5 Ways to Merge PDF Files Without Adobe Acrobat

Need to combine multiple PDFs into one document? You don't need an Adobe Acrobat subscription to do it. Here are five free, reliable ways to merge PDF files — no matter your device or operating system.

1. Use a Free Online PDF Merger

Web-based tools like Smallpdf, iLovePDF, and PDF2Go let you merge PDFs directly in your browser.

How it works:

• Upload your PDF files (drag and drop or browse)

• Arrange them in the order you want

• Click "Merge" and download the combined file

Best for: Quick, one-off merges when you don't want to install anything.

Watch out for: File size limits on free plans, and avoid uploading sensitive documents to unfamiliar sites.

2. Merge PDFs on Windows Using Print to PDF

Windows has a built-in trick using its native "Microsoft Print to PDF" feature.

How it works:

• Open each PDF and select Print

• Choose "Microsoft Print to PDF" as the printer

• Use a free tool like PDFsam Basic to combine the individual printed PDFs into one

Best for: Windows users who want a no-cost, no-install workaround (with one small tool).

3. Merge PDFs on Mac Using Preview

Mac users have it easy — Preview, the built-in image and PDF viewer, can merge PDFs natively.

How it works:

• Open the first PDF in Preview

• Show the thumbnail sidebar (View > Thumbnails)

• Drag additional PDF files or specific pages into the sidebar at the point you want them inserted

• Save the combined file

Best for: Mac users — this requires zero extra software.

4. Use PDFsam Basic (Free Desktop Software)

PDFsam Basic is a free, open-source desktop application built specifically for merging, splitting, and rotating PDFs.

How it works:

• Download and install PDFsam Basic (Windows, Mac, Linux)

• Select the "Merge" module

• Add your files, set the order, and click "Run"

Best for: People who merge PDFs regularly and want an offline, privacy-friendly tool.

5. Merge PDFs Using Google Drive and a Third-Party Add-On

If your files already live in Google Drive, you can merge them without downloading anything extra.

How it works:

• Install a PDF merge add-on from Google Workspace Marketplace (e.g., "PDF Mergy" or similar)

• Select your PDF files in Drive

• Run the add-on to combine them into a single file saved back to Drive

Best for: Teams already working in Google Drive who want merges to stay in the cloud.

Which Method Should You Choose?

Final Thoughts

Merging PDFs doesn't require an Adobe subscription. Whether you prefer a quick online tool, a built-in OS feature, or a dedicated desktop app, there's a free option that fits your workflow and keeps your documents organized without added cost.