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Dots vs. Checkbook

Dots is the better fit when paying people is part of your product. Checkbook has its clearest case in flexible US disbursements, especially when checks remain part of the method mix.

Last updated August 19, 2026.

Dots vs. Checkbook at a glance

Features
Dots logo Dots
Checkbook
Core role
A dedicated platform for payee onboarding, global payouts, tax operations, and payout risk
A push-payments platform spanning digital checks, ACH, real-time payments, cards, virtual cards, and mailed checks
Reach
190+ countries through 300+ payout rails
A US-focused disbursement product with method availability determined by the payment type
Payout methods
Local bank transfers, real-time rails, mobile money, PayPal, Venmo, Cash App, stablecoins, and other methods by country
Digital and printed checks, ACH, RTP, FedNow, push to card, mailed checks, and virtual cards
Payee experience
Fully white-label onboarding, Payout Links, embedded components, API, dashboard, and CSV
API, CSV, white-labeling, marketplace tools, live support, and a private Slack channel on business plans
Tax and compliance
Form detection, W-9 and W-8 collection, validation, and filing in the US and Canada
Payments compliance and bank verification, with payee tax collection and filing outside the core product
Pricing
Core is $19 per month and Scale is $999 per month. Domestic payouts cost $2 on Core and $1 on Scale. Instant payout fees are $0 on both plans.
Business is $2,000 per month with reduced transaction rates. Enterprise pricing is custom.
Best fit
Platforms where paying contractors, creators, sellers, or other payees is part of the product experience
US programs that need digital checks alongside bank, card, and real-time payment options

The central difference

Checkbook is built around a push-payments platform spanning digital checks, ACH, real-time payments, cards, virtual cards, and mailed checks.

Dots starts with the payee. Dots Onboard collects the information needed for the payout, Dots Payouts routes funds across eligible methods, and Dots Tax keeps form status tied to the payment record. Your existing acceptance provider can stay in place.

Pricing: Dots vs. Checkbook

Features
Dots logo Dots
Checkbook
Platform pricing
Core is $19 per month, Scale is $999 per month, and Enterprise is custom.
Business is $2,000 per month with reduced transaction rates. Enterprise pricing is custom.
Domestic payout
$2 on Core and $1 on Scale
Not published.
Instant payout fee
$0 on Core and Scale
Not published.
International payout
3.9% plus $2 on Core and 2.9% plus $1 on Scale
Not published.

Why Dots wins for platform payouts

Payee choice: 300+ rails let payees use familiar local methods where available.

Embedded payout experience: Fully white-label onboarding keeps the relationship with your platform.

Tax operations: Required forms can be detected, collected, validated, and filed in the payout workflow.

Dedicated support: Your team works with the Dots team through a dedicated Slack channel from implementation through ongoing payout operations.

Compare the operating work

Payout methods and reach: Dots supports 190+ countries through 300+ rails. Checkbook offers digital and printed checks, ACH, RTP, FedNow, push to card, mailed checks, and virtual cards. Available routes vary by country, payout method, contract, and account configuration.

Onboarding and payee ownership: Dots can collect identity, payout, and tax information inside a fully white-label flow. Checkbook uses API, CSV, white-labeling, marketplace tools, live support, and a private Slack channel on business plans.

Tax and compliance: Dots ties identity checks, payout history, and tax status to one payee record. Checkbook provides payments compliance and bank verification, with payee tax collection and filing outside the core product.

Implementation and support: Dots can go live in under 24 hours for a standard implementation. Your team gets direct access to the Dots team through a dedicated Slack channel.

See how Dots can automate your payouts.

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A customer result from Don't Tell Comedy

“Before Dots, the process was super manual, untrackable and made collecting 1099 information really hard. We love Dots so much we’re trying to add it to more stuff! They’re incredibly responsive and add requested features quickly.”

Brett Kushner profile

Brett Kushner

COO, Don't Tell Comedy

Checkbook and Dots FAQs

Direct answers for a real payout evaluation.

Sources and disclosure

How this page was prepared: Dots publishes this page. The Dots product team writes and reviews it, drawing on its work building the payout, onboarding, and tax workflows covered here.

Comparison criteria: We compared each provider using its official product and pricing pages. Every page uses the same criteria: the job the product owns, reach, payout methods, payee onboarding, tax operations, and published pricing.

Sources were checked on August 19, 2026. Availability varies by country, contract, and account configuration.

Payout pricing calculator: Enter one recent month of funded volume and payout activity to estimate what different platforms would cost for your operation. Open calculator.