Smowl
Basque proctoring specialist with computer monitoring, browser lock and live supervision that plugs into Moodle, Canvas and other LMSs
Quick Overview
| Company | Smiley Owl Tech, S.L. (Smowltech) |
|---|---|
| Category | Online Assessment and Exam Proctoring |
| Headquarters | San Sebastian, Spain |
| Founded | Not stated |
| EU Presence | Yes - Spain (EU) |
| Data Location | Not stated on the pages checked |
| Open Source | No |
| GDPR Compliant | Yes |
| Self-Hosting | No |
| Main Features | Webcam monitoring, user authentication, environment check, computer monitoring, browser lock, real-time proctoring, detailed reports, LMS integrations |
| Pricing | Custom quote, answered within 48 hours per the vendor |
| Best For | Institutions that already have an exam platform or LMS and want to bolt proctoring onto it |
| Replaces | Proctorio, other remote monitoring add-ons |
Detailed Review
Smowl is proctoring only. It does not author or mark exams, which is the difference to suites such as Inspera or WISEflow. The controller named in its privacy policy is Smiley Owl Tech, S.L., with a registered office in Donostia / San Sebastian, Spain.
The features are sold as modules. A buyer can use webcam checks on their own, then add computer monitoring, browser lock or live supervision where the exam stakes call for it.
Monitoring modules
Computer monitoring uses a small application called SMOWL CM to log how the exam was completed. It can flag use of generative AI tools such as ChatGPT, Gemini or Copilot, virtual machines, and copy and paste, and the institution decides which applications are allowed. Browser lock blocks tab changes and keyboard shortcuts.
Live option
SMOWL LIVE is the synchronous mode. A proctoring team watches the session, can chat with the examinee and applies corrective steps when something looks wrong. Automated and deferred modes also exist, so one contract can mix styles by exam.
Integrations and privacy
There are dedicated pages for Moodle, Canvas, Blackboard and D2L Brightspace. The site publishes separate sections on GDPR, FERPA, CCPA and the EU AI Act. Pricing depends on user numbers, exam frequency, supervision type and integrations, so no fixed list exists.
Limitations to Consider
Prices are quoted individually, and the pages checked do not say where recordings are stored or which processors are used. Smowl does not author or mark exams, so it needs a host system. The computer-monitoring module needs a desktop application on the candidate's machine, which adds a support burden for large cohorts.
Who Should Use Smowl
Universities, training providers and employers that already run assessments in an LMS and want an add-on proctoring layer with a choice of automated or live supervision.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Modular, so cost follows the level of supervision
- Detects generative AI tools and virtual machines
- Live supervision available
- Pages for Moodle, Canvas, Blackboard and D2L
- Spanish company confirmed in its privacy policy
Cons
- No published price
- Data storage location not stated
- Does not author or mark exams
- Desktop app needed for computer monitoring
Alternatives to Smowl
Other European online assessment and exam proctoring worth comparing before you decide:
TestReach
Ireland · Live human proctoring and exam delivery from a Dublin vendor
WISEflow
Denmark · University assessment platform with lockdown and proctoring add-ons
TestWe
France · Online exams with AI marking and screen, webcam and audio proctoring
Inspera
Norway · Modular assessment suite with secure browser and AI-flagged proctoring
See all European online assessment and exam proctoring or compare them directly against Proctorio on our alternatives page.
Frequently Asked Questions
Its computer monitoring feature is described as detecting generative AI tools such as ChatGPT, Gemini and Copilot, as well as virtual machines.
No. It supervises exams that run elsewhere, such as in Moodle or Canvas. For authoring plus proctoring look at <a href="/tool/testwe">TestWe</a> or <a href="/tool/inspera">Inspera</a>.
The vendor shows no fixed price. It asks for details such as user numbers and exam frequency and promises a custom quote within 48 hours.