A PDF24 alternative that never uploads your files

PDF24 is free without limits. The one thing this tool does differently is that the merge never leaves your browser.

Drag & drop PDF files here

Free: up to 5 files, 20MB total

Where your files go

PDF24 merges in the cloud on its own servers. Its tool page says the servers are in Germany and files are deleted automatically after one hour; its FAQ says all processing servers are in data centers within the EU, and that you can remove files manually right away.

This tool does the merge in your browser tab and the files are not uploaded. Here is how to check that yourself.

Limits side by side

PDF24: its tool page says no limits and no registration, and that it is free thanks to advertising. It states no file-count, size or page limit, and describes no paid plan.
This tool, free: up to 5 files and 20MB in total per merge, as many merges as you like, no account, no watermark. Pro removes the file and size limits.

PDF24 is the more generous option on limits. If you do not mind the upload, that is a strong reason to use it.

What PDF24 does that this tool does not

Its merge page says it also works with images, Word documents and other files, and shows the pages so you can click the ones you want to add. It has a page mode, bookmarks and blank-page options. Its FAQ says Windows users can work offline with the free PDF24 Creator; users of other systems are pointed to the online tools.

This tool only joins whole PDF files. For offline use it keeps working once the page has loaded (tested in Chromium; details and limits).

What this tool does

It joins whole PDF files, in the order you choose, into one new PDF. The merge runs in your browser tab and the files are not uploaded; here is how to check that yourself. It needs no account and adds no watermark. Free covers up to 5 files and 20MB in total per merge, with as many merges as you like. Pro removes the file-count and size limits.

It does not edit anything: no reordering or deleting pages inside a file, no compression, no text recognition, no signing, and no converting Word files or images to PDF.

Which one to use

Use this tool when the files should not leave your device, or when you want a merge that keeps working offline once the page has loaded.
Use PDF24 when you merge large or many files, need page-level control, or mix in Word and image files.

Checked against PDF24's own pages on 5 October 2026. Limits and wording change and can differ by country, so look at their current page before you decide.

More about merging PDFs

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.