Sometimes you just need to send a fax. However, not everyone has access to a fax machine. That's where online fax services come in handy. These services, sometimes referred to as fax apps, are convenient alternatives to physical fax machines. They make your life easier, whether you regularly send faxes or only occasionally need to. Plus, there are even options to send a few fax pages for free if you're not looking to pay.

While faxing may still be a bit of a hassle, the best online fax services have modernized the experience. So, here's a list of top-notch secure faxing software.

#1 FAX from iPhone

The tool is capable of processing a wide range of fax-ready documents. These include books, receipts, passports, ID cards, notes, photographs, posters, maps, certificates, newspapers, licenses, and letters. The Fax App allows you to receive faxes from anywhere in the US or Canada. You have the flexibility to choose any online fax number. If needed, you can change the fax number once a month without any additional charges.

Another advantage of the fax app is the ability to quickly scan documents. The application is ideal for electronic document delivery in highly regulated organizations. This is HIPAA-compliant faxing with the ability to protect and edit documents before sending. If you are still thinking, is there a fax app for iPhone that can completely cover all your needs, then the answer is “Yes”. The app is not only secure, but it also supports digital signatures, offers convenient fax history, and works in PDF, JPEG, or PNG format.

#2 eFax

Small companies can take advantage of eFax. It is a popular and highly reliable online fax service that allows users to send and receive faxes via email or a mobile app. The faxes can be in PDF, EFX, or TIFF format.

Security is a top priority for eFax. The system provides 256-bit and TLS 1.2 encryption to protect inbound faxes from unauthorized access. This protection applies both while the faxes are in transit and when they are stored in the cloud.

#3 RingCentral Fax

RingCentral Fax is an incredibly useful online fax service. It allows users to send faxes to up to 50 recipients simultaneously. Moreover, faxes can be stored in the online account indefinitely, but there is a limit of 200 faxes.

Not only can users schedule or send faxes instantly, they can also personalize cover pages with a company logo. These documents can be previewed and printed as well.

Whenever a fax is received, users receive instant email alerts. Additionally, unwanted faxes from undesired contacts can be blocked. To ensure security, all transmitted faxes are protected with TLS encryption and online accounts are password-secured.

#4 HelloFax

HelloFax, now owned by Dropbox (also known as Dropbox Fax in certain regions), is an impressive online fax service. It provides a seamless user experience, excellent value, and a built-in editor that simplifies handling attachments. The Home Office plan starts at just $9.99 per month, allowing you to send or receive 300 pages. Beyond this threshold, the overage charge is only 5 cents per page, which is the most affordable rate we've come across. Small businesses with moderate requirements will find this plan appealing, as it includes e-signature capabilities. Additionally, with integrated form-filling and e-signature features, there's no need to print, sign, and scan documents repeatedly.

While HelloFax does offer some free faxing, you'll receive 5 pages for free (in your lifetime, not per month). Subsequently, it costs only 99 cents per fax for faxes up to 10 pages, with an additional 20 cents for each subsequent page. No subscription is required for this option. Another advantage of HelloFax is its straightforward self-service cancellation process, which can be done easily through your account.

#5 Nextiva

Nextiva is a cloud-based communication provider widely used for its online internet faxing service. Users can access stored faxes via a single web portal, and sending faxes is possible through various devices like PCs, smartphones (with iOS and Android apps), tablets, or even existing fax machines. Additionally, users receive text alerts whenever a fax arrives, ensuring prompt notifications. To prioritize security, Nextiva employs 256-bit SSL encryption for transmission, minimizing the risk of unauthorized third-party access. It is worth noting that Nextiva also offers video and conferencing capabilities, which greatly assist in supporting remote teams.

#6 FaxZero

FaxZero is a freemium fax service that can handle most of your fax-sending needs. It may be basic, but it's also the most generous free service we've encountered. Every day, you get a fresh batch of pages to send, up to a maximum of five faxes. Each fax can contain up to three pages, plus a cover page. Just keep in mind that paying customers get faster delivery speeds than free users. Also, be aware that FaxZero adds its own branding to cover pages on the free tier, and the overall file size should not exceed 25MB.

For those who want a bit more, paid faxes are available at a flat rate of $2.09. With this, you can send up to 25 pages along with a cover sheet that has no FaxZero branding. Payment options include credit card, debit card, and PayPal. It's worth noting that FaxZero only offers outgoing fax services, with no support for incoming faxes.

Conclusion

You may have many secure file transfer tools at your disposal, but you are still unlikely to be able to do so without an online fax. This is one of the few formats for transmitting important documents that comply with HIPAA and other international or national standards. Such requirements are important for all organizations, but they are especially carefully controlled in government, legal, and healthcare organizations.