How to receive a fax without a fax machine
Learn how to receive faxes without a fax machine using an online fax number, email or app. Compare receiving plans, porting and one-time limitations.
To receive faxes without a fax machine, you generally need an online fax service that assigns a fax number and delivers incoming documents to its app, web inbox or email workflow. Receiving is different from one-time outbound faxing because maintaining an inbound number is usually a recurring service.
FaxScout verdict
Fax.Plus
Best balanced choice for many small-business and team workflows.
From $6.99/mo; Business $27.99/mo; Enterprise $79.99/mo
- Clear 200 / 500 / 1,000+ page ladder
- Email-to-fax and mobile apps
- Business team/admin controls
- Enterprise API, SSO, BAA and data residency
Avoid if: Not the economical HIPAA choice for a small practice because Fax.Plus lists BAA/HIPAA on Enterprise only.
What matters for this decision
Side-by-side shortlist
| Provider | Starting price | Allowance | HIPAA / BAA | Number | Porting | Email fax | API | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fax.PlusBest balanced choice for many small-business and team workflows | From $6.99/mo; Business $27.99/mo; Enterprise $79.99/mo | 200 (combined) | Enterprise only / Yes | Yes | Premium+ | Yes; HIPAA accounts use the dedicated TLS-enforced @tls.fax.plus route | Enterprise | 9.1/10 |
| iFaxStrong low-volume healthcare and HIPAA-oriented option | Basic $12.49/mo (200 pages); Plus $24.99/mo (500 pages) | 200 (combined) | Plus+ / Yes | Plus+ | Yes | Yes | Yes | 8.9/10 |
| Dropbox FaxGood for occasional sending and Dropbox-adjacent workflows | 5 one-time free outbound pages; pay-as-you-go $0.99 for first 10 pages, then $0.20/page | 5 (paygo) | Not verified for standard fax plans / Not verified | Paid plans | Professional / Small Business; US/Canada | Paid plans | API plan | 8.0/10 |
Published plan facts use the provider verification dates maintained in FaxScout’s research data. “Verify” means the provider does not expose a sufficiently clear public answer for FaxScout to state it as fact.
Practical workflow
- Choose a compatible service.Confirm the exact workflow and plan before uploading sensitive documents.
- Prepare the document.PDF is the safest common format for predictable rendering.
- Verify the destination number.Avoid preventable misroutes before transmission.
- Send and retain status.Keep the delivery record when the document matters.
Receiving is the part that usually requires a recurring plan
Several services let occasional users send for free or pay per fax, but an inbound number has an ongoing cost. If you only need to send once, use the one-time fax guide; if people need to fax documents back to you, compare a plan with a dedicated receiving number.
How FaxScout would make the decision
Start with non-negotiables: BAA eligibility, monthly volume, existing-number continuity, team size and API/integration requirements. Then compare total expected cost. Cosmetic features are tiebreakers, not reasons to ignore a major constraint.
We use primary provider documentation for plan facts and label every untested performance dimension. See who creates FaxScout research →
Frequently asked questions
Can I receive a fax for free without a fax machine?
Free outbound faxing does not necessarily include an inbound fax number. Dropbox Fax, for example, states that receiving requires a paid subscription.
Can I receive a fax by email?
Many online fax services can route incoming faxes to email as PDFs. Verify the exact plan, recipients and security settings.
Can I keep my old fax number?
Many providers support porting, but confirm eligibility and keep the old service active until the transfer is complete.
Sources & verification
Material plan facts were checked against primary documentation at the verification date shown above.
- Fax.Plus — official documentation
- Fax.Plus — official documentation
- Fax.Plus — official documentation
- iFax — official documentation
- iFax — official documentation
- iFax — official documentation
- Dropbox Fax — official documentation
- Dropbox Fax — official documentation