How to Combine PDF Files for Free: The Ultimate Guide

Combining PDF files is something everyone needs to do at some point. This article provides you with a comprehensive guide on how to combine PDF files for free online, on Windows, on macOS, using Adobe Acrobat, and on your mobile devices. Follow these easy steps and merge your PDF files quickly and efficiently.

I. Introduction

Have you ever found yourself with multiple PDF files that need to be combined into a single document? Perhaps you have scanned documents and now need to compile them into a single file. Maybe you have multiple PDF files for a project and need to combine them into one. Whatever the reason may be, combining PDF files is something everyone needs to do at some point.

In this article, we will explore the different ways on how to combine PDF files for free. We will cover online tools, built-in functions on Windows and macOS devices, Adobe Acrobat, and mobile apps that are available on both iOS and Android devices.

II. Top 7 Online PDF Combiners to Merge PDF’s for Free

There are several online tools that allow you to merge PDF files for free and with ease. These online pdf combiners reduce the need for any installation on your devices, ensuring you can access their webpages from any device.

Here are our top pick of the 7 best online tools to merge PDF’s for free:

Ilovepdf

Pros: Can upload up to 10 files at once and the tool does not watermark the documents
Cons: Only 14 days of history retention in a free version, might encounter difficulty when uploading large files
Steps: Upload files, rearrange them in which order they should appear and then press ‘Merge PDFs’

Smallpdf

Pros: Fast merge function without a need for an account, they remove any uploaded files automatically after an hour
Cons: Only 2 files can be combined with the free version
Steps: Drag files and rearrange the order, then merge

CombinePdf

Pros: Fastest online tool, can handle large files of more than 300 MB for free
Cons: Merge only one file at a time
Steps: Upload the document and combine it with the “combine PDF” button

PDFsam Basic

Pros: Free desktop application for both Mac and Windows
Cons: Relatively more complex than other online tools and requires downloading a program onto your machine
Steps: Open the program and add multiple files, then click “Merge”

Pdfjoiner

Pros: Unlimited file sizes
Cons: Should not replace proper desktop software
Steps: Upload PDF documents, drag them, and rearrange them before clicking “Merge PDF files”

Alto Merge PDF

Pros: Can combine up to 2 files with a ratio of 25 Mb and compatible with all devices including iPads and iPhones
Cons: Users must provide an email address
Steps: Upload files, then press “Merge”

Sejda

Pros: Has advanced features for professional users, offers a variety of customization features including setting page ranges, adjusting orientation, etc
Cons: Limited usage for free version 3 files maximum
Steps: Upload files or add from cloud, rearrange, and click “Merge PDF”

III. How to Merge PDFs on Windows

Windows users can combine PDF files for free using the built-in functions. Here’s how:

Open File Explorer and navigate to where the PDF files are stored.
Select the PDF files you want to combine by holding down the “Control” key on your keyboard and clicking on each file.
Right-click on one of the selected PDF files and choose “Print” from the context menu.
Choose “Microsoft Print to PDF” as the printer, and click “Print”.
Enter a name for the new PDF file and choose a location to save it.
Click “Save”, and the PDF files will be merged into one file, sequentially in the order they were selected.

IV. macOS Users Guide to Merging PDFs

Apple devices have built-in functionalities to combine PDF files. Here is how:

Open the “Finder” app and navigate to where the PDF files are stored.
Select the PDF files you want to combine by holding down the “Command” key on your keyboard and clicking on each file.
Right-click on one of the selected PDF files and choose “Open With” from the context menu.
Select “Preview” from the available options.
Click on “View” in Preview and choose “Thumbnails” if necessary.
Use drag-and-drop to rearrange the pages or use “Edit” from the menu bar to delete or rotate the pages before saving.
Select “File” from the menu bar and choose “Export as PDF”.
Choose where you want to save the new PDF and give it a name.
Click “Save”, and your merged PDF file is now ready.

V. The Ultimate Guide to Using Adobe Acrobat

Adobe Acrobat is one of the most popular PDF editors, and it is well-suited to combine multiple PDF files. Here’s how:

Open Adobe Acrobat and click on “Tools” in the top menu.
Choose “Combine Files” from the available options under “Create PDF”.
Select the PDF files you want to merge and click “Add Files”.
Rearrange the files by dragging and dropping them or by using the “Move Up” and “Move Down” buttons.
Optional: Use Adobe Acrobat’s edit tools to add bookmarks or modify the individual documents as needed.
Click “Combine” to merge the PDF files.
Choose where you want to save the new PDF, and give it a name.
Click “Save”.
Your newly merged PDF file is now ready.

VI. Top 7 Mobile Apps for Merging PDFs

Mobile devices have become an essential part of our daily lives, and they are not left out of helping in combining PDF files. Here are our top 7 pick of great mobile apps that you can use to merge your PDF files:

Adobe Scan

Pros: Easy-to-use free mobile scanning app and enables the creation of a searchable PDF with text recognition
Cons: Limited to merging PDF files scanned through the app and runs ads
Steps: Take a photo of every page you want to turn into a pdf file, select them in the app library, click on the merge button

PDF Utility

Pros: Free PDF utility on the Google Play Store
Cons: Limited customization options and at times cluttered with ads
Steps: Select files to merge from the homepage of the app then click “Merge PDFs”

PDF Merge

Pros: Direct and straightforward app, simple to use
Cons: Available only on iOS devices
Steps: Click on the ‘+’ button to import files, then arrange them in the order you want, before clicking “Merge PDF.”

PDF Converter

Pros: Allows for compression, conversion, and merger of pdf files, compatible with Apple devices
Cons: Cost-free initially, but to access more features, you must upgrade
Steps: Select files to merge from the integrated document library or batch import, arrange them, then perform the main operation

PDF Converter Ultimate

Pros: Offers several functions beyond being a PDF combiner
Cons: Numerous ads, not free, and requires internet access to function
Steps: Add files to quick merge, then click on “generate” and customize the properties message as desired to create the merged file

Scanbot

Pros: This app also enables scanning along with being used for combining PDF files
Cons: Cost-free initially, but to access more features, you must upgrade
Steps: Select files, arrange in chronological order, optimize the output depending on personal preference, and merge files

PDF Utils

Pros: Available for free on the Google Play Store
Cons: Limited customization options and at times cluttered with ads
Steps: Select pdf files to merge, arrange the files as desired, and then click on the merge button

VII. Tips & Tricks for Merging PDFs

Combining PDFs can be an easy process, but it can become complicated and time-consuming if not adequately handled. Here are the best practices to make the process simple and efficient:

To save time, you should name the files to be merged in such a way for ease of use without having to search through every file to merge.
Ensure that the documents are arranged in chronological order. In this way, they will be merged sequentially, requiring less editing or rearranging efforts.
Remember to check your combined document to guarantee merged files are in the right order and all included files are visible and editable.
If in doubt, save before merging.

VIII. How to Merge PDFs for Free

The fastest way to merge PDF files for free would be choosing one of the many online tools to combine PDFs available on the web. Here’s how to do it quickly:

Choose the online tool to merge PDF files.
Upload files and rearrange if needed.
Click on the “Merge Files” button.
Wait for some seconds for the files to merge,
Download the combined PDF file to your device.

IX. Conclusion

Combining PDF files can be a quick and easy process when using the right tools and following best practices. This article has provided a comprehensive guide on how to merge PDF files for free. You can choose among the online tools to combine PDFs, use the in-built functionalities on Windows or macOS devices, Adobe Acrobat, or mobile apps that are available on both iOS and Android devices, depending on your preferences and needs. Follow these easy steps and merge your PDF files quickly and efficiently.

So, whether you’re a professional or a student, you can now combine multiple PDF files easily. Say goodbye to the tedious process of documenting multiple files and merging them one by one by choosing among these efficient tools. Even if you’re new to merging PDF files, this guide has provided you with step-by-step instructions.