SMOWL

SMOWL is an exam-proctoring service for schools, certification bodies, and businesses running online or in-person assessments. It suits organizations that need to vary oversight by exam, from browser restrictions to human review. Its breadth is useful, but custom pricing and desktop-app requirements make procurement and deployment worth weighing carefully.

Overview

Founded in 2012 and headquartered in San Sebastián, Spain, SMOWL serves education, professional training, personnel selection, and other assessment settings. It connects with Moodle, Canvas, Open LMS, Classe365, and Blackboard, and names D2L as a certified LMS partner. That range is relevant for institutions choosing proctoring alongside an existing learning platform; free integration requires LMS administrator permissions.

SMOWL describes privacy-by-design measures including encryption in transit and at rest, access controls, minimum-necessary processing, and legally defined data deletion. It addresses GDPR, FERPA, CCPA, and the European Union AI Act, and describes its proctoring as ISO 27001 and ENS certified. These measures are pertinent for organizations handling sensitive exam data, though buyers should assess their own compliance needs.

Key features

Exam controls and monitoring

Browser Lock can prevent new tabs, leaving the test screen, and unauthorized shortcuts. Computer Monitoring can record applications, browsing activity, connected devices, and use of generative AI tools during an exam. Together these controls offer institutions a way to restrict test conditions and review computer activity, but SMOWL CLASS, PLUS, and PRO require a desktop application for computer monitoring. Webcam monitoring alone requires no installation.

Identity, cameras, and review

SMOWL can compare a webcam image with an identity document and take periodic images during an exam. Environment monitoring can use a second camera, such as a phone or tablet, to show the test taker’s surroundings. Post-exam reports categorize incidents with visual evidence and descriptions, giving reviewers material to assess rather than relying on a bare flag. SMOWL PRO adds optional human review and API report customization; ENTERPRISE offers live human proctoring, direct chat, and incident intervention for exams needing active oversight.

Integrations and support

All plans include installation and usage support and access to the mySmowltech management area. The maker advertises 24/7 technical support. That support provision may suit institutions coordinating exams at varied hours, while the extent of proctoring itself depends on the chosen plan.

Pricing

SMOWL is paid, with custom pricing and no free plan. Its free trial provides 25 licenses for 21 days through mySmowltech, enough for a time-limited evaluation but not a standing free tier.

SMOWL CLASS: custom pricing. It combines Computer Monitoring or Browser Lock with in-person digital exams and LMS integration. It fits organizations prioritizing exam controls and LMS use; computer monitoring entails a desktop application.

SMOWL PLUS: custom pricing. Webcam authentication and device and environment monitoring are included, with Browser Lock optional. It suits buyers emphasizing identity and surroundings checks; webcam-only monitoring avoids installation, but computer monitoring requires the desktop application.

SMOWL PRO: custom pricing. It adds second-camera supervision, optional human review, API report customization, and user- or activity-based licensing. The licensing options and review features suit organizations needing configurable oversight, though they do not provide a published price for budgeting.

SMOWL ENTERPRISE: custom pricing. Live human proctoring, direct chat, incident intervention, and enterprise support target organizations that need intervention during an exam rather than only post-exam review.

Across plans, installation and usage support and the management area are included. The free trial is capped at 25 licenses and 21 days; buyers should confirm the commercial licensing terms and price for their expected exam volume.

Platforms

SMOWL lists Android, iOS, Linux, macOS, web, and Windows support, as well as an API and extension. It recommends Chrome or Firefox among major browsers. Its platform listing includes mobile operating systems, but mobile support is identified as unavailable, so buyers should distinguish supported platforms from a mobile proctoring option. Webcam monitoring alone requires no installation; computer monitoring on CLASS, PLUS, and PRO requires a desktop application.

Who it's for

SMOWL is a strong candidate for educational institutions, certification bodies, and businesses conducting professional training, personnel selection, or online assessments. Its multiple monitoring levels let organizations align controls and review with exam needs, while LMS connections may suit institutions already using supported platforms. It is less compelling for buyers who require a free ongoing plan, a known price before contacting the vendor, or computer monitoring without a desktop application.

Pros and cons

Pros: Multiple levels of oversight, from Browser Lock and identity checks to second-camera and live human proctoring, suit exams with different risk profiles.

Pros: Incident reports include categorized findings, visual evidence, and descriptions, supporting post-exam review.

Pros: Named LMS integrations and certified partnership with D2L give institutions several routes to connect assessment workflows.

Cons: Custom pricing across plans makes cost comparison and budgeting harder before a sales discussion.

Cons: Computer Monitoring on CLASS, PLUS, and PRO requires a desktop application, adding a deployment consideration that webcam-only monitoring avoids.

Cons: The trial is limited to 25 licenses and 21 days, and there is no free plan for continued small-scale use.

Alternatives

Respondus Monitor is worth considering for institutions seeking a free pilot with unlimited use and no obligation, or a stated student purchase price of $15 a year; its listed platforms include Android, iOS, macOS, web, and Windows.

Proctorio is a better fit for buyers who want a freemium option: its free tier covers evaluation, pilot programs, and small-scale use, with seven-day data retention and a limited review center.

ThinkExam offers a freemium plan and a Standard plan at $3,125 a month billed annually for 100 users, unlimited quizzes, two admin panels, a candidate panel, and email or ticket support; consider it when those stated terms suit your scale and workflow.

Grafari is an alternative with a free plan and an annual premium option at $20 a month billed at 240 USD annually; it may suit buyers who prefer a stated subscription price.

YouTestMe Proctoring has a Standard Edition at $100 a month with a $100 monthly minimum, and supports self-hosted deployment; it is worth comparing when those terms matter.

YuJa Engage is another paid proctoring option for buyers evaluating alternatives.

OctoProctor uses hours-based pricing tied to actual usage time, with specific fees set in the license agreement, invoice, or order form; consider it if usage-based billing is preferable.

ExamSoft is an alternative whose capabilities depend on the product and customer order terms, with some integrations and services offered as add-ons.

Browse more options in Online Proctoring Software and Exam Proctoring Software.

Verdict

Choose SMOWL if your institution or business needs adjustable exam oversight, LMS connections, and reviewable incident evidence, with the option to escalate to live human proctoring. Look elsewhere if a transparent price, an ongoing free tier, or computer monitoring without desktop installation is central to the decision.