# Canvas by Instructure vs LockDown Browser

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 (27% 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.

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: 27% 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.

## The numbers

| Metric | Canvas by Instructure | LockDown Browser |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.7 (2.8M ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/canvas-by-instructure/id480883488/reviews)** | [1.2 (4K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/lockdown-browser/id659101775/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **2.8M** | 4K |
| Positive reviews | **26.5% of reviews** | 7.6% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Every 3 weeks** | Every 5 weeks |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Best chart rank | **#10** | — |
| Size | 216 MB | 17 MB |
| Requires iOS | 18.0 | **15.0** |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad** | iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Instructure Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/418441198) | [Respondus Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/365544611) |

## What reviewers say

### Canvas by Instructure

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/canvas-by-instructure/id480883488)

**Currently charting:** #10 Top Free · Education (US App Store)

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.

**Highlights:** 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

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 User-friendly interface
- 📚 Easy access to course materials
- 💻 Convenient mobile access
- 📊 Helpful grade tracking
- 🔔 Useful notification system

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Bugs and glitches
- 🔁 Resets when switching apps
- 🔍 Difficult to navigate
- 🙈 Lack of customization options
- 🗓️ Calendar issues

**Reported bugs**

- 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**

- Dark mode option
- Improved discussion board functionality
- Ability to edit posts/comments
- Integration with personal calendars
- More granular notification controls


### LockDown Browser

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/lockdown-browser/id659101775)

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.

**Highlights:** Locks down exam environment, Prevents switching applications, Blocks access to other URLs, Disables screenshots, Prohibits copying or printing, Integrates with learning systems

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Works well on iPad
- 🔒 Secures exams
- 👍 Helpful for online tests

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Crashes and freezes frequently
- 🔒 Locks down devices too aggressively
- 👎 Unreliable and glitchy
- 💤 Slow and unresponsive
- 🔋 Drains device battery

**Reported bugs**

- 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**

- Improved compatibility with iPads
- Better error handling and recovery
- Streamlined setup and onboarding
- More user-friendly interface


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Canvas by Instructure free?

Canvas by Instructure is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is LockDown Browser free?

LockDown Browser is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, Canvas by Instructure or LockDown Browser?

Canvas by Instructure is rated higher. Canvas by Instructure averages 4.7 out of 5 from 2.8M ratings, while LockDown Browser averages 1.2 from 4K ratings.

### Do Canvas by Instructure or LockDown Browser have ads?

Neither Canvas by Instructure nor LockDown Browser shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Canvas by Instructure or LockDown Browser?

Canvas by Instructure ships an update every 3 weeks, and LockDown Browser every 5 weeks. Most recently, Canvas by Instructure was updated on October 17, 2026 and LockDown Browser on October 17, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*