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Fax vs email

The ultimate comparison of two transmission methods

Verified and reviewed
Expertly researched

Both have their strengths - depending on the use case

Email is incredibly convenient for everyday communication. Fax, however, scores on legal certainty, proof of delivery and acceptance by authorities. For important, time-sensitive or legally relevant documents, fax is often the better choice.

The choice depends on the recipient and the importance of the document.

Fax and email in direct comparison

Criterion Fax Email
Proof of delivery
Evidential value
Meeting deadlines
Acceptance by authorities
Speed
Costs (occasional)

When fax, when email?

Fax for cancellations

For cancellations with deadlines, the fax transmission report provides recognised proof of delivery.

Fax for authorities

Many authorities accept faxes as an official communication channel - emails often do not.

Email for everyday use

For routine business correspondence and internal communication, email is more practical.

Email for large files

Large files, presentations or archives are easier to send by email.

Fax or email - which transmission method is right for you? Both have their place, but for different purposes.

In this comparison, we show you when to choose fax and when email is the better option.

The strengths of fax

Fax has some unique advantages that email cannot offer:

  • Automatic proof of delivery: The transmission report documents successful transmission.
  • No spam filters: A fax cannot be blocked by mistake.
  • Higher acceptance: Authorities and companies often accept faxes as official proof.
  • Direct transmission: No interim storage on third-party servers.

The strengths of email

Email is indispensable in everyday life - and rightly so:

  • Free of charge: No per-message costs.
  • Large attachments: Files up to several GB are possible.
  • Archiving: Emails remain in the mailbox permanently.
  • Reply function: Easy conversations are possible.

Conclusion: both have their place

For everyday use, email is incredibly practical. But when it comes to legal certainty, meeting deadlines or communication with authorities, fax is often the better choice.

With online fax services like FaxMonkey, you can send faxes just as quickly and easily as emails - with the added advantage of documented proof of delivery.

Frequently asked questions

Does fax have greater evidential value than email?

Yes, in most cases. The fax transmission report automatically documents the successful transmission with a timestamp. An email read receipt can be refused by the recipient, and emails can end up in the spam folder.

In legal disputes, a fax transmission report is therefore often rated more highly.

Can an email end up in the spam folder?

Yes, that is a common problem. Spam filters can block legitimate emails without the sender or recipient noticing. A fax cannot "end up in spam" - it is either delivered or not (with an appropriate error message).

What costs more - fax or email?

Email is free if you already have an email account. Online fax costs at FaxMonkey £1.00 for the first page and £0.25 for each additional one.

For occasional important documents, this price is a small expense for the added security and proof of delivery.

When should I use fax instead of email?

Fax is particularly recommended for:

  • Cancellations with deadlines
  • Legally relevant documents
  • Communication with authorities
  • When proof of delivery is important
  • When the recipient prefers fax

This article provides general information and does not constitute legal or professional advice. For specific questions, please consult a qualified expert.

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