Merging PDF files is a common task for students, professionals, and anyone who works with digital documents. While Adobe Acrobat is a powerful tool, its cost can be prohibitive for many users. Fortunately, there are several free and easy alternatives to merge PDF files on Windows without needing a paid Adobe subscription.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through various methods—both offline and online—so you can combine your PDFs efficiently, securely, and at no cost.

Merge PDF Files
Merge your PDFs easily without Adobe Acrobat. | Document Stock photos by Vecteezy

Why Merge PDFs Without Adobe Acrobat?

Adobe Acrobat is feature-rich, but not everyone wants to pay $14.99/month just to merge a few files. Whether you’re a student submitting multiple pages as a single file or a small business combining invoices, free solutions exist that can get the job done just as well.

Reasons to avoid Adobe Acrobat:

  • High subscription costs

  • Overwhelming for basic tasks

  • Requires installation and login

  • Frequent updates and heavy system resource usage

Method 1: Use PDFsam Basic (Free Desktop Software)

PDFsam Basic is a free and open-source desktop application that allows users to merge, split, rotate, and rearrange PDF files. It’s completely free to use, doesn’t include watermarks, and works offline—making it ideal for privacy-conscious users.

How to Merge PDFs with PDFsam:

  1. Download and install PDFsam Basic from the official site.

  2. Open the software and click “Merge” on the dashboard.

  3. Drag and drop your PDF files into the workspace.

  4. Use the up/down arrows to arrange them in the desired order.

  5. Click “Run” to generate the merged PDF file.

  6. Save your new file to your preferred location.

Pros:

  • Fully offline

  • No watermarks

  • Great for batch processing

  • Available for Windows, Mac, and Linux

Cons:

  • Basic user interface

  • Lacks advanced editing features

Method 2: Merge PDFs Online with PDFCandy

PDFCandy is an excellent browser-based tool that lets you merge PDF files without creating an account. It’s fast, user-friendly, and doesn’t add watermarks to your final file. You can upload files from your device, Google Drive, or Dropbox.

Steps to Merge Using PDFCandy:

  1. Visit PDFCandy Merge Tool.

  2. Click “Add Files” to upload your PDFs.

  3. Rearrange them by dragging thumbnails.

  4. Click “Merge Files” and wait for processing.

  5. Download the merged PDF or save it to the cloud.

Pros:

  • Free and simple to use

  • Works on any device

  • Supports cloud storage

Cons:

  • Internet connection required

  • Limited file size for free version

Method 3: Use Microsoft Print to PDF (Manual Merge)

If you prefer not to install third-party software or use online tools, Windows 10 and later versions come with a built-in Microsoft Print to PDF feature. This is more of a workaround, but it can help you combine documents in some situations.

Here’s how:

  1. Open all the PDFs you want to combine (e.g., in a browser or PDF viewer).

  2. Open the first document and press Ctrl + P.

  3. Select “Microsoft Print to PDF” as your printer.

  4. Click “Print”, and in the dialog box, choose where to save the output.

  5. Repeat for the next document, appending to the existing PDF manually or with tools like PDF Merge & Split Tool.

Note: This method works best for short documents and is not ideal for batch processing.

Method 4: Merge with Smallpdf Online

Smallpdf is another popular online tool for combining PDF documents. With a clean interface and drag-and-drop functionality, it’s beginner-friendly and efficient.

How to Use Smallpdf:

  1. Go to Smallpdf Merge PDF.

  2. Upload your files by dragging them into the upload area.

  3. Rearrange as needed.

  4. Click “Merge PDF”, then download the finished file.

Pros:

  • Free with no installation required

  • Clean interface

  • Compatible with all browsers

Cons:

  • Daily limit on file merges without a premium plan

  • Uploading sensitive data to the cloud may raise privacy concerns

Method 5: Merge with Google Drive + Lumin PDF (Browser-Based)

For users who use Google Drive regularly, Lumin PDF offers a Chrome extension that integrates PDF editing directly into your Drive. It’s convenient if you already store your files in the cloud.

Steps:

  1. Add the Lumin PDF extension from the Chrome Web Store.

  2. Open Google Drive, right-click a PDF file, and select “Open with > Lumin PDF”.

  3. Add additional files using the Lumin editor.

  4. Combine and save/export the document back to Drive or download it.

Pros:

  • Seamless Google Drive integration

  • Easy to share and store documents

  • Accessible from any browser

Cons:

  • Requires internet access and Chrome

  • Limited functionality on the free version

Final Thoughts

Merging PDF files on Windows doesn’t have to cost you a dime or require complex software. With tools like PDFsam, PDFCandy, Smallpdf, and built-in features like Microsoft Print to PDF, you can easily combine your documents in just a few minutes. Whether you prefer online convenience or offline privacy, there’s a solution that suits your needs.

Remember to consider:

  • Security (avoid uploading sensitive documents to the cloud)

  • File size (online tools often have limits)

  • Batch capabilities (some tools are better for merging multiple files at once)

By leveraging these free alternatives, you can streamline your digital workflow without relying on expensive subscriptions like Adobe Acrobat.

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