How to Get a Fax Number — Virtual & Free Options
Need a fax number? In 2026, you don't need a fax machine or phone line. Virtual fax numbers work just like traditional ones — but faxes arrive in your email inbox as PDFs. Get a local or toll-free number in 40+ countries, active in minutes.
Quick answer: You can get a free or virtual fax number from Fax.plus in over 40 countries. Choose a local or toll-free number, and receive faxes as PDF attachments in your email. Paid plans start at $6.99/month with a dedicated number.
40+ countries · Local & toll-free · Instant activation · From $6.99/mo
What Is a Virtual Fax Number?
A virtual fax number is a real phone number assigned to you by an online fax service. When someone sends a fax to your virtual number, the service receives it digitally and delivers it to your email inbox as a PDF attachment — or stores it in your cloud dashboard.
From the sender's perspective, it works exactly like a traditional fax number. They dial it from any fax machine, and the fax goes through normally. The only difference is on your end — instead of paper coming out of a machine, you get a PDF in your inbox.
How to Get a Fax Number (3 Steps)
Choose a Provider
Sign up at Fax.plus and select a paid plan starting at $6.99/mo (free plan doesn't include a number).
Pick Your Number
Choose a local number (specific area code) or toll-free (800/888/877). Numbers available in 40+ countries.
Start Receiving
Your number is active instantly. Configure email forwarding to get faxes as PDF attachments in Gmail, Outlook, etc.
How to Get a Free Fax Number
Truly free fax numbers are limited, but here are your options:
- FaxBurner (temporary) — Free account gives you a temporary fax number that receives up to 5 pages. The number expires after 24 hours. Good for one-time use only.
- Google Voice (limited) — Google Voice gives you a free phone number, but it does NOT support fax natively. You'd need a third-party service to bridge the gap. See our Does Google Have a Fax Service article.
- Fax.plus (free trial-like) — The free plan lets you send 10 pages but doesn't include a receiving number. The $6.99/mo Basic plan includes 1 permanent number.
Our honest take: For a permanent, reliable fax number, expect to pay $6.99-$18.99/month. The FaxBurner free number is only useful for a single day.
How to Get a Fax Number for Your Business
Businesses need a professional, permanent fax number. Here's what to look for:
- Toll-free numbers — Choose an 800/888/877 number. Looks more professional and is free for your clients to fax.
- Multiple numbers — Get separate numbers for sales, support, and operations. Fax.plus Premium includes up to 5 numbers.
- HIPAA compliance — Healthcare businesses need a HIPAA-compliant service. Fax.plus is HIPAA, SOC 2, and ISO 27001 certified.
- API access — For integration with your CRM, EHR, or document management system. Fax.plus offers a REST API.
- Number porting — Keep your existing fax number when switching to online faxing.
Local vs Toll-Free Fax Numbers
| Feature | Local Number | Toll-Free Number |
|---|---|---|
| Example | (212) 555-1234 | (800) 555-1234 |
| Cost to caller | Local rates | Free for caller |
| Professional look | Regional | National/professional |
| Best for | Local businesses | National businesses |
| Availability | 40+ countries | US, Canada, UK |
| Monthly cost | Included in plan | Included in plan |
Fax Number Provider Comparison
| Provider | Numbers Included | Countries | Monthly Price | Number Porting | Our Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fax.plus ⭐ | 1-5 | 40+ | $6.99 | ✓ | 9.5/10 |
| eFax | 1 | 40+ | $18.99 | ✓ | 7.5/10 |
| RingCentral | 1 | US/CA/UK | $15.99 | ✓ | 7.8/10 |
| MyFax | 1 | 40+ | $12.00 | ✓ | 6.8/10 |
Can I Keep My Existing Fax Number?
Yes — this is called number porting. If you're switching from a physical fax machine to online faxing, you can transfer your existing number to Fax.plus or another provider. This means your clients, vendors, and partners don't need to update their records.
The porting process typically takes 1-2 weeks. During the transition, you can use a temporary number. Contact your new provider's support team to initiate the port.
Frequently Asked Questions
Sign up for an online fax service like Fax.plus. Choose a local or toll-free number from 40+ countries during setup. Your number is active instantly — people can start faxing to it right away.
Free fax numbers are rare. FaxBurner offers a temporary free number for receiving 5 pages. For a permanent number, Fax.plus provides one starting at $6.99/month. The free Fax.plus plan lets you send faxes but doesn't include a receiving number.
A virtual fax number is a real phone number that receives faxes digitally instead of on a physical machine. When someone sends a fax to your virtual number, it arrives in your email or app as a PDF. It works exactly like a traditional fax number from the sender's perspective.
Yes. Most online fax services support number porting — transferring your current fax number to their platform. Contact Fax.plus support to start the porting process. It typically takes 1-2 weeks.
A local number has a specific area code (e.g., 212 for NYC). A toll-free number starts with 800, 888, 877, etc. and is free for callers. Toll-free numbers look more professional for businesses.
Yes. Fax.plus Premium plans include up to 5 fax numbers. This is useful if you need separate numbers for different departments, locations, or purposes.