# LockDown Browser vs Top Hat

The clearest difference is rating: Top Hat at 4.6 against LockDown Browser's 1.2. Top Hat also leads on update cadence (fortnightly vs every 5 weeks) and chart position (#125 vs unranked). LockDown Browser's advantage is iOS requirement (15.0 vs 17.0). 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.

Top Hat holds the better App Store score, 4.6 against 1.2. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Top Hat has 23K 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 14% of Top Hat's.

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

## The numbers

| Metric | LockDown Browser | Top Hat |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [1.2 (3.9K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/lockdown-browser/id659101775/reviews) | **[4.6 (23K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/top-hat-better-learning/id674069291/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 3.9K | **23K** |
| Positive reviews | 7.8% of reviews | **14.4% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 5 weeks | **Fortnightly** |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Best chart rank | — | **#125** |
| Size | 17 MB | 162 MB |
| Requires iOS | **15.0** | 17.0 |
| Devices | iPad | **iPhone, iPad** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Respondus Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/365544611) | [Top Hat Monocle](https://appshunter.io/developer/411098284) |

## 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


### Top Hat

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/top-hat-better-learning/id674069291)

**Currently charting:** #125 Top Free · Education (US App Store)

Enhance your learning experience with interactive resources, in-class participation tools, and dynamic digital textbooks. Engage with professors and peers, and test your knowledge with quizzes and polls to improve comprehension and retention.

**Highlights:** Follow lecture slides on your device, In-class response system, In-app discussions with peers and professors, Dynamic, interactive digital textbooks, Take polls and quizzes, Access graded and non-graded homework

**Features:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Smooth and intuitive interface
- 👍 Useful for attendance and in-class quizzes
- 💡 Potential for interactive learning

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Frequent crashes and bugs
- 🔋 High battery consumption
- 💰 Expensive subscription fees
- 🔒 Privacy concerns with location tracking

**Reported bugs**

- Answers not registering correctly
- Slides not loading properly on mobile devices
- Inconsistent performance across platforms

**Requested features**

- Add page numbers and search functionality to ebooks
- Improve syncing between mobile and web versions
- Allow more flexible location settings for attendance


## Frequently asked questions

### Is LockDown Browser free?

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

### Is Top Hat free?

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

### Which has better reviews, LockDown Browser or Top Hat?

Top Hat is rated higher. LockDown Browser averages 1.2 out of 5 from 3.9K ratings, while Top Hat averages 4.6 from 23K ratings.

### Do LockDown Browser or Top Hat have ads?

Neither LockDown Browser nor Top Hat shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, LockDown Browser or Top Hat?

LockDown Browser ships an update every 5 weeks, and Top Hat fortnightly. Most recently, LockDown Browser was updated on September 22, 2026 and Top Hat on September 24, 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.*