Honorlock vs MonitorExam: Honest Comparison for 2026

Updated June 2026 · 8 min read · MonitorExam

⚡ Quick Answer Honorlock is a US-focused online proctoring platform that combines AI monitoring with live human proctors — but requires a Chrome extension, a working webcam, and Chrome browser on every student device. MonitorExam achieves the same AI + human hybrid proctoring with no extension, no installation, and no browser restriction — plus camera-optional mode, FIDO2 passkey identity verification, Google Forms compatibility, and a free tier. If your institution runs on Chrome-only managed devices, Honorlock works well. If your students use any mix of devices and browsers, MonitorExam is the more accessible option.

Both Honorlock and MonitorExam are used by universities and corporate training teams to ensure online exam integrity. The choice between them often comes down to one practical question: can all your students install a Chrome extension before the exam?

This is an honest comparison written by the MonitorExam team, based on verified reviews from G2, Capterra, GetApp, and SoftwareAdvice, and Honorlock's published documentation.

Who Is Honorlock For?

Honorlock makes online proctoring simple, safe and scalable for higher education institutions and professional education programs.

It was built primarily for:

• US universities and colleges with Canvas LMS deployments
• Higher education institutions with managed Chrome device environments
• Corporate training and professional certification programmes
• Institutions that want on-demand proctoring without advance scheduling

Honorlock combines AI monitoring with live human proctors who can intervene in real time — a hybrid approach that appeals to institutions wanting both automated efficiency and human judgment.

Who Is MonitorExam For?

MonitorExam is an end-to-end assessment and proctoring platform built for institutions that need credible exam security across any device, any browser, and any bandwidth environment.

It serves:

• Universities and colleges needing flexible proctoring without device restrictions
• EdTech platforms embedding proctoring via API
• Institutions in low-bandwidth environments — India, Southeast Asia, Philippines, Africa
• Corporate HR teams running remote hiring screens
• Individual teachers running Google Forms assessments
• Any institution that needs a secure exam running in under 5 minutes

The Chrome Extension Problem

This is the most important practical difference between the two platforms — and it affects every exam you run.

To get started with your exam, you need a functioning webcam and microphone and the Honorlock Chrome extension.

This means every student must:

1. Use Google Chrome — not Firefox, Edge, Safari, or any other browser
2. Install the Honorlock Chrome extension before the exam begins
3. Have a device that allows Chrome extension installation (many managed corporate and school devices do not)
4. Have a working webcam — camera is mandatory, no exceptions

On Google reviews, Honorlock's Google Chrome extension has a one-star rating averaged across 2,000 reviews. Complaints include fears over data, privacy and overall functionality.

The real-world consequence: on any exam day, a percentage of students will be unable to start because the extension failed to install, their browser is not Chrome, or their managed device blocks extension installation. Each of these becomes a support escalation and a potential missed exam.

MonitorExam requires no extension. No installation. It runs in Chrome, Firefox, Edge, and Safari — on Windows, Mac, Chromebook, and mobile. Students open a link and the proctoring session begins.

Feature-by-Feature Comparison

Where Honorlock Is Stronger

Being honest about where Honorlock has genuine advantages:

1. Established US university track record Honorlock is deployed across hundreds of US universities including major state systems. For procurement teams that need reference customers and case studies from peer institutions, Honorlock's US higher education track record is extensive.

2. Secondary device detection Honorlock specifically detects if a student uses a second phone alongside their laptop — using audio analysis and AI pattern detection. This is a documented feature that addresses a specific cheating vector.

3. On-demand live proctor availability 24/7 Honorlock's live human proctors are available at any hour for any exam — not just during scheduled monitoring windows. For certification exams running across time zones, this is a genuine operational advantage.

4. LMS-native experience for Canvas users For institutions running Canvas, Honorlock integrates directly into the quiz workflow — students never leave Canvas. The exam experience feels native to the LMS rather than redirecting to an external platform.

Where MonitorExam Is Stronger

1. No Chrome extension — any browser, any device This is the single most important operational difference. MonitorExam requires no extension, no installation, and no browser restriction. A student on Firefox, Edge, Safari, or any Chromium-based browser can start a proctored exam immediately. No IT support call. No exam day delay.

2. Camera-optional proctoring Honorlock requires a working webcam for all proctored exams — no exceptions. MonitorExam's camera-optional mode delivers full proctoring through browser lockdown, behavioural analytics, and session logging without a video feed. This is critical for students in shared spaces, low-bandwidth environments, or institutions with privacy-sensitive policies.

3. FIDO2 passkey identity verification Honorlock uses photo ID and facial matching — a centralised biometric approach. MonitorExam uses FIDO2 passkey authentication — the student's biometric is processed locally on their device and never transmitted to any server. No central biometric database. No breach risk.

You can forget a password. You cannot forget your fingerprint.

4. Google Forms native integration Honorlock does not integrate with Google Forms. MonitorExam wraps any Google Forms link with full proctoring, identity verification, and CredScore — by pasting one link. For millions of teachers using Google Forms for assessments, this is the difference between having proctoring and not having it.

5. Free tier and transparent pricing Honorlock has no free tier and requires a sales conversation for pricing. MonitorExam offers a permanent free tier for small-scale use and transparent volume pricing. Teachers and small institutions can start today.

6. Works in low-bandwidth environments Honorlock's video-based monitoring requires stable bandwidth. MonitorExam's camera-optional mode was specifically built for environments with unreliable connectivity — the Philippines, India Tier 2/3 cities, Indonesia, Africa. Proctoring through browser signals rather than video streaming removes the bandwidth constraint entirely.

7. Outcome-based pricing MonitorExam charges per exam delivered. You pay for value received — not for seat licences or platform access fees.

What Real Honorlock Users Say

Based on verified reviews from G2 and Capterra:

What users like:

• Students do not need to schedule exams in advance — flexible exam windows
• Easy reconnection if signal drops during exam
• On-demand live proctor support available

What users don't like:

• The AI monitoring has been incredibly disappointing. It won't catch if students skip the room scan. I end up spending over 10 hours per exam reviewing recordings myself.
• The program's technological limitations, including facial recognition errors and sensitivity to movement, may disrupt exams and add stress for students.
• Chrome extension requirement creates access barriers for students on managed devices
• Privacy concerns around data collection and secondary device scanning

Which Should You Choose?

The One Question That Decides It

Can every student in your cohort install a Chrome extension before the exam?

If yes — Honorlock works well for your context.

If no — or if even 5% of students cannot — MonitorExam is the operationally safer choice. An exam system where 95% of students can participate is not a 95% solution. It is a system with a 5% exception pathway that creates administrative overhead and integrity questions every time it is invoked.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Honorlock require a Chrome extension? Yes — Honorlock requires Google Chrome and the Honorlock Chrome extension to get started with an exam. MonitorExam requires no extension and works in any modern browser.

Does Honorlock work without a webcam? No — a working webcam and microphone are required for all Honorlock proctored exams. MonitorExam offers a camera-optional mode that proctors through browser lockdown and behavioural analytics without a video feed.

Is Honorlock free? Honorlock does not offer a free tier. MonitorExam offers a permanent free tier for small-scale use with no credit card required.

Does Honorlock work with Google Forms? No — Honorlock operates within LMS platforms like Canvas and Blackboard. MonitorExam integrates directly with Google Forms by pasting any Google Forms link.

What is the difference between Honorlock and MonitorExam for identity verification? Honorlock uses photo ID matching and facial recognition — biometric data is processed and stored centrally. MonitorExam uses FIDO2 passkey authentication — the student's biometric is processed on their own device and never transmitted to any server.

Does MonitorExam work on Chromebooks? Yes — MonitorExam runs in any browser on any device including Chromebooks, without requiring admin privileges or extension installation.

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