Best Exam Proctoring Software in 2026
Updated
In short: Proctorio is ranked #1 of 22 as of 4 October 2026, ahead of SMOWL and ThinkExam. The best-ranked option with a free plan is ThinkExam. The lowest first paid tier on this page is Respondus Monitor at $1.25/mo.
Remote exams bring distinct questions about identity, oversight, and test-session controls. Compare browser lockdown with identity verification, live proctoring, webcam monitoring, and screen recording; LMS integrations and mobile support add workflow and device considerations. Free-plan availability and paid-from pricing help frame access and cost. Grafari and Proctorio are among the first entries, along with SMOWL and ThinkExam. Consider which of the listed monitoring and administration features matter for the assessments you run, then weigh those needs against the stated integration, support, and pricing details.
22 exam proctoring software ranked on what their makers publish — plans and prices, free tiers, platforms and the facts on their own pages.
#1 Proctorio Top pick · 7.9 Free plan · Free
#2 SMOWL Runner-up · 7.7 
#3 ThinkExam Also great · 7.7 Free plan · $3,125/mo- Free plan AndroidapiextensioniOSLinuxmacOSWebWindows
- Free plan
- Yes
- Identity verification
- Yes
- Live proctoring
- Yes
- Browser lockdown
- Yes
- Screen recording
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedPlatformsFree planFree trial - Free trial AndroidapiextensioniOSLinuxmacOSWebWindows
- Free plan
- No
- Identity verification
- Yes
- Live proctoring
- Yes
- Browser lockdown
- Yes
- Screen recording
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedPlatformsFree planFree trial - Free planFree trial AndroidiOSWeb
- Free plan
- Yes
- Identity verification
- Yes
- Live proctoring
- Yes
- Browser lockdown
- Yes
- Screen recording
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedPlatformsFree planFree trial$3,125/mofirst paid tier About ThinkExamVisit site - Free trial AndroidiOSmacOSWebWindows
- Identity verification
- Yes
- Live proctoring
- Yes
- Browser lockdown
- Yes
- Screen recording
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedPlatformsFree planFree trial$20/mofirst paid tier About GrafariVisit site - AndroidapiiOSLinuxmacOSself-hostedWebWindows
- Identity verification
- Yes
- Live proctoring
- Yes
- Browser lockdown
- Yes
- Screen recording
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedPlatformsFree planFree trial - AndroidiOSLinuxmacOSWebWindows
- Identity verification
- Yes
- Live proctoring
- Yes
- Browser lockdown
- Yes
- Screen recording
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedPlatformsFree planFree trial - AndroidextensioniOSmacOSWebWindows
- Identity verification
- Yes
- Live proctoring
- Yes
- Browser lockdown
- Yes
- Screen recording
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedPlatformsFree planFree trial - AndroidiOSmacOSWebWindows
- Free plan
- No
- Identity verification
- Yes
- Live proctoring
- Yes
- Browser lockdown
- Yes
- Screen recording
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedPlatformsFree planFree trial - Free trial AndroidapiiOSWeb
- Free plan
- No
- Identity verification
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedPlatformsFree planFree trial$62.50/mofirst paid tier About Gauge OnlineVisit site - apiextensionmacOSWebWindows
- Free plan
- No
- Identity verification
- Yes
- Live proctoring
- Yes
- Browser lockdown
- Yes
- Screen recording
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedPlatformsFree planFree trial - Free trial apiself-hostedWeb
- Free plan
- No
- Identity verification
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedPlatformsFree planFree trial$100/mofirst paid tier About YouTestMe GetCertifiedVisit site - Free trial AndroidiOSmacOSWebWindows
- Free plan
- No
- Identity verification
- Yes
- Live proctoring
- No
- Browser lockdown
- Yes
- Screen recording
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedPlatformsFree planFree trial$1.25/mofirst paid tier About Respondus MonitorVisit site - WebWindowsmacOS
- Identity verification
- Yes
- Live proctoring
- No
- Screen recording
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedPlatformsFree planFree trial - WindowsmacOSWeb
- Identity verification
- Yes
- Live proctoring
- Yes
- Browser lockdown
- Yes
- Screen recording
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedPlatformsFree planFree trial - WebWindowsmacOS
- Identity verification
- Yes
- Live proctoring
- Yes
- Browser lockdown
- Yes
- Screen recording
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedPlatformsFree planFree trial - WindowsmacOSLinux
- Identity verification
- Yes
- Live proctoring
- Yes
- Browser lockdown
- Yes
- Screen recording
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedPlatformsFree planFree trial - WindowsmacOS
- Identity verification
- Yes
- Live proctoring
- Yes
- Browser lockdown
- Yes
- Screen recording
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedPlatformsFree planFree trial - WebWindowsmacOS
- Free plan
- No
- Identity verification
- Yes
- Live proctoring
- Yes
- Browser lockdown
- Yes
- Screen recording
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedPlatformsFree planFree trial - Web
- Identity verification
- Yes
- Live proctoring
- Yes
- Browser lockdown
- Yes
- Screen recording
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedPlatformsFree planFree trial - WebWindowsmacOS
- Live proctoring
- Yes
- Browser lockdown
- Yes
- Screen recording
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedPlatformsFree planFree trial - WindowsmacOS
- Free plan
- No
- Identity verification
- Yes
- Live proctoring
- Yes
- Browser lockdown
- Yes
- Screen recording
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedPlatformsFree planFree trial - WebAndroid
- Free plan
- No
- Identity verification
- Yes
- Live proctoring
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedPlatformsFree planFree trial
Is your tool on this list?
Numbered spots on this list can be sponsored. They are labelled, and the editorial order and scores never change for payment.
Questions about this list
Which exam proctoring software is ranked first on Specifiction?
Proctorio is ranked #1 of 22 with a score of 7.9. SMOWL is second and ThinkExam third.
How many of these have a free plan?
2 of the 22 on this page publish a free plan on their own pricing pages.
Which is the cheapest paid option?
On this page, Respondus Monitor has the lowest first paid tier we found: $1.25/mo.
How is this list ranked?
Ranked on what each maker publishes, the fullest spec sheet first: how deeply the product is documented, the platforms it runs on, a free tier or trial to test it, and its standing. Paid placements never change a rank.