Freedom251 › Online Proctoring Software
SMOWL
What SMOWL is
SMOWL provides digital exam proctoring for educational institutions, certification bodies and businesses, for online and in-person assessments. Its tools can monitor applications, browsing activity, connected devices and use of generative AI during an exam. Browser Lock can restrict actions such as opening new 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 the exam. Environment monitoring can use a second camera, such as a phone or tablet, to show the test taker’s surroundings. After an exam, reports categorize detected incidents and include visual evidence and descriptions for review. SMOWL lists LMS integrations including Moodle, Canvas, Open LMS, Classe365 and Blackboard, and names D2L as a certified LMS partner. Its plans range from computer monitoring or Browser Lock to webcam and environment monitoring, optional human review, and live human proctoring with chat and incident intervention. A trial offers 25 licenses for 21 days through mySmowltech. The service supports Windows, macOS, iOS and Android; Chrome or Firefox are recommended. Pricing is available on request.
Who it suits
SMOWL suits schools, certification providers and businesses that conduct online exams, professional training, personnel selection or other online assessments. Its plan range also addresses organizations seeking in-person digital exams, reports, or live proctoring.
What it does well
- Monitors exam applications, browsing and connected devices.
- Browser Lock can prevent leaving the test screen.
- Post-exam reports include visual evidence and descriptions.
- Integrates with Moodle, Canvas and other LMS platforms.
- Maker advertises 24/7 technical support.
What to know first
- There is no free plan.
- Pricing is available on request.
- Computer monitoring in CLASS, PLUS and PRO requires a desktop application.
- Free trial is limited to 25 licenses for 21 days.
Limits
There is no free plan. The trial provides 25 licenses for 21 days. Computer monitoring in SMOWL CLASS, PLUS and PRO requires a desktop application.
Plans
| Plan | Billed and limits | Price |
|---|---|---|
| SMOWL+ 5000 | 12-month contract · 5,000 exam-session licenses · $3.00 per license | $15,000 a year |
| SMOWL Pro 5000 | 12-month contract · 5,000 exam-session licenses · $5.00 per license | $25,000 a year |
| SMOWL Class 5000 | 12-month contract · 5,000 exam-session licenses · $1.50 per license | $7,500 a year |
| SMOWL ENTERPRISE | Live human proctoring · direct chat · incident intervention · enterprise support | On request |
| Activity-based license | One monitored activity per user · suited to admissions, single assessments, certifications and selection tests | On request |
| SMOWL CLASS | Computer Monitoring or Browser Lock · in-person digital exams · LMS integration | On request |
| User-based license | Unlimited activities per user during the contracted period | On request |
| SMOWL PLUS | Webcam authentication · device and environment monitoring · optional Browser Lock | On request |
The first 8 of 9 plans, as smowl.net lists them, read 15 Oct 2026. The maker's own page has the final word. Every plan
Getting started
- Visit https://smowl.net/en/.
- Request pricing or access the 25-license, 21-day free trial through mySmowltech.
- Arrange LMS integration; free integration requires LMS administrator permissions.
- Choose a plan based on whether you need computer monitoring, webcam and environment monitoring, or live human proctoring.
- Install the desktop application for computer monitoring in SMOWL CLASS, PLUS or PRO; webcam monitoring alone requires no installation.
Verdict
Choose SMOWL if your organization needs exam monitoring, identity checks, LMS integration or live proctoring across online and in-person assessments. The main reason to look elsewhere is if you need a free plan or pricing published in advance; SMOWL’s prices are available on request.
Questions
Does SMOWL have a free plan?
No. SMOWL is a paid service, with pricing available on request.
Does SMOWL offer a trial?
Yes. The maker offers a free trial of 25 licenses for 21 days through mySmowltech.
Which platforms does SMOWL support?
SMOWL says it works on Windows, macOS, iOS and Android, and recommends Chrome or Firefox among major browsers.
Which LMS integrations are listed?
SMOWL lists Moodle, Canvas, Open LMS, Classe365 and Blackboard as LMS integrations, and names D2L among certified LMS partners.
Do I need to install an application?
SMOWL CLASS, PLUS and PRO require a desktop application for computer monitoring. Webcam monitoring alone requires no installation.
What kinds of proctoring do the plans offer?
Options include computer monitoring or Browser Lock, webcam authentication and environment monitoring, second-camera supervision, optional human review, and live human proctoring with direct chat and incident intervention.
Facts from SMOWL's own pages
- API and LTI
- SMOWL offers API access for custom LMS work and LTI integration; technical implementation guides are available inside the logged-in mySmowltech portal. · smowl.net, 15 Oct 2026
- Browser Lock
- The SMOWL browser extension can block tabs, windows, copy/paste, printing and prohibited shortcuts while recording forced-close attempts. · smowl.net, 15 Oct 2026
- Company legal name
- The website identifies the controller as Smiley Owl Tech, S.L., with Spanish tax number B75073452. · smowl.net, 15 Oct 2026
- Company size
- LinkedIn lists Smowltech as a privately held company with 51–200 employees. · linkedin.com, 15 Oct 2026
- Compliance
- SMOWL identifies GDPR, FERPA, CCPA, and the European Union AI Act as regulatory frameworks addressed on its privacy page, and describes its proctoring as ISO 27001 and ENS certified. · smowl.net, 3 Oct 2026
- Computer monitoring
- SMOWL CM can detect virtual machines, unauthorized applications and generative-AI tools such as ChatGPT, Gemini and Copilot. · smowl.net, 15 Oct 2026
- Core monitoring
- Its options include identity authentication, webcam and microphone supervision, computer and browser monitoring, environment checks and incident reports. · smowl.net, 15 Oct 2026
- Data hosting
- The privacy policy says AWS servers are in the European Union and that customer data is not transferred outside the EU. · smowl.net, 15 Oct 2026
- Deployment model
- AWS Marketplace describes SMOWL as SaaS deployed on AWS, with recurring contract usage and possible additional AWS infrastructure costs. · aws.amazon.com, 15 Oct 2026
- Documentation access
- Integration, API, configuration and administration guides require mySmowltech login, while general help material is available through a Help Center. · smowl.net, 15 Oct 2026
- Environment checks
- Environment monitoring can use a second camera, such as a phone or tablet, to show the test taker’s surroundings. · smowl.net, 3 Oct 2026
- Environment scan
- An optional second camera on a phone or tablet checks the workspace for other people or devices. · smowl.net, 15 Oct 2026
- Extension requirements
- The browser extension works on Chrome and Edge plus Chromium browsers such as Opera, Brave and Vivaldi, while Safari and Firefox are unsupported for that extension. · smowl.net, 15 Oct 2026
- Founded
- Smowltech was founded in 2012. · g2.com, 15 Oct 2026
- Free trial
- Institutions can test 25 licenses for 21 days through mySmowltech, with administrator permissions needed for LMS integration. · smowl.net, 15 Oct 2026
- Funding
- Dealroom lists a May 2022 seed round of €1.7 million involving Wayra, Social Stock Exchange and Sparkmind. · app.dealroom.co, 15 Oct 2026
- Headquarters
- The registered office is Calle Arturo Campión 22, 20018 Donostia/San Sebastián, Gipuzkoa, Spain. · smowl.net, 15 Oct 2026
- Identity checks
- SMOWL can compare a webcam image of the test taker with an identity document and take periodic images during the exam. · smowl.net, 3 Oct 2026
- Identity verification
- The authentication feature compares a live face image with an identity document and takes periodic snapshots during the activity. · smowl.net, 15 Oct 2026
- Installation limit
- SMOWL CLASS, PLUS, and PRO require a desktop application for computer monitoring, while webcam monitoring alone requires no installation. · smowl.net, 3 Oct 2026
- Integrations
- The service lists Moodle, Canvas, Open LMS, Classe365 and Blackboard integrations, with certified integrations for Moodle, Canvas, Blackboard and D2L. · smowl.net, 15 Oct 2026
- Limit: connectivity
- The Gartner review said teacher-student screen sharing was uneven and students periodically lost connection during tests. · gartner.com, 15 Oct 2026
- Limit: feature coverage
- Capterra’s catalog indicates SMOWL has online tests, live proctoring and violation tracking but lacks test or quiz creation and its listed data-security feature. · capterra.com, 15 Oct 2026
- Limit: integrations and dashboard
- The Gartner review cited integration problems and limited dashboard access as obstacles. · gartner.com, 15 Oct 2026
Where SMOWL stands on Freedom251
- Online Proctoring Software#8 of 27
- Exam Proctoring Software#9 of 21