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Head-to-head · Digital Forensics Software

Paraben E3 Forensic Platform vs Exterro FTK Imager

Updated Sep 2026
Both researched from official sources
5 checks side by side

Higher score Paraben E3 Forensic Platform #2 in Digital Forensics Software 9.0/10 From $699/yr · 10-day trial ✓ 4 of 4 features Visit Paraben

Exterro FTK Imager #18 in Digital Forensics Software 5.8/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 2 of 4 features Visit FTK Imager

Paraben E3 Forensic Platform leads on 2 checks, Exterro FTK Imager on 1, and 2 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 5 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

Highest scoreParaben E3 Forensic Platform · 9.0/10
Free planonly Exterro FTK Imager
Most featuresParaben E3 Forensic Platform · 4 of 4

Paraben E3 Forensic Platform scores higher on our rubric for digital forensics software: 9.0 against 5.8 out of 10; our editors rank them #2 and #18.

Exterro FTK Imager offers free plan; Paraben E3 Forensic Platform doesn't. Paraben E3 Forensic Platform offers mobile forensics; Exterro FTK Imager doesn't. Paraben E3 Forensic Platform offers case collaboration; Exterro FTK Imager doesn't publish it.

Paraben E3 Forensic Platform is the better fit for organizations needing broad evidence-source coverage. Exterro FTK Imager is the better fit for free forensic imaging and volatile capture.

Paraben E3 Forensic Platform fits best
Organizations needing broad evidence-source coverage
Exterro FTK Imager fits best
Free forensic imaging and volatile capture

Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. We may earn a commission when you click some links. How we rank.

Side by side

Show only differences

Feature	Paraben E3 Forensic Platform 9.0/10 Visit ↗	Exterro FTK Imager 5.8/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	9.0	5.8
Ranking	#2 in Digital Forensics Software	#18 in Digital Forensics Software
Best for	Organizations needing broad evidence-source coverage	Free forensic imaging and volatile capture
Pricing model	Paid	Free
Starting price	$699/yr	Not published
Free plan	—	✓ (best)
Free trial	—	—
Deployment	Cloud, Desktop	Desktop
Platforms	Windows	Windows
Support	Email, Live chat, Phone, Tickets · 24/7	Docs · 24/7
Built for	Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise	Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features Paraben E3 Forensic Platform 4/4 · Exterro FTK Imager 2/4
Mobile forensics	✓ (best)	—
Disk imaging	✓	✓
Memory forensics	✓	✓
Case collaboration	✓ (best)	Not published
Specs
Evidence sources	Smartphones, computers, disk images, memory dumps, email, chat databases, cloud services, social media, IoT devices, game consoles, archives, and OSINT data	Windows and Linux hard drives; CDs and DVDs; thumb drives and USB devices; files and folders; volatile RAM
Supported platforms	Windows 10/11 64-bit; analyzes Windows, Linux, and Mac file systems	Windows 10, Windows 11, Windows Server 2025, Windows Server 2022
Export formats	HTML, PDF, CSV, TXT, RTF, Excel, XML, EML, EMX, PST, MSG, and native file formats	E01, AFF, RAW
Our review
Pros	Processes computer, mobile, cloud, IoT, and specialty-source evidence Supports Cellebrite, GrayKey, KAPE, IPED, Volatility, and Relativity Offers extensive search, collaboration, reporting, and export options	Creates E01, AFF, and RAW forensic images Captures volatile RAM from live systems Calculates MD5, SHA-1, and SHA-256 hashes
Cons	No free plan; memberships start at $60 per month Mac use requires virtualization or Boot Camp Premium functionality is limited to higher-priced tiers	Runs on Windows only Does not directly acquire mobile-device evidence Focuses on acquisition rather than full forensic analysis
Our verdict	Paraben E3 Forensic Platform is digital investigation software for law enforcement, DFIR teams, private investigators, corporate investigators, and eDiscovery professionals. It captures and analyzes evidence from smartphones, computers,… Read the review →	Exterro FTK Imager is a free Windows-based digital forensics tool for acquiring and previewing electronic evidence. It is suited to incident-response teams, law-enforcement examiners, and corporate investigation teams that need to image… Read the review →

Paraben E3 Forensic PlatformDigital Forensics Software 9.0From $699/yr · 10-day trial
Exterro FTK ImagerDigital Forensics Software 5.8Free plan

Compare the top tools in

Strengths and trade-offs

Paraben E3 Forensic Platform — where it wins
- Processes computer, mobile, cloud, IoT, and specialty-source evidence
- Supports Cellebrite, GrayKey, KAPE, IPED, Volatility, and Relativity
- Offers extensive search, collaboration, reporting, and export options
Where it doesn't
- No free plan; memberships start at $60 per month
- Mac use requires virtualization or Boot Camp
- Premium functionality is limited to higher-priced tiers
Exterro FTK Imager — where it wins
- Creates E01, AFF, and RAW forensic images
- Captures volatile RAM from live systems
- Calculates MD5, SHA-1, and SHA-256 hashes
Where it doesn't
- Runs on Windows only
- Does not directly acquire mobile-device evidence
- Focuses on acquisition rather than full forensic analysis

Paraben E3 Forensic Platform9.0/10 · From $699/yr · 10-day trial
A broad evidence-processing platform for teams handling varied digital investigations.
Visit Paraben Full verdict →
Exterro FTK Imager5.8/10 · Free plan
A free acquisition utility for imaging, hashing, mounting, and volatile memory capture.
Visit FTK Imager Full verdict →

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Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Sep 2026

Last updated 28 Sep 2026 · How we research and update