# PDFsam Basic Software Pricing, Alternatives & More 2026 | Capterra

> With the help of Capterra, learn about PDFsam Basic Software - reviews, pricing plans, popular comparisons to other PDF products and more.

Source: https://www.capterra.com/p/182728/PDFsam-Basic

---

# 

 PDFsam Basic Software Review 2026: Features, Integrations, Pros & Cons

Last updated on June 3, 2026

Provider data verified by our Software Research team, and reviews moderated by our Reviews Verification team.

[Description](#description)[Use cases](#use-cases)[Alternatives](#alternatives)[FAQs](#faqs)[Features](#features)[Pricing](#pricing)[Support](#support)[Reviews](#reviews)

PDFsam Basic

## What is PDFsam Basic?

PDFsam Basic is an open-source PDF software for Windows, Linux, and Mac. It allows users to merge, split, rotate, extract, and mix pages from PDF files. Key features are merging PDFs and bookmarks, splitting PDFs by page numbers or file size, rotating PDF pages, and extracting pages from PDFs.

## What is PDFsam Basic used for?

[PDF](https://www.capterra.com/pdf-software/)[PDF Editor](https://www.capterra.com/pdf-editor-software/)

Top alternative

Featured

Overall rating

Based on 56 user reviews

Reviews sentiment

Positive

91%

Neutral

4%

Negative

5%

Contact vendor  
for pricing

Free trial  
not available

Free version not included

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## Compare with a popular alternative

Capterra selects software alternatives based on relevant features, verified user reviews and user interactions. Placement may be influenced by client status.

### PDFsam Basic

4.4 (56)

VS.

[4.7 (4,229)](https://www.capterra.com/p/251329/Adobe-Acrobat-DC/reviews/)

Starting Price

Contact vendor

Starting Price

$19.99

Per User, Per Month

Free Trial

Free Version

Pricing Options

Free Trial

Free Version

Ease Of Use

4.6 (56)

Ease Of Use

4.6 (4,220)

Value For Money

4.5 (34)

Value For Money

4.3 (3,101)

Customer Service

4.0 (23)

Customer Service

4.3 (2,779)

## PDFsam Basic alternatives

[4.7 (428)](https://www.capterra.com/p/65868/ABBYY-FineReader/reviews/)

Starting price

$16.00

Per User, Per Month

Pricing Options

Free Trial

Free Version

User Rating

95%

of reviewers

rated it above 4 stars

[4.5 (574)](https://www.capterra.com/p/167449/Nitro/reviews/)

Starting price

$17.70

Per User, Per Month

Pricing Options

Free Trial

Free Version

User Rating

92%

of reviewers

rated it above 4 stars

[iLovePDF](https://www.capterra.com/p/173963/iLovePDF/)

[4.7 (1,771)](https://www.capterra.com/p/173963/iLovePDF/reviews/)

Starting price

$9.00

Per User, Per Month

Pricing Options

Free Trial

Free Version

User Rating

97%

of reviewers

rated it above 4 stars

[Learn More](https://www.capterra.com/p/173963/iLovePDF/)

[Adobe Acrobat Reader](https://www.capterra.com/p/170833/Acrobat-Reader-DC/)

[4.6 (10,543)](https://www.capterra.com/p/170833/Acrobat-Reader-DC/reviews/)

Starting price

$1.95

Per User, Per Month

Pricing Options

Free Trial

Free Version

User Rating

95%

of reviewers

rated it above 4 stars

[Learn More](https://www.capterra.com/p/170833/Acrobat-Reader-DC/)

[View all alternatives](https://www.capterra.com/p/182728/PDFsam-Basic/alternatives/)

## FAQs about PDFsam Basic

Overview

### What problems does PDFsam Basic solve?

PDFsam Basic solves document-management bottlenecks such as combining scattered PDFs into one submission-ready file, splitting oversized documents into shareable sections, extracting or reordering pages, and organizing records for audits or digitization. Office staff, healthcare teams, risk managers, students, and administrative professionals benefit most from faster, local, paperless PDF handling.

Answer based on 29 reviews

Overview

### Which roles and teams benefit most from PDFsam Basic?

PDFsam Basic is most used by administrators, project managers, and operations staff who need to split, merge, and reorder PDF files for everyday document handling. Researchers, assistants, and academic users rely on it to organize reports and source materials, while executives, brokers, and legal or finance professionals use it to prepare polished files for sharing.

Answer based on 56 reviews

Overview

### What company size and industries is PDFsam Basic built for?

PDFsam Basic is for students, researchers, and professionals, with strongest adoption in small businesses at 68% and Information Technology and Services at 9%. It also serves enterprises at 18% and midsize businesses at 14%, with notable use in Financial Services and Non-Profit Organization Management at 7% each for PDF work.

Answer based on 56 reviews

Features and Usability

### What are the key features of PDFsam Basic?

PDFsam Basic includes core PDF tools for merge/append files, split PDFs, rotate pages, delete pages, and extract selected pages or page ranges. Differentiating capabilities include split by size, drag-and-drop file management, page reordering, and table of contents insertion, with reviewers also noting straightforward document management and a simple interface.

Answer based on 34 reviews

Limitations

### Does PDFsam Basic have bugs or reliability issues?

PDFsam Basic works reliably for many people doing basic PDF tasks, especially merging and splitting files. Many users describe it as fast and stable across routine document handling, but some report upgrade prompts, pop-up messages, slow startup, or installation problems that can interrupt use and create frustration.

Answer based on 18 reviews

Getting Started and Support

### What training and onboarding options does PDFsam Basic offer?

PDFsam Basic provides documentation as its training option. Documentation gives users written reference material for learning features, reviewing steps, and checking instructions during setup or later use.

Getting Started and Support

### What customer support options does PDFsam Basic offer?

PDFsam Basic provides chat support. Reviewer feedback on support is negative, with users describing scripted replies, slow follow-up, and repeated back-and-forth before issues were understood. Some also reported difficulty getting technical help or refunds resolved after multiple reinstall attempts and support recommendations.

Answer based on 3 reviews

Features and Usability

### How well does PDFsam Basic merge and split PDF files?

PDFsam Basic handles PDF merging and splitting well for everyday document work. Office staff, students, remote workers, and teams managing contracts or claims like its drag-and-drop flow, page extraction, and reordering tools, though some users mention occasional page order issues, limited editing, and no live preview before saving.

Answer based on 34 reviews

Features and Usability

### Is PDFsam Basic easy to use?

PDFsam Basic feels easy to use for common PDF tasks like merge, split, extract, and rotate. Many small business users, healthcare staff, and remote workers like the drag-and-drop setup and simple workflow, though some beginners find the interface dated, less intuitive than Adobe Acrobat, and harder to learn at first.

Answer based on 18 reviews

## Features

Features with the highest number of reviews are displayed first. Those that have no reviews appear next, sorted alphabetically.

Merge/Append Files

4.7 (27)

85.19% of 27 reviewers that rated this feature as important or highly important

Merge or combine files / add pages to a document

Convert to PDF

4.4 (8)

87.50% of 8 reviewers that rated this feature as important or highly important

Create, edit, convert to and from PDF files

Collaboration Tools

4.3 (3)

33.33% of 3 reviewers that rated this feature as important or highly important

Provides a channel for team members to share media files, communicate, and work together

Rotate Pages

3.0 (1)

100.00% of 1 reviewers that rated this feature as important or highly important

Change page orientation

Delete Pages

Delete pages from a document

File Management

Create, save, and store files

PDFsam Basic 6 features

Provides a channel for team members to share media files, communicate, and work together

Create, edit, convert to and from PDF files

Delete pages from a document

Create, save, and store files

Merge or combine files / add pages to a document

Change page orientation

Features

4.4 (56)

4.4

Based on 56 reviews

## Pricing

Value for money

4.5 (34)

Value for money

4.5 (34)

4.5

Based on 34 reviews

## Support, customer service and training options

Customer Service

4.0 (23)

Support

-   Email/Help Desk
-   FAQs/Forum
-   Knowledge Base
-   Phone Support
-   24/7 (Live rep)
-   Chat

Training

-   In Person
-   Live Online
-   Webinars
-   Documentation
-   Videos

Deployment

-   Web
-   Android
-   iPhone/iPad

Typical users

-   Freelancers
-   Small businesses
-   Mid size businesses
-   Enterprises

Customer Service

4.0 (23)

4.0

Based on 23 reviews

## User reviews

Overall rating

4.4

Based on 56 reviews

Filter by rating

5(35)

4(16)

3(2)

2(1)

1(2)

Mentioned topic

Sorted by most recent

FC

Francesco C.

No

Information Technology and Services

### "Programma migliore "

5.0

Overall Rating

5.0

5.0

Ease of Use

5.0

5.0

Features

5.0

5.0

Customer Service

5.0

5.0

Likelihood to Recommend

10/10

January 22, 2026

Eccellente programma, accessibile, semplice e gratuito con potenzialità al pari di altri programmi più rinomati.

Pros

Velocissimo nel esportare il file definitivo, mai visto un programma così potente e gratuito. Grazie

Cons

Nulla, non ho trovato alcun problema fino ad ora con l'utilizzo di questo programma, che consiglio a chi deve lavorare con certi file pesanti e ha poco tempo a disposizione.

Switched from

[PDFgear](https://www.capterra.com/p/10010138/PDFgear/)

Perché è migliore per dimensione pagine unite ora ha la stessa dimensione copertina

Review source

Non-incentivized review: any software user can leave a review for any product listed on our site. All submitted reviews are subject to our verification process prior to publication.

US

Uwe S.

Administrator

Civic & Social Organization

### "Tolle kostenlose PDF Software "

4.0

Overall Rating

4.0

4.0

Ease of Use

4.0

4.0

Features

4.0

4.0

Customer Service

3.0

3.0

Likelihood to Recommend

9/10

July 28, 2025

Ich nutze das Programm sehr oft. Ich erstelle PDFs, oder ich teile sie auf. Auch einzelne Seiten lassen sich aus einem PDF extrahieren.

Pros

Das es eine kostenlose Version gibt, die vieles schon macht. Es kann schon sehr viel, was man zum Erstellen von PDFs braucht.

Cons

Es ist nicht so intuitiv wie Adobe Acrobat. Viele Funktionen müssen erst einmal gesucht und gefunden werden.

Alternatives considered

[Foxit PDF Reader](https://www.capterra.com/p/175376/ConnectedPDF/)

Reasons for choosing PDFsam Basic

Weil es kann was es soll und kostelos angeboten wird.

Review source

Incentivized review: software users are invited to submit an honest review and offered a nominal incentive for their time and effort. All incentivized reviews are subject to our verification process prior to publication.

JG

Jessica G.

Assistante commerciale

Insurance

### "PDFsam Basic : l'essentiel du PDF, sans fioritures "

4.0

Overall Rating

4.0

4.0

Ease of Use

4.0

4.0

Features

3.0

3.0

Customer Service

4.0

4.0

Likelihood to Recommend

7/10

November 26, 2024

Mon expérience est globalement positive. Je cherchais un outil simple et efficace pour fusionner ou scinder rapidement des pdf. J'ai surtout apprécié sa gratuité et son fonctionnement local qui garantit la confidentialité des fichiers. Cependant son interface un peu datée me semble moins intuitive ou moderne par rapport à d'autres logiciels. Pour des besoins qui se limitent aux fonctionnalités basiques, il convient parfaitement.

Pros

Le logiciel est gratuit et open source donc facile d'accès, il garantit également un respect de la confidentialité.

Cons

Pour ma part, je trouve que l'interface n'est pas du tout intuitive. Pour une personne peu habituée à ce genre d'outil, la manipulation est compliquée, de plus, les fonctionnalités sont limitées, il manque certaines fonctions avancées telles que l'édition de texte ou encore l'ajout d'annotations qui est quand-même même très pratique lorsque l'on souhaite travailler sur les documents.

Switched from

[iLovePDF 2](https://www.capterra.com/p/10019533/I-Love-PDF/)

Car ma société n'autorisait plus l'accès à d'autres logiciels.

Review source

Incentivized review: software users are invited to submit an honest review and offered a nominal incentive for their time and effort. All incentivized reviews are subject to our verification process prior to publication.

BG

Benjamin G.

Private Practice Administrator

Medical Practice

### "Can't Go Wrong for £0"

4.0

Overall Rating

4.0

4.0

Ease of Use

5.0

5.0

Features

3.0

3.0

Customer Service

0.0

0.0

Likelihood to Recommend

7/10

June 24, 2024

Pros

Completely free, and if you need basic edits to PDF's such as splitting or merging documents it works fine. Doesn't do much more than that, but when it's free you can't really complain.

Cons

Very limited in what you can do. By no means a replacement for things like Adobe Acrobat. Not a criticism, but if you're looking for something free to replace more pricey software, you won't find it here.

Review source

Non-incentivized review: any software user can leave a review for any product listed on our site. All submitted reviews are subject to our verification process prior to publication.

MG

Mateusz G.

Architect

Architecture & Planning

### "Rating PDFsam Basic from employee eye"

5.0

Overall Rating

5.0

5.0

Ease of Use

5.0

5.0

Features

5.0

5.0

Customer Service

5.0

5.0

Likelihood to Recommend

10/10

November 14, 2023

Pros

We use it very often. This is a really great alternative for Adobe Acrobat. All functions like merging or snaping pdf files are very helpful.

Cons

I don't have any complains about this software.

Switched from

[Adobe Acrobat](https://www.capterra.com/p/251329/Adobe-Acrobat-DC/)

Review source

Non-incentivized review: any software user can leave a review for any product listed on our site. All submitted reviews are subject to our verification process prior to publication.

AK

Anne K.

practice manager

Health, Wellness and Fitness

### "Great little pdf editor"

5.0

Overall Rating

5.0

5.0

Ease of Use

5.0

5.0

Features

5.0

5.0

Customer Service

0.0

0.0

Likelihood to Recommend

10/10

October 27, 2023

I've been very happy with the program

Pros

I have to regularly gather documents and create one file, in healthcare to upload files securely onto the cloud. PDFsam basic is easy to use and super fast, even when my internet is not! Thanks!

Cons

The free basic program is not as intuitive for splitting pdfs, but it does work once you figure out the method.

Switched from

[Adobe Acrobat Reader](https://www.capterra.com/p/170833/Acrobat-Reader-DC/)

They seem to keep taking away free solutions and making you pay for everything.

Review source

Incentivized review: software users are invited to submit an honest review and offered a nominal incentive for their time and effort. All incentivized reviews are subject to our verification process prior to publication.

LB

Leonardo Bruno D.

Ceo

Capital Markets

### "Avaliação do PDFsam Basic"

5.0

Overall Rating

5.0

5.0

Ease of Use

5.0

5.0

Features

5.0

5.0

Customer Service

5.0

5.0

Likelihood to Recommend

10/10

October 11, 2023

Muito satisfeito com o PDFsam Basic.

Pros

O que mais me chamou a atenção foi que o PDFsam Basic executa as ações do programa de forma rápida, mesmo quando lidando com arquivos grandes. Isso significa que não compromete o desempenho e consegue concluir as tarefas de forma eficiente.

Cons

Senti a falta de recursos avançados disponíveis.

Review source

Incentivized review: software users are invited to submit an honest review and offered a nominal incentive for their time and effort. All incentivized reviews are subject to our verification process prior to publication.

MA

Michael A.

Diretor

Alternative Medicine

### "Avaliando o programa de PDF - PDFsam Basic "

5.0

Overall Rating

5.0

5.0

Ease of Use

5.0

5.0

Features

5.0

5.0

Customer Service

5.0

5.0

Likelihood to Recommend

10/10

September 4, 2023

O fato de ser uma ferramenta gratuita é uma grande vantagem, já que oferece recursos básicos, como mesclar, dividir e girar páginas, de forma gratuita. Com certeza, é uma ótima opção para quem precisa lidar com arquivos PDF regularmente.

Pros

Eu gostei muito da simplicidade e facilidade de uso do PDFsam Basic. É um programa bastante intuitivo e eficiente para a edição e manipulação de arquivos PDF.

Cons

Não há nada de negativo para salientar sobre esse programa.

Review source

Incentivized review: software users are invited to submit an honest review and offered a nominal incentive for their time and effort. All incentivized reviews are subject to our verification process prior to publication.

JY

Jean Yves G.

Conseiller Immobilier

Real Estate

### "Super outils pour fusionner les rectos et versos de scans"

5.0

Overall Rating

5.0

5.0

Ease of Use

4.0

4.0

Features

4.0

4.0

Customer Service

3.0

3.0

Likelihood to Recommend

10/10

August 16, 2023

Dommage que la version pdfsam enhanced 7 et pdfsam basic ne fusionne pas ensemble

Pros

Je le trouve très facile d'utilisation (glisser/déposer) coche inversé et directement choix de la destination et du nom. De plus la fusion est hyper rapide.

Cons

Les autres fonctionnalités sont moins intuitives et plus limité nécessitant une version payante pour avoir des résultats corrects.

Switched from

[Adobe Acrobat Reader](https://www.capterra.com/p/170833/Acrobat-Reader-DC/)

[iLovePDF](https://www.capterra.com/p/173963/iLovePDF/)

Rapport/qualité prix

Review source

Non-incentivized review: any software user can leave a review for any product listed on our site. All submitted reviews are subject to our verification process prior to publication.

MG

Mohammed G.

Finance

Airlines/Aviation

### "Makes it Simple and Easy to Manipulate PDF Files"

4.0

Overall Rating

4.0

4.0

Ease of Use

5.0

5.0

Features

4.0

4.0

Customer Service

0.0

0.0

Likelihood to Recommend

9/10

August 8, 2023

Great for simple tasks but it lacks more complicated editing features.

Pros

Makes it incredibly simple and easy to manipulate files, I use the extract, split, or merge functions at least once a week.

Cons

While the software does basic tasks incredibly well, more it does not have the ability to perform more complicated editing tasks.

Review source

Incentivized review: software users are invited to submit an honest review and offered a nominal incentive for their time and effort. All incentivized reviews are subject to our verification process prior to publication.

[View all Reviews](https://www.capterra.com/p/182728/PDFsam-Basic/reviews/)

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