Comparison

LockDown Browser vs Pearson+ | Study Prep & eTexts

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

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.

Highlights
  • Locks down exam environment
  • Prevents switching applications
  • Blocks access to other URLs
  • Disables screenshots
  • Prohibits copying or printing
  • Integrates with learning systems
Read 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.

About

Pearson+ | Study Prep & eTexts

Access your Pearson eTextbooks and supplementary learning materials in one app. Watch short video explanations of complex topics and utilize study tools like notes, highlights, and flashcards. The app also offers an audiobook feature for most eTextbooks and powerful search functionality.

Highlights
  • eTextbook access
  • Video explanations
  • Notes and highlights
  • Audiobook feature
  • Searchable content
  • Flashcard creation
Features
Currently charting
Read full description

The Pearson+ mobile app provides you access to all your Pearson eTextbooks in one place, as well as curated bite-sized video explanations of complex topics for your toughest college courses. Get started by logging in with the same username and password you created via the web-based version of Pearson+. Feature highlights: -- Anytime, anywhere access to eTextbook content and embedded media assets -- Short video explanations of complex topics to help you succeed in the classroom -- Ability to easily create and refer to your notes and highlights within the eTextbook  -- Have your eTextbook read aloud to you with our audiobook feature (available for most eTextbooks) -- Search across all the content in the eTextbook to easily find exactly what you need -- Create your own flashcards or use pre-built ones to help you study -- Personalize the reading experience to best meet your needs For bug reports or general feedback, please reach out to us at PearsonPlusFeedback@pearson.com.

Screenshots

Pearson+ | Study Prep & eTexts4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Pearson+ | Study Prep & eTexts at 4.8 against LockDown Browser's 1.2. Pearson+ | Study Prep & eTexts also leads on review sentiment (31% vs 8%) and update cadence (every 2 weeks vs every 5 weeks). LockDown Browser's advantage is monetization model (free vs free with in-app purchases). On price, ads, in-app purchases and device support 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Pearson+ | Study Prep & eTexts holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 1.2. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Pearson+ | Study Prep & eTexts has 61K ratings behind it against 3.9K, 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 31% of Pearson+ | Study Prep & eTexts's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

LockDown Browser ships an update every 5 weeks, Pearson+ | Study Prep & eTexts every 2 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 22, 2026 and September 24, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard6 real differences · 5 level
LockDown Browser versus Pearson+ | Study Prep & eTexts: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterLockDown BrowserPearson+ | Study Prep & eTexts
PriceFreeFree
Rating1.2 (3.9K ratings)4.8 (61K ratings) — better
Positive reviews7.8% of reviews30.5% of reviews — better
Number of ratings3.9K61K — better
Update frequencyEvery 5 weeksEvery 2 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFree — betterFree with in-app purchases
Best chart rank—#112 — better
DevicesiPadiPhone, iPad — better
Requires iOS15.0 — better16.0
Further details — not scored
Size17 MB501 MB
Age rating4+12+
DeveloperRespondus Inc.Pearson Education, Inc.

Customer experience

LockDown Browser

All ratings3,896 ratings
Positive4.4%
Neutral0.8%
Negative94.7%
Written reviews410 reviews
Positive7.8%
Neutral1.5%
Negative90.7%

Pearson+ | Study Prep & eTexts

All ratings60,768 ratings
Positive96.6%
Neutral1.7%
Negative1.7%
Written reviews393 reviews
Positive30.5%
Neutral13.5%
Negative56.0%

User reviews

LockDown Browser

From 3.9K App Store ratings

What 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

Pearson+ | Study Prep & eTexts

From 61K App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🚀 Convenient access to textbooks
  • 🎧 Useful audio feature
  • 📚 Helpful study tools (flashcards, quizzes)

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Buggy highlighting and page navigation
  • 📱 Poor usability on mobile devices
  • 🔍 Lack of search and page number features
  • 💰 Expensive for limited functionality

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

Pearson+ | Study Prep & eTexts

Reported bugs

3 issues
  • Textbooks failing to load or display properly
  • Audio playback issues and lack of syncing
  • Inconsistent behavior when switching apps or rotating devices

Requested features

4 requests
  • Improved highlighting and annotation tools
  • Better syncing between devices and web version
  • Page number support
  • Split-screen and landscape mode on tablets

In-app purchases

None

LockDown Browser

No in-app purchases

None

Pearson+ | Study Prep & eTexts

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is LockDown Browser free?
LockDown Browser is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Pearson+ | Study Prep & eTexts free?
Pearson+ | Study Prep & eTexts is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, LockDown Browser or Pearson+ | Study Prep & eTexts?
Pearson+ | Study Prep & eTexts is rated higher. LockDown Browser averages 1.2 out of 5 from 3.9K ratings, while Pearson+ | Study Prep & eTexts averages 4.8 from 61K ratings.
Do LockDown Browser or Pearson+ | Study Prep & eTexts have ads?
Neither LockDown Browser nor Pearson+ | Study Prep & eTexts shows ads.
Which is updated more often, LockDown Browser or Pearson+ | Study Prep & eTexts?
LockDown Browser ships an update every 5 weeks, and Pearson+ | Study Prep & eTexts every 2 weeks. Most recently, LockDown Browser was updated on September 22, 2026 and Pearson+ | Study Prep & eTexts on September 24, 2026.

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