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best pdf merge software cover best pdf merge software cover

Best PDF Merge Software

Adobe Acrobat is the best PDF merger tool for professionals and beginners alike.
I recommend it because it keeps every detail intact, including comments to formatting,
so you don’t lose any element. With its solid privacy tools and offline mode, it’s great
when working with important files.

Initially, I thought finding the best free PDF merger would be a no-brainer task. But I was wrong and quickly realized that not all PDF tools are equally efficient. As my work became more digital, I had to manage piles of documents, both for work and personal use.

Some programs I tried had annoying limitations. You could only merge a few PDFs at once. That’s distressing when you’re juggling big projects and need to combine 20+ files into one. Moreover, it is very irritating when something claims to be “free” and then slaps you with a paywall after you’ve already spent time setting it up.

Formatting turned out to be another pain point. Some PDF merge software combined my files, but at the cost of messy layouts and missing notes. This is a real issue when trying to impress a client with a clean, professional-looking document. I needed a program that could preserve everything just as I’d designed it.

Safety is paramount, especially if you’re working with sensitive documents. I wasn’t about to risk uploading confidential files to a random online tool. I was looking for a trustworthy PDF merger that offers offline features or strong encryption, and a clear privacy policy.

Top 9 Free PDF Mergers

Platform Accuracy Speed Advanced features Free plan/trial
Excellent
Fast
Merge, split, OCR, compress, convert, annotate
✔️
Good
Moderate
Merge, split, rotate, extract pages
✔️ (Basic version)
Good
Moderate
Merge, batch, watermark removal
Good
Fast
Merge, print to PDF, password protection
✔️
Good
Fast
Merge, split, compress, convert, offline for desktop
✔️
Excellent
Fast
Merge, edit, e-sign, convert, cloud sync
✔️ (Free online)
Good
Fast
Merge, compress, convert, split, watermark
✔️
Good
Fast
Merge, edit text/images, convert, annotate
✔️ (Limited version)
Good
Moderate
Merge, reorder, rotate, combine multiple formats
✔️ (Free desktop)

I spent some time testing 20+ PDF merge software and eventually figured out the key features I simply had to have - no ifs or buts.

  • Unrestricted merging capabilities. It is a must for convenient work.
  • Formatting integrity. The resulting file should be identical to the originals stitched together.
  • Privacy and security. My priorities are local processing or encryption.
  • Ease of use. I want a program with an understandable and well-organized UI.

I knew I'd be tweaking PDFs down the road, so I looked for purpose-made editing tools. Here are a few that turned out to be useful:

Using PDF Merge Software: Possible Problems

File size restrictions. Some free or online options let you import and merge small files. If your PDFs are large, these tools may not work. Moreover, they may screw up when merging such documents because of memory constraints.

Security and privacy concerns. If the service doesn’t use end-to-end encryption, your files could be at risk. This is especially important when working with sensitive documents. Always double-check how your data is handled before hitting “upload.”

Formatting issues. After combining PDFs, you may notice that the layout is off, fonts don’t match, or images don’t show up the way they should.

Compatibility issues. Sometimes, merging PDFs isn’t as smooth as we’d like. Some PDF editor apps don’t support every version or special type of PDF like PDF/A. It is very frustrating to figure this out in the middle of file processing.

Software installation and system requirements. Some desktop PDF combine software lets you perform the task only after installation. But, they may not be compatible with your operating system, or they may run slowly because your device doesn’t have enough power.

Lack of a batch processing mode. Many free PDF editors don’t let you merge multiple files at once, so you end up doing the same task over and over.

Watermarks or branding. Some free PDF combine software sneaks in a watermark or its own branding after merging your files. That logo may not seem like a big deal, but it can make your document look less professional.

Internet dependency. If your internet connection signal is weak or cuts out, you can be stuck watching the loading bar spin, or your upload may fail altogether.

No advanced customization. Some tools disappoint users when it comes to customizing their files. It is simply impossible to change page order, add bookmarks, or shrink the file size.

1. Adobe Acrobat

(5/5) Our choice
adobe acrobat pdf merge software
Pros
  • Top-quality output
  • Adobe software integration
  • Advanced security options
  • High versatility
Cons
  • Takes time to master
  • Resource-intensive

Adobe Acrobat is definitely my top pick for merging PDF files. Besides combining documents, it offers other handy features for managing PDFs. As soon as I launched it, I found the Combine Files option. I just dragged in my files, and they were ready for merging.

I could quickly change the order of the pages, delete any I didn't need, and even rotate them if they were upside down. All processes are very fast. The preview option was a nice surprise for me.

I also liked that this free PDR merge tool integrates with cloud services. I merged PDFs right out of Google Drive and OneDrive, and it worked without issues. It’s great for teamwork when you have several people contributing to a project.

The developer has recently updated this free Adobe software. They introduced a new AI Assistant to help you work faster, whether you're asking questions about your document, pulling out key points, or navigating content.

Here's what's been added since it launched:

  • Better support for non-English languages - German, French, Italian, Spanish, Portuguese (LTAM and EMEA versions).
  • Possibility to handle up to 200 pages.
  • Tables - to turn complex data tables into easy-to-grasp insights and accurate calculations.
  • Faster and more detailed overviews.

“Now, it is so easy to summarize reports and decode tables with this AI tool!”


tati taylor fixthephoto expert
Tati Taylor
Reviews Writer

2. PDFsam

(4.5/5) For using online
pdfsam pdf merge software
Pros
  • Free and open source
  • Fail-safe merging
  • Minimalistic design
  • Splitting by size or bookmarks
Cons
  • Few advanced features
  • Not optimized for mobile use

I wanted to check out how good PDFSam was at combining PDFs, so I got a few different ones ready. There was a 20-page work document, a PDF of a scanned invoice, and a contract file.

After choosing them in the program, I used the provided tools to put them in a different order. The process boiled down to dragging and dropping them. When it came time to actually merge them, it was lightning fast. Even the larger files were combined in just a few seconds.

I received a high-quality PDF with proper formatting and file integrity. In PDFSam, I also used the tools for splitting a big PDF into individual pages. The process was quick and intuitive.

There were also tools for dividing files by size and bookmarks. I didn’t see that in other software to combine PDF files. This is very helpful if you need to split long reports that are too big to email at once.

3. BitRecover

(4.5/5) Merging of encrypted files
bitrecover pdf merge software
Pros
  • Understandable UI
  • Can process encrypted files
  • Keeps metadata
  • Offline mode
Cons
  • Not completely free
  • Restricted advanced features

Someone on a forum recommended this merge PDF software, so I decided to test it. Previously, I knew BitRecover as a program for metadata protection, so I wondered whether it was equally efficient for combining PDFs. I was impressed that it didn't lose any of the original file details, like the dates they were made and the authors.

Next, I wanted to see how BitRecover dealt with encrypted PDFs. I had a couple that needed passwords, and this PDF editor for Mac and Windows handled them perfectly. It just asked me for the passwords while it was merging them, but I didn’t need to remove protection in advance.

4. PDFCreator

(4/5) Easily integrates with virtual printers
pdfcreator pdf merge software
Pros
  • Versatile
  • Adjustable workflows
  • Advanced security
  • Free version
Cons
  • UI required updating
  • May confuse inexperienced users

There are many positive comments about PDFCreator, and I was curious about whether it lived up to the hype. The highlight of the software is its ability to integrate with a virtual printer. Instead of actually printing on paper, you can “print” straight to PDFCreator. Thus, you can make new PDFs from different sources and then stick them together with other PDFs you already have.

For example, I put a bunch of reports from Word and Excel together without needing to turn them into PDFs first. It is a wonderful time-saving option.

Also, PDFCreator lets you automate other tasks. I set up a process where it would automatically join files, name the new file in a certain way, and then save it to a designated folder. This way, users can easily expedite their repetitive assignments. Generally, PDFCreator offers a rich toolset for various needs and can even serve as a file converter software.

5. PDF24 Creator

(4/5) Offers powerful post-merge options
pdf24 creator pdf merge software
Pros
  • Feature-packed
  • Thumbnails for page organization
  • Offline merging
  • User-friendly interface
Cons
  • Inconsistent handling of large files
  • No OCR

To see whether PDF24 Creator deserved the title of the best free PDF combiner, I decided to give it a challenging task. I merged a PDF with 100 pages that were all shaped and sized differently, and had images inside. Even though that was a lot to handle, the program did it without problems. Most of all, I liked that it showed thumbnails of each page.

Other arguments in favor of PDF24 Creator are that it includes a built-in editor and a free image converter. Other tools often just let you merge files without any changes, but with this one, I could rotate, delete, or pull pages out right there before merging.

6. Soda PDF

(4/5) Allows merging online and offline
soda pdf merge software
Pros
  • Quick and solid
  • Cloud integration
  • Embedded OCR
  • Tools for teamwork
Cons
  • Premium features are paid
  • Advanced tools take time to grasp

You can use Soda PDF either online or by installing it on your computer. I spent time evaluating both options. Setting up the computer version was quick. To access an online version, I just needed to jump into my browser. My new PDF was ready in the blink of an eye. The formatting, pictures, and notes were in place.

This software to merge PDF files offers extra goodies. For example, you can use it as PDF splitter software and to shrink file size and change formats. I like that all instruments are organized on a straightforward control panel.

7. iLovePDF

(4/5) Cloud storage integration
ilovepdf pdf merge software
Pros
  • Integrates Google Drive & Dropbox
  • Merges up to 25 docs for free
  • An in-built converter
  • Drag and drop to rearrange
Cons
  • Ads in the free version
  • Pricey to merge more than 25 files

To combine documents with this software, I needed only to upload them to the website using the drag-and-drop UI. When everything is uploaded, you can rotate pages or change their order. The platform shows the thumbnails of each page for better convenience.

Also, it is possible to integrate the docs with my Google Drive or Dropbox accounts. This is very convenient, considering that I often have business trips and need to have access to my documents regardless of my current location.

Once the merging is completed, the results are downloaded automatically. If it doesn’t happen, press “Download merged PDF.” You may also share a link to your document or upload it directly to the cloud storage. The developers have added features you typically find in specialized PDF encryption software to this program. So, you may not worry about data security.

8. PDFChef

(3.5/5) Combines files in seconds
pdfchef pdf merge software
Pros
  • Online and desktop versions
  • Useful editing features
  • Protects data from hackers
  • Straightforward interface
Cons
  • Restricted advanced options
  • May seem complex for beginners

You can use PDFChef online or download it to your Mac and Windows device. It takes just a few clicks to merge files. All you need to do is upload them, choose the page order, or delete unnecessary documents, and wait a few seconds. This is one of the quickest free PDF merge software I have tested.

Besides merging, I can split PDFs, rearrange or delete sheets, etc. I can even use PDFChef as a fillable PDF creator, though I have to put up with limited functionality.

Also, the desktop and online versions of this PDF merge software have a built-in converter and a new signature feature for protecting data. What’s more, it is ad-free, and you don’t need to register or verify your email to access it.

9. PDF Mixer

(3.5/5) Combines PDF pages in several files
pdf mixer pdf merge software
Pros
  • Intuitive interface
  • Word, Excel & PPT files into PDF
  • Merging and arranging PDF pages
  • Top-notch privacy features
Cons
  • Windows-compatible only
  • Free functionality is limited

PDF Mixer is a great instrument for combining PDF pages of several files, adding new pages to existing files, and saving the resulting document. Moreover, I can use it to rearrange, copy, rotate, delete, switch, and merge PDF pages in several files with ease.

To my mind, the bragging point of the tool is that you can preview selected pages and know exactly how they are arranged within a file. Besides, it is possible to complement PDF files with Office elements, including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint content. I frequently use this feature when I need to prepare presentations for my clients.

How We Tested PDF Merge Software

It was very interesting to work with the FixThePhoto team to find the best PDF merge software. Before getting down to the technical part, we gathered different documents you may run into during a busy workday, including contracts, scanned pages, eBooks, spreadsheets, and files with various media content.

Tati Tailor was the one in charge of the process, leading us. We made sure our file mix covered different formats and sizes. Tani Adams was responsible for the technical side. She tested cloud integration, batch processing, and file editing tools. Kate Debela focused on the user experience. She made sure every interface was understandable for both novices and experienced users.

When we tested, each of the team members had their own angle. Tati kept a close eye on whether the merged PDFs still looked sharp and well-formatted. Tani tested programs with large files and considered OCR and document splitting. Meanwhile, Kate stepped into the shoes of a new user, checking how intuitive the layout was and whether beginners could merge PDFs without a manual.

We kept tabs on every detail during testing. Tati reported that not all combine PDF software preserved fonts after merging, especially when embedded fonts were involved. On her end, Kate often flagged tools with clunky interfaces where useful features were hard to find. We all did our best to find feature-rich free programs that were easy to use.

Eva Williams

Writer & Gear Reviewer

Eva Williams is a talented family photographer and software expert who is in charge of mobile software and apps testing and overviewing in the FixThePhoto team. Eva earned her Bachelor’s degree in Visual Arts from NYU and work 5+ years assisting some of the city’s popular wedding photographers. She doesn't trust Google search results and always tests everything herself, especially, much-hyped programs and apps.

Read Eva's full bio

Kate Debela

Hardware & Software Testing Specialist

Kate is a travel blogger with rich experience who specializes in videography. She’s spent many years trying out apps, software, and photography gear. She focuses on gear with an excellent price-performance ratio, enabling photographers to save costs while taking advantage of the advanced functionality. She has a love-hate relationship with Apple, preferring customizable and accessible Android devices and Windows PCs over Apple's ecosystem, despite regularly testing their products.

Read Kate's full bio

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