How to Combine PDF Files Without Adobe Acrobat [Windows & Mac]

If you manage multiple PDF files separately, you probably have difficulty switching between files. The alternative is to merge these files into one for easier file management. There are multiple PDF combiner tools to help you manage and merge multiple PDF files, such as Adobe Acrobat Reader.

Adobe is a widely used PDF software since it meets industry standards. However, if, for whatever reason, you want to combine PDF files without Adobe, there are multiple reliable options, like Coolmuster PDF Merger. Read on to discover how to combine PDF files without Adobe Acrobat.

Part 1: How to Combine PDF Files Without Adobe Acrobat [Windows]

Coolmuster PDF Merger is available as a Windows desktop app. While Adobe is a general file management software, Coolmuster PDF Merger is strictly dedicated to merging PDF files. As such, Coolmuster PDF Merger is the best comprehensive tool if you want to combine PDF files into one without Acrobat.

Coolmuster PDF Merger allows you to merge multiple PDF files into one effortlessly. It is compatible with Windows 11, 10, 8, and more.

Features of Coolmuster PDF Merger

• Combine multiple PDF files simultaneously.
• Preserve all PDF files' text, hyperlinks, images, and formats after merging.
• Independently operate and combine PDF files without Adobe Acrobat or any software.
• Arrange PDF files in the precise desired order.
• Preview and customize PDF files before merging.
• Rename your merged PDF file as you see fit.
• Merge your files safely and securely.

Coolmuster PDF Merger is the best tool for making file management easier and faster. How do I combine PDF files without Acrobat with this merger?

Follow this general guide to combine your PDFs without Adobe:

01Download, install, and run Coolmuster PDF Merger on your computer.

Free Download for PC

 

02Click Add Files or Add Folder, or drag and drop your documents to upload them on the merger.

03Select the PDF files you want to combine without Adobe Acrobat. Click the menu button under Output Folder to set the output file's destination folder on your computer. Use the inbuilt viewer to preview your PDF files before merging.

04Click Start to merge the PDF files. With its all-powerful enhanced engine, Coolmuster PDF Mergers allows you to combine PDF files without Acrobat fast and efficiently.

Part 2: How to Combine PDF Files Without Adobe Acrobat [Mac]

If you don't want to use freeware like Adobe to combine your files on Mac, you can sample some built-in tools, like Preview and Finder. With these built-in functions, you don't have to download any program to combine files.

How can I combine PDF files without Acrobat on my Mac? Find out how below.

Method 1: How to Merge 2 PDF Files Without Acrobat Using Preview

Preview is a Mac built-in file viewer. Unlike Adobe Acrobat, Preview doesn't require any account upgrades. It is a powerful option to help you combine PDF files without using Adobe Acrobat.

Here is how to use Preview to combine multiple PDF files without Acrobat:

Step 1: Create a copy of the main PDF to protect it in case of loss.

Step 2: Open the copied file with the Preview app on your Mac and drag other PDF files into the sidebar. Drop the PDF files anywhere you want in the PDF file, then move the added PDF files to the start, end, or between the existing file pages.

Step 3: Additionally, you can choose to drag one or more thumbnails to the ideal location.

Method 2: How to Merge 2 PDF Files Without Acrobat Using Finder

Finder is a MacOS file manager that can help you combine PDF files on your Mac without needing Adobe.

Here is how to merge PDF files on Mac without Acrobat:

Step 1: Switch to Gallery view from the Finder toolbar.

Step 2: Hold down the command key and select the files you want to combine.

Step 3: Select each PDF file in the order you want them to be in the merged PDF file. When selecting several PDFs, you will notice a pop-up Create PDF button in the inspector panel.

Step 4: Hit the Create PDF button to merge and create a new PDF document on your Mac storage with all PDF files merged.

Alternatively, you can select multiple PDFs in the Finder's List View. Then, two-finger-tap or Ctrl-click to open a context menu. Select Quick Actions, then click Create PDF to merge PDFs.

Part 3: How to Combine PDF Files Without Acrobat [Online Applications]

There are several online websites and apps you can leverage to combine PDF without Acrobat. This section highlights the main methods to help you combine PDF files without Adobe.

Tool 1: How to Combine PDF Without Adobe Using iLovePDF

iLovePDF is a popular online app for combining PDF files without Adobe Acrobat. The merger can also help you split and convert PDF files without using Adobe. iLovePDF is an efficient online app to combine multiple PDF files without Acrobat and without losing file quality.

Here is how to merge 2 PDF files without Acrobat:

Step 1: Go to iLovePDF online page and choose the Merge PDF tool. Click Select PDF Files to upload the files you want to merge.

Step 2: Drag and drop the files to rearrange them in a preferred order. Click Merge PDF to merge the files.

Step 3: Click Download merged PDF to save the combined file to your local storage.

Tool 2: How to Combine PDF Files Without Acrobat with Smallpdf

Smallpdf is another alternative app to help you combine PDF files without Adobe Acrobat. Like Adobe, Smallpdf strives to ensure safe and confidential file processing. It permanently deletes all uploaded files from its server within an hour after uploading and merging.

Smallpdf boasts a simple user interface, and it's easy to use.

Here is how to merge files into one PDF Without Acrobat:

Step 1: Go to Smallpdf online page and choose the Merge PDF tool. Drag and drop your files or click Choose Files to upload them for merging.

Step 2: Click MERGE PDF! to merge the files.

Step 3: Click Download to save the merged document.

Tool 3: How to Combine PDF Without Adobe Using Soda PDF

Soda PDF can help you combine multiple PDF files into a single document without using Adobe or hurting file quality. It is a web-based platform meaning it's available on any web browser and can work on any operating system.

However, while Soda PDF can combine PDF files without Acrobat, its free trial account limits the size of uploads and daily usage. It has a simple user interface and is effortlessly easy to navigate and use.

Here is how to merge PDF files without Acrobat using Soda PDF:

Step 1: Open Soda PDF online page and choose the Merge PDF tool. Click Choose Files or drag and drop your PDFs to merge.

Step 2: Click MERGE FILES to merge the files.

Step 3: Click Download File to save the merged PDF file.

Tool 4: How to Merge PDF Files Without Acrobat Using PDF2go

PDF2go is another popular online app and alternative to combine multiple PDF files without using Acrobat. Since it's also web-based, you don't have to fear the risk of downloading possible viruses or software when downloading desktop merger apps.

Here is how to combine PDF files without using Acrobat and losing quality on PDF2go:

Step 1: Go to PDF2go online page and choose the Merge PDF tool.

Step 2: Drag and drop your documents onto the merger. Alternatively, click Choose Files to add the files you want to combine. Rearrange your files in the preferred order.

Step 3: Click Save As to customize the destination folder and combine settings. Click the Save button to merge the files. Click Download to save the merged file to your local storage.

Tool 5: How to Merge PDF Files Without Acrobat Using PDF24

PDF24 is an alternative online app to combine PDF files without using Adobe. Besides merging PDF files, PDF24 can help you split, compress, sign, convert, secure, rotate, and create PDF files.

It is easy to use and combines files while preserving file quality. PDF24 is web-based and can work on any web browser and operating system. However, it is also available as a desktop app allowing you to combine multiple PDF files without Acrobat.

Here is how to combine PDF files online without Adobe Acrobat with PDF24:

Step 1: Go to PDF24 online via your browser and choose the Merge PDF tool.

Step 2: Hit the Choose files button to upload the files you want to combine.

Step 3: Drag and drop to rearrange the PDF files in your desired order. Click Merge to combine the PDFs. Click Download to save the merged PDF document.

Tool 6: How to Merge PDF Files Without Acrobat Using Combine PDF

Combine PDF is another popular online website to combine multiple PDF files without needing Adobe Acrobat. This app can combine up to 20 PDF files into a single file without using Acrobat and without hurting file quality. Since Combine PDF is web and cloud-based, you don't have to download or install any third-party software.

Here is how to combine PDF without Adobe:

Step 1: Navigate to the Combine PDF online merger page.

Step 2: Click the UPLOAD FILES icon to add the PDFs for merging. Drag and drop the files to rearrange them, then click COMBINE to merge them. The merged PDF file will start downloading automatically once the files have been merged.

The Bottom Line

Though praised for its convenience and reliability, Adobe Acrobat isn't the only way to combine PDF files. Freeware such as Coolmuster PDF Merger can combine multiple large PDF files without Acrobat.

Coolmuster PDF Merger is a more professional, comprehensive solution for merging PDF files fast, efficiently, and without losing quality. Download Coolmuster PDF Merger to combine PDF files without Adobe Acrobat.

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