LockDown Browser vs Revel by Pearson
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
Read full descriptionHide full description
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.
Revel by Pearson
Access interactive course materials offline and online, with progress syncing across devices. Listen to audio versions of texts, complete quizzes, and set reminders to stay on track with deadlines.
- Offline course material access
- Cross-device progress syncing
- Audio playback of texts
- In-app quizzes
- Customizable reminders and notifications
- Highlighting and note-taking
Read full descriptionHide full description
With the Revel app from Pearson, you can read, practice, and study anytime and anywhere—and set notifications so you never miss a due date again. The Revel app lets you access your interactive course materials on your tablet or mobile phone, offline and online. Your progress automatically syncs across all devices (including your laptop or desktop computer), so you can learn as you move throughout your day—on the train, on the bus, or whenever you have a moment—without breaking stride. Check out some of the ways the Revel app lets you learn where you want to, when you want to. - Download course materials to your devices and read, practice, and study even when you're offline - Listen and learn as you go with full audio of your text (available for most courses) - Complete assigned quizzes on your device to prep for class whenever you have a moment - Set your own reminders and notifications so you never miss a deadline again - Highlight key passages and take notes at your convenience
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is rating: Revel by Pearson at 4.7 against LockDown Browser's 1.2. LockDown Browser's advantage is update cadence (every 5 weeks vs every 3 months). On price, review sentiment, ratings volume and ads 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.
Revel by Pearson holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 1.2. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 4K and 8.9K respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 8% of LockDown Browser's written reviews are positive against 12% of Revel by Pearson's.
LockDown Browser ships an update every 5 weeks, Revel by Pearson every 3 months. Both last shipped on October 26, 2026.
| Parameter | LockDown Browser | Revel by Pearson |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 1.2 (4K ratings) | 4.7 (8.9K ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 7.6% of reviews | 12.4% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 4K | 8.9K — better |
| Update frequency | Every 5 weeks — better | Every 3 months |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Devices | iPad | iPhone, iPad — better |
| Requires iOS | 15.0 — better | 16.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 17 MB | 261 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 12+ |
| Developer | Respondus Inc. | Pearson Education, Inc. |
Customer experience
LockDown Browser
Revel by Pearson
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
Revel by Pearson
From 8.9K App Store ratingsWhat we love
- 🚀 Convenient app for accessing textbook
- 👍 Good learning tool with interactive features
Room to improve
- 🐛 Frequent crashes and bugs
- 🔍 Poor user experience and interface
- 🔇 Audio playback issues
- 📱 Not optimized for mobile devices
- 💾 Unreliable sync and data saving
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
Revel by Pearson
Reported bugs
5 issues- Orientation issues when switching between pages
- Highlighting and text selection problems
- Inconsistent audio playback controls
- Frequent crashes and freezes
- Incompatibility with newer iOS versions
Requested features
4 requests- Add portrait mode and zoom options
- Improve highlighting and note-taking features
- Implement bookmark/progress saving
- Allow offline access to textbook content
In-app purchases
LockDown Browser
No in-app purchases
Revel by Pearson
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is LockDown Browser free?
Is Revel by Pearson free?
Which has better reviews, LockDown Browser or Revel by Pearson?
Do LockDown Browser or Revel by Pearson have ads?
Which is updated more often, LockDown Browser or Revel by Pearson?
Other comparisons
