Respondus LockDown Browser
Proctorio
Respondus vs Proctorio: Complete Comparison (2026)
Compare Respondus and Proctorio side by side. Features, pricing, pros & cons. Find the best proctoring software for your institution.
Choosing between Respondus and Proctorio is one of the most common decisions facing universities and colleges implementing online exam security. Both platforms dominate the higher education proctoring market, but they take fundamentally different approaches to exam integrity.
After evaluating both platforms across features, pricing, integration depth, and student experience, here's our honest assessment to help you make the right choice.
Product Overview
Respondus LockDown Browser
Secure browser and online proctoring tool that prevents cheating during online exams.
When to choose Respondus LockDown Browser?
- ✓Universities already using Canvas or Blackboard that want seamless LMS-native exam security
- ✓Institutions prioritizing simplicity — fewer moving parts, easier instructor adoption
- ✓Programs with lower-stakes assessments where lockdown browser is sufficient without full AI monitoring
- ✓Budget-conscious institutions that want reliable lockdown without paying for advanced AI features
- ✓Campuses with mixed device environments where a dedicated application provides more consistent security
Proctorio
Advanced Remote Proctoring for Secure Online Exams
When to choose Proctorio?
- ✓Large institutions needing scalable proctoring across thousands of concurrent exams
- ✓Programs with high-stakes assessments (medical, legal, certification) requiring comprehensive monitoring
- ✓Institutions wanting flexible proctoring levels — different security for quizzes vs finals
- ✓Universities prioritizing Chromebook compatibility and browser-based deployment
- ✓Organizations needing live proctoring options in addition to AI-automated monitoring
Respondus LockDown Browser vs Proctorio Comparison
| Feature | Respondus LockDown Browser | Proctorio |
|---|---|---|
| Deployment📋 | Desktop application | Chrome extension |
| AI Monitoring📋 | Basic (flag review) | Advanced (real-time) |
| Live Proctoring📋 | ✗ | Yes (add-on) |
| Gaze Tracking📋 | ✗ | ✓ |
| Audio Monitoring📋 | Limited | ✓ |
| Room Scanning📋 | ✗ | ✓ |
| LMS Integration📋 | Canvas, Blackboard, Moodle, D2L, Schoology | Canvas, Blackboard, Moodle, D2L |
| Mobile Support📋 | iPad (limited) | Chromebook + limited mobile |
| Encryption📋 | Standard | Zero-knowledge |
| Free Student Access📋 | Yes (at licensed institutions) | Yes (at licensed institutions) |
| Accommodation Tools📋 | Basic | Advanced |
| Reporting📋 | Flagged video review | Suspicion scores + timeline |
Final Verdict
For most universities, Respondus is the safer, simpler choice — especially if you're already embedded in Canvas or Blackboard. The LockDown Browser is battle-tested, instructors adopt it quickly, and the combination with Monitor covers the majority of exam security needs.
However, if your institution runs high-stakes professional exams, needs granular AI monitoring, or requires the flexibility to scale proctoring levels per assessment, Proctorio offers more advanced capabilities that justify the additional complexity.
Consider running both: Respondus LockDown Browser for routine quizzes and midterms, and Proctorio for high-stakes finals and certification exams. Many institutions successfully use this hybrid approach.
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Browse EdTech ProductsFrequently Asked Questions
Yes, at institutions with a site license, students can download and use LockDown Browser at no cost. The institution pays the licensing fee. Respondus Monitor (webcam proctoring) is included in the institutional license.
Proctorio's AI flags suspicious behavior but does not make cheating determinations. It provides suspicion scores and flagged events for instructor review. The final decision always rests with the instructor or institution.
Both platforms have faced privacy scrutiny. Proctorio uses zero-knowledge encryption, meaning even Proctorio staff cannot access exam recordings. Respondus stores recordings on institutional servers or cloud storage controlled by the institution. Both comply with FERPA.
No, they cannot run simultaneously on the same exam. However, institutions can license both and use them for different assessment types. Respondus for routine exams and Proctorio for high-stakes assessments is a common approach.
Respondus is generally easier — instructors enable LockDown Browser with a checkbox in their LMS quiz settings. Proctorio requires configuring multiple proctoring parameters per exam, which offers more control but takes more time.