eFax alternative: OnlyFaxes vs eFax
Why pay $15.79/month plus setup fees when you can send faxes for free?
| Feature | OnlyFaxes | eFax |
|---|---|---|
| Free fax sending | Yes | No |
| Monthly cost | $0 (free) or from $4.99/mo | From $15.79/mo |
| Setup fee | $0 | $10 |
| Account required to send | No | Yes |
| Dedicated fax number | From $4.99/mo | Included in subscription |
| Inbound faxes | Yes | Yes |
| Pages per fax (free) | 10 | Not available |
| Pages per fax (paid) | 100 | Varies by plan |
| Forced branding on paid | No | No |
| Ads on the platform | No | No |
| Cancel anytime | Yes | Difficult |
| Mobile apps | Yes | Yes |
| International sending | 75+ countries | 200+ countries |
| Cover page templates | 10 built-in | Downloadable + custom |
| Encryption | 256-bit AES | TLS |
Competitor pricing and features verified as of August 2026. Visit the competitor's website for the latest information.
Why choose OnlyFaxes over eFax
- No subscription lock-in
- eFax requires a monthly subscription starting at $15.79/month with a $10 setup fee just to send your first fax. Users frequently report difficulty canceling their subscriptions. OnlyFaxes lets you send faxes immediately for free: no account, no credit card, no commitment.
- Transparent pricing
- If you need a dedicated fax number, OnlyFaxes offers plans starting at $4.99/month with zero setup cost, less than a third of eFax's base price. You get 200 to 2,500 pages per month, fax-to-email delivery, and can cancel anytime with no friction.
- Built for everyone
- eFax was built for enterprise customers who fax daily. If you need to send one fax to the IRS or a quick document to a client, paying $15.79/month makes no sense. OnlyFaxes serves both use cases: free for occasional faxes, affordable dedicated numbers for regular use.
- When eFax makes sense
- eFax has been around since 1997 and offers international fax numbers in dozens of countries, HIPAA-eligible plans, and deep integrations with enterprise tools like Microsoft 365. If your organization requires a BAA, multi-user admin, or fax numbers outside the US, Canada, UK, and Mexico, eFax may be the better fit.
Frequently asked questions
Can I try eFax for free?
- eFax does not offer a free tier. Their cheapest plan starts at $15.79/month plus a $10 setup fee. OnlyFaxes lets you send faxes for free with no account, no credit card, and no strings attached.
How hard is it to cancel eFax?
- eFax cancellation requires calling their support line during business hours. Many users report long hold times and retention tactics. OnlyFaxes subscriptions can be canceled instantly from the Stripe billing portal with no phone call required.
Does eFax have a page limit?
- eFax plans include 150 to 500+ inbound and outbound pages per month depending on the plan, with overage charges for additional pages. OnlyFaxes dedicated numbers include 200 to 2,500 pages per month with no overage fees, and free faxes have no monthly quota at all.
Is eFax HIPAA compliant?
- eFax offers HIPAA-eligible plans with Business Associate Agreement (BAA) signing for enterprise customers. OnlyFaxes does not sign BAAs and is not HIPAA-compliant. If your organization needs a BAA, eFax or a similar enterprise service is the right choice.
Which is better for occasional faxing?
- If you fax a few documents per month, OnlyFaxes is the clear winner. You can send for free with no subscription. eFax's $15.79/month minimum makes no sense for occasional use. OnlyFaxes dedicated numbers start at $4.99/month if you need your own number.
Need to understand when a BAA is actually required? Read our HIPAA and online faxing guide.