# Checkwriters ESS vs VESL

The clearest difference is rating: Checkwriters ESS at 3.6 against VESL's 3.0. Checkwriters ESS also leads on ratings volume (410 vs 31). VESL's advantage is update cadence (weekly vs every 2 months). On price, review sentiment, ads and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

Checkwriters ESS holds the better App Store score, 3.6 against 3.0. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Checkwriters ESS has 410 ratings behind it against 31, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 44% of Checkwriters ESS's written reviews are positive against 50% of VESL's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

Checkwriters ESS ships an update every 2 months, VESL weekly. Both last shipped on October 24, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | Checkwriters ESS | VESL |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[3.6 (410 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/checkwriters-ess/id1138072142/reviews)** | [3.0 (31 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/vesl/id1540687104/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **410** | 31 |
| Positive reviews | 44.3% of reviews | **50.0% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | **Weekly** |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Size | 4 MB | 78 MB |
| Requires iOS | **15.0** | 15.6 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [CheckWriters](https://appshunter.io/developer/1138072141) | [Bluefin Data](https://appshunter.io/developer/902126022) |

## What reviewers say

### Checkwriters ESS

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/checkwriters-ess/id1138072142)

Empower employees to access and print their paychecks, view payroll and benefits information, and submit administrative requests. This app also facilitates document sharing, such as company handbooks and tax forms.

**Highlights:** View and print paychecks, Access payroll information, View benefit services, Submit administrative requests, Share company documents, Access tax forms

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Easy to use
- 💡 Convenient features
- 🚀 Quick access to information
- 🔒 Secure login options

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Frequent crashes and bugs
- 🔒 Overly strict password requirements
- ⚠️ Unreliable login and access issues
- 🕰️ Slow performance and freezes

**Reported bugs**

- Time off and leave request features crashing
- Unable to access banking and payroll information
- Constant password reset issues locking users out
- Compatibility problems with older devices

**Requested features**

- Bring back Face ID/fingerprint login
- Improve time off and leave request features
- Allow more flexibility in password changes
- Provide better visibility into payroll details


### VESL

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/vesl/id1540687104)

Simplify government reporting with this business tool. Easily file all your obligations in one central location, saving time and reducing frustration. Get started for free and streamline your compliance process.

**Highlights:** Government reporting hub, Effortless filing, Time and cost savings, Specify reporting obligations, User-friendly interface

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Checkwriters ESS free?

Checkwriters ESS is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is VESL free?

VESL is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, Checkwriters ESS or VESL?

Checkwriters ESS is rated higher. Checkwriters ESS averages 3.6 out of 5 from 410 ratings, while VESL averages 3.0 from 31 ratings.

### Do Checkwriters ESS or VESL have ads?

Neither Checkwriters ESS nor VESL shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Checkwriters ESS or VESL?

Checkwriters ESS ships an update every 2 months, and VESL weekly. Most recently, Checkwriters ESS was updated on October 24, 2026 and VESL on October 24, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*