The fastest way to fax is through an online fax service or your phone
You can fax documents without owning a fax machine by using an online fax service, your smartphone, a local print shop, your bank, or a UPS Store. Online services like FaxZero, eFax, and Google Fax let you upload a document and send it to any fax number in minutes. Your phone's built-in scanning app can convert a photo into a PDF, which you then email to an online fax service. If you need to fax something today and do not want to sign up for anything, a print shop or UPS location near you can fax it for a small fee — usually $1 to $5 per page.
The method you choose depends on how often you fax, whether you need to receive faxes, and whether you want to keep a record. A one-time fax is cheapest at a print shop. Regular faxing is cheaper with a subscription service. If you need a fax number that people can send documents to, you will need an online service that provides one.
Key Takeaways
- FaxZero and similar online services let you fax a document from your computer or phone in under five minutes without creating an account.
- UPS Store, FedEx Office, and local print shops can fax documents for you on the spot, usually for $1 to $5 per page.
- If you fax regularly or need to receive faxes, a paid online service like eFax or Google Fax costs $10 to $20 per month and gives you a dedicated fax number.
- Your smartphone camera can turn a document into a PDF that you upload to any online fax service, so you do not need a scanner.
Free online fax services for one-time use
FaxZero is the simplest option if you fax rarely. You upload a PDF or image file, enter the recipient's fax number, and send it. The free version covers up to three pages per month. You do not need to create an account. FaxZero covers the United States, Canada, and over 190 other countries.
Google Fax works through Google Drive if you have a Google account. Open a document in Google Drive, click File, then Download, and save it as a PDF. Then go to fax.google.com, upload the PDF, enter the fax number, and send. Google Fax is free for the first month, then costs $1.99 per month for unlimited faxing.
Fax.plus offers a free tier that covers one fax per day. You upload your document, enter the fax number, and send. Like FaxZero, you do not need to sign up. The paid plan costs $9.99 per month for unlimited faxing.
All three services work on desktop and mobile browsers. If you are faxing a physical document — a letter, a form, a receipt — use your phone's camera to photograph it first. Most phones have a built-in document scanner in the Camera app (on iPhone, swipe up from the camera to find it; on Android, open Google Lens or use the Notes app). The scanner straightens the image and converts it to a PDF, which you then upload to the fax service.
Paid online fax services for regular use
If you fax more than a few times per month, a subscription service is cheaper and more convenient than paying per fax. eFax costs $9.99 to $19.99 per month depending on the plan. You get a dedicated fax number that people can send documents to, and you receive them as email attachments. You can fax from your computer, phone, or by uploading a document to the eFax website.
Nextiva Fax costs $12.99 per month and includes unlimited sending and receiving. It integrates with Outlook and Gmail, so faxes appear in your email inbox. You can also fax directly from Microsoft Word or Google Docs without leaving the document.
RingCentral Fax is part of RingCentral's business phone system and costs $15 per month for fax-only service. It stores faxes in the cloud and lets you search them by sender or date. If you already use RingCentral for phone service, faxing is included.
All three services let you fax to any number in the United States and Canada, and most support international faxing for an extra fee per page. They all keep a record of every fax you send and receive, which is useful if you need to prove you sent something.
Faxing at a physical location
UPS Store locations accept faxes at the counter. You bring your document, hand it to the clerk, and they send it. The cost is usually $2 to $5 per page, depending on the location. You can also ask them to fax a document for you if you email it to them first, though this takes longer. Most UPS Stores are open until 7 or 8 p.m. on weekdays and have Saturday hours.
FedEx Office offers the same service. Bring your document, pay at the counter, and they fax it. The cost is similar to UPS — $2 to $5 per page. FedEx Office locations are often in grocery stores or standalone buildings, and many are open until 9 p.m.
Local print shops and copy centers also fax documents. Search "fax near me" or call ahead to confirm they offer faxing and ask the price. Independent shops are sometimes cheaper than UPS or FedEx and may be closer to you.
Your bank may fax documents for free if you have an account. Call your branch and ask whether they offer this service. Some banks fax only to other financial institutions, while others will fax to any number. This is worth checking before you pay at a print shop.
Comparing cost and speed
| Method | Cost per page | Speed | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| FaxZero (free tier) | Free (3 pages/month) | 5 minutes | One-time faxes, occasional use |
| Google Fax (after free month) | $1.99/month unlimited | 5 minutes | Light regular use |
| eFax or Nextiva | $10–$20/month | 2 minutes | Regular faxing, receiving faxes |
| UPS Store or FedEx | $2–$5 per page | Immediate | Physical documents, no computer needed |
| Your bank | Free (if offered) | 1–2 days | Financial documents, if your bank offers it |
What you need to fax successfully
You need the recipient's fax number, which looks like a phone number with 10 digits (in the United States). If someone tells you to fax something, they should provide this number. If you are not sure whether a number is a fax line, call it first — a fax machine will answer with a tone rather than a voice.
If you are faxing a physical document, photograph it with your phone and convert it to a PDF using your phone's built-in scanner. If you are faxing a digital document — a Word file, a PDF, an email — you can upload it directly to an online fax service. Most services accept PDF, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, JPEG, and PNG files.
Some government agencies and banks still require faxed documents because fax creates a record that is harder to forge than email. If a form says "fax only," do not email it — use one of the methods above instead.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I fax from my phone without an app?
Yes. Use your phone's camera to photograph the document, then open a web browser and go to FaxZero.com or Google Fax. Upload the photo as a PDF and send it. You do not need to download an app. Some online fax services have apps, but the website version works just as well.
How long does a fax take to arrive?
Online faxes usually arrive within seconds to a few minutes. Faxes sent at a UPS Store or print shop arrive immediately if the recipient's machine is on and working. If the recipient's fax machine is off or busy, the fax may retry automatically for several hours before failing.
What if the fax number is wrong?
If you send a fax to the wrong number, the recipient's fax machine will receive it. You cannot recall it. Before you send, double-check the fax number by calling it or asking the recipient to confirm it in writing. If you send to the wrong number, contact the recipient of the misdirected fax and ask them to delete it.
Is faxing secure?
Faxing is less secure than encrypted email because faxes are sent in plain text over phone lines. Anyone with access to the recipient's fax machine can read it. If you are faxing sensitive information like a Social Security number or bank account details, ask the recipient whether they prefer email or a secure portal instead.
Do I need a fax number to receive faxes?
Yes. If people need to send you faxes, you need a dedicated fax number. Online services like eFax and Nextiva provide one when you sign up. Your personal phone number cannot receive faxes unless you have a fax machine or a service that converts faxes to email.