Canvas by Instructure vs LockDown Browser
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Canvas by Instructure
Access your courses and stay organized with this learning app. Track assignments, submit work, participate in discussions, and even study offline. It supports integrated tools and accessibility features for a seamless educational experience.
- View grades and track assignments
- Submit assignments and take quizzes
- Join class discussions
- Download courses for offline access
- Receive push notifications and reminders
- Integrated classroom tools and dark mode
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Your learning, anywhere. Stay connected to your courses with the official Canvas app for learners. Whether you’re in class, commuting, or offline, Canvas helps you stay organized and engaged. Note for instructors: For teaching and grading features, use the Canvas Teacher app. What you can do • Organize: View grades, track assignments, homework, and schoolwork; get reminders, push notifications and add customizable widgets for quick access • Engage: Send messages, join class discussions and collaborate with classmates in real time • Learn: Submit assignments, PDFs, docs, and media files for teachers to annotate in SpeedGrader, take quizzes, and watch videos on the go • Offline: Download full courses and keep studying even without internet • Integration & inclusivity: Use integrated classroom tools (LTIs), enjoy dark mode, and rely on built-in accessibility for everyone (VPAT 2.2 compliant) • Lifelong learning: Support for continuous learning, career-focused skill based learning programs, and AI-powered learning experience via Career experience Trusted by over 40 million learners worldwide.
LockDown Browser
This application creates a secure browser environment for online exams, preventing access to other applications, websites, or device functions. It ensures the integrity of assessments by locking users into the exam until submission. It is compatible with specific learning systems and can be used with proctoring systems if enabled by an instructor.
- Locks down exam environment
- Prevents switching applications
- Blocks access to other URLs
- Disables screenshots
- Prohibits copying or printing
- Integrates with learning systems
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LockDown Browser is a custom browser that locks down the exam environment within specific learning and assessment systems. When LockDown Browser is used during an online exam, you are unable to go to other URLs, switch applications, take screenshots, copy questions or print. It essentially locks you into the exam until it’s submitted for grading. Important: This application can only be used with the Respondus Monitor proctoring system if your instructor has enabled the use of an iPad for the exam. If your instructor hasn't enabled the use of an iPad for the exam, you will be unable to use this application with it. While LockDown Browser isn’t the most exciting app available, it does make online assessments possible. And, hey, you can download it for free. This is NOT a limited-feature version and there are NO advertisements of any type.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is rating: Canvas by Instructure at 4.7 against LockDown Browser's 1.2. Canvas by Instructure also leads on ratings volume (2.8M vs 4K) and review sentiment (26% vs 8%). LockDown Browser's advantage is iOS requirement (15.0 vs 18.0). On price, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.
Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS
Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
Canvas by Instructure holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 1.2. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Canvas by Instructure has 2.8M ratings behind it against 4K, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 26% of Canvas by Instructure's written reviews are positive against 8% of LockDown Browser's.
Canvas by Instructure ships an update every 3 weeks, LockDown Browser every 5 weeks. Both last shipped on October 17, 2026.
| Parameter | Canvas by Instructure | LockDown Browser |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.7 (2.8M ratings) — better | 1.2 (4K ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 26.4% of reviews — better | 7.6% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 2.8M — better | 4K |
| Update frequency | Every 3 weeks — better | Every 5 weeks |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Best chart rank | #9 — better | — |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad — better | iPad |
| Requires iOS | 18.0 | 15.0 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 216 MB | 17 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Instructure Inc. | Respondus Inc. |
Customer experience
Canvas by Instructure
LockDown Browser
User reviews
Canvas by Instructure
From 2.8M App Store ratingsWhat we love
- 👍 User-friendly interface
- 📚 Easy access to course materials
- 💻 Convenient mobile access
- 📊 Helpful grade tracking
- 🔔 Useful notification system
Room to improve
- 🐛 Bugs and glitches
- 🔁 Resets when switching apps
- 🔍 Difficult to navigate
- 🙈 Lack of customization options
- 🗓️ Calendar issues
LockDown Browser
From 4K App Store ratingsWhat we love
- 🚀 Works well on iPad
- 🔒 Secures exams
- 👍 Helpful for online tests
Room to improve
- 🐛 Crashes and freezes frequently
- 🔒 Locks down devices too aggressively
- 👎 Unreliable and glitchy
- 💤 Slow and unresponsive
- 🔋 Drains device battery
Bugs and requests
Canvas by Instructure
Reported bugs
5 issues- App freezing and crashing
- Inability to view all course content
- Inconsistent behavior across devices
- Unreliable assignment submission
- Syncing issues between app and website
Requested features
5 requests- Dark mode option
- Improved discussion board functionality
- Ability to edit posts/comments
- Integration with personal calendars
- More granular notification controls
LockDown Browser
Reported bugs
4 issues- Fails to load tests and quizzes
- Prevents device power off and exit
- Incompatible with other apps like Canvas
- Randomly kicks users out of exams
Requested features
4 requests- Improved compatibility with iPads
- Better error handling and recovery
- Streamlined setup and onboarding
- More user-friendly interface
In-app purchases
Canvas by Instructure
No in-app purchases
LockDown Browser
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is Canvas by Instructure free?
Is LockDown Browser free?
Which has better reviews, Canvas by Instructure or LockDown Browser?
Do Canvas by Instructure or LockDown Browser have ads?
Which is updated more often, Canvas by Instructure or LockDown Browser?
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