Proctorio
Honorlock
Proctorio vs Honorlock: Complete Comparison (2026)
Compare Proctorio and Honorlock side by side. AI proctoring features, pricing, pros & cons. Find the best automated proctoring for your school.
Proctorio and Honorlock are the two leading AI-powered proctoring platforms competing for dominance in higher education. Both use artificial intelligence to monitor online exams, both operate through browser extensions, and both integrate with major LMS platforms. But beneath the surface, their approaches to AI monitoring, privacy, and institutional control differ significantly.
This comparison breaks down exactly where each platform excels and where it falls short.
Product Overview
Proctorio
Advanced Remote Proctoring for Secure Online Exams
When to choose Proctorio?
- ✓Privacy-conscious institutions where zero-knowledge encryption is a requirement or strong preference
- ✓Universities wanting maximum configurability to create different proctoring profiles per course or exam type
- ✓Institutions in the EU or privacy-regulated jurisdictions where data access controls are critical
- ✓Large universities with diverse assessment needs that benefit from granular per-exam settings
- ✓IT departments that want detailed control over exactly what data is collected and how
Honorlock
AI-powered online proctoring solution that integrates with major LMS platforms for secure testing.
When to choose Honorlock?
- ✓Institutions where secondary device cheating is a primary concern — Honorlock's patented detection is unique
- ✓Universities prioritizing student experience and wanting to minimize proctoring friction
- ✓Programs that value the hybrid AI + human approach with on-demand live proctor intervention
- ✓Institutions wanting faster instructor adoption through simpler configuration and intuitive dashboards
- ✓Schools where ease of deployment and minimal training requirements are priorities
Proctorio vs Honorlock Comparison
| Feature | Proctorio | Honorlock |
|---|---|---|
| Deployment📋 | Chrome extension | Chrome extension |
| AI Monitoring📋 | Comprehensive | Comprehensive |
| Secondary Device Detection📋 | ✗ | Yes (patented) |
| Zero-Knowledge Encryption📋 | ✓ | ✗ |
| Gaze Tracking📋 | ✓ | ✓ |
| Audio Monitoring📋 | ✓ | ✓ |
| Room Scanning📋 | ✓ | ✓ |
| Live Proctor Pop-in📋 | Add-on | Built-in |
| Configurable Settings📋 | 15+ individual toggles | Preset levels + some customization |
| LMS Integration📋 | Canvas, Blackboard, Moodle, D2L | Canvas, Blackboard, Moodle, D2L |
| Chromebook Support📋 | ✓ | ✓ |
| FERPA Compliant📋 | ✓ | ✓ |
| GDPR Compliant📋 | ✓ | ✓ |
| Accessibility Features📋 | ✓ | ✓ |
Final Verdict
Both platforms are excellent AI proctoring solutions, and the choice often comes down to institutional priorities:
If privacy architecture and configurability are your top concerns, Proctorio is the stronger choice. Zero-knowledge encryption is a genuine differentiator, and the granular settings give institutions precise control over the monitoring experience.
If catching secondary device cheating and student satisfaction matter most, Honorlock is the better pick. The patented phone detection technology addresses a real blind spot, and the smoother student experience reduces complaints and support tickets.
For institutions that can't decide: request pilot programs from both vendors. Run them in parallel across different courses for one semester. The data from your own students and instructors will make the decision clear.
Find the Right EdTech Solution
Compare features, pricing, and reviews of 100+ education technology products.
Browse EdTech ProductsFrequently Asked Questions
Both are effective but address different cheating vectors. Honorlock's secondary device detection catches phone-based cheating that Proctorio misses. Proctorio's granular monitoring can be configured to catch a wider range of behavioral anomalies. Neither platform can guarantee 100% cheating prevention.
Both platforms generate false positives — it's inherent to AI-based monitoring. Honorlock's simpler flagging system tends to produce fewer but broader flags. Proctorio's detailed behavioral analysis can generate more flags but with more specific context. Instructor review is essential with both platforms.
Technically yes, but it's not recommended. Switching mid-semester creates confusion for students and instructors. Plan transitions between semesters with adequate training and communication time.
Yes, both Proctorio and Honorlock integrate natively with Canvas LMS. Configuration happens within Canvas quiz settings, and both platforms support Canvas's native assignment and quiz tools.
Pricing varies by institution size and contract terms. Generally, both platforms are competitively priced in the same range for AI-only proctoring. Request quotes from both vendors with your specific student count and usage projections for accurate comparison.