Comparison

LockDown Browser vs Sharpen

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

Sharpen

This app revolutionizes college exam preparation by assessing your knowledge, identifying weak areas, and offering personalized AI-driven study plans. Access quizzes, videos, flashcards, and AI-powered study assistance to boost your exam readiness.

Highlights
  • AI-driven study recommendations
  • Personalized knowledge assessment
  • Multiple quiz modes
  • Bite-sized video lessons
  • AI study buddy (Ask Sharpen)
  • Textbook-aligned content
Features
Currently charting
Read full description

Sharpen is the new college study app that revolutionizes exam prep. Sharpen assesses your current knowledge, identifies areas for improvement, and provides personalized AI-driven study recommendations to boost your exam readiness. Choose from three quiz modes, flashcards, bite-sized videos, chapter summaries, and practice problems, all seamlessly aligned with your college textbook. Or use Ask Sharpen, your AI study buddy, to break down topics and generate new study content tailored to your queries. Features: NEW Ask Sharpen: Enter queries and Sharpen’s AI engine provides deep-dives, links you to related study activities, and generates new learning content. NEW Improve: AI-driven insights show your strengths, knowledge gaps, and personalized study recommendations based on past sessions. Quiz Bank: Thousands of questions across three modes (basic, advanced, and exam). Exam-like Questions: Fill-in-the-blank, multiple choice with images, standard multiple choice, and single choice. Exam Timer: Simulate the exam environment with a built-in timer. Bite-Sized Videos: Concise videos that explain key concepts. Flashcards: Learn key terms from your textbook. Step-by-Step Practice Problems: Reinforce understanding with detailed practice problems. Visual Chapter Summaries: Summarize chapters visually for better retention. Trusted Content: Content built by McGraw Hill subject matter experts and aligned to your textbook. Disciplines covered: McGraw Hill Textbooks & OpenStax Textbooks: Accounting, Algebra, American Government, American History, Anatomy & Physiology, Biology, Business, Business Law, Business Math, Chemistry, Economics, Engineering, Human Resources, Investments, Management, Marketing, Medical Assisting, Medical Terminology, Microbiology, Music, Nutrition, Psychology, Spanish, and others. Testimonials: “I’m rocking the exams and my understanding in class thanks to Sharpen.” “This app is amazing! It gets right to the point & connects with my book for school.” “Fantastic resource! I love the bite-sized lessons, quizzes, and design.” Download Sharpen today and experience a simpler, more effective way to study for exams and class. Terms of Use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

Screenshots

Sharpen4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Sharpen at 4.7 against LockDown Browser's 1.2. Sharpen also leads on review sentiment (38% vs 8%) and update cadence (every 2 weeks vs every 5 weeks). LockDown Browser's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 8) and iOS requirement (15.0 vs 17.0). On price, ratings volume, ads 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. Sharpen sells 8 in-app purchases, starting at $11.99 per month. LockDown Browser asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Sharpen holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 1.2. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 3.9K and 3.2K respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 8% of LockDown Browser's written reviews are positive against 38% of Sharpen's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

LockDown Browser ships an update every 5 weeks, Sharpen every 2 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 22, 2026 and September 24, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard7 real differences · 4 level
LockDown Browser versus Sharpen: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterLockDown BrowserSharpen
PriceFreeFree
Rating1.2 (3.9K ratings)4.7 (3.2K ratings) — better
Positive reviews7.8% of reviews38.2% of reviews — better
Number of ratings3.9K — better3.2K
Update frequencyEvery 5 weeksEvery 2 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree — betterFree with in-app purchases
Best chart rank—#200 — better
DevicesiPadiPhone, iPad — better
Requires iOS15.0 — better17.0
Further details — not scored
Size17 MB193 MB
Age rating4+12+
DeveloperRespondus Inc.McGraw-Hill

Customer experience

LockDown Browser

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

Sharpen

All ratings3,206 ratings
Positive93.2%
Neutral2.9%
Negative3.9%
Written reviews136 reviews
Positive38.2%
Neutral13.2%
Negative48.5%

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

Sharpen

From 3.2K App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🚀 Helpful study tools
  • 👍 Intuitive and easy to use
  • 💡 Directly tied to textbooks
  • 👍 Useful for exam preparation

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Frequent crashes and bugs
  • 🔒 Login and sign-in issues
  • 💰 Subscription-based model
  • 🤔 Limited subject coverage

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

Sharpen

Reported bugs

4 issues
  • Incorrect answer registrations
  • Repeated questions across chapters
  • Inability to restart quizzes
  • Crashing and freezing issues

Requested features

4 requests
  • Expand subject coverage to include more disciplines
  • Improve stability and reduce crashes
  • Add support for landscape mode and multitasking on iPad
  • Provide more variety and randomization of practice questions

In-app purchases

None

LockDown Browser

No in-app purchases

8 purchases

Sharpen

Subscriptions8
  • Sharpen+7 Days trial$11.991 Month
  • Sharpen+$17.991 Month
  • Sharpen+7 Days trial$17.991 Month
Show 5 more
  • Sharpen+ 3 month$29.993 Months
  • Sharpen+ 3 month7 Days trial$29.993 Months
  • Sharpen+ 12 month BTS7 Days trial$59.991 Year
  • Sharpen+ 12 month$89.991 Year
  • Sharpen+ 12 month7 Days trial$89.991 Year

Questions

Is LockDown Browser free?
LockDown Browser is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Sharpen free?
Sharpen is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, LockDown Browser or Sharpen?
Sharpen is rated higher. LockDown Browser averages 1.2 out of 5 from 3.9K ratings, while Sharpen averages 4.7 from 3.2K ratings.
Do LockDown Browser or Sharpen have ads?
Neither LockDown Browser nor Sharpen shows ads.
Which is updated more often, LockDown Browser or Sharpen?
LockDown Browser ships an update every 5 weeks, and Sharpen every 2 weeks. Most recently, LockDown Browser was updated on September 22, 2026 and Sharpen on September 24, 2026.

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