eFax is one of the most well-known names in the online fax space, offering plans tailored to healthcare, government, and business users. While it’s often criticized for its higher price point, it stands out for its strong security and unique tools, such as searchable faxes and large file sharing. In this eFax review, I’ll break down pricing, features, ease of use, and more to help you decide if it’s the right fit for your small business.
eFax review at a glance
What we liked
- 7-day free trial
- Choose local fax numbers in 49 countries
- Send files up to 3GB
- Supports over 170 file formats
What’s missing
- Limits faxing to 5 email addresses per number
- Faxes taking longer than 1 minute count as an additional page
- Costs more than other online fax services
- E-signature comes with an extra fee
Deciding factors
Best for Organizations that must meet rigorous industry regulations Standout features - Searchable faxes
- Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) compliant faxing
- Large file sharing
Pricing plans - Monthly: Starts at $18.99/month
- Annually: Starts at $15.83/month
Free trial 7 days Customer service - Business hours via phone, chat, and email form
Best for | Organizations that must meet rigorous industry regulations |
Standout features |
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Pricing plans |
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Free trial | 7 days |
Customer service |
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- International faxing: eFax made our list of the best online fax services thanks to its global reach. You can send faxes to over 200 countries and choose a local number in any of 49, giving your business a virtual presence almost anywhere in the world.
- Sharing high-volume fax attachments: eFax’s large file-sharing feature supports attachments of up to 3GB, including zipped files and a variety of file formats.
- Companies facing strict compliance rules: eFax has a dedicated subscription plan for organizations operating in highly regulated industries. It comes with advanced encryption, secure online storage, and admin controls.
- Budget-friendly fax service: eFax fees start with a $7.50 introductory offer for the first month, but pricing jumps to $18.99 after that. That’s on the higher end, especially when compared to more affordable options like Nextiva vFAX, which offers 500 pages for just $9.95, providing much better value.
- One-time or occasional faxing: With its premium features and higher price point, eFax might be more than you need if you only fax occasionally or work solo. If you’re looking for a simple, no-frills solution, Dropbox Fax is a solid choice. You can send up to five pages for free, making it ideal for light use.
- High-volume faxing: eFax limits you to just five email recipients per fax, which can be restrictive for larger distributions. If your workflow involves faxing multiple contacts at once, Fax.Plus offers fax blasting, letting you send the same fax to up to 500 recipients in one go.
I’ve spent over three years reviewing cloud communications software and voice-over-internet-protocol (VoIP) systems, with a strong focus on online fax services like eFax. For this guide, I evaluated pricing, core and advanced features, ease of use, and customer support using a scoring system based on firsthand testing and industry knowledge. Every recommendation is based on what I’d personally look for in a faxing solution for small business use.
Review my full methodology for this eFax review to learn more about my evaluation process and criteria.
eFax alternatives
If eFax isn’t the right fit for your budget or faxing needs, there are plenty of strong alternatives to consider. I’ve reviewed the top options that offer better value, simpler features, or more flexibility for different use cases.
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Best for | Affordable fax service for basic needs | Feature-rich fax solution with strong security | Free and lightweight faxing service |
Monthly starting price | $7.95 for 500 pages | $8.99 for 200 pages | $9.99 for 300 pages |
Learn more |
eFax pricing
eFax pricing uses a tiered subscription model to meet different faxing needs. The Plus and Pro plans are geared toward small and mid-sized businesses looking for basic inbound and outbound faxing. If your organization prioritizes security and compliance, the Protect plan includes features such as encryption and HIPAA-compliant standards. For larger teams that also need document management tools, the Corporate plan offers an enterprise-grade solution.
Even with its higher price tag, some key features like sending to multiple recipients or e-signatures aren’t included in the entry-level plans. You’ll need to upgrade or pay extra, whereas many competitors offer those tools across all plans.
The $7.50 introductory rate is appealing if you’re on a tight budget, but after the first month, you’ll be paying $18.99 monthly unless you commit to an annual plan for a discount. Compared to the typical industry pricing, which ranges from $9 to $14 per month, eFax plans may not be the best value for occasional fax users.
eFax pricing & plans | Plus | Pro | Protect | Corporate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Best for | Startups | Small businesses | Secure, compliant faxing | Large-scale, enterprise operations |
Monthly pricing | $18.99 | $24.99 | $50 | Custom |
Annual pricing (per month) | $15.83 | $20.83 | $41.66 | Custom |
No. of pages/month (send & receive) | 340 pages | 550 pages | 1,000 pages | Custom |
Virtual number included | Local | Local or toll-free | Local or toll-free | Local or toll-free |
No. of team members | 1 | 5 | 5 | Custom |
Multiple fax recipients | ✕ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
e-Signature (jSign) | w/ fee | w/ fee | ✓ | w/ fee |
HIPAA compliant | ✕ | ✕ | ✓ | ✓ |
General features
eFax includes all the essential features you’d expect from a reliable online fax service. Once you sign up, you can choose a local fax number and begin sending and receiving documents immediately. Depending on your plan, your monthly page allowance covers both inbound and outbound faxes, making it easier to manage usage without unexpected limits.
Each plan comes with a suite of features designed to streamline your faxing workflow.
- Local/toll-free number
- Email to fax
- Searchable faxes
- Electronic signatures
- Secure digital storage
- Email to fax
- Multiple fax recipients
- Large file sharing
- Desktop & mobile app
- Encrypted web portal
One feature that stood out to me is eFax’s searchable digital fax storage. It uses artificial intelligence to convert faxes in PDF or JPG format into searchable files, so you can quickly locate messages by keyword, date, recipient, or tags. This comes in handy if you deal with a high volume of faxes and need to reference past documents often.
Prepare and send a fax in minutes using eFax’s intuitive dashboard. (Source: eFax)
If you frequently send large files, eFax also supports document delivery to up to 20 email addresses using a secure download link. Teams will appreciate the ability to add up to five users under one fax number. When a fax arrives, it’s automatically distributed to the assigned email addresses, so everyone stays in the loop without needing separate logins.
Niche features
eFax includes a range of specialized features built for businesses in regulated industries that need centralized fax management. These tools are designed to help you stay compliant with stringent industry standards while maintaining efficient workflows and securing your data.
Click on each item below to explore more eFax features:
Security & compliance
eFax offers enterprise-grade security and compliance features designed for industries that handle sensitive data. Its eFax Protect plan meets key standards, including Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), Payment Card Industry (PCI), and Service Organization Control (SOC) compliance.
Customize user permissions and email formats in the eFax admin panel. (Source: eFax)
Data is protected using 256-bit Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) and Transport Layer Security (TLS) encryption. The platform is also HITRUST certified and offers nearly 100% server uptime, ensuring your documents are always available and protected around the clock. With tools like multi-direct inward dialing (multi-DID) support and role-based access controls, eFax makes it easy to manage multiple users securely from a centralized online portal.
Clinical documentation
eFax Clarity is a cloud-based clinical documentation platform to streamline fax workflows for healthcare providers. It reduces manual processes by automatically extracting and organizing faxed patient data into structured formats.
View and download incoming faxes directly from your eFax inbox for quick access. (Source: eFax)
The platform provides actionable insights through analytics, enabling you to identify bottlenecks and enhance operational efficiency. It also integrates with existing systems for faster and more accurate clinical decision-making while maintaining compliance with healthcare privacy standards.
Cloud faxing for government
eFax Corporate’s ECFax solution is a cloud-based, encrypted digital faxing system built specifically for government agencies and contractors. It meets the strict requirements of the Federal Risk and Authorization Management Program (FedRAMP) for secure handling of sensitive federal data.
The eFax Messenger app eliminates the need for a physical fax machine, allowing you to send, receive, and manage faxes digitally from your desktop. (Source: eFax)
With ECFax, users can send and receive faxes through a secure web portal or email without needing fax machines or on-premise equipment. It supports role-based access controls and audit trails, enabling agencies to maintain accountability, data integrity, and compliance with government cybersecurity standards.
Customer service
eFax offers several ways to reach customer support, including phone, live chat on its website, and an email contact form. While the company advertises award-winning live support, access is limited to regular business hours based on user reviews, which can be a drawback if you need help after hours or during weekends.
eFax offers comprehensive resource guides for new users. (Source: eFax)
On the positive side, eFax provides a range of helpful resources to guide users. You can download free printable fax cover sheet templates directly from the website, which adds an extra layer of security to your outbound faxes. The Help Center is also well-categorized, with detailed guides on troubleshooting, onboarding, and using key features, plus white papers that explain the role of secure faxing in regulated industries like healthcare.
Ease of use
eFax is easy to navigate, thanks to its clean, uncluttered interface that clearly separates your inbox, fax-sending tools, address book, and settings. All key actions like downloading, forwarding, or tagging faxes are accessible from a single screen, so you’re not hunting through menus.
Easily compose and send a digital fax by entering recipient details and uploading your files. (Source: eFax)
There’s a dedicated desktop app for both Windows and Mac, allowing you to send faxes without using a browser. Mobile users aren’t left out either because there’s a full-featured app for Android and iOS, plus a downloadable user guide to help you get started quickly.
Expert score
I rated eFax highly because it offers dedicated plans for industries like healthcare and government, with features and security measures tailored to meet specific compliance needs. I also appreciate its niche features, such as large file sharing and searchable fax storage, which are rare among online fax providers.
That said, it did lose a few points due to its higher-than-average pricing, which may not be ideal for small businesses trying to keep costs down. Customer support responsiveness could also use improvement. Still, eFax remains a strong, secure option for businesses that need to meet strict regulatory standards.
Here are the following ratings based on popular eFax reviews:
- G2: 4.5 out of 5 based on 143 reviews
- GetApp: 4 out of 5 based on 68 reviews
- Google Play Store: 4.1 out of 5 based on 15,720 reviews
When it comes to user feedback, many praise eFax for its ease of use, quick setup, and convenient mobile app. Several users highlighted the confirmation emails and email attachments as helpful features for peace of mind. However, pricing remains a common concern, with some feeling the service should be more affordable given the availability of free alternatives.
How I evaluated eFax
To evaluate eFax, I used a scoring system based on criteria that matter most to small businesses: pricing, features, support, ease of use, and overall value. I assigned weights to each category, tested the product firsthand, and compared it directly to other leading online fax services.
20% of Overall Score
eFax offers a 7-day free trial, which adds value if you’re still exploring fax options. However, eFax costs higher than average in terms of monthly plans, and you need to upgrade for more features, which could be a dealbreaker for budget-conscious users.
25% of Overall Score
You get all the basics covered, including send and receive functionality, local and toll-free numbers, and mobile app support. The platform also includes handy tools like tagging and cloud storage integration.
20% of Overall Score
eFax stands out for its searchable fax storage, large file sharing, and industry-specific plans like eFax Protect and eCfax. These features are ideal for healthcare and government organizations with strict compliance needs.
10% of Overall Score
The platform is user-friendly, with a clean layout that clearly separates inbox, sent faxes, and settings. Desktop and mobile apps are available, and there’s a downloadable user guide to help you get started.
10% of Overall Score
Customer service is available via phone, live chat, and email, but only during business hours. While the Help Center is robust, the limited availability of live support affects its overall score.
15% of Overall Score
I gave eFax a high expert score for its strong security, healthcare-focused tools, and reliable performance. It lost some points for its steep pricing and limited support hours, but overall, it’s a dependable choice for regulated businesses.
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
Yes, eFax is a trusted online fax service with over 20 years in the industry. It uses top-tier encryption, complies with industry standards like HIPAA, and offers secure, cloud-based faxing for regulated industries like healthcare, legal, and government.
Two of the biggest drawbacks are the price and support responsiveness. eFax costs more than many other online fax services, while customer support is only available during business hours.
eFax is not completely free, but it does offer a seven-day free trial where you can send a limited number of fax pages. You can also pay a minimal fee of $5 for the first month to get full access to its core features.
Bottom line
eFax is a trusted online fax service that caters to both everyday business use and highly regulated industries like healthcare and government. Its advanced encryption and compliance standards protect sensitive information, ensuring peace of mind. While it comes at a higher price, the premium features and security make it a worthwhile investment for businesses with serious faxing needs.
About the Author
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