Feature |
Details |
|---|---|
| Windows 10 & 11 compatible | Native Microsoft Store app, no third-party drivers |
| HIPAA + GLBA + HITECH compliant | Free BAA included on all paid plans |
| 256-bit SSL end-to-end encryption | Military-grade security on every transmission |
| Supported file types | PDF, DOCX, JPEG, JPG, PNG — drag and drop or import from OneDrive, Google Drive, Dropbox |
| Dedicated US fax number | Included on all plans; port your existing number for free |
| Real-time delivery receipts | Know the moment your fax is received |
| Cover page templates | Custom branded cover pages included |
| Cloud fax history | Search, re-send, and download any past fax |
| eSign + annotation | Sign and mark up documents before sending |
| 7-day free trial | Full access |
Included on all plans; port your existing number for free
Reduce recurring expenses on ink replacements and maintenance. Faxing a single document to multiple recipients is possible with fax broadcasting for Windows, saving you time and effort.
You can use the email to fax feature and seamlessly fax using Outlook or Gmail if you’re using a Windows tablet or smartphone.
Feature |
Windows Fax and Scan |
iFax |
|---|---|---|
| Works on Windows 11 |  |
|
| Requires fax machine |  |
|
| Requires fax modem | |
|
| Requires phone line | |
|
| HIPAA compliant | |
|
| Receive faxes online | |
|
| eSign support | |
|
| Cloud storage | |
|
Yes, you can send a fax from any Windows PC without a fax machine, phone line, or modem using an online fax app. Apps like iFax connect to the global fax network over your internet connection, so you upload a document, enter the recipient’s fax number, and send. The recipient gets a standard fax, just as if it came from a physical machine. You don’t need any additional hardware beyond your existing Windows computer and an internet connection.
To fax from Windows 11, download a fax app from the Microsoft Store — iFax is available there — or use the web version through any browser like Edge or Chrome. Once logged in, click “New Fax”, enter the recipient’s fax number, attach your document (PDF, Word, JPEG all work), and click Send. Most faxes are delivered within 1–3 minutes. No fax modem or phone line is required. Windows 11 also has a built-in tool called Windows Fax and Scan, but that requires a physical fax modem and an analog phone line.
Faxing from Windows 10 works the same way as Windows 11 — download iFax from the Microsoft Store or open the web app in any browser, log in, and send your fax in minutes. iFax supports Windows 10 version 17763.0 and higher. If you’re running an older build of Windows 10, the web version works on any modern browser with no minimum OS requirement. No modem, phone line, or additional hardware is needed.
Yes, iFax works on any Windows laptop, whether it’s a Surface, Dell, HP, Lenovo, or any other brand running Windows 10 or 11. Because the app works over Wi-Fi or a wired internet connection, there’s no need to be at a desk or connected to a phone line. You can send and receive faxes from virtually anywhere with internet access.
Most faxes sent from a Windows PC using iFax are delivered within 1 to 3 minutes. Delivery time depends on the recipient’s fax machine or service. Busy lines or older fax equipment can occasionally extend delivery times to 5–10 minutes. iFax provides real-time delivery confirmation once your fax is received.
A iFax offers a 7-day free trial with full access, allowing you to send and receive faxes from Windows while evaluating the service. After the trial, paid plans are available. Some free fax services exist, but they often impose page limits, daily sending restrictions, and fewer security features.
Yes, Windows 11 includes Windows Fax and Scan, a built-in tool that has been part of Windows since Vista. However, it requires a physical fax modem connected to your PC and an active analog phone line. Since most users no longer have analog phone lines, online fax services like iFax are often the more practical solution.
An online fax app is the most practical alternative to Windows Fax and Scan. iFax works over the internet and requires no modem, phone line, or hardware setup. It also includes features such as cloud storage integration, delivery confirmations, eSign tools, and support for Windows 10 and Windows 11.
Windows Fax and Scan requires both a fax modem and an analog phone line. Most modern PCs do not include a built-in fax modem, and most internet connections are not analog phone lines. Without both requirements, Windows Fax and Scan cannot send or receive faxes. Online fax services avoid these hardware limitations by working entirely over the internet.
Faxing from a Windows PC can be HIPAA compliant if you use a fax service that meets HIPAA requirements. These requirements include encryption, audit trails, access controls, and a signed Business Associate Agreement (BAA). If your organization handles Protected Health Information (PHI), choose a fax provider that explicitly offers HIPAA-compliant services.
Yes. Under HIPAA, any third-party service that handles Protected Health Information (PHI) on your behalf must sign a Business Associate Agreement (BAA) with your organization. This includes online fax providers. Before selecting a fax service for healthcare use, verify that a BAA is available on your chosen plan.
Yes, you can fax medical records, lab results, prescriptions, referral forms, and other PHI from a Windows PC using a HIPAA-compliant fax service. Simply create a new fax, attach the medical record, enter the recipient’s fax number, and send. A compliant fax service should provide encryption, audit logs, and delivery confirmation.
Online faxing from Windows can be highly secure when using a reputable provider. Services like iFax use 256-bit SSL encryption, authentication controls, and audit trails to protect documents. These safeguards help ensure that faxed information remains secure during transmission and storage.
Yes, you can receive faxes directly on your Windows PC. With a dedicated fax number, incoming faxes are delivered to your inbox as digital documents that you can view, download, forward, sign, or store. Notifications alert you whenever a new fax arrives.
Yes, iFax supports common Windows file formats, including PDF, DOC, DOCX, JPG, JPEG, and PNG files. Simply upload the file, enter the recipient’s fax number, and send. Documents can be imported from local storage or cloud services such as OneDrive, Google Drive, and Dropbox.
Yes, iFax integrates with Microsoft 365, allowing users to send faxes from Outlook and other Microsoft applications. With email-to-fax functionality, you can attach a document to an email and send it directly to a fax number, streamlining workflows for business, legal, and healthcare teams.
