# LockDown Browser vs Cengage Read

The clearest difference is rating: Cengage Read at 4.2 against LockDown Browser's 1.2. Cengage Read also leads on review sentiment (20% vs 8%). LockDown Browser's advantage is iOS requirement (15.0 vs 18). On price, ratings volume, update cadence and ads there is nothing between them.

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

Cengage Read holds the better App Store score, 4.2 against 1.2. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 3.9K and 4K respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 8% of LockDown Browser's written reviews are positive against 20% of Cengage Read's.

LockDown Browser ships an update every 5 weeks, Cengage Read every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on September 22, 2026 and September 23, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | LockDown Browser | Cengage Read |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [1.2 (3.9K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/lockdown-browser/id659101775/reviews) | **[4.2 (4K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/cengage-read/id6444260893/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 3.9K | **4K** |
| Positive reviews | 7.8% of reviews | **19.7% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Every 5 weeks** | Every 2 months |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Size | 17 MB | 46 MB |
| Requires iOS | **15.0** | 18 |
| Devices | iPad | **iPhone, iPad** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Respondus Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/365544611) | [Cengage Learning](https://appshunter.io/developer/371168145) |

## 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


### Cengage Read

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/cengage-read/id6444260893)

Access and study your digital textbooks from anywhere. This app allows students to read, take notes, highlight, bookmark, and use text-to-speech for a flexible learning experience on the go.

**Highlights:** Read eTextbooks on the go, Take notes and highlight, Bookmark important sections, Text-to-speech functionality, Search keywords, Navigate via table of contents

**Features:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Easy to read textbooks
- 🚀 Convenient for on-the-go learning
- 👍 Useful for listening to audio while commuting
- 👍 Allows highlighting and note-taking

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Buggy and glitchy
- 🔥 Poor text formatting and layout
- 👎 Difficult to navigate and use
- 🔒 Login and account issues
- 🔍 Missing key features like split-screen and assignment tracking

**Reported bugs**

- Frequent crashes and sign-outs
- Inconsistent highlighting and note-taking functionality
- Inability to view full pages and content
- Text-to-speech feature not working properly

**Requested features**

- Improve text formatting and layout
- Add split-screen support for note-taking
- Enhance accessibility features like text-to-speech
- Integrate assignment and due date tracking


## Frequently asked questions

### Is LockDown Browser free?

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

### Is Cengage Read free?

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

### Which has better reviews, LockDown Browser or Cengage Read?

Cengage Read is rated higher. LockDown Browser averages 1.2 out of 5 from 3.9K ratings, while Cengage Read averages 4.2 from 4K ratings.

### Do LockDown Browser or Cengage Read have ads?

Neither LockDown Browser nor Cengage Read shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, LockDown Browser or Cengage Read?

LockDown Browser ships an update every 5 weeks, and Cengage Read every 2 months. Most recently, LockDown Browser was updated on September 22, 2026 and Cengage Read on September 23, 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.*