Internet Fax
The fax is dead... long live the fax. That's what we might say when eulogizing the fax machine. Really, its time has come. The once-ubiquitous fax machine is taking up less and less desk space in fewer and fewer offices. But faxing itself, the actual sending of documents back and forth, is still alive and remains a crucial tool for many businesses. The Internet fax replaces reams of paper with PDF files. Machines are replaced with websites that allow you to send, store, and receive faxes from anywhere. We've used all the Internet fax services below and sorted out the best from the rest.
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The free trial and easy-to-use online interface sold us on this Internet fax provider |
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Low-cost plan for a large number of faxes, simple user interface and fast delivery |
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Low-cost plan and high number of pages; bare bones but a good value |
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The interface, free 800-number and free number porting are great, but some billing issues bring the rating down |
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Low-cost yearly plan with 6-month discount, nice tools and great mobile apps; a little finicky with emails |
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Fast transmissions, great send quality, and unlimited incoming faxes; lackluster interface, short on features |
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Fairly good plan though speedy faxes come at the expense of quality, some annoyances |
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The big name in Internet faxing is expensive and has fewer outgoing and incoming faxes, but nice faxing tools |
NextAdvisor Internet Fax Blog Headlines
Does Internet Fax Work Well?
May 24, 2013
- Q: I'm thinking about switching to Internet fax, does it work well? A: Yes, Internet fax works really well! And, the people sending and receiving faxes from you will never know the difference. As long as you have an Internet
What Format Does Internet Fax Use?
May 21, 2013
- Q: When someone sends an Internet fax and I want to open it in my email, what format is it in? How about when I send a fax from my computer? A: Great question! Most Internet fax services, like the
Does Internet Fax Have Busy Signals?
May 17, 2013
- Q: My employees are required to fax in their timeslips on Fridays. Sometimes they have to try 4-5 times before the fax will come through and get busy signals. Can Internet fax services accomodate this incoming volume without busy signals? A:
What Is The Best Internet Fax Service For Bulk Faxing?
May 13, 2013
- Q: I need an Internet fax service that will allow me to send to a large number of recipients at once. I will be sending at least 500 pages per month, which service should I choose? A: Bulk faxing is
How Does VoIP Faxing Work?
May 6, 2013
- Q: I have a fax machine that I depend on for work. If I switch to VoIP would I still be able to use my current fax machine? A: Good question! You might be able to continue faxing on your
The Fax, and Just the Fax
The fax, like everything else, has gone online. Internet fax services offer all the advantages of the physical fax machine while saving time, space, and resources. With an Internet fax service, you won't have a fax machine cluttering up your office, spitting out endless reams of paper. Internet faxing doesn't even require a fax modem; all you need is an Internet connection. All the Internet fax providers we reviewed allow you to send faxes through a web interface or your favorite email program. Some also include dedicated faxing software or custom fax drivers that allow you to send faxes just as you would print a document. Many people ask us whether or not these services are HIPAA compliant. Since the Internet fax companies themselves cannot control where the user sends or receives faxes and information, they cannot state that they are HIPAA compliant. However, most of the services we review follow strict guidelines to meet factors that go into HIPAA compliance.
How We Reviewed These Internet Fax Services
Our team of in-house reviewers signed up for and tested each of these Internet fax services. We sent faxes from each service to an actual fax machine in order to judge fax clarity and response times. We also measured the time it took for the service to deliver a fax, as well as the time it took each service to receive a fax. This was done three times for each, and results were then averaged.
Internet Fax Differences
When choosing an Internet fax service, there's a lot to look for. Prices vary widely, as do the features. Think about your Internet fax needs, and then decide which features are important to you. If you receive a lot of faxes, choose a plan that includes the most inbound faxes. If you need to add digital signatures to your documents, look for an Internet fax service that offers faxing software with those capabilities. Finally, consider if you need a toll-free number for receiving faxes.
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Disclosure: NextAdvisor.com is a consumer information site that offers free, independent reviews and ratings of online services. We receive advertising revenue from most of the services we review. Our editors thoroughly research and whenever possible test each service we review and offer their honest opinions about each one. We are independently owned and operated and all opinions expressed on this site are our own.