Online Fax vs. Physical Fax Machine: Full Cost Comparison
By the Attajer Editorial Team · 7 min read · Last updated March 30, 2026
Is it cheaper to buy a fax machine or use an online fax service? We broke down every cost — hardware, phone lines, consumables, and per-page fees — so you can make an informed decision.
The True Cost of a Physical Fax Machine
| Cost Item | One-Time | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fax machine (basic) | $100–$300 | — | — |
| Dedicated phone line | $50 install | $25–$50 | $300–$600 |
| Toner/ink cartridge | $30–$80 | ~$15 | $180 |
| Paper (500 sheets) | $5–$10 | ~$5 | $60 |
| Electricity | — | ~$3 | $36 |
| Maintenance/repairs | — | ~$10 | $120 |
| Total Year 1 | $185–$440 | $58–$83 | $876–$1,436 |
The True Cost of Online Faxing
| Cost Item | One-Time | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hardware | $0 | — | $0 |
| Phone line | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Fax.plus Basic (100 pages) | — | $6.99 | $83.88 |
| Fax.plus Premium (500 pages) | — | $13.99 | $167.88 |
| Paper/ink/maintenance | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Total Year 1 | $0 | $6.99–$13.99 | $84–$168 |
Side-by-Side Comparison
Physical Fax
per year (Year 1)
Online Fax
per year (Fax.plus)
Our Verdict
Online faxing saves $700–$1,200 per year compared to a physical fax machine. For most individuals and small businesses, there's no financial reason to buy a fax machine in 2026.
The only exception: high-volume enterprises sending 1,000+ pages/month may benefit from dedicated fax hardware. For everyone else, online faxing is the clear winner.
Beyond Cost: Other Advantages of Online Faxing
- No physical space needed — No machine on your desk
- Send from anywhere — Phone, laptop, tablet, any location
- Digital archive — All faxes stored in the cloud, searchable
- Better security — TLS encryption beats paper sitting in an output tray
- No busy signals — Online services queue and retry automatically
- International faxing — Send to 180+ countries without long-distance charges
FAQ
Yes. In fact, online services are more reliable because they automatically retry failed transmissions and provide delivery confirmations. Physical machines fail silently on busy signals.
Many online fax services offer number porting. Check with Fax.plus or your provider for availability in your area.
The cheapest option is online faxing. Fax.plus starts at $0.20/page after 10 free pages. UPS charges $1.79/page, FedEx charges $2.49/page, and Staples charges $1.50/page.