How to Merge PDF Files Without Acrobat

You do not need an expensive Adobe subscription to merge files. Here are the best alternatives.

Adobe logo crossed out with alternatives shown

How to Merge PDF Files Without Acrobat

Adobe Acrobat Pro is the industry standard, but it comes with a hefty monthly price tag. If you only need to merge files occasionally, paying for a subscription feels like overkill. Fortunately, you have options.

Option 1: Built-in OS Tools

  • Windows: Windows 10/11 doesn’t have a native “merge” button like Mac, but you can use the “Print to PDF” trick if you open files in a browser, though it’s clunky.
  • Mac: As discussed in other articles, Preview and Finder handle this natively.

Option 2: Open Source Software

  • PDFsam Basic: A free, open-source desktop app that does one thing very well: split and merge. It’s not pretty, but it’s powerful and private (files never leave your computer).

Option 3: Online Tools

Web-based mergers are the most popular alternative. They work on any device (Windows, Mac, Linux, Chromebook).

  • Pros: No installation required.
  • Cons: Requires internet; privacy concerns for sensitive docs.

Option 4: Google Drive

There are many add-ons for Google Drive (like PDF Mergy) that allow you to select files in your Drive and combine them without downloading anything.

Conclusion

You definitely don’t need Acrobat just to combine a few pages. Save your budget for tools that offer unique value.

Looking for a developer-friendly alternative? Discover how MergeCanvas offers a powerful API to replace expensive desktop software. Start your free trial today.