Free Software to Merge PDF Files

May 8, 2025 11 min read

In today's digital age, managing documents efficiently is crucial. Merging PDF files is a common task that can greatly simplify document handling. Instead of dealing with a multitude of individual files, combining them into one cohesive document reduces clutter, makes sharing easier, and improves overall organization. While Adobe Acrobat is a well-known tool for this purpose, numerous free and convenient alternatives exist, including BreezePDF.

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Why Merge PDF Files?

Merging PDF files offers a multitude of benefits for both personal and professional use. Simplifying document management is a primary advantage. A single, consolidated document is easier to track, store, and retrieve compared to multiple separate files.

Improving efficiency in sharing and reviewing documents is another significant benefit. Sending one merged PDF is much simpler than sending several individual files, streamlining the communication process and ensuring that recipients have all the necessary information in a single place. This simplifies multi-invoice processing with consolidated PDF files, providing a clear and organized record.

In a business context, merging PDFs is particularly useful for creating consolidated reports. Combining various data sources and analyses into a single report makes it easier to present comprehensive information to stakeholders. This streamlined approach also benefits contract management by keeping all related documents in one place.

Free Online PDF Merging Tools

The digital landscape offers a plethora of online PDF merging tools, known for their convenience and accessibility. One of the biggest advantages of using online tools is that no downloads or installations are required, saving storage space and simplifying the process.

A. General Overview

Free online PDF merging tools provide an accessible way to combine multiple PDF documents into a single, unified file. The convenience of these tools lies in their browser-based functionality, eliminating the need for software installation and ensuring accessibility from any device with an internet connection. This simplicity streamlines the document management process, making it easier to organize and share important information efficiently.

B. Popular Free Online PDF Merging Tools

Many free tools offer PDF merging functionality. Each of these tools has different features and limits, including Adobe Acrobat Online, Smallpdf, I Love PDF, PDF24 Tools, PDFsam Basic, and Foxit PDF Merger.

Adobe Acrobat Online

Adobe Acrobat Online provides a streamlined method for merging PDF documents directly through a web browser. Users can easily upload their PDF files, reorder them as needed, and then merge them into a single document for convenient download. Security measures, such as TLS encryption and automatic file deletion after a set period, are often implemented to protect user data. However, it's essential to be aware of any limitations on the free version, such as usage caps or feature restrictions.

Smallpdf

Smallpdf offers a user-friendly drag-and-drop interface for merging PDF files, simplifying the process for users of all technical levels. The platform provides preview and organization features, allowing users to rearrange the order of their documents before merging. While Smallpdf offers a free version with limitations, a paid subscription unlocks additional benefits, such as unlimited usage and access to advanced tools, catering to more demanding document management needs.

I Love PDF

I Love PDF is a popular online tool that offers a comprehensive suite of PDF management features, including seamless integration with Google Drive and Dropbox for easy file access. Its drag-and-drop interface enables effortless rearrangement of PDF pages, ensuring a smooth merging process. Although the free version has certain limitations, upgrading to a Premium account unlocks advanced functionalities and removes restrictions, catering to users who require more extensive PDF handling capabilities.

PDF24 Tools

PDF24 Tools offer a simple drag-and-drop interface for merging PDF files. You can easily change the order of the files and utilize Page Mode for specific adjustments.

PDFsam Basic

PDFsam Basic is a desktop-based PDF merging solution compatible with Windows, Mac, and Linux operating systems. Offering the advantage of no file limits, it enables users to merge documents of any size without restrictions. However, it's important to note the limitations, such as the absence of cloud storage integration and file conversion features, which may require users to seek alternative tools for those specific functionalities.

Foxit PDF Merger

Foxit PDF Merger offers a quick and easy way to merge multiple PDFs. Files are deleted automatically to ensure safety and security.

C. Other Noteworthy Options

Numerous other tools are available for PDF Merging including Soda PDF, Apple Preview, PDF Converter, TinyWow, SimplePDF, PDF Arranger, PDF Shaper Free, and PDFTK Builder.

Free Desktop Software for PDF Merging

Desktop software offers distinct advantages over online tools, primarily the ability to work offline without an internet connection. While online tools are convenient, desktop software often provides a wider range of features and greater control over the merging process.

A. PDFsam Basic

As previously mentioned, PDFsam Basic is a desktop application available for Windows, Mac, and Linux. It offers a user-friendly interface and supports merging without file size restrictions. However, it lacks advanced features such as cloud storage integration and file conversion.

B. Apple Preview (Mac)

Apple Preview is a built-in application on macOS that offers a simple and convenient way to merge PDF files. Its ease of use and seamless integration with the operating system make it a popular choice for Mac users. While it has limitations in advanced editing capabilities, Preview offers basic functionalities for rotating, removing, and reordering pages, ensuring a streamlined merging process.

Merging PDFs using Apple Preview is straightforward. Simply open a PDF, drag the thumbnails of other PDFs into the sidebar, and save the combined document. Preview provides basic editing capabilities, including rotating, removing, and reordering pages.

C. PDF Merger & Splitter (Windows)

PDF Merger & Splitter is available in the Microsoft Store. It provides a set of simple features for PDF merging and splitting.

D. NAPS2 (Not Another PDF Scanner 2)

NAPS2 (Not Another PDF Scanner 2) provides a free user interface for PDF merging and editing. Its features include merging, deleting, and rearranging pages. Additionally, it supports OCR (Optical Character Recognition) and extracting images from PDFs.

How to Choose the Best Free PDF Merger

Selecting the best free PDF merger depends on individual needs and preferences. Several factors should be considered to make an informed decision, including online vs. desktop options, file size and number limits, security and privacy considerations, ease of use, additional features, and operating system compatibility.

A. Factors to Consider

When choosing a free PDF merger, consider whether an online or desktop solution better suits your needs. Online tools offer convenience and accessibility but require an internet connection. Desktop software provides offline access and potentially more features but requires installation. Be mindful of file size and the number of files limitations often imposed by free tools. Ensure the tool offers sufficient security and privacy measures, including encryption and transparent data retention policies.

Ease of use is crucial for an efficient workflow. Look for tools with an intuitive user interface, drag-and-drop functionality, and thumbnail previews. Evaluate the availability of additional features, such as page reordering, splitting, and conversion capabilities. Ensure that the tool is compatible with your operating system, whether it's Windows, Mac, Linux, or a mobile platform.

BreezePDF: A Secure and Convenient Solution

BreezePDF offers a secure and convenient alternative for merging PDF documents. Unlike other online tools, BreezePDF operates entirely within your browser, ensuring that your documents never leave your device, giving you 100% privacy.

BreezePDF offers a comprehensive suite of PDF editing tools, including input box insertion, text typing, signature adding, image insertion, password protection, PDF merging, and page deletion, all completely free. These features are designed to provide users with the flexibility to modify and manage their documents according to their requirements.

Using BreezePDF is simple and intuitive. Upload your PDF files, arrange them in the desired order, and merge them into a single document. The user-friendly interface ensures a smooth and efficient merging process.

Step-by-Step Guide: Merging PDFs with BreezePDF

Merging PDF files with BreezePDF is a straightforward process that can be completed in just a few simple steps. Start by uploading your PDF files to the BreezePDF interface. Once uploaded, you can arrange the files in the desired order by dragging and dropping them into the correct sequence.

After arranging the files, initiate the merging process with a single click. BreezePDF will then combine the selected PDF files into a single, cohesive document. Finally, download the merged PDF file to your device for easy access and sharing.

To optimize the merged PDF, consider compressing the file to reduce its size without sacrificing quality. BreezePDF offers compression options to help you create a smaller, more manageable file for easy distribution.

Common PDF Merging FAQs

  • What file formats are supported for merging? Most PDF merging tools support merging PDF files. Some tools may also support merging images or other document formats into a PDF.
  • Is it possible to merge PDF and JPG files together? Many PDF merging tools allow you to merge JPG files into a PDF document.
  • How can I reduce the size of a merged PDF? You can compress the merged PDF using a PDF compression tool to reduce its file size.
  • What’s the best way to combine PDF files offline? Desktop-based PDF merging software provides the best offline solution.
  • How can I merge PDF files on a Mac? You can use Apple Preview or a dedicated PDF merging tool for Mac.
  • Is it possible to combine PDF files directly in Google Drive? Some Google Drive extensions allow you to merge PDF files directly within Google Drive.
  • In what order will my merged PDF files appear? The merged PDF files will appear in the order you arrange them in the merging tool.
  • How many pages can I include in a merged PDF? The number of pages you can include in a merged PDF depends on the tool you are using. Some tools may have page limits.
  • Can I delete and reorder pages after I merge files? Some PDF editing tools allow you to delete and reorder pages after merging files.
  • Does merging PDFs reduce the quality of the original files? Merging PDFs does not typically reduce the quality of the original files.

Conclusion

Merging PDF files offers numerous benefits, including improved organization, easier sharing, and simplified document management. While various free tools are available, BreezePDF stands out as a secure, convenient, and user-friendly option. Its ability to operate directly within your browser ensures privacy and eliminates the need for downloads or installations. Embrace the convenience of BreezePDF and streamline your PDF merging needs today! You can also create fillable PDFs to make forms easy for your clients using this simple PDF editor. To learn more read https://breezepdf.com/blog/create-fillable-pdf-adobe. In addition, https://breezepdf.com/blog/fillable-word-document discusses how to create fillable documents in MS Word that you can later convert into PDF.