Updated December 2025
Summary
If you need to send a fax, walk-in services like FedEx, UPS, and Office Depot can handle it, but there are limitations: inconsistent pricing, limited hours, privacy concerns, and the hassle of resending when faxes fail. Online faxing streamlines the entire process by offering instant delivery, secure digital storage, lower costs, and the freedom to fax from anywhere.
What Stores Can I Fax From?
| Time to Read | ~8 minutes |
| What You’ll Learn |
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| Next Steps |
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Chances are, you’re here because you’ve found yourself needing to send a fax and then realizing that you don’t actually own a fax machine. Don’t worry, you’re in good company.
Most people only think about faxing when a doctor, lender, school, or government office insists on it. And when that moment hits, the question becomes, “Okay… so where can I actually fax something?”
The problem is, not every store that used to offer faxing still does, prices vary wildly, and some locations only send faxes, while others only receive them. And, of course, the last thing you want is to make a trip across town only to find out the fax machine has been removed or is “temporarily down”.
That’s why your friendly neighbourhood fax experts at FaxBurner have created this master guide just for you. Learn how the faxing experience varies at different stores and when sending a fax online can be a more efficient option.
Why Choose a Walk-in Fax Service?
There might be times when walking into a store to send a fax seems like the right option. Perhaps you’re dealing with medical forms that need to be sent today, or some government agency wants a faxed copy with a same-day timestamp.
In these situations, a physical location might feel like the fastest way to get it done. Most stores even give you a printed confirmation receipt, which can bring peace of mind when you’re handling sensitive information or something that may be time-critical.
Walk-in faxing isn’t perfect, however. You’ll typically pay per page, which adds up quickly, especially if you’re sending multi-page forms. Prices vary not only by company but also by location, so you likely won’t know the actual cost to send your fax until you get there (unless you call in advance, of course).
Luckily for you, we pulled together every major fax-friendly store, including FedEx, UPS, Office Depot, libraries, Walmart, drugstores, and more, so you know exactly where you can fax, for how much, and whether or not it’s worth the trip.
Note: prices are an estimation based on our research, but may vary by location, especially those that are franchised.
What Are the Best Faxing Services Near Me?
| Location | Typical Cost | Fax Availability | Notes / Pros & Cons |
|---|---|---|---|
| FedEx Office |
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Yes | ✅ Reliable, widespread
✅ Staff assistance ❌ Price varies by location ❌ Can get pricey for long faxes |
| UPS Store |
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Yes | ✅ Staff handles entire fax
✅ Can receive faxes ✅ Some stores may offer shredding services ❌ Costs vary by franchise ❌ Busy locations may have wait times |
| Office Depot / OfficeMax |
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Yes | ✅ Easy, self-service
✅ Clear pricing ❌ Slightly higher cost than libraries |
| Staples |
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Yes | ✅ Many locations
✅ Staff onsite to help ❌ Cost and availability vary by store |
| Public Libraries |
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Yes | ✅ Usually the cheapest option
❌ Limited hours ⭕ Some only fax local/toll-free numbers |
| Hotels / Business Centers / Co-working Spaces |
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Yes | ✅ Great for travellers
✅ Staff available for help ❌ Access sometimes limited to guests or members |
| Post Offices / Pack-and-Ship Stores |
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Sometimes | ✅ Convenient if already mailing something
❌ Many post offices do not offer faxing ❌ Must call ahead to confirm |
| Walmart | N/A | No, Walmart does not offer fax services | ❌ Zero faxing capability
⭕ Some stores have photo or print kiosks, but none offer faxing |
| Walgreens | N/A | No, Walgreens does not offer fax services | ❌ Zero faxing capability
⭕ Stores may offer printing, but not faxing |
The Hidden Costs of Faxing at Stores
Walk-in faxing seems simple enough until you actually have to do it. There are so many hidden costs that we often don’t factor in when heading out to the store to send a fax.
Your Time
When you visit a store to send a fax, you spend more time than you realize. This includes driving across town, finding parking, waiting in line, and hoping the person in front of you doesn’t have a 20-page insurance packet to send. And because these services follow store hours, not your schedule, you’re stuck working around someone else’s clock. It may not be the most efficient method after all. In fact, it usually isn’t.
Resending Problems
Store fax machines aren’t perfect. If the line is busy, the staff member working it is new, the number is mistyped, or the connection drops mid-transmission, some stores make you pay for every attempt. A single failed fax can double or even triple the cost, especially for multi-page documents.
Privacy
When you send a fax from a public machine, your documents pass through equipment that dozens of strangers (and staff members) use every day. There could be staff lingering nearby, other customers waiting in line behind you, or even forgotten confirmation sheets left out in the open. When it comes to sensitive documents like medical records, financial statements, or legal forms, that’s far from ideal.
The Modern Faxing Alternative: FaxBurner
If running to a store every time you need to fax something feels a little prehistoric, that’s because it is. FaxBurner gives you a modern, stress-free alternative that lets you send and receive faxes right from any Wi-Fi-connected device.
No clunky hardware, no landline, no guessing whether the store’s fax machine is actually working on any given day.
Here’s how it works: head over to the App Store to download our easy-to-use app, or visit the FaxBurner website. Then, just upload your document (or snap a quick photo and upload that), enter the recipient’s fax number, and hit send. That’s it. It’s seriously that easy. FaxBurner handles the transmission behind the scenes and sends you a digital confirmation once it’s delivered.
If you only fax occasionally, the free plan is your best bet, offering a temporary fax number and a lifetime total of 5 free faxes, plus 25 incoming faxes per month. If you fax more regularly than that, our plans start as low as $14.95 a month.
What makes FaxBurner truly stand out from stores that offer walk-in faxing is the convenience:
- No driving across town.
- No per-page surprises.
- No waiting in line.
Just fast, reliable faxing, you can do from the couch, the coffee shop, or anywhere else.
When You Should Use a Store, and When FaxBurner Wins
Use a Store When:
- You need a printed confirmation receipt on the spot.
- You’re already out running errands at that location.
- It’s a one-off, urgent scenario, and convenience wins out over cost.
Use FaxBurner When:
- You want a lower cost without extra fees.
- You need a convenient way to fax from anywhere, anytime.
- You want digital storage and confirmations that ensure privacy and online safety.
Best Hybrid Approach:
- Use a store for rare, true emergencies.
- Use FaxBurner for absolutely everything else: routine, last-minute, or ongoing faxing.
While faxing may feel prehistoric, it’s not extinct quite yet. By now, it should be clear that you can still send a fax, and you’ve got more options than you might have originally thought.
There are a ton of walk-in locations where you can easily send and receive faxes, but it’s important to remember that each comes with upfront and hidden costs: travel time, per-page fees, potential resends, and privacy concerns.
For most people, though, FaxBurner is the smarter, faster, and more flexible choice. No driving, no wait times, and, in some cases, no cost at all. With FaxBurner, you can fax all of your documents right from your smartphone, tablet, or computer. And we always send you digital confirmations for your peace of mind.
So next time you need to send a fax, skip the errand and save yourself the hassle. Try FaxBurner today, and experience just how simple modern faxing can be.
