Head-to-head
Honorlock vs Proctorio: which one in 2026?
Honorlock is a remote proctoring service that mixes AI monitoring with live human pop-in, and Proctorio is a proctoring platform from Scottsdale, Arizona built around lockdown settings and automated flagging. Both sell by quote, so the page evidence is about method, certifications and where data lives.
Verdict
Honorlock suits institutions that want a live human behind the AI and clear retention terms, while Proctorio suits those who care about the lockdown toolset and the longer ISO list. Prices are hidden on both, so compare quotes per exam or per student. Proctorio leaves LMS integrations and retention unstated on the pages read, so ask for both in writing.
Honorlock and Proctorio side by side
| Honorlock | Proctorio | |
|---|---|---|
| Price entry | Quoted | Quoted |
| Who watches the exam | AI monitors the exam in the background, and live human proctors can step in during the test through Live Pop-In. | Recording options include audio, video, desk scans and live proctoring; flagging is done by AI and review is left to the institution. |
| Browser control | BrowserGuard provides browser-based control of the exam environment, with no further settings listed on the pages read. | Lockdown blocks downloads, new tabs and printing, disables clipboard and right-click, and forces full screen. |
| Leaked questions | Search and Destroy finds exam questions posted online and works to have them removed, which targets leaks after the exam. | WebSweep manages content leaks, and ScreenBlock blocks screenshots and video capture while the test is running. |
| Authorship checks | Not described on the pages read, where the focus is identity checks and cell phone detection. | AuthorProof validates authentic writing and Behavior Tracker validates human activity during the whole session. overall. |
| Segments sold to | Higher education, corporate and enterprise, and credentialing bodies, each sold through its own custom quote. | One custom quote; the pricing page returned 404 and the home page points to sales. |
| LMS connections | Canvas, Blackboard, Brightspace and Moodle are all named as connected learning systems on the pages read. | No learning management systems were named on the pages read, so confirm your course platform with sales. |
| Data location and retention | U.S.-based cloud, encrypted in transit and at rest, retention defaults to 365 days and is set per institution. | Hosting region, retention period and any AI training on exam data are not stated on the pages read. |
| Certifications | SOC 2 Type 2 is stated, with FERPA and GDPR compliance claimed; no ISO certification is stated. | SOC 2 and SOC 2 Type 2, ISO/IEC 27001, 27018 and 42001:2023 named, FERPA and GDPR not stated on that page. |
Where each one wins
Honorlock wins on
- Live human proctors can pop in during an exam, behind the AI monitoring
- Names Canvas, Blackboard, Brightspace and Moodle as connected learning systems
- States a 365-day default retention with deletion on the institution's schedule
Proctorio wins on
- Lists more ISO standards, including 42001 for AI management systems
- Offers writing authenticity and human activity checks during the session
- Gives a granular set of lockdown switches, from clipboard to printing
Which to pick
Pick Honorlock if
You want live proctors available during exams, a stated retention period, and confirmed hooks into a Canvas, Moodle, Blackboard or Brightspace course.
Pick Proctorio if
You value an ISO-listed security posture including AI management, and want fine-grained lockdown plus checks on who wrote the answer.
Each tool in context: Honorlock profile, Proctorio profile, and the full Best AI Online Proctoring Software in 2026.
Frequently asked questions
Does Honorlock use live proctors?
Yes. Its Live Pop-In feature lets live human proctors step into an exam while AI keeps monitoring in the background. Proctorio also lists live proctoring among its recording options, though it names no pop-in feature on the pages read. Ask each vendor for a demo.
Does Proctorio list ISO certifications?
Its trust page names ISO/IEC 27001, ISO/IEC 27018:2019 and ISO/IEC 42001:2023 alongside SOC 2 and SOC 2 Type 2, without audit dates. Honorlock's security page names SOC 2 Type 2 and does not state any ISO certification at all. Request the reports.
How long does Honorlock keep exam data?
Honorlock's security page says custom retention defaults to 365 days and data is purged on the institution's own timeline. Proctorio's retention period and hosting region were not stated on the pages read, so ask about both before signing. Get both in writing.
Do either publish prices?
No. As of November 2026 Honorlock routes higher education, corporate and credentialing buyers to a custom quote, and Proctorio's pricing page returned 404 with a talk-to-sales link. Expect per-student, per-exam or flat-rate licensing in either case. Ask for a written quote.