Apps that let you pay per page
- FaxBuddy (ours, coming soon): page packs from $3.99 for 5 pages to $0.40 a page at 100. First page free, cover pages free, failed faxes refunded, credits never expire, no sign-up.
- Genius Fax: credits at one per page, from $0.99 for one page; 10 for $6.99. Its listing doesn’t say whether a failed fax is refunded.
- Fax.Plus: its free plan includes 10 pages in total, and you can buy credit on it without a plan; its main offer is monthly and yearly plans.
The others (FAX from iPhone, Tiny Fax, iFax, FaxBurner) are built around subscriptions. See the full comparison.
What an occasional fax really costs
Say you fax three times this year, 3 pages each time: 9 pages.
| How you pay | A year of occasional faxing |
|---|---|
| FaxBuddy, 10-page pack | $5.99 once, 1 page left over |
| A $9.99 weekly plan, cancelled after each fax | $29.97, if you remember three times |
| The same plan, forgotten | $519.48 (52 weeks) |
An example with US App Store prices; weekly plans for fax apps are listed at $6.99 to $9.99.
How to spot a subscription before you buy
- On the App Store page, open In-App Purchases: names with “Weekly”, “Monthly”, “Annual” or “Unlimited” are subscriptions.
- The purchase sheet says “Subscription” and when it renews. Page packs say neither.
- “Start free trial” almost always means a subscription that starts charging when the trial ends.
When a subscription does make sense
If you send dozens of pages every week, or need your own fax number to receive faxes, a plan can cost less per page. For everyone else, paying per page means paying only when you fax.
Questions
Is there a fax app without a subscription?
Yes. FaxBuddy sells page packs you use when you need them, with no subscription. Genius Fax also sells credits per page.
Do FaxBuddy credits expire?
No. Unused pages stay in the app for your next fax, with no time limit.
Why do most fax apps use subscriptions?
A subscription earns the app money every week or month, whether you fax or not. Pay-per-page apps only earn when you send.