# LockDown Browser vs SafeExamBrowser

The clearest difference is rating: SafeExamBrowser at 1.6 against LockDown Browser's 1.2. SafeExamBrowser also leads on device support (3 vs 1) and iOS requirement (12.0 vs 15.0). LockDown Browser's advantage is ratings volume (3.9K vs 46) and update cadence (every 5 weeks vs every 3 months). On price, review sentiment, 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.

SafeExamBrowser holds the better App Store score, 1.6 against 1.2. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: LockDown Browser has 3.9K ratings behind it against 46, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews split almost evenly too, at 8% and 7% positive.

LockDown Browser ships an update every 5 weeks, SafeExamBrowser every 3 months. The most recent releases landed on October 1, 2026 and September 30, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | LockDown Browser | SafeExamBrowser |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [1.2 (3.9K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/lockdown-browser/id659101775/reviews) | **[1.6 (46 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/safeexambrowser/id1155002964/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **3.9K** | 46 |
| Positive reviews | **7.7% of reviews** | 7.1% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Every 5 weeks** | Every 3 months |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Size | 17 MB | 67 MB |
| Requires iOS | 15.0 | **12.0** |
| Devices | iPad | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Respondus Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/365544611) | [ETH Zurich](https://appshunter.io/developer/438432132) |

## 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


### SafeExamBrowser

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/safeexambrowser/id1155002964)

This app creates a secure browser environment for online exams, preventing students from accessing other apps or websites. It locks down devices into an assessment kiosk mode, ensuring exam integrity on both personal and institutional iOS devices.

**Highlights:** Secure kiosk browser environment, Prevents app switching and website access, Assessment kiosk mode, Supports unmanaged and managed iOS devices, Configurable via API, files, links, and QR codes, Integrates with LMS and exam systems, Optional Dock and slider menu for commands

**Features:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 🔒 Prevents cheating
- 👍 Facilitates secure exams
- 👍 Good for exam integrity
- 👍 Works when used correctly

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 App crashes frequently
- 🐛 Freezes and becomes unresponsive
- 🐛 Prevents exiting kiosk mode
- 🐛 Blank page errors
- 🐛 Slow performance

**Reported bugs**

- App crashes
- Freezes and becomes unresponsive
- Cannot exit kiosk mode
- Blank page errors
- Slow performance

**Requested features**

- Better instructions/homepage
- Support for Thai language
- Update for iOS 18
- More user-friendly setup


## Frequently asked questions

### Is LockDown Browser free?

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

### Is SafeExamBrowser free?

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

### Which has better reviews, LockDown Browser or SafeExamBrowser?

SafeExamBrowser is rated higher. LockDown Browser averages 1.2 out of 5 from 3.9K ratings, while SafeExamBrowser averages 1.6 from 46 ratings.

### Do LockDown Browser or SafeExamBrowser have ads?

Neither LockDown Browser nor SafeExamBrowser shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, LockDown Browser or SafeExamBrowser?

LockDown Browser ships an update every 5 weeks, and SafeExamBrowser every 3 months. Most recently, LockDown Browser was updated on October 1, 2026 and SafeExamBrowser on September 30, 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.*