Are facsimile applications and fax apps the same thing? While both terms boil down to the same underlying technology, it’s crucial to distinguish the key differences.
One refers to the traditional method of transmitting scanned documents, while the other has something to do with using mobile fax applications for internet faxing.
What Is a Facsimile? Knowing the Facsimile and Fax Difference
A facsimile is an exact copy or a reproduced version of particular images or texts, such as written or printed documents. It is a general term often associated with document replication, which includes fax.
Is facsimile a fax?
A fax is a facsimile, but not all facsimiles are faxes. Faxing involves transmitting scanned documents from one fax machine to another, which used to be through an analog network of telephone lines. The traditional process has since been replaced with modern digital technology utilizing the Internet to transmit faxes electronically.
What Is a Facsimile Application?
These days, facsimile applications are often associated with fax software or fax applications. These digital tools function like fax machines but transmit faxes digitally over the Internet without the wired telephone lines.
Facsimile applications let you send and receive faxes using a computer, phone, or any other device that can connect to the Internet. It offers more convenience by eliminating the need for physical fax machines.
Best Facsimile Applications for Internet Faxing
Market Research Intellect projects the smart fax machine market to grow at a CAGR of over 15% from 2022 to 2027. This growth is accompanied by the increased demand for facsimile applications for internet faxing, which is all the more reason why your business should consider switching.
1. iFax
iFax is one of the leading online fax applications since 2008. It is an app that you can easily access on multiple platforms, including Android, iOS, Windows, and Mac. It offers many benefits compared to other apps, and more so when compared to the traditional way of using fax machines.
Its key features include:
- AI-powered faxing: iFax’s AI-assisted OCR functionality enables you to convert faxes and extract texts with exceptional speed and accuracy.
- Fax broadcasting: This feature lets you launch and manage fax campaigns with customizable broadcast fax templates.
- Email faxing: This facsimile app service offers an email-to-fax functionality, making it entirely possible to send faxes from Gmail, Outlook, and other email clients.
- Fax API: Through its programmer-friendly API, you can enable fax functionality on existing software systems and tailor them according to your business requirements.
- Third-party system integrations: iFax also supports low-code and no-code integrations for its faxing solutions, making it possible to fax documents directly from HubSpot, Google WorkSpace, and other business applications.
Explore more of its features by requesting a tailored demo.
2. SRFax
SRFax‘s fax application makes sending and receiving faxes from any device in any location hassle-free. It allows you to fax using your existing email account and mobile device. Its standard plans safeguard faxes using password protection and SSL & PGP encryption, which keeps your sensitive faxes safe against any unauthorized access attempts.
3. RingCentral Fax
RingCentral‘s fax app lets you fax from any desktop computer, phone, or web app. It offers standard and advanced fax packages, including a business phone system for VoIP conference calling. Its mobile app lets you fax on the go, offering more flexibility.
4. Doximity
Doximity has DocFax, a fax app service designed for Android and iOS mobile devices. Its fax-on-the-go functionality lets you send and receive faxes digitally without a fax machine.
With the Doximity app, you can use your phone’s built-in scanner to fax physical documents like audit records and fax them digitally.
5. eFax
eFax is another service that offers the convenience of faxing from an app instead of using a fax machine. Like other facsimile applications, it transmits faxes over the Internet and works on any Android or iOS phone. Note that you will need to create an eFax account first and use it to log in to the fax app.
Like iFax, eFax also supports faxing by directly importing documents from cloud storage services like Dropbox and Google Drive.
Fax app benefits for businesses
With a facsimile application, your business can leverage the following benefits for optimal efficiency in communication workflows and document management:
Simplified fax process
Facsimile applications offer the convenience of digitally transmitting documents, similar to sending emails. It eliminates the tedious steps involving scanning multiple pages and sorting hundreds of paper files.
Enhanced accessibility
Fax apps streamline workflows by allowing users to send and receive faxes anywhere. There’s no need to be tied to a specific location or office, making it possible to run a business remotely and operate using existing devices as long as there’s Internet.
Improved document management
Eliminating the need to fax physical documents makes faxing more seamless. It’s also easier to manage hundreds or even thousands of documents while ensuring accuracy when sending various business files.
Increased security
Compared to faxing using traditional facsimile technology, fax apps offer more security by employing sophisticated encryption methods to prevent unauthorized access. Your business will also find implementing additional security measures such as account login passwords, two-factor authentication, and user access permissions easier and more efficient.
Best value for money
Facsimile applications are more cost-efficient than maintaining physical fax machines. In addition to the apparent savings businesses can get from reduced hardware costs, fax apps can integrate with existing document management systems, which allows for faster document exchange.
iFax: A Secure and Hassle-Free Solution to Sending Digital Facsimiles
Choosing a facsimile app that offers cloud-based integration, military-grade security, and multi-platform compatibility can give your business an edge. iFax offers all these functionalities on top of other advanced business faxing features like fax signatures, free cover page templates, and detailed report tracking.
Choosing iFax means having a fax app that syncs seamlessly across platforms regardless of device. Take it wherever you like and securely fax documents while ensuring your business complies with industry regulations.
Get started with iFax today. Check out our flexible plans.
