LockDown Browser vs Brightspace Pulse
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
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.
Brightspace Pulse
Stay connected with your courses on the go. Visualize upcoming deadlines, manage your time effectively, and receive real-time updates on course activities. Access course content offline and participate in discussions.
- Visualize upcoming dates and deadlines
- Receive push notifications for course updates
- Offline access to course content
- Participate in Activity Feed discussions
- Seamless browser login to D2L Brightspace
- Apple Continuity support
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Stay connected to learning anytime, anywhere with Brightspace Pulse. Brightspace Pulse gives learners and their authorized parents and guardians a convenient way to follow coursework, deadlines, progress, and important updates. Learners can: - Access their course content - View important dates and deadlines across their courses - Manage upcoming and overdue coursework - Receive notifications for Announcements, Grades, Quizzes, Assignments, Activity Feed posts, and more - Access supported course content offline, including video and audio - Participate in Activity Feed discussions - Open Brightspace in a browser to complete additional activities Parents and guardians can: - View upcoming and overdue work, grades, shared Portfolio items, and classroom updates - Receive notifications about quizzes and assignments with upcoming due dates - Follow multiple learners from one account, when supported by their school or organization Features vary by role and by your institution or organization’s Brightspace configuration. An account provided by your school, district, or organization is required. Parent and guardian access must be enabled by the learner’s school or organization. NOTE: iPhone, iPad, and Mac are trademarks of Apple Inc., registered in the United States and other countries.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is rating: Brightspace Pulse at 4.8 against LockDown Browser's 1.2. Brightspace Pulse also leads on review sentiment (36% vs 8%) and ratings volume (271K vs 4K). On price, ads, in-app purchases and monetization model 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.
Brightspace Pulse holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 1.2. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Brightspace Pulse has 271K ratings behind it against 4K, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 8% of LockDown Browser's written reviews are positive against 36% of Brightspace Pulse's.
LockDown Browser ships an update every 5 weeks, Brightspace Pulse fortnightly. The most recent releases landed on October 12, 2026 and October 13, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | LockDown Browser | Brightspace Pulse |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 1.2 (4K ratings) | 4.8 (271K ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 7.6% of reviews | 36.5% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 4K | 271K — better |
| Update frequency | Every 5 weeks | Fortnightly — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Best chart rank | — | #61 — better |
| Devices | iPad | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better |
| Requires iOS | 15.0 — better | 15.1 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 17 MB | 55 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Respondus Inc. | D2L Corporation |
Customer experience
LockDown Browser
Brightspace Pulse
User reviews
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
Brightspace Pulse
From 271K App Store ratingsWhat we love
- 🚀 Makes taking online courses easier
- 👍 Easy to access course content
- 👍 Convenient for studying on the go
- 🚀 Helpful for staying organized
Room to improve
- 🐛 Constant log-out issues
- 🐛 Unreliable notifications and content loading
- 🔍 Limited functionality compared to website
- 🔍 Lacks key features like file downloads
Bugs and requests
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
Brightspace Pulse
Reported bugs
4 issues- Frequent log-out problems
- Inability to load course content
- Notifications not working as expected
- Compatibility issues with older devices
Requested features
4 requests- Allow file downloads and exports
- Improve notification reliability
- Optimize for tablet/iPad use
- Add more customization options
In-app purchases
LockDown Browser
No in-app purchases
Brightspace Pulse
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is LockDown Browser free?
Is Brightspace Pulse free?
Which has better reviews, LockDown Browser or Brightspace Pulse?
Do LockDown Browser or Brightspace Pulse have ads?
Which is updated more often, LockDown Browser or Brightspace Pulse?
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