CoolUtils Online PDF Merger vs iLovePDF

CoolUtils Online PDF Merger combines multiple files into one PDF in a browser, without signup or software installation. The free tool accepts up to five files per pass, with a limit of 50 MB per file. The order of the upload slots determines the sequence in the merged document. JPG, PNG and GIF images are accepted as well, with each image becoming a PDF page. CoolUtils says uploads and downloads use encrypted SSL/TLS connections and are processed in isolated environments. The product page says documents are used for merging and are not stored afterward; CoolUtils also says uploaded files and converted results are automatically deleted from its servers within 24 hours. The listed platform availability includes Android, iOS, Linux, macOS, web and Windows, though the primary platform is web. The online page does not list integrations, batch merging or page selection. CoolUtils recommends its desktop product for recurring or folder-level work and command-line automation.

iLovePDF provides tools for editing PDF text, adding annotations, running OCR, converting files, and creating forms. Its PDF Forms tools can detect fields and add fillable text fields, checkboxes, multiple-choice fields, and lists. AI tools include PDF summarization, translation, and PDF-to-Markdown conversion. The service is available on the web, Windows and Mac desktop, and iOS and Android. The Free plan provides core tools for light use, with document processing limits that differ by task: listed examples are 100 MB for Merge PDF and 15 MB for Office to PDF. Premium includes unlimited document processing and lists prices of ₹3,400 billed annually or ₹500 billed monthly. The desktop app supports offline batch editing and local document management. Integrations include Zapier, Make, and Wordpress, while iLoveAPI supports document automation for developers. Business offers custom contracts, a dedicated account manager, and single sign-on. The service says documents are encrypted and handled under international data protection regulations including GDPR; its plan comparison lists HTTPS and ISO27001 certification. Users can upgrade, downgrade, or cancel in account settings. iLovePDF was founded in 2010 and is headquartered in Barcelona, Spain.