OnlineCheckWriter (powered by Zil Money) — A Deep Dive: Features, Pricing, Security & Real-World Use

 

OnlineCheckWriter (powered by Zil Money) — A Deep Dive: Features, Pricing, Security & Real-World Use

Meta description (suggested): OnlineCheckWriter (powered by Zil Money) is a cloud-based payments platform for printing checks, sending eChecks, ACH and wire transfers, and integrating with accounting tools. Learn features, pricing, security, pros/cons and how to choose the right plan.

1. At a glance — what it is

OnlineCheckWriter is a cloud payment platform (branded/operated as “powered by Zil Money”) that lets businesses create and print checks on blank stock, send eChecks, process ACH and wire payments, and manage payables/receivables from a single web/mobile interface. The platform also offers check-mailing (they print, envelope and mail for you) and supports a mobile app for on-the-go payments. Check Writer+1

2. Key features (what makes it useful)

  • On-demand check printing: Print professional checks on blank stock using any printer — useful when you don’t want to order pre-printed checks. Check Writer

  • eChecks & ACH / Wire support: Send payments electronically (eChecks), initiate ACH and wire transfers directly from the platform. Check Writer+1

  • Check mailing service: If you prefer, the platform can print and mail physical checks for you (same-day options available). Check Writer

  • Accounting integrations: Connects with popular tools like QuickBooks, Xero, Zapier, Zoho Books/Payroll, and more to import payee and payroll data. This reduces manual entry and helps prevent payment errors. Check Writer+1

  • Team & workflow controls: Multi-user access with roles/permissions to control who can create, approve, print or send payments. Check Writer

  • Mobile app: A mobile experience that supports many core functions so you can manage payments away from your desk. Check Writer

3. Pricing overview (summary & what to watch for)

OnlineCheckWriter public pricing tiers include a Pay-as-You-Go / free tier (with limits), a Business tier (around $49.99/mo), and a Premium tier (advertised at $499.99/mo) — plus custom/enterprise options. Some product pages and software directories list a starting/monthly amount (e.g., $30 in some listings), so pricing can vary by source, plan details and promotional credits. The company also advertises monthly “free credits” tied to plans. Before purchase, compare the features and monthly credits per plan on the official pricing/support page. Software Advice+3OnlineCheckWriter+3Check Writer+3

Tip: pay attention to included credits (free prints/payments per month), transaction fees (ACH/wire postage), and any minimum monthly spend — these affect the real cost for your volume. OnlineCheckWriter

4. Security & compliance

OnlineCheckWriter highlights industry-standard protections: HTTPS/TLS, AES-256 encryption at rest, and storing data in PCI-certified data centers. The company also reports PCI DSS compliance and ISO/SOC certifications (SOC 1 & SOC 2 compliance announcements appear on their site), which are important markers for handling payment data and operational controls. Always review the vendor’s current compliance certificates and ask for auditor reports if you have strict requirements. Check Writer+2Check Writer+2

5. Integrations & accounting workflow

The platform emphasizes frictionless imports from accounting packages (QuickBooks Online in particular). Typical workflow is: connect your accounting tool → import payees/amounts → review/approve payments → print or send as eCheck/ACH/wire. The QuickBooks app listing and their integration pages explain step-by-step how QuickBooks data can be pulled into OnlineCheckWriter for check printing or eCheck sending. Check Writer+2Check Writer+2

6. How it works — a simple step-by-step for check printing

  1. Sign up and connect your bank/account or funding source.

  2. Add payees or import payee lists from QuickBooks / CSV.

  3. Create a payment (choose check, eCheck, ACH or wire).

  4. Approve/authorize according to your internal workflow (multi-user approvals if enabled).

  5. Print on blank check stock with your regular printer, or choose check-mail for printing & mailing. Check Writer+1

Legal note: The platform reminds users that printing checks at home/office is legal under the Check 21 Act (standard in U.S. banking). Always follow your bank’s MICR/printing guidelines and use approved blank stock to avoid deposit problems. Check Writer

7. Real-user sentiment — reviews & reputation

  • Positive feedback: Many users praise the convenience, integrations, and the ability to print checks on blank stock (Capterra and SoftwareAdvice reviews show several satisfied customers). Capterra+1

  • Negative feedback: As with any payment platform, there are mixed reviews on Trustpilot — some users report technical issues, support frustrations, or account disputes. Read recent reviews and filter by date/issue type to understand whether a complaint reflects a transient bug or a systemic problem. Trustpilot+1

Bottom line on reputation: The product has a meaningful user base and marketplace listings, but—because this is financial software—you should perform your own due diligence: try the free tier/trial, test imports/printing, and validate support responsiveness for your use case. Capterra+1

8. Who should consider OnlineCheckWriter?

  • Small-to-mid businesses that still rely on checks but want modern automation.

  • Bookkeepers and accountants who need QuickBooks integration to avoid double data entry.

  • Businesses that want an in-house option for printing checks on demand (instead of ordering pre-printed checks).

  • Teams that want centralized payment controls (roles, approvals, multi-user access). Check Writer+1

9. Pros & cons (quick summary)

Pros

  • Consolidates multiple payment types (print checks, eChecks, ACH, wire). Check Writer

  • Integrates with major accounting platforms (QuickBooks, Xero, etc.). Check Writer

  • Strong compliance claims (PCI/SOC/ISO). Check Writer+1

Cons / watchouts

  • Mixed user reviews — check recent Trustpilot/Capterra feedback for issues relevant to your volume/region. Trustpilot+1

  • Pricing structure and actual transaction/postage fees may make it more or less economical depending on volume — run the numbers. OnlineCheckWriter

10. Setup checklist & tips (before you press “print”)

  • Confirm MICR line formatting with your bank if you’ll deposit printed checks. Check Writer

  • Start on a trial or Pay-as-You-Go tier and run a batch of test checks to validate layout and bank acceptance. OnlineCheckWriter

  • Import a small set of payees from QuickBooks and do a test eCheck or printed check. Check Writer

  • Ask support for documentation about check stock recommendations and mail timing if you plan to use check-mail. Check Writer

11. Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

Q: Can I print checks from my existing checking account?
A: Yes — the platform supports checks from your bank account; confirm bank acceptance and MICR formatting. Check Writer

Q: Is printing checks legal?
A: Yes — printing checks on blank stock is legal under U.S. banking rules (Check 21), but follow bank guidelines for MICR and endorsement. Check Writer

Q: Are funds insured / is the platform PCI compliant?
A: The company states PCI DSS compliance and SOC certifications; however, “PCI compliance” relates to handling card data and platform controls — always request current compliance reports for procurement/finance reviews. Check Writer+1

12. Alternatives & comparison notes

If you want to compare, look at other check-printing/payment platforms and your accounting provider’s built-in check features. Compare on: transaction cost, printing/mail fees, integration depth, security certifications, and support responsiveness. (I didn’t list direct competitors here to keep the post focused — if you want, I can add a comparison table with competitors and feature-by-feature differences.)


Conclusion — should you try it?

OnlineCheckWriter (Zil Money) is a mature, full-featured platform for businesses that need flexible check printing plus modern payment rails (eChecks/ACH/wires) and accounting integrations. It’s especially helpful if you want to eliminate pre-printed checks or streamline payables from QuickBooks. That said, because user experiences are mixed in reviews, test it with a small workload, confirm pricing for your volume, and request compliance documentation before committing to a high-volume plan.