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PDFsam is a strong free choice for splitting and merging, but its advanced tools mean paying for another tier. If you want more PDF jobs in one app, iLovePDF and Smallpdf are the closest fits in this list; both have free plans, though their free-use limits are not fully clear here. For editing and signing, compare Foxit or pdfFiller. Prices below are starting prices from the pricing page, not a promise that every tool is included at that price.
01Why people leave PDFsam
Advanced tools require another tier
PDFsam is a strong free option for splitting and merging, but the listing says advanced tools mean paying for another tier.
Some users report uninstall friction
A Reddit thread about PDFsam Enhanced describes a failed uninstall; commenters suggested removal tools, and one said the vendor removal tool worked.
A webcam report remains disputed
A Reddit user said Basic lit a webcam indicator; PDFsam's author said its code should not activate the webcam and invited further investigation.
02The alternatives, ranked by fit
- Best all-round PDF toolbox
iLovePDFiLovePDFSwitch from PDFsam if you want multiple PDF tools in one app rather than focusing mainly on splitting and merging. iLovePDF is listed for varied PDF tasks and custom team workflows, with a free plan and a $5 starting price. That makes it a reasonable first comparison for people who want broader coverage without jumping straight to a higher-priced suite.
Trade-off: Free-use limits are unclear, and the listing flags privacy concerns.
7.8/10from
€5/mofree plan - Best regular PDF workflow
SmallpdfSmallpdfSmallpdf is a fit if PDF work is routine and you want a broader set of tools, including editing and e-signatures. The listing gives it a free plan and a $7 starting price. Compared with PDFsam's focus on free splitting and merging, it may suit people sharing document workflows, but check whether its free-use limits cover your workload.
Trade-off: Free-use limits and paid-plan costs narrow its appeal.
6.6/10from
$7/mofree plan - Best for PDF editing teams
Foxit PDF EditorFoxit PDF EditorChoose Foxit if your reason for leaving is needing more editing capability across platforms, eSign, or batch tools. Its listing also mentions occasional AI use, with a $10.83 starting price. That is a clearer paid-suite direction than PDFsam's free splitting-and-merging use case, but check which tools sit behind each tier before switching.
Trade-off: AI-credit caps and tier-gated tools make the price worth checking.
7.2/10from
$10.83/mo - Best low-cost office bundle
WPS OfficeWPS OfficeWPS Office is worth comparing if PDF tools are only part of a broader personal or small-team document need. The listing includes PDF tools, a free plan, and a $2.49 starting price. That offers a lower listed entry price than several PDF-focused alternatives, though the source does not specify which PDF features are included at each tier.
Trade-off: The free tier is limited, and paid-plan costs are not fully transparent.
6.4/10from
$2.49/mofree plan - Best free browser documents
Word for the webWord for the webSwitch to Word for the web if you mainly need browser-based document editing and basic collaboration, not a dedicated PDF toolbox. The listing includes a free plan and a $1.67 starting price, making it a low-cost option to compare. It is most relevant if your PDFsam use is part of a broader move to browser-based documents.
Trade-off: The listing emphasizes basic documents, not a broad PDF toolset.
6.5/10from
$1.67/mofree plan - Best for forms and signatures
pdfFillerpdfFillerpdfFiller is a better fit than PDFsam if your work centers on editing, signing, fillable forms, or sharing PDF workflows with a small team. Its listed starting price is $8, and it has no free plan. It is a paid-first option, so compare its form and signing needs against the value of PDFsam's free splitting and merging.
Trade-off: No free plan; users have reported save paywalls.
5.8/10from
$8/mo - Best for document approvals
Lumin PDFLumin PDFLumin PDF may suit a switch focused on basic signing, shared approval workflows, or Google-integrated document work rather than PDFsam's splitting and merging. The listing gives it a free plan and a $9 starting price. Check the quotas and costs carefully before moving a team workflow, since the source flags limits and unresolved trust concerns.
Trade-off: Limited quotas and unresolved cost and trust concerns.
5.8/10from
$9/mofree plan
03Side by side
| Tool | Score | From | Free plan | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 PDFsam PDFsam (current) | 7.2 | $2.91/mo | Yes | Free PDF splitting and merging |
| iLovePDF iLovePDF | 7.8 | €5/mo | Yes | People handling varied PDF tasks |
| Smallpdf Smallpdf | 6.6 | $7/mo | Yes | People handling PDFs regularly |
| Foxit PDF Editor Foxit PDF Editor | 7.2 | $10.83/mo | No | Teams editing PDFs across platforms |
| WPS Office WPS Office | 6.4 | $2.49/mo | Yes | Personal users with basic document needs |
| Word for the web Word for the web | 6.5 | $1.67/mo | Yes | Free browser-based document editing |
| pdfFiller pdfFiller | 5.8 | $8/mo | No | People who regularly edit and sign PDFs |
| Lumin PDF Lumin PDF | 5.8 | $9/mo | Yes | Individuals needing basic PDF signing |
Questions people ask
Which PDFsam alternative has a free plan?
The pricing page mark iLovePDF, Smallpdf, Word for the web, WPS Office, and Lumin PDF as having free plans. That does not establish that their free tiers cover PDFsam's splitting and merging use case. Smallpdf's free-use limits are specifically noted as a constraint, and iLovePDF's free limits are unclear.
Is PDFsam still a good choice for free splitting and merging?
Based on our comparison, yes: PDFsam is described as a strong free choice for splitting and merging, and a Reddit thread also names PDFsam Basic as a top free option for those jobs. The reason to switch is more likely needing broader or advanced tools than wanting to replace that core use.
Does PDFsam Basic activate a webcam?
One Reddit user reported that the webcam indicator came on when opening PDFsam Basic. The program's author replied that the source code should not activate a webcam and suggested investigating the report. That thread does not establish the cause, so we would treat it as an unresolved user report, not a confirmed product behavior.