Best Digital Fax Apps Compared in 2026

Picking a digital fax app in 2026 is harder than it should be, because pricing tricks and hidden fees are everywhere.

This comparison breaks down Faxend, eFax, iFax, FAX.PLUS, and FaxBurner on the metrics that actually matter: cost, HIPAA readiness, page limits, and mobile experience.

What actually matters in a fax app

Most people only fax occasionally. A monthly subscription for 20 pages you rarely use is a bad deal.

The criteria that count most are price structure, HIPAA compliance, page limits, delivery speed, and whether the app works well on a phone. International reach matters too if you send outside North America.

Security is non-negotiable for healthcare and legal work. Look for AES-256 encryption and a Business Associate Agreement (BAA) if you handle protected health information. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services outlines BAA requirements at hhs.gov.

Delivery speed is often overlooked. A fax that takes 10 minutes is useless in an emergency. Faxend typically delivers a single page in 30 to 60 seconds.

Side-by-side comparison table

The table below summarizes each service on the factors most readers ask about. Prices reflect publicly listed rates as of mid-2025.

Service	Entry Price	Pages Included	HIPAA / BAA	Inbound Number	No Account Option	Mobile App
Faxend	$2.99 one-time	5 (Basic) / 20 (Standard) / Unlimited (Pro)	All plans	Pro plan	Yes	iPhone
eFax	~$16.95/month	150 send + 150 receive	Plus plan and above	Yes	No	iOS + Android
iFax	~$8.33/month (annual)	200/month	Business plan	Yes	No	iOS + Android
FAX.PLUS	Free tier available	10 free pages total	Premium plan	Premium plan	No	iOS + Android
FaxBurner	Free (temp number)	25 pages free	No	Temporary (free) / Permanent (paid)	Partial	iOS + Android

Faxend

Faxend is built for people who do not want to commit to a monthly subscription before they know if the service works for them.

The Basic plan costs $2.99 as a one-time payment. You get 5 pages and a 30-day credit window, with no account required. That is useful for a one-off legal document or a single insurance form.

The Standard plan ($9.99/month) adds 20 pages, fax history, and HIPAA compliance. The Pro plan ($19.99/month) gives you unlimited pages, a dedicated inbound fax number, and priority delivery.

Every plan includes AES-256 encryption in transit and at rest. A Business Associate Agreement is available, which is required for HIPAA-covered entities. That is unusual at the $2.99 price point.

The iPhone app is available on the App Store. You can also send directly from faxend.com/send with no software to install. For a deeper look at the iPhone experience, see our post on how to send a fax from iPhone.

The main limitation is that the Basic plan has no inbound number. If you need to receive faxes regularly, you need the Pro plan.

Ready to send your fax?

Upload your document, enter the number, and hit send. No subscription required for your first fax.

Send Fax Now →Download on iPhone

eFax

eFax is one of the oldest names in online faxing. Its enterprise integrations are genuinely strong, particularly for Microsoft 365 and Salesforce environments.

The entry price is roughly $16.95 per month, which is higher than most competitors. You get 150 send pages and 150 receive pages, which is generous for heavy users. Overage fees apply beyond those limits.

HIPAA compliance requires the Plus plan or higher. That means small practices on the base plan are not covered. Read the plan details carefully before signing up.

eFax makes sense for larger organizations that need enterprise connectors and have volume to justify the cost. For individuals or small teams sending a few faxes a month, its pricing is hard to justify.

iFax

iFax targets teams. It has role-based access, shared inboxes, and audit logs, which matter for legal and healthcare groups with multiple staff members.

The entry price is around $8.33 per month when billed annually. The 200-page monthly allowance is solid for most small businesses.

HIPAA compliance is only on the Business plan, not the starter tier. The team features are a genuine differentiator. If you manage a group of people who all need to send and receive faxes, iFax is worth evaluating seriously.

The mobile apps cover both iOS and Android. The interface is clean and well-maintained as of early 2025.

FAX.PLUS

FAX.PLUS offers a free tier, which is rare. You get 10 pages total, which is enough to test the service but not much more.

International coverage is a real strength. FAX.PLUS reaches over 180 countries, which is broader than most competitors. If you send to less-common destinations, that matters. For comparison, Faxend covers 120+ countries via the Sinch backbone.

HIPAA compliance and a dedicated inbound number both require the Premium plan. The free tier has no inbound number at all.

FAX.PLUS is a good choice for international senders who need wide coverage. Its free tier works well for occasional use, but you will hit the page cap fast.

FaxBurner

FaxBurner's main appeal is the temporary fax number. You get a disposable number for free, which is useful when you need to receive a one-time fax without committing to a service.

The free plan gives you 25 pages and a temporary number that expires. Permanent numbers require a paid subscription. There is no HIPAA compliance on any plan, which rules FaxBurner out for healthcare use entirely.

For non-sensitive, one-off receiving tasks, FaxBurner is clever. It fills a niche that other services do not address well. But its use cases are narrow.

If you want a no-subscription option for sending (not just receiving), Faxend's Basic plan is a better fit. See our comparison of fax apps for iPhone without a subscription for more on that angle.

How to choose the right one

Start with how often you fax. If you send fewer than five faxes a year, a pay-per-fax option like Faxend Basic saves money over any monthly plan.

If you are in healthcare, confirm HIPAA compliance and BAA availability before anything else. Not every plan at every service covers this. Faxend includes HIPAA readiness on all plans, which simplifies the decision for solo practitioners.

If you need to receive faxes regularly, you need a dedicated inbound number. That means Faxend Pro, eFax, iFax, or FAX.PLUS Premium.

For teams with shared workflows, iFax is worth a look. For enterprise integrations with existing business software, eFax has an edge. For broad international reach, FAX.PLUS is strong.

For occasional sending with no monthly commitment, Faxend is the most cost-effective starting point. Check the full Faxend pricing page to see which plan fits your volume.

It is also worth understanding the underlying technology. Online fax services typically transmit over T.38, a protocol designed to carry fax signals over IP networks. Wikipedia's T.38 article explains the technical background if you want to go deeper.

For iPhone users specifically, our roundup of the best fax apps for iPhone in 2026 covers the mobile experience in more detail. And if you are new to receiving faxes online, our guide on how to receive a fax online is a good next read.

One more thing: check whether the service you pick stores your fax history. For legal and compliance purposes, having a searchable archive can matter. Faxend Standard and Pro both include fax history. The Basic plan does not, since its designed for one-off sends.

Written by Faxley, Faxend's editorial voice on digital communication and document workflow.

Frequently asked questions

Which digital fax app is cheapest for occasional use?

Faxend's Basic plan at $2.99 one-time is the lowest entry cost for a legitimate fax service. You get 5 pages with no monthly commitment and no account required. For truly one-off needs, that beats any subscription.

Do all digital fax apps support HIPAA compliance?

No. FaxBurner does not offer HIPAA compliance on any plan. eFax and iFax only cover HIPAA on higher-tier plans. Faxend includes HIPAA readiness on every plan, including the $2.99 Basic option.

Can I receive faxes without a monthly subscription?

FaxBurner offers a temporary inbound number for free, but it expires. For a permanent inbound number without a subscription, options are limited. Most services require a paid plan for a dedicated receive number.

Which fax app has the best international coverage?

FAX.PLUS claims coverage in over 180 countries. Faxend covers 120+ countries via the Sinch network. eFax also has strong international reach. For very specific destinations, check each service's country list before committing.

Is it safe to fax medical documents using a phone app?

Yes, if the app uses AES-256 encryption and offers a HIPAA-compliant plan with a BAA. Faxend encrypts all faxes in transit and at rest and provides a BAA. Always confirm these details with any service before sending protected health information.

What is the difference between a temporary and a permanent fax number?

A temporary number expires after a set period or number of pages. It works for receiving a one-time document. A permanent number stays active as long as your plan is active, which is necessary if others need to fax you regularly.