need funds processing, a true accounting import workflow, or a native mobile or desktop app.