Product Overview

MetroFax is an email only faxing solution based in Bellevue, Washington. The company has been running since 1997. Their service comprises of a single package: There is no software to install, no portal passwords to remember and no learning curve. Local and toll-free numbers are offered in the US and Canada only.

Sign up, get your number and start using the service.

Feature Set

Security Features
The online dashboard requires a username and password and is secured via SSL.

Sending Faxes
Faxes can be sent from any email client or from the online dashboard. If sending from an email client then the body of the email forms the cover sheet of the fax and attached documents are converted into fax pages. The service will automatically try to resend a fax every 10 minutes for 5 attempts, if the fax still cannot be sent, an error notification is sent to your email. Fax notifications are sent to the configured email address.

Attachment file types

Plugin
MetroFax provide 2 downloadable plugins, one for Outlook (2000, 2003, 2007) which installs a fax buttton in Outlook. The second download is the MetroFax Printer. As the title suggests this installs as a windows printer and allows faxing from any application that has faxing capabilities. Both plugins are for Microsoft Windows versions 2000, XP, Vista and Windows Se7en.

Recieving Faxes
Faxes are received in your email inbox as either TIFF or PDF attachments.

Fax Storage
Faxes are available online for 30 days. However, all inbound faxes are sent to the configured email address so they should be in your inbox when you next check your email.

Pricing

MetroFax offers a single package as shown below:

Plan	<plan name>
Online fax storage	30 days
Initial Setup cost	$9.95
Included pages / month	1000 shared
Cost to send faxes	plan + overage
Overage Cost: Recieving	$0.03 / page
Overage Cost: Sending	$0.03 / page
Customer service	free
Emails that can receive faxes	1
Free centralised fax management software
Free Desktop Fax Software
Cost	$12.95 / mth

Hidden Cost:

• Toll-free numbers cost an additional $2 per month per line.
• Additional email addresses cost $2 per month

MetroFax do not offer a free trial but they do offer a free second month.

Good Feature: No long distance charges to numbers in the US and Canada.

Metro Hi Speed also offers corporate faxing solutions at their corporate faxing site.

Ease of Use

The MetroFax service is extremely easy to use. Simply open an email, enter the various recipient fax numbers, fill in the body of the fax to form the cover sheet and attach the files you want to fax. Job done. The online dashboard is also very easy to use and should not present any problems. The outlook plugin is useful as is the printer plugin.

Screenshots

Customer Support

MetroFax provide an email address and phone number for direct support. These are available Monday to Friday from 5am to 6pm Pacific Time. There is an online demo and some limited FAQs/tips.

Countries Available In

	USA		UK		Europe		Asia
	Canada		Australasia		Africa		Other

Fax Number Availability
Fax numbers are available in The US and Canada only. MetroFax currently support around 200 area codes as well as toll-free numbers.

Summary

MetroFax offers great value for money. You get 1000 free faxes for $12.95 per month and the overage of $0.03 per page is one of the lowest we have reviewed. If you are looking for bells and whistles, then this is not the service for you, if however, you are looking for a simple way of sending and receiving emails then MetroFax is a definate contender. There list of attachment type is impressive and since the cover sheet is the body of the email message, you can customise it as you wish.