PSI Secure Browser vs TAO
PSI Secure Browser
psiexams.com
TAO
taotesting.comSide by side
| Figure | PSI Secure Browser | TAO |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | — | $149/mo |
| Free plan | — | Yes |
| Free trial | — | Yes |
| Open source | — | Yes |
| Web | — | Yes |
| Windows | Yes | Yes |
| macOS | Yes | Yes |
| Linux | Yes | Yes |
| API | — | Yes |
| Self-hosted | — | Yes |
| Plans published | 0 | 7 |
| Spec score · Lockdown Browser Software | 7.5 (#15) | 8.7 (#3) |
| Headquarters | Olathe, Kansas, United States | Capellen, Luxembourg |
| Integrations | PSI says its LTI integration connects RPNow to more than 200 platforms and lets faculty manage settings within their LMS. | Listed integrations include Moodle, Canvas, Blackboard, GeoGebra, Proctorio, MathType, Wiris and Texthelp. |
| Purpose | PSI Secure Browser provides a locked-down testing environment for online exams. | TAO is an online assessment platform for creating, delivering and managing digital assessments. |
| Support | PSI describes its online proctoring platform as having 24/7 support. | Community Edition support is through the TAO Community Forum and User Guide; paid plans offer additional support options. |
| System requirements | The Secure Browser requires 8 GB of RAM minimum, 500 MB of free disk space, and an internet connection of at least 750 kbps; PSI recommends 16 GB RAM and 3 Mbps or faster. | The installation guide lists Apache 2.4, PHP 7.2 and MySQL 5.7, MariaDB 10.1 or PostgreSQL 9.5, with recent Chrome, Firefox, Safari or Edge clients. |
Plans
TAO
- TAO Community EditionFree
- TAO StarterFree
- TAO StarterFree
- TAO Author$149 a month
- TAO Ignite$990 a month
- TAO ElevatePriced on request
- TAO EnterprisePriced on request
In their own words
PSI Secure Browser
PSI Secure Browser provides a locked-down environment for online exams, supporting the process from launch and identity authentication through proctor connection, testing, and session end. Check-in may include a photo ID, selfie, room and floor-to-ceiling scans, accessory scan, and desk scan. PSI says the browser restricts other websites and applications and blocks actions such as copying, pasting, printing, and screen capture. It is offered as a downloaded browser or as a separate Chrome Extension. The Secure Browser supports specified 64-bit Windows 10 and 11, macOS Sonoma, Sequoia, and Tahoe, and Ubuntu 22.04, 24.04, and 26.04 LTS. Chromebooks cannot run the Secure Browser, though they can use the extension. Installation and administrator access are required on the test computer. Proctored exams require a webcam and microphone, and the camera must stay on during the exam. PSI offers live and record-and-review proctoring. Pricing is available on request.
TAO
TAO is an online platform for creating, delivering and managing digital assessments. Authors can build tests manually, convert existing exam files, use AI-assisted drafting or import QTI packages. Question formats include Choice, Extended Text, File Upload, Hotspot and Text Entry. Scoring supports automatic and manual methods, partial credit, weighted responses and cut scores, with branching logic also available. Results can be reviewed through session and test-taker reports, custom reports, CSV results, Data Explorer and TAO Insights. TAO supports QTI 2.2 and QTI 3.0, and promotes interoperability through QTI and LTI. Delivery options include online, LMS via LTI, test centers, local proctoring, and cloud-hosted or self-hosted configurations. TAO Cloud offers shared or private hosting using providers including AWS, Google Cloud and Linode. Starter is free for one author and 50 learner attempts monthly; Community Edition is a free, self-hosted open-source option. Paid plans include TAO Author at $149 a month and TAO Ignite at $990 a month; custom plans are also listed.