By David Thompson · Published November 2, 2025 · Updated June 8, 2026 · 10 min read
If you've searched for a way to send faxes online and landed on Dropbox Fax — formerly known as HelloFax — you're in the right place. Dropbox Fax lets you send faxes from your browser, email, or Google Drive without a fax machine, a phone line, or any hardware at all.
This guide covers exactly how to use Dropbox Fax step by step, what it costs, what its limits are, and whether it's the right tool for your situation.
Quick Summary
Dropbox Fax (formerly HelloFax) was acquired by Dropbox in 2019 and officially rebranded in 2024. The service is fully operational and accessible at fax.dropbox.com or app.hellofax.com. Paid plans start at $9.99/month. There is no mobile app.
What Is Dropbox Fax (HelloFax)?
Dropbox Fax — formerly HelloFax — is an online fax service that lets you send and receive faxes over the internet without a physical fax machine. HelloFax launched in 2011, came to Dropbox when it acquired parent company HelloSign in 2019, and was rebranded Dropbox Fax in 2024. You upload a document, enter a number, and send.
The history behind the name confusion is straightforward:
- 2011: HelloFax launched as a Y Combinator-backed startup focused on browser-based faxing and e-signatures.
- 2019: Dropbox acquired HelloSign (the parent company of HelloFax) for $230 million, and HelloFax came along as part of the deal.
- 2024: HelloFax was officially rebranded to Dropbox Fax.
Despite the rebrand, you'll still find the product running at app.hellofax.com — the transition is cosmetically incomplete. Cover pages still carry "HelloFax" branding, which causes confusion for new users. Both URLs lead to the same service.
The service has been named Wirecutter's top online faxing service for multiple years, thanks to its clean interface and tight integration with Dropbox, Google Drive, and other cloud storage tools.
How to Send a Fax with Dropbox Fax
Dropbox Fax offers three main methods for sending faxes. Here's how each one works.
Method 1: Send via the Web Portal
This is the most straightforward method and works on any device with a browser.
Sign In or Create an Account
Go to fax.dropbox.com or app.hellofax.com and sign in. If you don't have an account, you can create one for free — you get 5 pages as a one-time trial (not monthly).
Click 'Send a Fax'
From the dashboard, click the Send a Fax button. This opens the compose window.
Upload Your Document
Click Add File to upload a document from your device — or connect your Dropbox, Google Drive, Box, or OneDrive account to pull files directly from cloud storage. Supported formats include PDF, DOC, DOCX, JPG, PNG, and 30+ more. The file size limit is 40 MB.
Enter the Recipient's Fax Number
Type the recipient's fax number with the area code. For international numbers, include the country code. You can send to 70+ countries.
Add a Cover Page (Optional)
Dropbox Fax can generate a cover page automatically. Add a subject line and a message if needed. You can also annotate the document or add a signature before sending.
Send and Track
Click Send. You'll receive an email confirmation when the fax is successfully delivered. Real-time status tracking is available in your account dashboard.
Method 2: Send a Fax via Email
Email-to-fax lets you send directly from any email client — including from your phone — without logging into the web portal. This requires a paid plan.
- Open a new email in any email client (Gmail, Outlook, Apple Mail, etc.).
- In the To field, enter the recipient's fax number followed by
@hellofax.com. For example:12125557890@hellofax.com- US/Canada numbers: Include
1before the area code →19995551234@hellofax.com - International numbers: Include
00+ country code →004412345678@hellofax.com
- US/Canada numbers: Include
- Add a subject line — this becomes the "To:" label on the fax cover page.
- Write body text if you want a cover page message (optional).
- Attach the document you want to fax.
- Click Send.
Use This Method From Your Phone
Since Dropbox Fax has no mobile app, email-to-fax is the best way to send from an iPhone or Android device. Just attach the document from your Files app or cloud storage and send from your phone's email client.
Method 3: Send a Fax from Google Drive or Google Docs
If your documents live in Google Drive, Dropbox Fax integrates directly so you never have to download anything first.
From Google Drive:
- Link your Google Drive account to Dropbox Fax in your account settings.
- Open Google Drive and select the file you want to fax.
- Right-click and choose Open with → Dropbox Fax (or HelloFax).
- Enter the recipient's fax number in the window that appears and send.
From Google Docs:
- Install the HelloFax add-on from the Google Workspace Marketplace.
- Open your document in Google Docs.
- Go to Extensions → HelloFax → Send This Document as a Fax.
- Enter the fax number and send without leaving Google Docs.
Best for Office Workers
The Google Docs add-on is especially useful for legal, HR, and administrative teams who draft documents in Google Workspace and need to fax them to government agencies or clients. It removes one step — no download, no upload.
How to Receive Faxes with Dropbox Fax
Receiving faxes requires a paid subscription. Here's what you get:
- A dedicated inbound fax number in the US, UK, or Canada (your choice of area code).
- Incoming faxes are delivered as PDF attachments to your email.
- Faxes are also stored in your account dashboard indefinitely.
- If you connect Dropbox or Google Drive, received faxes are automatically saved to your cloud storage as well.
You can also port your existing fax number to Dropbox Fax for $60 per line — available for US and Canada numbers on the Professional and Small Business plans.
Receiving Fax Numbers Are Limited to 3 Countries
Dropbox Fax only offers inbound fax numbers in the US, UK, and Canada. If your business needs a local fax number in Germany, Australia, or anywhere else, you'll need a different service. International sending to 70+ countries is supported, but receiving is limited.
Dropbox Fax Pricing Plans
| Plan | Monthly Price | Annual Price | Pages/Month | Users |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Free | $0 | — | 5 pages (one-time only) | 1 |
| Home Office | $9.99 | ~$8.29/mo | 300 pages | Up to 5 |
| Professional | $19.99 | ~$16.59/mo | 500 pages | Up to 10 |
| Small Business | $39.99 | ~$33.19/mo | 1,000 pages | Up to 20 |
Important notes on pricing:
- The free plan is 5 pages total — ever — not per month. Once used, you pay $0.99/fax (up to 10 pages) or subscribe.
- Overage charges on paid plans: $0.05 per extra page above the monthly limit.
- All paid plans include a 30-day free trial with no credit card required.
- No setup fees, no cancellation fees, no long-term contracts.
- Annual billing saves approximately 17%.
- Enterprise plans are available (up to 1,600 users, 30,000+ pages/month) — contact sales.
The Free Plan Is Almost Useless
5 pages total is barely enough to test the service, let alone handle real faxing needs. If you need to fax occasionally without a monthly commitment, pay-as-you-go at $0.99/fax is more practical. For frequent faxing, the Home Office plan at $9.99/month is the best entry point.
Dropbox Fax: Full Review
Dropbox Fax is a reliable, well-designed fax service that shines when your documents already live in Google Drive or Dropbox. Its cloud-first design is its biggest strength. The lack of a mobile app is its most significant weakness — if you need to fax on the go, you're stuck using email-to-fax as a workaround, which is functional but less polished than competitors.
Pros
- Seamless integration with Dropbox, Google Drive, Box, and OneDrive
- Send faxes directly from Google Docs via add-on
- Built-in e-signature tools via Dropbox Sign
- Clean, intuitive web interface — easy to learn
- Unlimited fax storage in dashboard
- Competitive overage rate ($0.05/page)
- Send to 70+ countries internationally
- 30-day free trial on paid plans
- No setup fees or cancellation fees
Cons
- No dedicated mobile app for iOS or Android
- Free plan is just 5 pages — ever, not monthly
- HIPAA compliance unavailable on standard self-serve plans
- Inbound fax numbers only in US, UK, and Canada
- Fax quality for images/graphics rated below average
- Support is form-only — no live chat or phone
- Branding confusion: still uses app.hellofax.com URL
- Number porting costs $60/line
Is Dropbox Fax HIPAA Compliant?
Not on standard self-serve plans. This is the most commonly misunderstood aspect of the service.
Dropbox Fax uses solid security infrastructure — 256-bit AES encryption at rest, TLS in transit, and Amazon S3-backed data centers. The service is SOC 2 certified and ISO 27001 certified. But encryption alone doesn't make a service HIPAA compliant.
HIPAA compliance requires a signed Business Associate Agreement (BAA), and Dropbox only provides BAAs through its enterprise sales channel — not through self-serve account creation. As of June 2024, Dropbox introduced a minimum contract value requirement to enter a BAA. This puts HIPAA compliance effectively out of reach for small practices or individual healthcare providers using standard plans.
Bottom line for healthcare: If you're sending Protected Health Information (PHI), Dropbox Fax on a standard plan is not an appropriate choice. Consider dedicated HIPAA-compliant fax services instead. See our guide to HIPAA compliant fax services for options that include BAAs on standard plans.
Dropbox Fax vs. Alternatives
| Service | Starting Price | Mobile App | Free Tier | HIPAA |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dropbox Fax (HelloFax) | $9.99/mo (300 pages) | No | 5 pages (one-time) | Enterprise only |
| mFax | From $9/mo | Yes (iOS + Android) | Yes | Business plans |
| Fax.Plus | $6.99/mo (100 pages) | Yes (iOS + Android) | 10 pages/month | Enterprise plan |
| eFax | $18.99/mo (170 pages) | Yes | No | Protect plan |
| RingCentral Fax | $7.99/mo (750 pages) | Yes | No | Yes |
| iFax | $8.33/mo | Yes (iOS + Android) | No | Yes |
When Dropbox Fax is the right choice:
- Your team is already embedded in the Dropbox or Google Workspace ecosystem.
- You draft documents in Google Docs and want to fax without leaving the browser.
- You need occasional faxing with clean cloud-based storage of sent and received faxes.
- You don't need a mobile app or HIPAA compliance.
When to choose a different service:
- You fax primarily from a smartphone → mFax has a full-featured iOS and Android app.
- You need HIPAA compliance without enterprise contracts → mFax Business or iFax offer BAAs on standard plans.
- You want the best value on page volume → RingCentral Fax offers 750 pages for $7.99/month.
- You need international fax numbers (not just sending) → look for a service with country-specific number availability.
Supported File Formats and Limits
Dropbox Fax supports over 30 file formats, including:
- Documents: PDF, DOC, DOCX, XLS, XLSX, PPT, PPTX, TXT, HTML
- Images: JPG, PNG, TIF/TIFF, GIF
Limits to know:
- Maximum file size: 40 MB
- Maximum pages per fax: 50 pages
- All faxes transmit in black and white (color documents are converted automatically)
- Text-based documents (PDFs, Word docs) reproduce best — image-heavy documents may lose detail
Sending a Large Document?
If your document exceeds 50 pages, split it into multiple fax transmissions. Need to combine multiple files into one PDF first? Use our free Merge PDF tool — no signup required.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Dropbox Fax the same as HelloFax?
Yes. HelloFax was acquired by Dropbox in 2019 and rebranded to Dropbox Fax in 2024. The web app still runs at app.hellofax.com, but the service is the same. Both names refer to the same product.
How do I cancel my Dropbox Fax subscription?
Go to your Settings page and click Cancel Subscription. No phone call is required, and there are no cancellation fees. The cancellation takes effect at the end of your current billing period.
Can I keep my existing fax number if I switch to Dropbox Fax?
Yes — number porting is available on the Professional and Small Business plans for US and Canada numbers only. The cost is $60 per line ported in.
What happens if I go over my monthly page limit?
Overage pages on paid plans cost $0.05 per page. Both sent and received pages count toward your monthly total.
Can I fax internationally with Dropbox Fax?
You can send faxes to 70+ countries worldwide. However, you can only receive faxes with a dedicated number in the US, UK, or Canada. International fax rates vary by country — check the pricing page before sending.
The Bottom Line
Dropbox Fax (HelloFax) is a mature, capable online fax service with one standout advantage: its cloud storage integrations. If your workflow already lives in Google Workspace or Dropbox, the ability to fax directly from Google Docs or pull files from Dropbox without downloading them first is genuinely useful.
The gaps are equally clear: no mobile app, a nearly useless free tier, and HIPAA compliance that's inaccessible to most small businesses. For teams that fax occasionally and work in cloud-based productivity tools, it's a solid choice. For mobile-first faxing or healthcare use, better options exist.
For mobile faxing, mFax lets you send a fax from your iPhone or Android in under 2 minutes — upload a PDF, enter the fax number, done. Over 5 million users trust it, with a 4.8-star App Store rating.
For business teams that need HIPAA compliance, mFax Business starts at about $9/mo (billed annually) with encryption, a BAA, and an audit trail — no enterprise contract required. Unlike Dropbox Fax's rigid fixed tiers, you build your own plan: choose the exact seats and pages your team needs with a live calculator and pay only for what you use.
Related guides: Best Online Fax Services · How to Fax from Computer · HIPAA Compliant Fax Services · Fax from Google Drive