LockDown Browser vs Codon
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
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.
- Locks down exam environment
- Prevents switching applications
- Blocks access to other URLs
- Disables screenshots
- Prohibits copying or printing
- Integrates with learning systems
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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.
Codon
Explore biology from molecules to ecosystems with 100 structured lessons. Features include quizzes, researcher profiles, and landmark experiments. Study offline with bundled content and track progress with flashcards and notes.
- 100 structured biology lessons
- Researcher profiles and glossary
- Quizzes with explanations
- Spaced-review flashcards
- Offline study capabilities
- Home screen widgets
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Codon is a structured biology study course with 100 lessons covering cells and molecules, inheritance, evolution, ecology, organisms and physiology. It teaches mechanisms and evidence without presenting the course as a university degree or medical advice. WHAT IS INSIDE 100 lessons with estimated reading times and on-device narration 82 researcher profiles 735 glossary entries 20 quizzes with answer explanations 18 landmark experiments Spaced-review flashcards, bookmarks and notes Three Home Screen widgets: a source idea, a term and a figure FREE AND FULL ACCESS The first ten lessons are free. A one-time Full Access purchase opens the other 90 lessons. The current price for your App Store region is shown in the app before purchase. No subscription or app account is required. OFFLINE STUDY Lessons, profiles, glossary entries, quizzes and case studies are bundled for offline reading. Loading a purchase, buying or restoring Full Access, and opening external reference or support links may require a network connection.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is rating: Codon at 5.0 against LockDown Browser's 1.2. LockDown Browser's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 1) and ratings volume (4K vs 1). On price, update cadence, 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
Both are free to download. Codon sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. LockDown Browser asks for nothing beyond the download.
Codon holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 1.2. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: LockDown Browser has 4K ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two.
LockDown Browser ships an update every 5 weeks, Codon every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on November 11, 2026 and November 10, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | LockDown Browser | Codon |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 1.2 (4K ratings) | 5.0 (1 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 7.5% of reviews | — |
| Number of ratings | 4K — better | 1 |
| Update frequency | Every 5 weeks | Every 3 weeks — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No — better | Yes |
| Monetization | Free — better | Free with in-app purchases |
| Devices | iPad | iPhone, iPad — better |
| Requires iOS | 15.0 — better | 17.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 17 MB | 6 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 12+ |
| Developer | Respondus Inc. | OMAR DANIEL GRAZIANO |
Customer experience
LockDown Browser
Codon
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
Codon
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
In-app purchases
LockDown Browser
No in-app purchases
Codon
- Codon Full Access$9.99









