# LockDown Browser vs Brightspace Pulse

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.

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.

## The numbers

| Metric | LockDown Browser | Brightspace Pulse |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [1.2 (4K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/lockdown-browser/id659101775/reviews) | **[4.8 (271K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/brightspace-pulse/id1001688546/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 4K | **271K** |
| Positive reviews | 7.6% of reviews | **36.5% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 5 weeks | **Fortnightly** |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Best chart rank | — | **#61** |
| Size | 17 MB | 55 MB |
| Requires iOS | **15.0** | 15.1 |
| Devices | iPad | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Respondus Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/365544611) | [D2L Corporation](https://appshunter.io/developer/422392651) |

## What reviewers say

### 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


### Brightspace Pulse

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/brightspace-pulse/id1001688546)

**Currently charting:** #61 Top Free · Education (US App Store)

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.

**Highlights:** 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

**Features:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Makes taking online courses easier
- 👍 Easy to access course content
- 👍 Convenient for studying on the go
- 🚀 Helpful for staying organized

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Constant log-out issues
- 🐛 Unreliable notifications and content loading
- 🔍 Limited functionality compared to website
- 🔍 Lacks key features like file downloads

**Reported bugs**

- Frequent log-out problems
- Inability to load course content
- Notifications not working as expected
- Compatibility issues with older devices

**Requested features**

- Allow file downloads and exports
- Improve notification reliability
- Optimize for tablet/iPad use
- Add more customization options


## Frequently asked questions

### Is LockDown Browser free?

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

### Is Brightspace Pulse free?

Brightspace Pulse is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, LockDown Browser or Brightspace Pulse?

Brightspace Pulse is rated higher. LockDown Browser averages 1.2 out of 5 from 4K ratings, while Brightspace Pulse averages 4.8 from 271K ratings.

### Do LockDown Browser or Brightspace Pulse have ads?

Neither LockDown Browser nor Brightspace Pulse shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, LockDown Browser or Brightspace Pulse?

LockDown Browser ships an update every 5 weeks, and Brightspace Pulse fortnightly. Most recently, LockDown Browser was updated on October 12, 2026 and Brightspace Pulse on October 13, 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.*