PlainMerge
PlainMerge creates personalized PDF files by combining a PDF template with rows from Excel-compatible spreadsheets.
What PlainMerge is
PlainMerge creates personalized PDF files by combining a PDF template with rows from Excel-compatible spreadsheets. Users can drag spreadsheet headers onto template positions or connect them to native PDF form fields. The application supports native forms, custom fonts, multi-page documents, and QR code rendering. Input formats include .xlsx, .xls, and .ods. Outputs can be batches of personalized PDFs, emails carrying PDF attachments, or both. The desktop application works offline on macOS, Windows, and Linux. The maker also links to Mergram, a browser service for merging PDFs without installation. PlainMerge is described as open source, and its GitHub repository displays an AGPL-3.0 license. The paid plan costs $59, paid once as a one-time fee for those desktop platforms. There is no free plan, but a personal-use trial is available. Support is offered through email and GitHub Discussions. The privacy policy says support-submitted personal information may be retained indefinitely, including in backups, and purchases are not refundable.
Good
- Works offline on three desktop platforms
- Accepts .xlsx, .xls, and .ods
- Supports forms, custom fonts, and QR codes
- Can email PDFs as attachments
- Personal-use trial available
Watch out
- No free plan
- One-time fee is $59, paid once
- No refunds
- Data may be retained indefinitely, including backups
Who it suits
PlainMerge suits people creating batches of personalized PDFs from spreadsheet data. It fits users needing offline desktop work or browser-based merging through Mergram.
Verdict
PlainMerge focuses on spreadsheet-driven PDF personalization with offline desktop support and multiple delivery options. Its one-time cost, no-refund policy, and stated retention terms deserve attention.
Plans and prices
From PlainMerge's own pricing page, checked 7 Oct 2026.
| Plan | Price | What it gives you |
|---|---|---|
| PlainMerge | $59, paid once | macOS · Windows · Linux · One-time fee |
The facts
Each one read from PlainMerge's own pages, with the date it was checked.
What it does
- Data retention
- The privacy policy says data may be kept indefinitely and that backups may inadvertently store data.checked 7 Oct 2026
- The app can send emails with PDF attachments.checked 7 Oct 2026
- Field placement
- Users can drag and drop spreadsheet headers into positions on a PDF template or match them with native PDF form fields.checked 7 Oct 2026
- Offline use
- The desktop app works offline.checked 7 Oct 2026
- Open source
- The maker describes the app as open source, and the GitHub repository displays an AGPL-3.0 license.checked 7 Oct 2026
- PDF features
- The app supports native PDF forms, custom fonts, multiple-page PDFs, and QR code rendering.checked 7 Oct 2026
- Privacy
- The privacy policy says personally identifiable information is not collected except when provided through the support email, where it is used to reply.checked 7 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- PlainMerge creates multiple personalized PDFs from a PDF template and rows in an Excel spreadsheet.checked 7 Oct 2026
- Refunds
- The product page says there are no refunds.checked 7 Oct 2026
- Spreadsheet formats
- PlainMerge supports .xlsx, .xls, and .ods files.checked 7 Oct 2026
- Support
- The maker lists email and GitHub Discussions for support.checked 7 Oct 2026
- Web version
- The maker links to Mergram as an online service that merges PDFs in a browser without installation.checked 7 Oct 2026
Where it runs
- Platforms
- Downloads are listed for Windows, macOS on Apple Silicon and Intel, and Linux.checked 7 Oct 2026
Money
- Trial
- The maker says users can get a trial version for personal use; it does not state a trial duration.checked 7 Oct 2026
Alternatives to PlainMerge
- 1
Carbone
Free planOpen sourceWebAPILinuxmacOS8.3Free plan - 2
Mailmeteor
Free planAndroidiOSWebAPI8.2From $5.99 a month - 3
S-Docs
Free planiOSWebAPI7.9From $25 a month - 4
7.6From €5 a month - 5
7.5From $29 a month - 6
Text Control ReportingCloud
AndroidiOSWebAPI7.1From $39 a month