PrintMost Internet fax services charge a monthly fee that ranges from $10 to $30 a month; the same services usually also charge a one-time setup fee of $10 to $20. In return, you get an individual fax number — usually in your local area code. Some services also offer additional features, such as a voicemail account.
If you need to send faxes over the Internet to other fax machines, you usually pay a per-minute charge. This fee can be as little as 5 to 10 cents per minute for domestic faxes, and of course overseas faxes are more costly. Other options, such as a toll-free fax number or broadcast fax capability, also cost more.
Some services — eFax.com, for example — offer free versions. While the prospect of free internet faxing is tempting, it should be noted that it is difficult to secure a number in your area code. Moreover, these services usually include advertising. For example, this advertising may be found in the e-mail that carries the fax as an attachment. If you don't want your local clients to have to pay long distance to send you a fax, or if you shudder at the thought of your business faxes containing ads for other companies, these services may not be for you. Moreover, many services that once offered free Internet fax service have gone out of business, and the remaining free services might not be free for much longer.
