iTechGuides is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Learn more
Email and traditional fax are different ways to send information. Email carries electronic messages through Internet mail systems using email addresses; traditional fax sends a document between fax endpoints, commonly addressed by telephone number and transmitted over telephone-based fax systems. Internet fax can bridge the two, but sending a fax through an email-facing service does not make ordinary email the same as a fax transmission.
What is email?
Email is electronic messaging carried through Internet mail infrastructure. For records-transfer purposes, the U.S. National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) defines email as discrete electronic communications sent over SMTP between people or entities in accordance with applicable IETF RFC specifications. That definition is specific to NARA’s records guidance; it is not the only possible definition for every context. NARA also distinguishes email messages from other functions that may be bundled into an email program, such as calendars, tasks, appointments, newsgroups, and instant messaging. NARA’s records-transfer guidance
An email commonly has a message body and may include attachments. People often use it to reply to a conversation or address multiple recipients, although particular products and workflows vary.
What is traditional fax?
Traditional facsimile, or G3 fax, is a telephony application for sending a document from one terminal device to another. The traditional arrangement uses fax endpoints connected through telephone networks and modems; users commonly address the receiving endpoint with a fax number. The definition and terminology appear in RFC 2542, an informational RFC published in March 1999. RFC 2542: Terminology and Goals for Internet Fax
#1 Best Overall
- Convenient, easy-to-operate faxing
- Black-and-white copying with up to 400 x 400 dpi resolution
- 9,600 BPS fax modem transmits at about 15 seconds per page
- 512 KB memory stores up to 25 pages
- 50-Sheet paper capacity
Fax centers on transmitting a document representation between fax endpoints. This describes the traditional method, not every modern service that may carry fax content over Internet infrastructure.
Email vs. fax: the practical differences
| Aspect | Traditional fax | |
|---|---|---|
| Addressing and transmission | Uses email addresses and Internet mail systems, including SMTP in NARA’s records-transfer definition. | Uses fax endpoints and commonly a telephone number; traditional fax systems use telephone networks and modems. |
| Typical content and workflow | A message body, with optional attachments; commonly supports replies and multiple recipients. | A document representation sent from one fax endpoint to another. |
| Timing and confirmation | Actual delivery timing and confirmation depend on the systems and settings involved. | Actual timing and confirmation depend on the network and service. RFC 2542’s 1999 discussion characterized traditional fax as immediate with delivery confirmation and email as delayed without confirmation; treat that as historical, general user-experience context, not a guarantee for current services. |
| Security | Available protections include sender-domain authentication, TLS for transmission, and S/MIME for message-content encryption and authentication; protection depends on configuration and implementation. | Fax is not automatically confidential. RFC 2542 discusses confidentiality as a user expectation and calls for privacy and integrity assurances for Internet fax, not a blanket guarantee for every fax workflow. |
The comparison reflects common systems and workflows rather than hard limits on every product. NIST’s 2019 Trustworthy Email publication discusses SPF, DKIM, and DMARC for sender-domain authentication, TLS, and S/MIME; having an email account alone does not establish that these protections are enabled or correctly configured. NIST SP 800-177 Rev. 1
Rank #2
- BEST FOR SMALL OFFICES – Combining space-saving efficiency and premium monochrome (black & white) print quality with affordability, the Brother MFC-L2820DW delivers dynamic laser print, copy, scan, and fax multi-functionality in a compact footprint
- EFFICIENT PRINTING & SCANNING – Produces black & white documents quickly with print speeds up to 36 ppm(2) and scan speeds up to 23.6/7.9 ipm(3) (bk/cl). A 50-page auto document feeder(4) allows for convenient, time saving multi-page copy, scan, and fax
- FLEXIBLE CONNECTION OPTIONS – Securely connect to multiple devices with built-in dual-band wireless (2.4GHz / 5GHz), Ethernet, or connect locally to a single computer via USB interface
- 2.7" TOUCHSCREEN – The intuitive 2.7” touchscreen enables effortless navigation with the added ability to print-from and scan-to popular Cloud-based apps such as Google Drive, Dropbox, Evernote, OneNote, and more(5)
- BROTHER MOBILE CONNECT APP – Print, scan, and manage your wireless printer anytime, from almost anywhere from your mobile device. Order Brother Genuine Supplies, track toner usage, and complete more work on-the-go(6)
Is fax the same as email?
No. They differ in their addressing and transmission systems: ordinary email uses Internet mail addresses and infrastructure, while traditional fax uses fax endpoints and telephone-based transmission. Their common workflows also differ, though real products can vary. A service may use Internet infrastructure to carry fax content or connect email software to fax endpoints; that bridge does not make ordinary email and traditional fax interchangeable terms.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors2Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute3Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsCan you send a fax by email?
Some Internet fax designs connect fax addressing and documents with Internet mail. RFC 3192 specifies a minimal format for encoding a fax address within an Internet email address, while RFC 2542 describes Internet fax modes and gatewaying, including conversion between T.30 fax and formats such as TIFF/email. In such a workflow, email-facing software or Internet transport can be part of delivering a fax, but a gateway or service is doing the bridging. The RFCs describe standards and design, not the current availability or capabilities of any particular provider. RFC 3192: Minimal FAX address format in Internet Mail RFC 2542: Terminology and Goals for Internet Fax
Quick Recap
Rank #4
- Innovative Cartridge-Free Printing ― High-capacity ink tanks mean no more tiny, expensive ink cartridges; Epson’s exclusive EcoFit ink bottles make filling easy and worry-free
- Impressive Print Quality ― Unique Micro Piezo Heat-Free Technology produces sharp text – plus impressive color photos and graphics – on virtually any paper type
- Zero Cartridge Waste – By using an EcoTank printer, you can help reduce the amount of cartridge waste ending up in landfills
- Built-in Scanner & Copier ― High-resolution flatbed scanner and a color display for easy document copying and navigation
Rank #3
- Convenient, easy-to-operate faxing
- Black-and-white copying with up to 400 x 400 dpi resolution
- 9,600 BPS fax modem transmits at about 15 seconds per page
- 512 KB memory stores up to 25 pages
- 50-Sheet paper capacity
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
