TLDR
UserWay and accessiBe are the two dominant overlay vendors. Both install a JavaScript widget that applies runtime modifications to inaccessible markup. Neither produces remediation reports or fixes source code. For agencies delivering accessible websites as a professional service, source-level scanning and issue documentation are non-negotiable.
Quick Verdict
UserWay and accessiBe are the two dominant overlay vendors. Both install a JavaScript widget that applies runtime modifications to inaccessible markup. Neither produces remediation reports or fixes source code. For agencies delivering accessible websites as a professional service, source-level scanning and issue documentation are non-negotiable.
Source: UserWay published pricing, userway.org/pricing
Source: A11yProof pricing page
- UserWay
- Overlay model; per-site pricing; no source-level remediation documentation
COMPETITOR
| Feature | UserWay | 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. UserWay at $49-$199/mo per site.
UserWay and the Overlay Category
UserWay competes directly with accessiBe in the same product category: JavaScript overlay widgets that apply accessibility modifications at runtime. Both products install via a single script tag. Both display a floating accessibility icon on the site. Both modify how the page renders for users who enable the widget’s accessibility features.
The differences between UserWay and accessiBe are marketing positioning and pricing structure, not fundamental product approach.
The Core Problem for Agencies
Overlays patch over accessibility problems at the presentation layer. The underlying HTML — the markup that screen readers encounter before JavaScript runs, that search engines index, that matters if the widget fails to load — remains unchanged.
For agencies that build websites, the code is the deliverable. When a client asks whether their site is accessible, they are asking about the code, not about whether a runtime widget is installed. When an auditor reviews a site for ADA compliance, they examine source code.
An overlay can reduce certain accessibility barriers for certain users. It does not make a site WCAG conformant, and it does not produce documentation that demonstrates conformance.
What Agencies Actually Need
To deliver accessibility as a professional service, agencies need:
- A way to scan client sites against WCAG criteria before launch
- A list of specific failing elements with criterion references that developers can act on
- Evidence that issues were identified and remediated — a before/after audit trail
- Reports they can include in client deliverables or maintenance retainers
UserWay produces none of this. A11yProof produces all of it.
When Overlays Have a Role
Overlays can provide a fast, low-effort measure that reduces some barriers for some users. For clients who want to do something about accessibility immediately while a full remediation project is scoped, an overlay is not harmful as an interim measure. It is not a substitute for source-level remediation, and agencies should communicate that clearly to clients before any overlay installation.
Q&A
What is the difference between UserWay and A11yProof?
UserWay is an overlay product: it installs a JavaScript widget that applies accessibility modifications at runtime, without changing underlying HTML. A11yProof is a scanner: it analyzes source code against WCAG 2.1 criteria and produces a list of failing elements with criterion references and remediation guidance. One installs in minutes and patches over problems; the other documents what needs to be fixed and gives developers actionable tasks.
Q&A
Why do agencies switch from UserWay to A11yProof?
Agencies typically switch when clients start asking for audit documentation, when projects specify WCAG conformance rather than overlay installation, or when a client site faces an accessibility legal challenge that the overlay didn't prevent. A11yProof produces the source-level documentation that overlays cannot.
Frequently asked