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It's a split decision.
These tools solve different jobs, so neither replaces the other. Choose eFax for sending and receiving faxes online, email faxing, fax numbers, and business fax workflows; its Plus plan is €7.99 monthly for 30 sent and 30 received pages. Choose Word for the web for browser-based document editing: it has a free plan with 5 GB storage. Paid Microsoft 365 plans add storage and features, but they do not turn Word into a fax service.
01Side by side
| eFax | Word for the web | |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | €7.99/month for Plus | $0/month for free web plan |
| Free plan | No free plan listed | Yes; 5 GB storage, web and mobile |
| Best for | Online faxing and fax workflows | Browser-based document editing |
| Core strength | Send and receive faxes online | Free browser and mobile document editing |
| Learning curve | Ease-of-use review score: 8/10 | Ease-of-use review score: 7/10 |
| Integrations and data | API, CRM/ERP/EHR integrations, AI extraction | Microsoft 365 apps and Copilot features |
| Team and seat costs | Multiple users included; plans from €7.99/month | Free plan: 1 person; Family: up to 6 |
| Support | Corporate plan includes individualized support | Support terms not specified |
eFax Choose eFax if
- Choose eFax if you need to send and receive faxes online.
- Choose eFax if you need fax numbers and email faxing.
- Choose eFax if your organization needs API or fax workflow tools.
Word for the web Choose Word for the web if
- Choose Word for the web if you want free browser-based document editing.
- Choose Word for the web if 5 GB of free cloud storage is enough.
- Choose Word for the web if you need Microsoft 365 apps or Copilot features.
02Pricing compared
These are different purchases, and the prices are in different currencies: eFax is listed in euros, while Microsoft 365 prices are in US dollars. The eFax pricing page lists Plus at €7.99 monthly or €79.90 annually (€6.66 per month equivalent). It includes 30 pages sent and 30 received per month, plus a local or toll-free number. Pro is €10.99 monthly or €109.90 annually, with 150 sent and 150 received pages. Corporate pricing is custom; overage and extra fax-number rates are not published.
Word for the web has a free plan with 5 GB of cloud storage and web and mobile access. Paid Microsoft 365 plans start at $1.99 monthly for Basic, or $19.99 annually. Personal starts at $9.99 monthly. A one-month trial is listed. These prices are not like-for-like: Word does not provide faxing.
03Features and depth
eFax is built for sending and receiving faxes online, not for editing documents. You can fax from an internet-enabled device or use email-to-fax and fax-to-email. Plans include a local or toll-free fax number. The pricing page sets clear page allowances: 30 sent and 30 received pages on Plus, or 150 of each on Pro. The page says faxes continue to send after the limit, but does not publish overage rates. For business workflows, eFax lists API access and integrations across CRMs, ERPs, and EHRs; its Clarity tool extracts and structures data from inbound faxes, scans, and PDFs. Corporate tools include support for FHIR, HL7, REST, and DirectTrust.
Word for the web is for browser-based document creation and editing. Microsoft says users can draft with Copilot and use prompts to rewrite text. Its free plan includes web and mobile access; paid Microsoft 365 plans add storage, desktop apps, and premium features. It does not replace eFax for sending or receiving faxes.
04Ease of use and learning curve
For basic document work, Word for the web has the simpler starting point: Microsoft lists a free plan accessible in a browser with a Microsoft account, so you can edit without buying an eFax plan. Paid Microsoft 365 is an option if you need the listed extra storage, desktop apps, or premium features.
Choose eFax when the task is faxing. It avoids a physical fax machine and phone line, and supports sending and receiving through devices or email. The main practical wrinkle is keeping track of page limits and unpublished overage charges. Corporate integrations and interoperability tools are aimed at organizations with workflow needs, not someone who only wants to edit a document.
Questions people ask
How does a fax number work?
A fax number is the address used to send a fax to a recipient or receive one. eFax plans include a local or toll-free number; its online service lets users send and receive faxes from a device or through email, without a fax machine or phone line.
What do people use now instead of fax machines?
One option is an online fax service. eFax says users can send and receive faxes from an internet-enabled device or use email-to-fax and fax-to-email, without a physical fax machine or phone line. Word for the web edits documents, but it is not a fax service.
Is eFax safe?
The published plan details list TLS encryption for eFax Corporate, but do not specify the same protection for every plan. We would check the terms and security details for the plan you are considering, and confirm that the recipient and delivery method are appropriate for sensitive information.
Is it safe to fax documents with a Social Security number?
A Social Security number is sensitive information, so verify the recipient and fax number before sending, and ask whether fax is an approved delivery method. The published eFax details do not establish that every plan or recipient workflow is suitable for transmitting sensitive personal data.