Recommended Free Tools
To merge PDFs without uploading them, install a desktop application that performs the merge on your own computer. Two free options fit that requirement. PDFsam Basic runs on Windows, macOS, and Linux. PDF24 Creator is a Windows-only program. Both vendors say the files stay on the machine, so you can combine documents without sending them to a website.
Which tools merge PDFs locally
PDFsam Basic (Windows, macOS, Linux)
PDFsam Basic is a free, open-source desktop application. Its official Basic page states: “Everything runs locally so your files are never uploaded and no internet connection is needed.” Its merge options also cover bookmarks, AcroForm form fields, and creating a table of contents.
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PDF24 Creator (Windows only)
PDF24 Creator is an offline desktop program. Its official Creator page says: “All files remain on your PC.” The download page lists support for Windows 10 and Windows 11 and showed version 11.31.0 when checked in October 2026. PDF24 states that Creator is not currently supported on macOS or Linux. It also includes broader PDF utilities and a PDF printer, which matters if you need more than merging.
The Tool Desk
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- Download PDFsam Basic from its official website and install it.
- Open the Merge tool.
- Drag in the PDFs you want to combine.
- Arrange the files in the order you want them to appear in the output.
- If you need only some pages from a file, enter page ranges for that input. PDFsam accepts comma-separated intervals such as
1-10, 14, 25-, which selects pages 1 to 10, page 14, and every page from 25 to the end. - If the PDFs contain bookmarks or form fields, open the bookmark and AcroForm options before running the merge and choose how they should be handled. These features can need a deliberate setting.
- Choose the output file name and run the merge.
- Open the result and check it using the list further down this article.
Merge PDFs in PDF24 Creator
- Download PDF24 Creator from the official PDF24 website and install it on a Windows 10 or Windows 11 PC.
- Launch Creator.
- Drag the PDFs into the application.
- Arrange or insert pages as needed so the output follows your intended reading order.
- Save the merged document.
PDF24’s help material does not give detailed menu labels for this basic workflow, so confirm the button names in the version you install.
#1 Best Overall
- Scanner type: Document
- Connectivity technology: USB
- With Auto Scan Mode, the scanner automatically detects what you're scanning
- Digitize documents and images
Merge scanned front and back pages
If you scanned the front and back of a document as two separate files, PDF24’s help center describes a zipper merge that interleaves them into one document.
- Load the front-side document and the back-side document into PDF24 Creator.
- If the back-side scan was loaded in reverse order, reverse its page order.
- Use the zipper merge control to interleave the front and back pages.
- Save the output and check that each sheet appears in the correct sequence.
Use this method only for separately scanned front and back sets. An ordinary sequential document should use a normal merge.
Rank #2
- PORTABLE SCANNER FOR USE ON-THE-GO — The fastest and lightest mobile single-sheet-fed compact document scanner in its class¹
- QUICK DOCUMENT SCANNING ― This Epson ultra-fast scanner scans a single page as quickly as 5.5 seconds²; Windows and Mac compatible
- VERSATILE PAPER HANDLING ― Portable scanner scans documents up to 8.5 x 72 in; Also easily digitizes receipts and ID cards to make accounting, bookkeeping, and organizing simpler
- INTUITIVE, HIGH-SPEED SOFTWARE — Epson ScanSmart Software³ is a smart tool allowing you to easily scan, review, and save; Stay organized easily with the help of this Epson scanner
- EASY SETUP — USB-powered connect to your computer for quick and simple scanning; No batteries or external power supply required to operate portable document scanner; Standard Connectivity: USB 2.0
Which option fits your situation
| Need | PDFsam Basic | PDF24 Creator |
|---|---|---|
| Operating systems | Windows, macOS, and Linux | Windows 10 and Windows 11 only; not macOS or Linux |
| Processing location | Local, according to PDFsam’s official Basic page | Local, according to PDF24’s official Creator page |
| Page ranges within each input file | Yes, using comma-separated intervals | Not stated on PDF24’s official pages; use insert and reorder controls instead |
| Bookmark and form field handling | Yes, configurable in the merge options | Not stated on PDF24’s official pages |
| Front and back scan interleaving | Not stated on PDFsam’s official pages | Yes, through the zipper merge control |
| Additional PDF utilities | Not stated | Broader PDF utilities and a PDF printer |
| Price | Free and open-source | Free |
What “no upload” does and does not promise
Desktop merging means the PDFs are read and written on your own computer. These are the vendors’ own descriptions. This article has not inspected network traffic or tested either application’s behavior independently, so if your workplace requires verified data handling, confirm it with your IT or compliance team.
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Quick Recap
Best Value
- FITS SMALL SPACES AND STAYS OUT OF THE WAY. Innovative space-saving design to free up desk space, even when it's being used
- SCAN DOCUMENTS, PHOTOS, CARDS, AND MORE. Handles most document types, including thick items and plastic cards. Exclusive QUICK MENU lets you quickly scan-drag-drop to your favorite computer apps
- GREAT IMAGES EVERY TIME, NO EXPERIENCE REQUIRED. A single touch starts fast, up to 30ppm duplex scanning with automatic de-skew, color optimization, and blank page removal for outstanding results without driver setup
- SCAN WHERE YOU WANT, WHEN YOU WANT. Connect with USB or Wi-Fi. Send to Mac, PC, mobile devices, and cloud services. Scan to Chromebook using the mobile app. Can be used without a computer
- PHOTO AND DOCUMENT ORGANIZATION MADE EFFORTLESS. ScanSnap Home all-in-one software brings together all your favorite functions. Easily manage, edit, and use scanned data from documents, receipts, business cards, photos, and more
Rank #4
- FAST DOCUMENT SCANNING — Document scanner with feeder allows you to speed through stacks with a 50-sheet Auto Document Feeder (ADF); Efficient office scanner to help you scan more productively
- INTUITIVE, HIGH-SPEED SOFTWARE — Quickly scan with this desktop document scanner; Epson ScanSmart Software lets you easily preview scans, email files, upload to the cloud, and more; Plus, automatic file naming saves even more time
- SEAMLESS INTEGRATION — Easily incorporate your data into most document management software with the included TWAIN driver; Office document scanner integrates seamlessly with business workflows
- EASY SHARING — Duplex scanner allows you to scan straight to email or popular cloud storage2 services like Dropbox, Evernote, Google Drive, and OneDrive for simple storage and sharing
- SIMPLE FILE MANAGEMENT — Scanner allows the creation of searchable PDFs with Optical Character Recognition (OCR) and convert scans to editable Word or Excel files effortlessly; Designed for home and office document scanning
Rank #3
- FAST SPEEDS - Scans color and black and white documents a blazing speed up to 16ppm (1). Color scanning won’t slow you down as the color scan speed is the same as the black and white scan speed.
- ULTRA COMPACT – At less than 1 foot in length and only about 1. 5lbs in weight you can fit this device virtually anywhere (a bag, a purse, even a pocket).
- READY WHENEVER YOU ARE – The DS-640 mobile scanner is powered via an included micro USB 3. 0 cable allowing you to use it even where there is no outlet available. Plug it into you PC or laptop and you are ready to scan.
- WORKS YOUR WAY – Use the Brother free iPrint&Scan desktop app for scanning to multiple “Scan-to” destinations like PC, Network, cloud services, Email and OCR. (2) Supports Windows, Mac and Linux and TWAIN/WIA for PC/ICA for Mac/SANE drivers. (3)
- OPTIMIZE IMAGES AND TEXT – Automatic color detection/adjustment, image rotation (PC only), bleed through prevention/background removal, text enhancement, color drop to enhance scans. Software suite includes document management and OCR software. (4)
Checks before you share the merged file
- Page order: confirm the first and last pages and each section break.
- Page selection: confirm that any page ranges produced the pages you wanted and nothing extra.
- Bookmarks and table of contents: confirm they point to the correct pages if the original files had them.
- Form fields and signatures: test on a copy, because interactive fields may not behave as they did in the original.
- Content: a merge combines pages; it does not redact sensitive information. Search the output for anything you meant to remove.
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