TLDR
accessiBe is an overlay product: it applies a widget on top of non-compliant HTML rather than surfacing what needs to be fixed. For agencies that own client deliverables, that distinction matters legally and professionally. A11yProof scans the source, produces actionable remediation reports, and starts at $29/month with unlimited client sites.
Quick Verdict
accessiBe is an overlay product: it applies a widget on top of non-compliant HTML rather than surfacing what needs to be fixed. For agencies that own client deliverables, that distinction matters legally and professionally. A11yProof scans the source, produces actionable remediation reports, and starts at $29/month with unlimited client sites.
Source: accessiBe published pricing, accessibe.com/pricing
Source: A11yProof pricing page
- accessiBe
- Overlay model doesn't fix source code; per-site pricing becomes expensive across a client portfolio
COMPETITOR
| Feature | accessiBe | A11yProof |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly cost | $49-$199/mo per site | from $29/month |
| Setup fee | Varies | $0 |
| AI-generated fixes | No | Yes |
| Source code remediation | Overlay only | Real code fixes |
| VPAT reports | Extra cost | Included (Pro+) |
A11yProof offers the same core features at from $29/month with zero setup fees — vs. accessiBe at $49-$199/mo per site.
The Overlay Problem for Agency Work
accessiBe markets itself to agencies as a drop-in compliance solution. Add a script tag, configure the widget, done. For agencies under deadline pressure, this is appealing.
The problem surfaces when a client gets an ADA demand letter or goes through an accessibility audit. Overlay products inject fixes at runtime — they do not modify the HTML that search engines index, the code that screen readers encounter before JavaScript executes, or the markup that remains if the widget fails to load. An audit or legal review that examines the source code finds the original inaccessible markup unchanged.
For agencies that represent to clients they are delivering accessible websites, the overlay model creates professional and legal exposure.
What the Per-Site Pricing Actually Costs
accessiBe charges per domain. A small agency with 15-20 active client websites pays $980-$3,980/month in accessiBe fees, before any agency margin. That is not a resellable service — it is a recurring cost that agencies typically absorb or pass through at cost, with no differentiation.
A11yProof’s agency pricing covers the full client portfolio. The economics look different when you account for that.
What A11yProof Offers Instead
A11yProof scans client sites against WCAG 2.1 AA criteria and returns:
- Issue lists by page and element — specific markup failures, not runtime patches
- Remediation priority rankings — critical vs. advisory issues, sorted by effort and impact
- White-label PDF reports — client-ready documentation that agencies can include in project deliverables or ongoing retainers
- Scheduled re-scans — track remediation progress across the project timeline
- Multi-client dashboard — manage and monitor all client sites from a single agency account
This is a different service category than an overlay. The output is actionable developer tasks and client documentation, not a widget on the client’s site.
When accessiBe Still Makes Sense
If a client needs a fast, stopgap measure while a full remediation project is scoped and budgeted, an overlay may provide interim risk reduction. It is not a substitute for source-level remediation for agencies that build or maintain client sites.
Q&A
What is the main difference between accessiBe and A11yProof for agencies?
accessiBe is an overlay: it injects JavaScript on the client's site that attempts to apply accessibility fixes at runtime without modifying source code. A11yProof is a scanner: it analyzes the actual HTML, CSS, and JavaScript of a site and reports which elements fail which WCAG criteria, so developers can fix the underlying issues. For agencies responsible for delivering compliant code, the scanner approach provides defensible audit documentation that overlays cannot.
Q&A
Is accessiBe enough for ADA compliance for agency client sites?
The legal position on overlays is contested. Multiple federal court cases have held that overlay products do not constitute ADA website accessibility compliance. Several major accessibility advocacy groups publish statements recommending against overlay-only approaches. For agencies whose contracts specify WCAG 2.1 AA compliance, relying solely on an overlay creates professional risk.
Frequently asked