G2 is the largest and most trusted peer-to-peer software review site, which is why it’s the go-to for real reviews that compare online proctoring services and software.
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Companies can’t buy their way to the top. Reviews can’t be influenced or manipulated. They have serious review validation processes to make sure of it.
This article gives context on specific proctoring features and functionality and explains why they matter so much to the test experience for all users. Whether you work at a college or university, a company, or a credentialing organization, we’ll covers what you need to evaluate options and choose the best online proctoring solution for your needs.
All scores are from G2’s online proctoring scores for 2026
ID verification
Obviously, you want to know that the person taking the proctored exam is the person getting credit for it. While most online proctoring platforms have ID verification, they aren’t the same. Some are quick and simple. Others are time-consuming and invasive.
Consider these questions as you’re comparing solutions:
- How invasive is it? What information is collected?
- What’s the process like? Is it easy? How long does it take?
ID verification should capture a picture of the test-taker and their photo ID and confirm the name on the ID matches the name in the LMS in about a minute. That’s it.
Browser lockdown
If you’re only using browser lockdown software to proctor online exams, you’re essentially just locking your windows but leaving your doors wide open.
In other words, locking the browser isn’t enough to prevent cheating. If a test taker has a cell phone, they can get around it.
However, browser lockdown software is still an important part of a larger solution to secure assessments. And exam admins may even want to allow access to certain sites while blocking all others. For example, allowing access to specific case studies and research articles while blocking all other sites. Make sure the solution’s browser guard is customizable.
Honorlock’s Browser Guard, which is just one component of a comprehensive proctoring solution. It lets you block all websites and applications or allow test takers to visit specific websites and applications during proctored tests. It also records their desktop and prevents common keyboard shortcuts like copy and paste.
Video recording
Video recording is a staple of proctored assessments, but it’s important to understand how it’s done and how it’s used.
Do you only want behavior recorded to watch later? Or do you want AI to monitor behavior during the exam, record it, and you’ll just watch the important behaviors that need your attention?
Honorlock’s AI uses the webcam to monitor and record behavior. If the AI detects suspicious behavior during the exam, it alerts a live proctor to review and intervene if necessary. After the exam is over, instructors and admins get a report with proctor-verified violations and can access time-stamped video recordings in HD quality (many remote proctoring services only provide SD).
Automatic behavior flagging
This is one part of online proctoring that separates the best from the rest.
From cell phone detection and video monitoring to sound detection and room scans, there are many AI proctoring tools that impact the entire experience for all users.
Some AI proctoring software will flag almost anything.
Sneezing – flag.
Talking to themselves – flag.
Looking away from the screen while thinking – flag.
These distract test takers and create more work for administrators during exam reviews.
But Honorlock’s approach avoids distractions and extra work. The AI monitors behavior and alerts a live proctor if it detects suspicious behavior. The proctor can review the behavior and decide whether to intervene or not. If the behavior isn’t problematic, the proctor won’t intervene and administrators can skip it when they review.
Live proctors
Which option would you prefer?
Option 1: A stranger (live proctor) watches you the entire time you take an exam.
Option 2: A live proctor isn’t watching you take your exam and you only interact with them through chat if behavior needs to be addressed.
Most would choose Option 2 because it isn’t creepy and distracting… And that’s the approach Honorlock uses. You’ll also want to consider what the interactions are like between test takers and proctors.
Honorlock proctors are trained by a nationally certified counselor and educator to support test takers during moments of anxiety or frustration. This training creates a more supportive test environment and improves the experience because proctors know how to respond and de-escalate situations so test takers can get back to the exam quickly.
Test session reports
Test reports can save admins a lot of time… or waste a lot of time. If you want to save time, make sure that the reports are:
- Time-stamped for violations, notable behaviors, or potentially suspicious behaviors/activities (as opposed to reviewing flags)
- Available within the LMS dashboard to avoid extra logins/passwords
Honorlock’s exam reports save time and make the review process simple. After proctored exams are complete, instructors/admins can access in-depth reports with time-stamped recordings within the LMS dashboard. Reports include test taker violations and notable or suspicious behaviors/activities. In addition, proctors will send a detailed email to test administrators about suspicious behavior observed.
Dashboard
Can you monitor proctoring usage across your institution? How do you know if it’s actually effective?
- Compare proctoring usage from one semester to the next
- Analyze the impact of Honorlock’s exam security features, such as Search & Destroy and Extension Detection
- Understand the most common exam violations
LMS integrations
It’s the difference between a secure proctoring platform that’s easy to use and a frustrating experience that puts security at risk.
Honorlock’s direct LMS integration means that:
- No extra logins or passwords for admins or test takers.
- Exam admins create exams in the LMS like normal and then choose the proctoring features they want to use.
- Test takers log into the LMS and launch the exam before verifying their ID and getting started.
- The integration only takes about an hour to complete.
Honorlock’s proctoring platform integrates with Canvas, Blackboard, Moodle, D2L Brightspace, Open LMS, Intellum, and Docebo. We also offer custom LMS integrations.
Other proctoring features & services to consider
Live Pop-InTM
Live Pop-InTM is a hybrid proctoring solution that combines AI monitoring with live human proctors.
AI monitors each exam session and alerts a live proctor if any behavior or activity looks suspicious. The proctor reviews the flagged behavior and only intervenes via chat if misconduct occurred and needs to be addressed.
This proctoring approach protects exam integrity without constantly interrupting test takers, which creates a better test experience that allows them to focus.
Cell phone detection
Some remote proctoring services claim to have cell phone detection, but they actually just rely on (hope) a live proctor, who’s probably watching a dozen exams at once, seeing one in real time.
Honorlock has real technology to detect cell phones and other secondary devices like smartwatches and tablets. Our AI detects when test takers attempt to use their cell phones to access test bank content during the tests, and we’re the only proctoring company detecting device-sharing apps like Apple Handoff.
Test content protection
Unlike technology from other proctoring companies that make you manually search for leaked exam content, Honorlock’s Search & Destroy technology automatically searches the internet for your leaked exam content in just a few minutes. If it finds any, it gives you the ability to send a one-click takedown request.
Block AI
Whether it’s an exam, writing assignment, or project requiring technical tasks, admins obviously want to prevent test takers from using AI like ChatGPT and Claude (chatbots) and invisible AI assistants like Cluely.
Honorlock provides a comprehensive set of tools to block AI, as well as all other applications, or only allow those required for the exam.
- For example, Microsoft Word and Excel, Zoom, or a specific integrated development environment can be allowed while blocking all other applications.
Live support 24/7/365
If proctored testing is available 24/7/365, support should be available at all times too. The quality of support matters too. Ask proctoring services about support satisfaction and support response times.
Since Honorlock offers proctored exams 24/7/365 without scheduling and, on average, live human support responds in less than 15 seconds.
Flat-rate cost
Variable prices add up quickly, so find an remote proctoring service, like Honorlock, with a flat rate cost per user or exam, and includes implementation and support.
While there are many online proctoring companies offering different software and services, make sure that you’re choosing the right one for your needs.
We encourage you to dig into G2’s reviews for online proctoring because we know that you’ll come to the same conclusion that many others have: Honorlock is the leader in online proctoring and a true partner in integrity for higher education and professional education.
