A free fax number sounds great — but most services bury the real limits in fine print. We compared 5 services side-by-side so you know exactly what you get, what you don't, and when it makes sense to upgrade.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get a permanent free fax number?
Truly permanent free fax numbers are rare. Fax.Plus offers 10 free pages per month indefinitely with a dedicated number, and FaxBurner lets you receive up to 25 pages per month for free. However, most "free" numbers are either temporary (FaxBurner's 24-hour sending number) or tied to a one-time page allowance.
Can I receive faxes with a free fax number?
Yes, but your options are limited. FaxBurner's free tier lets you receive up to 25 pages per month at a dedicated number. Fax.Plus includes receiving on its free plan. For higher volume or a permanent number, you'll need a paid plan — services like mFax.to start at affordable pay-per-fax rates.
Do free fax services require a credit card?
Several do not. FaxZero, GotFreeFax, and CocoFax require only an email address — no credit card, no billing information. Fax.Plus requires phone verification but no credit card. Free trials from eFax and similar services typically do require a credit card.
What are the hidden costs of a free fax number?
The main hidden costs are page limits (usually 3–10 pages per send or 10–25 per month), sending-only restrictions (many free plans won't let you receive faxes), temporary numbers that expire in 24 hours, branding on your cover sheet, and no customer support. Once you exceed limits, per-page rates can be steep.
Is a free fax number good enough for business use?
For occasional personal faxing — tax forms, medical records, one-off contracts — free services are usually sufficient. For regular business use, HIPAA-sensitive documents, or team faxing, a paid plan like mFax Business is a better fit. It provides a dedicated number, guaranteed delivery, and audit logs starting at $20.99/month.