Everyday Privacy

Email to Fax: How It Works and Alternatives

Email to fax lets you send a fax by attaching a document to an email. It is convenient, but it is not the only way to fax without a machine.

How Email to Fax Works

With email to fax, you email a document to a special address that includes the recipient's fax number. The service converts the attachment and sends it as a fax. Many subscription fax services offer this as a feature.

Things to Consider

Email is not private by default. A faxed document sent as an attachment passes through email systems first.
Accounts. Most email to fax features are tied to an account or a subscription.
Copies. Your email provider and the fax service may both keep a copy.

A Browser Alternative

Harbor Fax does not offer an email gateway. You upload a PDF, Word, JPG or PNG file in your browser, enter a US or Canadian fax number, and pay by card. The document is deleted when delivery is confirmed, and no account is needed. It costs $1.79 for up to 3 pages, or $2.99 for up to 25. Need a cover sheet first? Use the free fax cover sheet generator.

Which to Choose

You fax often from an email appA subscription service with email to fax may suit you.

You fax once in a whilePay per fax with no account.

The document is sensitivePick a service that deletes your file and skip the email attachment.

You need to receive faxesChoose a service that provides a fax number, since Harbor Fax is send-only.

Send a Fax Without Email

Open Harbor Fax to send from your browser. See also online fax vs fax machine and fax online without an account.

Common Questions

What is email to fax?

A feature where you email a document to a special address and the service sends it as a fax.

Does Harbor Fax support email to fax?

No. Harbor Fax works in your browser. You upload the file and pay per fax.

Is email to fax secure?

It depends on the service and on your email provider. Email attachments can be stored in more than one place.

Can I receive faxes by email?

Some subscription services give you a fax number that delivers to email. Harbor Fax is send-only.

Do I need an account to send a fax?

Not with Harbor Fax. Many email to fax services do require one.

SEND A FAX WITHOUT EMAIL

No account, deleted on delivery, from $1.79 for up to 3 pages. Open Harbor Fax.