Checks Unlimited vs Costco Checks: Price and Value Comparison

Overview

Checks Unlimited and Costco Checks are two popular options for ordering personal and business checks. While Checks Unlimited is a dedicated check printing service, Costco offers check printing through a partnership with Harland Clarke, a well-established check manufacturer. This comparison examines pricing, convenience, design variety, and value.

Pricing Comparison

Checks Unlimited's personal checks start at approximately $22.44 per box, with regular promo codes offering up to 35% off multi-box orders. Costco's check printing service offers competitive per-box pricing, particularly for Costco members. According to a U.S. News article, some check services offer starting prices as low as $18.90 for a box of 150 checks with free shipping.

Pricing for both services changes over time, so the best approach is to compare current prices on both official websites. Factor in shipping costs, handling fees, and any membership requirements when comparing total costs.

Convenience and Accessibility

Costco Checks requires a Costco membership to access member pricing. If you already have a Costco membership, ordering checks through Costco may be convenient. Checks Unlimited is available to anyone without a membership requirement — you simply visit the website and place your order.

Design Variety

Checks Unlimited offers over 200 personal check designs across many categories, including licensed themes (Disney, NASCAR, MLB). Costco's check printing service offers a more limited selection of designs, focusing on classic and standard patterns. If design variety is important to you, Checks Unlimited has the edge.

Check Quantity per Box

One important comparison point is the number of checks per box. Checks Unlimited personal checks come in boxes of 80. Some other check printers offer 150 checks per box. When comparing prices, calculate the per-check cost, not just the per-box cost, to get an accurate comparison.

Security Features

Both Checks Unlimited (through Deluxe Corporation) and Costco Checks (through Harland Clarke) produce ABA-compliant checks with standard security features. Both are accepted at U.S. banks and credit unions. The security features should be comparable, but verify the specific features on each company's official website.

Which Is Better for You?

If you already have a Costco membership and want basic checks at competitive prices, Costco Checks is worth considering. If you want a wide design catalog, licensed themes, and don't want a membership requirement, Checks Unlimited is the better choice. Compare per-check costs and factor in shipping and any membership costs when making your decision.