SimpleFax Alternative -- Fax From Your Browser, Not Just a Desktop App
No app to download. No PDF conversion. Pay only if delivery succeeds.
SimpleFax by Furnace Creek Software is a well-designed desktop fax app available for Mac ($9.99), Windows ($7.99), and iOS ($7.99). For someone who sends a few PDF faxes a year, the one-time purchase price and 20-fax monthly allowance are a genuinely good deal. But if you need to fax a Word document, an Excel spreadsheet, or a photo -- or if you need a real BAA for HIPAA compliance -- SimpleFax cannot help. OneFaxNow works in any browser, accepts multiple file formats, and charges $3.50 per fax with no app to install and no monthly cap.
TL;DR: Choose SimpleFax if you fax PDFs occasionally from Mac or Windows and want a one-time app purchase. Choose OneFaxNow for browser-based faxing with multiple file formats, real-time tracking, and HIPAA with an instant BAA. SimpleFax details verified on their website and app store listings. (SimpleFax)
Quick Comparison at a Glance
See how OneFaxNow compares to SimpleFax for your faxing needs
Pricing Model
OneFaxNow
Pay-per-fax (1-10 pages: $3.50; 11-50 pages: $5.00). Pay only on success.
SimpleFax
One-time app purchase: $9.99 (Mac), $7.99 (Windows/iOS). Up to 20 faxes/month of 20 pages each.
HIPAA and BAA
OneFaxNow
Toggle HIPAA mode per send; instant BAA, encryption, audit logs, secure deletion.
SimpleFax
Claims HIPAA compliant and encrypted, but no BAA mentioned on website or app store listings.
File Formats
OneFaxNow
PDF, Word, Excel, JPG, PNG -- 15 files, 20 MB each.
SimpleFax
PDF only. All other file types must be manually converted to PDF first.
How You Access It
OneFaxNow
Any browser on any device. No app download. Also available as native iOS and Android apps.
SimpleFax
Must download and purchase the app from Mac/Windows/iOS store. No web version. No Android.
Which Service is Right for You?
Compare the key differences to find the best solution for your needs
When SimpleFax May Be the Better Fit
You fax PDFs a few times a year
and a one-time $7.99-$9.99 purchase gives you 20 faxes/month with no per-fax cost
You need international fax coverage
to 30+ country codes including Europe, Asia, South America, and the Middle East
You prefer a native desktop app
with drag-and-drop PDF support and a minimal, distraction-free interface
When OneFaxNow Is the Better Alternative
You need to fax Word, Excel, or image files
without converting them to PDF first -- OneFaxNow accepts them natively
You need HIPAA compliance with a real BAA
not just a claim -- OneFaxNow provides an instant, digitally executed BAA
You want to fax from any browser
without downloading, purchasing, or installing a separate app on each platform
You want pay-only-on-success
where your card is authorized first and captured only after confirmed delivery
Side-by-Side Details (SimpleFax vs OneFaxNow)
A detailed comparison between OneFaxNow and SimpleFax
| Criterion | OneFaxNow | SimpleFax |
|---|---|---|
| Business model | Pay-per-fax, no account | One-time app purchase ($7.99-$9.99) |
| Cost per fax | $3.50 (1-10 pages), $5.00 (11-50); HIPAA add-on +$3/$5 | Included in app purchase (up to 20 faxes/month, 20 pages each) |
| HIPAA and BAA | Per-send HIPAA mode with instant BAA, encryption, audit logs, secure deletion | Claims HIPAA compliant and encrypted. No BAA documented |
| Charge model | Pay only on successful delivery (authorize then capture) | App purchase is non-refundable. No pay-on-success guarantee mentioned |
| File formats | PDF, Word, Excel, JPG, PNG (15 files, 20 MB each) | PDF only |
| Page limit | Up to 50 pages per fax | Up to 20 pages per fax, max 20 faxes/month |
| Coverage | U.S. and Canada | 30+ country codes |
| Setup | Start in seconds -- no signup, no download | Download and purchase app from Mac/Windows/iOS store |
| Delivery visibility | Live tracking link + email updates, automatic retries | Email confirmation after delivery (no real-time tracking) |
| Fax receiving | Outbound only | Outbound only |
Sources: OneFaxNow product docs; SimpleFax website, Mac App Store, Microsoft Store, iOS App Store. Last verified: March 2026. (SimpleFax, Mac App Store)
Why buyers choose OneFaxNow as a SimpleFax alternative
Simple, flexible, and secure faxing when you need it
No app, no conversion
Upload your Word doc, Excel spreadsheet, or photo directly. No app to install, no PDF conversion step. Works in Safari, Chrome, Firefox, or Edge on any device.
Real HIPAA with a real BAA
SimpleFax claims HIPAA compliance but offers no Business Associate Agreement. OneFaxNow provides an instant, digitally executed BAA for $6.50 per fax with encryption, audit logs, and secure file deletion.
Pay only on success
Your card is authorized before sending and charged only after confirmed delivery. If the fax fails, you pay nothing. SimpleFax does not mention a failed-fax refund policy.
Frequently Asked Questions
What file formats does SimpleFax support?
SimpleFax only accepts PDF documents. If you need to fax Word documents, Excel spreadsheets, or photos, you must convert them to PDF first. OneFaxNow accepts PDF, Word (.doc/.docx), Excel (.xlsx), and images (JPG, PNG) natively -- no conversion needed. See how to fax a Word document or how to fax a PDF for step-by-step guides.
Is SimpleFax really HIPAA compliant?
SimpleFax claims to be HIPAA compliant and says faxes are encrypted, but there is no mention of a Business Associate Agreement (BAA) on their website or app store listings. Under HIPAA, covered entities must have a signed BAA with any service that handles protected health information. Without a BAA, using SimpleFax for PHI may not satisfy HIPAA requirements. For healthcare documents, OneFaxNow offers HIPAA mode with an instant, digitally executed BAA for $6.50 per fax.
How much does SimpleFax cost?
SimpleFax is a one-time app purchase: $9.99 on Mac, $7.99 on Windows and iOS. There are no subscription fees. You can send up to 20 faxes per month with up to 20 pages each. OneFaxNow charges $3.50 per fax for 1-10 pages with no monthly limit. See our pricing page for full details.
Does SimpleFax work in a web browser?
No. SimpleFax requires downloading and purchasing the app from the Mac App Store, Microsoft Store, or iOS App Store. There is no web-based version. OneFaxNow works entirely in your browser on any device with no download required.
Can I receive faxes with SimpleFax?
No. SimpleFax is a send-only application. It does not provide a fax number and cannot receive incoming faxes. OneFaxNow is also outbound-only -- neither service supports receiving faxes.
What happens if my SimpleFax fax fails?
SimpleFax does not mention a pay-on-success guarantee or refund policy for failed faxes. You receive email confirmation only when delivery succeeds, but it is unclear what happens financially if a fax fails. OneFaxNow uses authorize-then-capture: your card is authorized before sending and charged only after confirmed delivery. If the fax fails, you are never charged.
Ready to send your fax now?
No app needed. No PDF conversion. Just upload, address, and send. Pay only if your fax delivers successfully.