Fax.Plus is one of the better-known online fax services, and it does something most competitors do not: it gives away a small free allowance with no strings beyond creating an account. Faxio takes a different approach — no account, no subscription, $2.99 per fax.

So which is cheaper? Honestly, for one very short fax, Fax.Plus can be. For most other patterns, the answer depends on volume and whether you need to receive faxes. This comparison uses Fax.Plus's published pricing as of October 2026.

  • What the free plan actually includes — and where it stops
  • Paid plan costs against pay-per-fax
  • Where Fax.Plus is genuinely better

Table of Contents

The comparison

Fax.Plus figures are from its public pricing page as of October 2026.

Faxio Fax.Plus
Free option None 10 pages total, one-time
Entry paid price $2.99 per fax (up to 10 pages) Basic: $8.99/month or $83.99/year
Included volume 1 fax per credit; 5 for $9.99, 15 for $24.99 Basic 200 pages/mo; Premium 500 pages/mo ($17.99)
Extra pages Next credit $0.10/page on Basic; $0.20/page on Free
Max pages per fax 10 per credit 60 on Basic, 90 on Premium
Fax number / receiving Via Android app plans Included from Basic upward
Account required No Yes
HIPAA Not advertised Enterprise plan (from $99.99/mo)
Unlimited option $14.99/month, cancel in one click No unlimited plan; Enterprise 4,000 pages/mo
Failed fax Credit not consumed Not stated on pricing page

We make Faxio, so weigh our column accordingly. The table makes two Fax.Plus advantages obvious: a real free allowance, and a fax number on even its cheapest paid plan.

The Fax.Plus free plan, honestly

Fax.Plus's free plan comes with 10 free pages to fax in total. That is a lifetime allowance, not a monthly one. Once those pages are used, additional pages on the free plan cost $0.20 each, or you move to a paid plan. The free plan does not include a dedicated fax number, so you cannot receive faxes on it.

For a single 2- or 3-page form, that is genuinely free faxing, and we would be misleading you to pretend otherwise. If that is your whole need and you are comfortable creating an account, the free plan is a good option.

Where it stops being the right fit:

  • The allowance runs out. A 6-page medical record and a 4-page tax form and you are done.
  • You need an account. Sign-up is part of the process; Faxio does not require one.
  • You might need to send more later. The second and third faxes are where people end up on a monthly plan.

Our roundup of free fax apps compares Fax.Plus's free tier against the other free options, including ones with daily allowances.

Fax.Plus Basic is $8.99 a month billed monthly, or $83.99 a year ($6.99 a month equivalent). It includes 200 pages a month, one fax number, and $0.10 per extra page. Premium is $17.99 a month for 500 pages; Business is $34.99 for 1,000 pages and multiple numbers.

Faxio is $2.99 per fax, or $2.00 and $1.67 per fax in 5- and 15-credit bundles. Credits never expire.

How often you fax Faxio Fax.Plus Basic (monthly) Fax.Plus Basic (annual)
Twice a year ~$6 ~$108 if kept active $83.99
Once a month ~$24–36 ~$108 $83.99
Twice a month ~$48–72 ~$108 $83.99
Weekly ~$87 with 15-packs ~$108 $83.99

The crossover with Fax.Plus annual billing sits around two faxes a month. Fax.Plus is cheaper than most subscriptions, so the gap is smaller here than against eFax or iFax — but for people who fax a few times a year, pay-per-fax still costs a fraction as much, and there is no renewal to remember.

If you need to receive faxes as well, the comparison shifts further in Fax.Plus's favour, because its Basic plan bundles a number.

Where Fax.Plus is the better choice

  • One tiny free fax. If your document is short and you will only ever send one or two, the 10 free pages beat paying anything.
  • Regular monthly volume. At around two or more faxes a month, Fax.Plus Basic on annual billing is good value.
  • Receiving on a permanent number. Included from Basic. Faxio's receiving lives in its Android app only.
  • Longer documents. Basic allows up to 60 pages per fax; a Faxio credit covers 10.
  • Regulated health data. Fax.Plus offers HIPAA compliance on its Enterprise plan. Faxio does not advertise HIPAA compliance.
  • Teams. Business and Enterprise tiers add team setup, an admin console and multiple numbers.

Where Faxio is the better choice

  • No account. Upload a PDF at faxio.app/send, enter the number, pay. Nothing to sign up for or log into later.
  • Occasional use beyond the free pages. Once the free 10 pages are gone, paying $2.99 when you need a fax is cheaper than a year of Basic for anyone sending fewer than about two faxes a month.
  • No subscription to manage. Credit purchases are one-time. The only recurring plan is Faxio Unlimited at $14.99/month, which you have to choose deliberately.
  • Failed faxes cost nothing. If a fax does not go through, the credit is not consumed, and busy lines are retried automatically.
  • International delivery. Faxio delivers to 100+ countries from the same send page.

Which should you pick

  • One short fax, and you do not mind creating an account: Fax.Plus free plan.
  • One fax, right now, no account: Faxio — $2.99.
  • A few faxes spread over the year: Faxio. Credits never expire, so a 5-pack covers most people for a long time.
  • Two or more faxes a month, plus a number to receive on: Fax.Plus Basic, ideally on annual billing.
  • Android user who also needs to receive: the Faxio Android app adds a dedicated number — see faxing from Android.
  • Medical practice handling PHI: Fax.Plus Enterprise, or another service that signs a BAA.

If your free pages have run out, or you would rather not create another account for one document, send your fax for $2.99 →

For more pay-per-fax options, see our comparison of services that fax without a subscription.

Frequently asked questions

Is Fax.Plus really free?

Fax.Plus has a free plan with 10 pages to send in total — a one-time allowance, not 10 pages a month. As of October 2026 it does not include a fax number or receiving. For a single short fax it genuinely costs nothing.

How much does Fax.Plus cost after the free pages?

As of October 2026, Fax.Plus Basic is $8.99 a month (or $83.99 a year) for 200 pages a month plus one fax number, with extra pages at $0.10 each. Premium is $17.99 a month for 500 pages.

Is Faxio cheaper than Fax.Plus?

It depends on volume. For a one-off fax under 10 pages, Fax.Plus's free allowance is cheaper than Faxio's $2.99. For occasional faxing over a year, Faxio's per-fax pricing usually costs less than a Fax.Plus subscription. For regular monthly volume with receiving, Fax.Plus Basic is better value.

Can I receive faxes with Fax.Plus or Faxio?

Fax.Plus includes a fax number for receiving on its paid plans, starting with Basic. Faxio offers a dedicated receiving number through its Android app; the Faxio website is for sending.

Is Fax.Plus HIPAA compliant?

Fax.Plus offers HIPAA compliance, but as of October 2026 its pricing page indicates HIPAA requires the Enterprise plan, which starts at $99.99 a month. Faxio does not advertise HIPAA compliance.