How to Bates Stamp PDFs on
Chromebook, Mac and Linux — Free
Adobe Acrobat doesn't run on Chromebook or Linux. Here's the free browser-based solution that works on every platform — no installation, no upload.
How to Bates stamp PDFs on Chromebook, Mac and Linux without Adobe Acrobat is one of the most common questions from paralegals and solo attorneys — because Adobe's answer is effectively "you can't." Acrobat Pro has no Linux client, and its ChromeOS version can't perform Bates stamping. For Mac users, it works but costs $240/year. This guide covers the free browser-based alternative that works identically on every platform.
The Platform Problem With Traditional Bates Stamping Software
Every major Bates stamping software recommendation you'll find online is Windows-first. Here's the reality for each platform:
| Platform | Adobe Acrobat | PDF Studio | SysTools / CoolUtils | ResourceCentral |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Windows | ✓ Full | ✓ Full | ✓ Full | ✓ Free |
| macOS | ✓ $240/yr | ✓ Paid | ✗ Windows only | ✓ Free |
| Linux | ✗ No client | ✓ Paid | ✗ Windows only | ✓ Free |
| Chromebook | ✗ Can't stamp | ✗ Not supported | ✗ Windows only | ✓ Free |
| iPad / Tablet | ✗ Mobile only | ✗ Not supported | ✗ Windows only | ✓ Free |
The pattern is clear — every desktop Bates stamping solution except ResourceCentral is either Windows-only, paid, or both. The browser is the only universal platform.
How to Bates Stamp on Chromebook — Step by Step
Chromebooks run ChromeOS with Chrome as the primary browser. The ResourceCentral Bates Stamper runs entirely in Chrome using JavaScript and pdf-lib — the same technology used to build PDF tools on any platform. No Android app, no Linux environment, no workarounds needed.
SMITH-), starting number, padding (6 digits is standard), position and font size. For batch productions, add multiple files to the queue.How to Bates Stamp on Mac Without Adobe Acrobat
macOS users have more options than Linux or Chromebook users, but Adobe Acrobat at $240/year is still a significant cost for a single feature. macOS Preview cannot add Bates numbers. PDF Expert and PDF Pen support it but are paid apps. The browser-based approach works identically in Safari, Chrome or Firefox on any Mac running macOS 10.14 or later.
macOS-Specific Note: Large Files in Safari
Safari on macOS handles large PDFs (200MB+) slightly differently than Chrome due to memory management. For very large discovery productions on Mac, Chrome or Firefox will process faster and more reliably than Safari. For standard-sized files (under 100MB), Safari works fine.
How to Bates Stamp on Linux
Linux is where the options are most limited. Adobe Acrobat has no native Linux client. PDF Studio Pro supports Linux but is paid software. Command-line tools like PDFtk can add headers but require scripting knowledge and don't produce the standard Bates format expected in legal productions.
The browser-based approach works on every Linux distribution — Ubuntu, Fedora, Debian, Arch, Mint, Elementary, Raspbian — in Firefox, Chrome or Chromium. No additional dependencies, no package manager, no compilation required.
Linux Bates Stamping Options Compared
| Method | Cost | Difficulty | Standard Bates Format? |
|---|---|---|---|
| ResourceCentral (browser) | Free | Easy | ✓ Yes |
| PDF Studio Pro | $89 one-time | Easy | ✓ Yes |
| PDFtk + custom script | Free | Complex scripting | Requires custom work |
| LibreOffice Draw | Free | Very manual | ✗ Not sequential |
| Online tools (Sejda, DeftPDF) | Free (limited) | Easy | ✗ Uploads your PDF |
File Size — The Real Advantage on Every Platform
Server-based tools cap file sizes because uploading large files is slow and expensive. Sejda limits free users to 50MB and 3 tasks per hour. DeftPDF limits to one file at a time on free accounts. These limits are a genuine problem for large discovery productions.
Browser-based processing has no server-imposed limit — the only constraint is your device's RAM. A Chromebook with 8GB RAM, a MacBook, or a Linux workstation can all comfortably handle 500-page, 500MB+ productions without any upgrade or workaround.
Try it on Your Platform Now
Works in Chrome, Safari, Firefox and Edge. Chromebook, Mac, Linux, Windows — no installation, no uploads, no account.
Open Free Bates Stamper →FAQ
How do I Bates stamp PDFs on a Chromebook? +
Open Chrome and go to resourcecentral.online/legal-pdf-stamper/. Drop your PDF into the tool, configure your prefix and numbering, and download. The entire process runs in the Chrome browser — no installation, no Android app, no Linux environment needed.
Does Adobe Acrobat work on Chromebook or Linux for Bates stamping? +
No. Adobe Acrobat Pro has no native Linux client. On Chromebook, Acrobat's web version exists but cannot perform Bates stamping — it's a read-only viewer with basic annotation support. This is why browser-based tools are the only practical free solution for these platforms.
Is there a free Bates stamper for Mac without Adobe? +
Yes. ResourceCentral runs in Safari, Chrome or Firefox on macOS with no installation. macOS Preview cannot add Bates numbers. PDF Expert and PDF Pen support it but are paid. The browser-based approach is the only free, no-install option that produces standard-format Bates stamps on Mac.
Can I Bates stamp large PDFs on a Chromebook? +
Yes. There is no file size limit — processing happens in the browser using your device's RAM. A modern Chromebook with 8GB RAM handles large discovery productions comfortably. Sejda and other server-based tools cap at 50MB on free plans — this tool has no such restriction.
What Linux distributions does this work on? +
Any distribution that runs a modern browser — Ubuntu, Fedora, Debian, Arch, Linux Mint, Elementary OS, Raspbian and others. Open Firefox or Chromium, navigate to the tool, and it works. No packages to install, no dependencies, no terminal commands.