iLovePDF: Merge, Split, and Manage PDFs Across All Platforms

iLovePDF does nearly everything you will ever need with a PDF and doesn't make a fuss about it. If you've ever needed to merge a couple of reports, split a PDF for a colleague, or shrink a file that's too chunky to email, iLovePDF's got a tool for you. And it works pretty much everywhere—online, on your desktop, or straight from your phone.

What Can iLovePDF Do?

Most people find iLovePDF when they Google "merge PDF free." It's one of their best offerings. But once you land on the site, you realize it's way more than a one-trick pony. You can merge, split, compress, convert, edit, and even e-sign your files. It handles converting to Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and JPG from PDF and vice versa, which is really handy..

You don't need to download anything to use the web version, but the desktop apps for Windows and macOS let you work offline and faster. Mobile apps for Android and iOS are solid too, especially for quick tweaks on the go.

Do I Need the Paid Version?

The free version works just fine for light or occasional use. You'll hit limits on file size and the number of tasks you can run per day, and you'll see a few ads here and there. For example, the Desktop version gives you 10 free uses. That's not a lot for someone who works with a lot of documents, but for basic merging, splitting, or converting, it does the job.

The premium version is worth a look if you're handling dozens of files or big batches. It removes task limits, supports batch processing, kills the ads, and even throws in priority support. Prices are reasonable and you can choose monthly or yearly billing starting at $5.00 per month.

What About Privacy and Security?

Yeah, this one comes up a lot. When you're uploading PDFs with sensitive info inside, it's fair to be cautious. iLovePDF uses HTTPS to transfer and delete files from its servers after a short time. However, as a rule, we would not recommend uploading sensitive documents to any server that wasnt 100% owned by you. The desktop version keeps everything local, so if you're worried about uploads, stick with that when working with private material.

The online version WebApp is great for basic stuff that doesn't have personal information and also has the advantage of working on any OS with a web browser.

Any Annoying Quirks?

A few. The web interface can feel a little cramped on smaller screens. Also, the free version has annoying file size caps, especially if you're dealing with scanned documents or PDFs full of images. The batch tools are locked behind the premium plan, so free users will be clicking a lot if they have more than a few files to process.

Geek Verdict

iLovePDF hits the sweet spot between power and simplicity. It's really fast, cross-platform, and free for most casual tasks. Power users will probably want to spring for the paid plan. If you're working on a school paper, retooling an old business report, or just trying to shrink that PDF to fit in an email, iLovePDF delivers without the hassle.