Merge confidential documents
A practical checklist for handling sensitive files when you merge them.
Drag & drop PDF files here
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Free: up to 5 files, 20MB total
Your merged PDF is ready.
Download merged.pdfThe files do not upload
This tool merges PDFs in your browser tab. The files are not sent to a server; they stay on your device while you work. You can verify this yourself: open the browser's developer tools (usually F12), go to the Network tab, and watch while you merge. No request carries the contents of your PDFs. The page itself still makes small requests of its own, for example to load its scripts and check Pro status; none of them carries your files. If you were online when you first loaded this page but then switched your network off, the merge still works in the offline tab. More detail at merge PDF without uploading.
But copies still exist on your device
Not uploading does not mean copies disappear. When you merge, you create merged.pdf and download it to your downloads folder. While the tab is open, the browser holds your files and the merged result in memory. If you use a shared or work computer, anyone with access to that computer can open the downloads folder and see the file. Some browser extensions have permission to read the pages you open, so review what you have installed.
A checklist for sensitive files
- Use a device you control. Merge on a personal computer or phone, not a shared work machine or a borrowed device.
- Check the browser's Network tab (press F12 to open developer tools) while merging to confirm no data goes to a server.
- Delete the merged file when you are done. Delete it from your downloads folder, then empty the recycle bin or trash if you want it gone from there too.
- Close the browser tab after you download, which releases the files from the browser's memory.
- Review your extensions. Remove any you do not recognise or no longer need before you open sensitive files.
What this tool cannot do
It does not encrypt the merged file, add a password, or redact sensitive information like names or account numbers. It does not delete any copies for you or prevent browser extensions from reading the pages. It does not track when you delete files or clean up your downloads. If you need a password on the merged file, you will have to add it with a different tool.
Where this checklist stops
This page covers only the merging step, on your device. If the merged file is emailed or stored on a server afterwards, those copies sit outside what this page can control.
More about merging PDFs
- Combine PDF files online
- Merge PDFs without Acrobat
- Change the order before merging
- Merge large PDF files
- Password-protected PDFs
- Merge scanned PDFs
- Merge PDFs without losing quality
- Merge PDFs on Mac, Windows or Linux
- Merge PDFs for a job application
- Merge bank statements into one PDF
- Merge receipts into one PDF
- Fit a merged PDF in an email
- Merge PDFs on iPhone and Android
- Merge PDFs with different page sizes
- Merge PDFs offline
- Merge two PDF files
- Add a signed page to a contract
- Merge invoices for your accountant
- Merge a meeting pack
- Merge homework scans into one PDF
- Merge 10+ PDF files using batches
- Merge Word and PDF files
- Merge photos and PDF files
- Merge PDFs in different web browsers
- Merge PDFs on a Chromebook
- Sort PDFs by naming before merging
- Add a cover page to a PDF
- Add appendices to a PDF report
- Merge thesis chapters into one PDF
- Merge PDFs for printing
- Merge presentation handouts into one PDF
- iLovePDF alternative: no upload
- Smallpdf alternative: no upload
- Sejda alternative: no upload
- PDF24 alternative: no upload
- Which PDF merge sites upload your files?
- Merge PDFs without uploading them
- No signup, no watermark
Free, with an optional Pro unlock
Pro is Hexloom Pro, $29 a year or $4 a month, one subscription for every Hexloom tool. It removes the 5 file and 20MB limits. There is no account: Pro unlocks the browser you subscribe in, and the confirmation page has a link to restore it elsewhere.