Final Exhibits vs E-Sticker:
Which Should You Choose?
Two popular exhibit stamping tools with different approaches. Final Exhibits is a standalone Windows app; E-Sticker is an Adobe Acrobat plug-in. Here's how they compare— plus a modern browser-based alternative.
- Final Exhibits is a standalone Windows-only application priced at $70 per year (Lite) or $95 per year (Full).
- E-Sticker is an Adobe Acrobat plug-in priced at roughly $150 as a one-time purchase, and it cannot function without Adobe Acrobat.
- Buying E-Sticker without an existing Acrobat license means a first-year cost of about $390 once Adobe Acrobat Pro ($240 per year) is added.
- Final Exhibits includes batch processing and slipsheet generation; E-Sticker sells bulk stamping separately as the E-Batcher Pro upgrade.
- Neither Final Exhibits nor E-Sticker offers automatic Table of Contents generation or Trial Binder Mode; ExhibitPrep includes both.
- ExhibitPrep is browser-based, requires no installation or Adobe dependency, and runs on Mac, Windows, iPad, and Chromebook.
- ExhibitPrep pricing is $4.99 per use or $39.99 per month, so 3-5 stamping sessions per year cost $15-25 total.
- A Mac user running Final Exhibits needs Parallels Desktop, raising the yearly cost to $95 plus $129 for virtualization.
Quick Comparison
| Attribute | Final Exhibits | E-Sticker | ExhibitPrep |
|---|---|---|---|
| Type | Standalone Windows app | Adobe Acrobat plug-in | Browser-based |
| Pricing Model | $70-95/year subscription | ~$150 one-time | $4.99/use or $39.99/mo |
| Platform | Windows only | Where Acrobat runs | Any browser |
| Requires Other Software | No | Adobe Acrobat | No |
| Auto TOC Generation | No | No | Yes |
| Trial Binder Mode | No | No | Yes |
| Batch Processing | Yes (included) | E-Batcher (Pro) | Yes (included) |
Understanding Each Tool
Final Exhibits 2
by DoneBy5
Standalone Windows desktop application for exhibit stamping. Includes batch processing, slipsheets, and case profiles for saving settings.
E-Sticker
Adobe plug-in
Plug-in that adds exhibit stamping to Adobe Acrobat. Offers color customization and E-Batcher bulk tool (Pro version).
ExhibitPrep
Browser-based
Modern browser-based tool that works on any device. No installation, no Adobe dependency. Includes Trial Binder Mode and auto TOC.
Detailed Feature Comparison
| Feature | Final Exhibits | E-Sticker | ExhibitPrep |
|---|---|---|---|
| Works on Mac | |||
| Works on iPad | |||
| Works on Chromebook | |||
| No installation required | |||
| No Adobe dependency | |||
| Auto-incrementing labels | |||
| Batch processing included | |||
| Combined PDF output | |||
| Automatic TOC generation | |||
| Trial Binder Mode | |||
| Slipsheet generation | |||
| Case profiles | |||
| Correction tape | |||
| Color customization |
Cost by Scenario
Already have Adobe Acrobat Pro
No Adobe Acrobat
Mac user
Occasional use (3-5x/year)
The honest take
Both Final Exhibits and E-Sticker have loyal users. Choose Final Exhibits if you want a dedicated Windows exhibit tool with case profiles and slipsheets built-in. Choose E-Sticker if you already live in Adobe Acrobat and want a one-time purchase.
But both tools have limitations: Final Exhibits doesn't run on Mac or iPad. E-Sticker requires Adobe Acrobat ($240/year). Neither generates automatic Tables of Contents or offers Trial Binder Mode with per-exhibit page numbering. If those features matter—or if you want a modern browser-based tool—ExhibitPrep offers functionality neither competitor provides.
Why Consider ExhibitPrep?
No Software Dependencies
Unlike E-Sticker (requires Adobe) or Final Exhibits (requires Windows), ExhibitPrep runs in any modern browser. No installation, no IT approval, no annual software subscriptions.
Trial Binder Mode
Create court-ready binders with alphabetic labels (A, B, C) and per-exhibit page numbers (A-1, A-2, B-1). Auto-generates Table of Contents. Neither Final Exhibits nor E-Sticker offers this.
Client-Side Privacy
All PDF processing happens locally in your browser. Your confidential documents never leave your device—no cloud uploads, no server-side processing.
Pay-Per-Use Pricing
Start at $4.99 per session. No annual commitment, no unused subscription months. Perfect for solo practitioners and occasional users who don't need year-round software.
Try ExhibitPrep Before You Decide
See why attorneys are choosing browser-based exhibit stamping over traditional desktop tools. Free to preview—pay only when you download.
Try ExhibitPrep FreeWorks on Mac, Windows, iPad • No installation required
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between Final Exhibits and E-Sticker?
Final Exhibits is a standalone Windows application ($70-95/year) while E-Sticker is an Adobe Acrobat plug-in (~$150 one-time). Final Exhibits includes batch processing and slipsheets out of the box. E-Sticker requires Adobe Acrobat ($240/year) to function and offers the E-Batcher bulk tool as a Pro upgrade.
Which is better: Final Exhibits or E-Sticker?
It depends on your existing software. If you already use Adobe Acrobat daily and want a one-time purchase, E-Sticker makes sense (~$150). If you want a dedicated exhibit tool without Adobe dependency, Final Exhibits ($70-95/year) is better. For Mac users or those wanting browser-based operation, ExhibitPrep ($4.99/use) is the best alternative to both.
Does E-Sticker work without Adobe Acrobat?
No. E-Sticker is an Adobe Acrobat plug-in and requires either Adobe Acrobat Reader (free) or Adobe Acrobat Pro ($240/year) to function. The plug-in adds exhibit stamping functionality to Acrobat's interface. Final Exhibits and ExhibitPrep are standalone tools that don't require Adobe software.
How much does Final Exhibits cost compared to E-Sticker?
Final Exhibits costs $70/year (Lite) or $95/year (Full) as an annual subscription. E-Sticker is approximately $150-190 as a one-time purchase. However, E-Sticker requires Adobe Acrobat to function. With Adobe Acrobat Pro at $240/year, the total first-year cost for E-Sticker is ~$390 vs Final Exhibits' $95.
Is there a better alternative to both Final Exhibits and E-Sticker?
ExhibitPrep is a browser-based alternative that works on Mac, Windows, iPad, and Chromebook without requiring any software installation or Adobe dependency. It offers pay-per-use pricing starting at $4.99, automatic TOC generation, and Trial Binder Mode—features neither Final Exhibits nor E-Sticker offer.