iLovePDF Alternative: Merge PDFs Without Uploading Them
The short answer
iLovePDF is a well-known online PDF suite. Its free Basic plan lets you merge up to 25 files and 100 MB in one task, and the files are processed on its servers. If you mainly need to combine or split PDFs, our free PDF merger is one alternative: it works in your browser, so your documents are not uploaded, and there is no sign-up.
What iLovePDF's free plan includes
These are iLovePDF's own words and numbers, checked on 5 October 2026:
- The iLovePDF pricing page describes the free Basic plan as "Access to essential iLovePDF tools" and "Limited document processing". Premium includes "Unlimited document processing" and an "Ad-free experience".
- The detailed limits on the same page list, per task on the Basic plan: Merge PDF 25 files and 100 MB, Split PDF 1 file and 100 MB, Compress PDF 2 files and 200 MB. Premium lists 500 files and 4 GB for Merge PDF.
- Premium costs US$4 a month billed annually (US$48) or US$7 billed monthly.
- The iLovePDF security page says: "all files processed within our platform are automatically and permanently deleted within two hours of being processed."
Side by side
| iLovePDF (free Basic plan) | Avalon Merge PDF (free) | |
|---|---|---|
| PDFs per merge | 25 files | 30 files |
| Size per merge | 100 MB | 100 MB |
| Split PDFs | 1 file and 100 MB at a time | Included on the same page, or on our split PDF tool |
| Where your files are processed | Uploaded and processed online, deleted within two hours | In your browser, on your device |
| Paid plan | Premium, US$4 a month billed annually or US$7 monthly | Not needed to merge. Avalon Pro is $5 a month for 500 files per batch, page numbers and ZIP downloads |
Plans and prices are as shown on each company's own pages on 5 October 2026 and can change.
How our free tool compares
- What you get for free. Merge PDFs in the order you set, or split them by page ranges or into one PDF per page. Pages are copied as they are, so text stays sharp and searchable. No watermark, no account and no daily limit.
- Limits. Up to 30 files and 100 MB per batch on the free version. Avalon Pro raises that to 500 files and 300 MB, and adds page numbers, ZIP downloads, saved presets and custom file names.
- Privacy. The PDFs are read and rebuilt in your browser, so contracts and statements never leave your device.
- What iLovePDF does that we do not. iLovePDF has many more tools, and its Premium plan lists access across web, mobile and desktop, digital signatures and workflows. If you need those, it may suit you better. Our site covers the common jobs with separate free tools, such as splitting, organizing pages and compressing.
Sources
All checked on 5 October 2026: iLovePDF pricing, iLovePDF security.
iLovePDF is a trademark of its owner. We name it only to compare, and we are not affiliated with it.
Frequently asked questions
How many PDFs can I merge for free on iLovePDF?
iLovePDF's pricing page (checked 5 October 2026) lists 25 files and 100 MB per task for Merge PDF on the free Basic plan, and 500 files and 4 GB on Premium.
How much is iLovePDF Premium?
On the same page, Premium is US$4 a month billed annually (US$48 a year) or US$7 billed monthly.
What happens to files I process on iLovePDF?
iLovePDF's security page says files processed on its platform are automatically and permanently deleted within two hours of being processed, and that signed documents are kept for up to 5 years.
Is the Avalon PDF merger free, with no sign-up?
Yes. You can merge up to 30 PDFs, 100 MB per batch, with no sign-up, no watermark and no daily limit. Avalon Pro raises that to 500 files and 300 MB and adds page numbers and ZIP downloads.
Do you upload my PDFs?
No. Our merge tool reads and rebuilds your PDFs inside your browser, so the files stay on your device.