Proctoring Software Compatibility Matrix (2026)

A comprehensive, regularly updated comparison of proctoring software used in online exams and remote assessments.

Quick Comparison

Feature	LockDown Browser	Proctorio	ProctorU	Honorlock	ExamSoft	SEB	Respondus Monitor
Type	Native app	Chrome ext	Chrome + helper	Chrome ext	Native app	Native app	Native + webcam
macOS	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Windows	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
iPadOS	Limited	No	No	No	Yes	Yes	No
ChromeOS	No	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	No	No
Locks desktop	Yes	No	No	No	Yes	Yes	No
Screen capture	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	Yes
Window monitoring	Yes	No	Yes	No	Yes	Yes	No
Webcam	No	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	No	Yes
Microphone	No	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	No	Yes
AI proctoring	No	Yes	No	Yes	No	No	No
Browser tabs	N/A	Yes	No	Yes	N/A	N/A	No
Clipboard	Yes	Yes	No	No	Yes	Yes	No
Copy/paste	Blocked	Blocked	Allowed	Allowed	Blocked	Blocked	Allowed

Detailed Platform Profiles

Respondus LockDown Browser

What it is: A custom Chromium-based browser that restricts macOS/Windows to a single-app environment.

How it works on macOS:

• Registers as a kiosk application
• Calls CGWindowListCopyWindowInfo to enumerate all visible windows
• Monitors CGDisplayStream for screen capture activity
• Disables Cmd+Tab, Mission Control, Expose, and other system shortcuts
• Checks for virtual machines and remote desktop software

Technical detection level: Application-level. Uses public macOS APIs (CGWindowList, NSWorkspace). Cannot access window server internals.

Weaknesses: Cannot detect windows excluded from CGWindowList via CGSSetWindowSharingState(0).

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Proctorio

What it is: A Chrome browser extension for exam monitoring.

How it works:

• Uses chrome.desktopCapture to capture screen
• Uses chrome.tabCapture for tab-specific recording
• WebRTC for webcam and microphone capture
• AI analysis of webcam feed (eye tracking, head movement, face detection)
• Monitors Chrome tabs via chrome.tabs API

Technical detection level: Browser-level only. Limited to Chrome extension APIs. Zero access to macOS system APIs.

Weaknesses: Cannot see anything outside Chrome's extension sandbox. No access to window lists, process lists, or screen capture APIs.

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ProctorU / Meazure Learning

What it is: Live and AI-assisted proctoring via browser extension + optional native helper.

How it works:

• Chrome extension uses getDisplayMedia for screen sharing
• Optional native helper app can enumerate windows
• Live proctor watches via video feed
• AI flagging for suspicious behavior

Technical detection level: Browser-level (extension) + Application-level (native helper, if installed).

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Honorlock

What it is: Chrome extension with AI proctoring.

How it works:

• chrome.desktopCapture for screen recording
• Webcam monitoring with AI analysis
• Detects secondary devices (phones) via AI
• Monitors for suspicious audio

Technical detection level: Browser-level only. Same limitations as Proctorio.

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ExamSoft / Examplify

What it is: Native macOS/Windows application for secure exam delivery.

How it works:

• Creates kiosk-mode environment
• Enumerates running processes and windows
• Blocks keyboard shortcuts
• Encrypts exam responses locally

Technical detection level: Application-level. Uses CGWindowList and NSRunningApplication.

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Safe Exam Browser (SEB)

What it is: Open-source kiosk browser for secure exam delivery.

How it works:

• Configurable via XML/JSON config files
• Can monitor process lists and window lists
• Locks system to SEB window
• Configuration is institution-specific

Technical detection level: Application-level (configurable).

Note: Detection capabilities vary significantly based on exam configuration.

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macOS Detection API Levels

Understanding the hierarchy of monitoring:

Level 3: Kernel (highest privilege)
  - No proctoring software operates here on modern macOS (SIP)

Level 2: Window Server (system level)
  - CGSSetWindowSharingState, CGSSetWindowLevel
  - Only system processes have full access

Level 1: Application (user level)
  - CGWindowList, NSWorkspace, NSRunningApplication
  - LockDown Browser, ExamSoft, SEB operate here

Level 0: Browser (lowest privilege)
  - Chrome extension APIs, WebRTC
  - Proctorio, Honorlock, ProctorU (extension) operate here

Resources

• LDBypass - AI overlay that operates at Level 2
• macOS Window Privacy Research
• Discord Community

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Maintained by the LDBypass team. Contributions and corrections welcome via issues or Discord.