ExamSoft vs SMOWL
ExamSoft
examsoft.comSMOWL
smowl.netSide by side
| Figure | ExamSoft | SMOWL |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | — | $625/mo |
| Free plan | — | — |
| Free trial | — | Yes |
| Open source | — | — |
| Web | Yes | Yes |
| Windows | Yes | Yes |
| macOS | Yes | Yes |
| Linux | — | Yes |
| iOS | Yes | Yes |
| Android | — | Yes |
| API | — | Yes |
| Plans published | 1 | 9 |
| Spec score · Online Proctoring Software | 8.3 (#4) | 8.6 (#3) |
| Founded | ExamSoft says it was founded in 1998 by two Bar exam candidates. | Smowltech was founded in 2012. |
| Integrations | ExamSoft lists LMS integrations with Blackboard 9.1 and above, Canvas, D2L, and Moodle 2.9 and above; these can sync student and course data to ExamSoft and grades to the LMS GradeBook. | The service lists Moodle, Canvas, Open LMS, Classe365 and Blackboard integrations, with certified integrations for Moodle, Canvas, Blackboard and D2L. |
| Purpose | ExamSoft is a digital assessment platform for creating, administering, and grading exams and generating performance reports. | SMOWL provides online and in-person digital exam proctoring for educational institutions, certification bodies, and businesses. |
| Support | ExamSoft advertises 24/7 support for exam-makers and exam-takers, including phone support and help-center live chat. | The vendor lists chat, phone, help-center resources, onboarding, training, custom SLAs and optional priority or live-supervision services. |
Plans
SMOWL
- SMOWL Class 5000$7,500 a year
- SMOWL+ 5000$15,000 a year
- SMOWL Pro 5000$25,000 a year
- Activity-based licensePriced on request
- SMOWL CLASSPriced on request
- SMOWL ENTERPRISEPriced on request
- SMOWL PLUSPriced on request
- SMOWL PROPriced on request
- User-based licensePriced on request
In their own words
ExamSoft
ExamSoft is a digital assessment platform for creating, administering, and grading exams, then generating performance reports. The ExamSoft Portal supports item banking, authoring, scheduling, scoring, and reporting. Questions can be tagged for reporting, and the portal provides category and longitudinal performance reports. Exam-takers download exam files before the scheduled assessment and can then work offline in Examplify. For assessments marked secure, Examplify restricts access to other files and applications, and exam files are deleted from the device after completion. When enabled, ExamMonitor records video and audio during secure assessments for later review of potential academic integrity breaches. Listed LMS integrations include Blackboard 9.1 and above, Canvas, D2L, and Moodle 2.9 and above, with student and course data syncing to ExamSoft and grades to the LMS GradeBook. ExamSoft serves education programs and organizations administering certification and licensure exams. Pricing is on request. Examplify supports Windows, macOS, and iPad, but not Chromebooks, Android, or Linux.
SMOWL
SMOWL provides digital exam proctoring for educational institutions, certification bodies, and businesses, for online and in-person assessments. Computer Monitoring can record applications, browsing activity, connected devices, and use of generative AI tools during exams. Browser Lock can restrict actions such as opening tabs, leaving the test screen, or using unauthorized shortcuts. Identity checks compare a webcam image with an identity document, and periodic images can be taken 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 group detected incidents and provide visual evidence and descriptions for review. Integrations include Moodle, Canvas, Open LMS, Classe365, and Blackboard; D2L is also named as a certified LMS partner. A trial offers 25 licenses for 21 days through mySmowltech. Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android are supported, with Chrome or Firefox recommended. Pricing is available on request, and there is no free plan.