Where Can You Find Fax Software? Fax Applications & Alternatives

There was a time when the only way to send and receive a fax was with a fax machine, which was a large device connected to a phone line. In the 21st century, fax software and online services enable faxing from anywhere using nearly any device: computers, tablets, and even smartphones. This includes both sending and receiving faxes at almost any time. Whether you’re a small business or need to send a one-time fax, fax apps are the best modern solution for faxing. 

In this article, we’ll explain how to use fax applications, digital fax services, and other alternative fax solutions that make faxing easier. 

What is a Fax App?

A free fax app is software that can be installed on a computer or smartphone so you can send and receive faxes over the internet using digital versions of documents (usually PDF format). It eliminates the need to print a document, locate a fax service, and scan and transmit it. 

Fax software, applications, and services allow you to fax from any device with an internet connection. These services allow you to upload documents that are fax-compatible. They then use a fax protocol (such as T.30 for traditional fax protocol or T.38 for real-time over internet protocol) to transmit documents remotely without the need to be connected to a phone line. Fax apps can also receive incoming faxes if they provide you with a fax number. 

If you go on Apple’s App Store or Google Play Store, you’ll find plenty of fax apps that work with smartphones and tablets. These apps usually offer free, limited faxing (a 10-page limit, for example) and some amount of cloud storage to store sent and received faxes. For unlimited faxing through an application, you might have to watch advertisements or pay a monthly subscription.

There are, however, alternatives to fax apps, which require no downloads and installations, which we cover next. 

Do You Need an App to Send and Receive Free Faxes?

No, you don’t need to use an app to send and receive faxes for free. Check out this article on some of the places you might be able to use a traditional fax machine for free. Fax apps are convenient, but they require downloads, installations and updates. Apps take up space on your device, and downloads from untrusted sources can make your device vulnerable to malware during the installation process. 

A better solution is a web-based fax application, which is what Fax.Live is. 

Is Fax.Live a free fax app?

Fax.Live is a web-based app. We don’t require you to download and install Fax.Live on your computer or smartphone. Fax.Live’s fax services work through your web browser on computers, smartphones, and tablets. With Fax.Live, you can send and receive faxes from your online account, get your own dedicated fax number, and receive email notifications to confirm sent and received faxes. 

We offer a free trial for a limited time so you can see if it’s right for you. We won’t require you to download anything on your device. If you like Fax.Live, it’s available for a low-cost monthly subscription (enterprise solutions are available). 

Key Features to Look for in a Fax App? 

The best online fax software will have features beyond just sending and receiving faxes online. Some of the features to look for in the best free fax software are:

The best fax app for you will be dependent on which fax features are most important for your faxing. You may only need to send a fax and not need a fax number. Or, your small business may want a dedicated fax number to use for receiving incoming faxes. You may want a fax app that can connect to a cloud storage service like Dropbox or have its own cloud storage capability. 

Remember that there are a lot of different fax options out there. You can try out Fax.Live today for free to see if our service is the right fit for you!