Safe Exam Browser

Safe Exam Browser (SEB) is a free browser environment for e-assessments. It runs locally and restricts access to unauthorized system functions, websites and applications while connecting to a learning management system or web-based exam system over the internet or a LAN. Listed compatible systems include Moodle, ILIAS, OpenOlat, Open edX, Canvas and Inspera Assessment. Exam settings can use encrypted configuration files, URL filtering and fullscreen or restricted browser windows; SEB can also detect virtual machines and jailbroken devices. On Windows, process monitoring can hide or terminate disallowed programs, while administrators can allow selected third-party applications. On iOS, Assessment Mode blocks app switching, unauthorized websites, notifications, calls and screenshots; a SEB Quit Password is required to activate it. SEB has no central server or cloud service. An optional open-source SEB Server can be installed on a self-operated server. Video or audio proctoring through a video-conferencing service is optional, disabled by default and requires candidate consent when configured. SEB is designed for exams on students' unmanaged computers and institution-managed Windows, macOS and iOS devices.

SEB provides local controls for restricting access during web-based exams and lists compatibility with several learning platforms. Its iOS Assessment Mode requires a Quit Password, and its integrity verification module is not open source.

SEB is designed for institutions and exam administrators setting up secure online assessments on student or institution-managed devices. Students seeking help are directed to their school or exam-system provider.

Overview

Safe Exam Browser (SEB) is a free exam browser for schools and exam administrators who need to constrain access on students’ own computers or institution-managed devices. Its broad web-exam compatibility is a practical advantage; institutions must, however, account for different controls across platforms and a closed-source integrity-verification module.

SEB runs on the candidate’s device and connects to an LMS or web-based exam system over the internet or a local network. Administrators configure the restrictions rather than relying on a required SEB cloud service. That makes SEB a fit for organizations that want local exam controls, but it also puts setup and support primarily in the exam administrator’s hands.

Compatible systems include Moodle, ILIAS, OpenOlat, Open edX, Canvas and Inspera Assessment. SEB also says it can work with essentially any web-based examination system, with LMS integration provided through a plugin. This flexibility is useful when an institution wants to keep its existing assessment platform.

Key features

• Configurable exam environment: Encrypted configuration files, URL filtering and fullscreen or restricted browser windows give administrators ways to define permitted access. Blocking app switching, copying, printing and screen capture addresses common routes for leaving or reproducing exam content.
• Device and process controls: SEB can detect virtual machines and jailbroken devices. On Windows, process monitoring can hide or terminate disallowed processes, and administrators can permit selected third-party applications. The Windows-specific process controls make that platform the stronger fit when an exam requires approved auxiliary software.
• iOS Assessment Mode: iOS uses the operating system’s Assessment Mode to block app switching, unauthorized websites, notifications, calls and screenshots. Activating it requires a SEB Quit Password, a configuration requirement administrators need to manage.
• Optional server and proctoring: SEB does not require a central server or cloud service; institutions can install the optional open-source SEB Server on their own server. Video or audio proctoring through a conferencing service is optional, off by default and requires candidate consent when configured.
• Privacy and integrity: SEB says it does not send personal information to a centralized server or use web analytics, tracking or clickstream analytics. Local log files may contain device and usage details. The application-integrity verification module is distributed only as a binary, so organizations requiring open-source verification should weigh that limitation.

Pricing

Safe Exam Browser: free. The freeware release includes Windows, macOS and iOS clients, making it suitable for institutions seeking exam restrictions without a software charge. There is no free trial because the plan is free. No paid SEB plan is offered.

The trade-off is not a per-seat fee but the need for administrators to configure the exam environment and support it. SEB support is generally aimed at exam system administrators; students should contact their school or exam-system provider for help.

Platforms

SEB supports Windows, macOS and iOS. The listed platform range also includes self-hosted deployment for the optional server component. Windows has process monitoring and allow-listing for selected third-party applications; iOS relies on Assessment Mode and requires a Quit Password to activate it. Institutions should choose devices with the controls their exam needs rather than assume every platform behaves identically.

Who it's for

SEB suits schools, universities and exam administrators delivering web-based assessments on students’ unmanaged computers or institution-managed Windows, macOS and iOS devices. It is especially relevant to organizations that need local restrictions while retaining a compatible LMS or exam system. It is a weaker fit for students seeking direct product support, or for institutions unwilling to manage configuration and platform-specific requirements.

Pros and cons

• Pro: Free Windows, macOS and iOS clients make it available without a software charge.
• Pro: Compatibility with several named LMS and exam systems, plus support for web-based examination systems generally, can preserve an institution’s existing platform.
• Pro: Local operation and an optional self-hosted server avoid a required central SEB cloud service.
• Con: iOS Assessment Mode needs a Quit Password, adding a configuration dependency for exam administrators.
• Con: The integrity-verification module is binary-only, a drawback for organizations that require every security component to be open source.
• Con: Students are directed to their school or exam-system provider for support rather than to SEB support.

Alternatives

Lockdown Browser Software is a useful starting point for comparing products in this category.

• Eklavvya is worth considering for a freemium exam platform with Android and web support as well as 25 exams and 1 GB of storage on its free plan; SEB instead centers on local lockdown controls across desktop and iOS clients.
• Fully Exam Kiosk may suit an Android-only deployment; it is free of charge at least until the end of 2027.
• ThinkExam is an option for organizations considering a freemium service with a free trial and a paid Standard plan listed at $3,125 a month, billed annually, for 100 users.
• ExamSoft may be a candidate for institutions considering a paid platform whose capabilities depend on the customer’s order form, with some integrations and services offered as add-ons.
• ExamOnline offers paid plans tailored to volume, proctoring type, features and contract term, with a pay-as-you-go option for occasional use.
• Surpass SecureClient is another paid secure-client option for iOS, macOS and Windows.
• Talview may fit buyers seeking unit-based pricing and a choice of features or bundles, though its typical minimum commitment is approximately 150 to 200 candidates.
• Respondus LockDown Browser is another paid browser option for iOS, macOS and Windows, with plans organized by LMS student counts.

Verdict

Choose Safe Exam Browser if you need free, locally run controls for web-based exams across Windows, macOS or iOS and want to retain a compatible LMS or exam system. Its breadth and lack of a required cloud service are compelling strengths. Look elsewhere if open-source integrity verification is essential, or if you need student-facing product support rather than relying on your school or exam provider.