Respondus Monitor

Overview

Monitor is built to pair with LockDown Browser, which restricts printing, copying, access to other applications and internet searching during an exam. Monitor adds webcam recording, screen recording and identity verification, then surfaces events for instructor review. That combination supports post-exam scrutiny without arranging a live proctor, but it leaves review to instructors and does not provide live oversight.

After a one-time installation, Monitor launches from Chrome, Firefox, Safari or Edge when exam settings call for it. Students complete a pre-exam sequence that includes a webcam check; they do not need to book a session or register on Respondus’s website. Round-the-clock real-time chat support is a practical help for students encountering setup trouble.

Key features

Recorded review and exam controls

Flagged events can help instructors direct attention to portions of a recording, while browser lockdown limits access to common sources of outside assistance during the exam. This is useful when an institution wants a recorded audit trail, but it is not a substitute for real-time intervention.

LMS workflow and device support

Integrations include Canvas, Blackboard, Moodle, Brightspace, Pearson MyLab and Mastering, McGraw Hill ALEKS, Cengage WebAssign and MindTap, and Hawkes Learning. Respondus describes native support for Windows, Mac, Chromebook and iPad. Requirements include Windows 10 or 11, macOS 12 to 26.0+, or iPadOS 15+ with a compatible LMS integration, plus a webcam, microphone and broadband internet; Chromebook requirements are also provided. The broad LMS reach is valuable for institutions already using a supported system, while the compatible-integration condition matters for iPad users.

Privacy and fairness commitments

Respondus says its security and privacy coverage includes FERPA, GDPR, CCPA, HECVAT, SOC 2 and TX-RAMP. It also says its algorithms are systematically tested for fairness so age, gender and skin tone do not affect proctoring results. Those commitments address important institutional concerns, though they do not change the product’s reliance on recorded monitoring.

Pricing

Plan	Price	What it means
Free pilot	Free	Unlimited institutional use for 2 months, with no obligation. This is an evaluation window, not an ongoing free tier.
Student Purchase	15.00 USD per year	Valid for 12 months (365 days); usable across courses and exams in the same learning system at the institution. LockDown Browser is required, so this fits an individual student only where the school has enabled the companion product.
Initial institutional license	4950.00 USD per year	Annual fee prorated from the license start date; flat rate regardless of institution size. North America pricing; exclusions apply. Its flat-rate structure can suit institutions seeking campus access without seat tiers.
Tiered	5950.00 USD per year	Includes a 1,000-seat base tier; each additional 1,000 seats costs $1,950, with no exam-count limit. Institutions should weigh seat growth rather than exam volume.
Unlimited	Custom pricing	Institution-wide use, with price based on institution type and size. This is the quote-based option for organizations seeking institution-wide coverage.

There is no continuing free plan. Every paid route depends on LockDown Browser, and institutional deployment additionally requires a campus-wide LockDown Browser license with Monitor enabled by the license administrator. Respondus offers free training webinars, and instructors at licensed institutions can access training resources inside the LMS application.

Platforms

Platforms include Android, iOS, macOS, web and Windows. Respondus’s device guidance also covers Chromebook and iPad, with iPad use tied to a compatible LMS integration. Students need a webcam and microphone and broadband internet.

Who it's for

Monitor makes most sense for higher-education institutions that already license LockDown Browser, use one of its supported LMS integrations and prefer recorded instructor review over scheduled live supervision. Its student purchase plan offers a route across courses within the same institutional learning system. It is a poor fit for organizations needing live proctoring or for schools unable to meet the campus-wide LockDown Browser requirement.

Pros and cons

• Pros: Flagged recordings and results give instructors a way to focus post-exam review rather than supervise sessions live.
• Pros: A wide set of named LMS integrations can fit established higher-education workflows.
• Pros: Students avoid session scheduling and receive 24/7 real-time chat support.
• Cons: It cannot be used without LockDown Browser, and institutions need a campus-wide license with Monitor enabled.
• Cons: There is no live proctoring, limiting its value when real-time intervention is required.
• Cons: The free pilot lasts only 2 months, so it does not provide ongoing no-cost use.

Alternatives

Proctorio is worth considering for buyers who want a free plan and broader platform coverage; its free tier has 7-day data retention and a limited review center, so it is oriented toward evaluation, pilots and small-scale use. ThinkExam may suit a buyer comparing a freemium assessment platform with a Standard plan priced at 3125.00 USD per month, billed annually, for 100 users and unlimited quizzes.

Grafari offers a free plan and paid options including ANNUAL PREMIUM at 20.00 USD per month, billed $240 annually, while OctoProctor uses hours-based pricing tied to actual usage time, with fees set in the license agreement, invoice or order form. YuJa Engage is another paid option without a free plan.

Proctor360 is a paid alternative with pricing available by contacting sales or booking a demo. SMOWL is a paid option with a free trial and plans including computer monitoring or browser lock. Proctortrack offers customized quote-based pricing for organizations.

Browse Exam Proctoring Software or Online Proctoring Software for more options.

Verdict

Choose Respondus Monitor if your institution already has LockDown Browser and needs recorded webcam exams, flagged events and LMS-connected instructor review without arranging live sessions. Its post-exam workflow and institutional pricing choices are compelling in that setting. Look elsewhere if you need standalone deployment or a live proctor.