TLDR
Automated accessibility scanners test source code against WCAG criteria and return actionable issue lists. They are distinct from overlay products, which patch over problems at runtime without testing the underlying code. This comparison covers scanner tools — not overlays — evaluated from an agency workflow perspective.
| Tool | Starting Price | WCAG Coverage | Multi-Client | Client Reports |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| A11yProof | $29/mo (portfolio) | WCAG 2.1 AA | Yes | Yes (white-label) |
| axe DevTools Pro | $40-$100/user/mo | WCAG 2.1/2.2 | No | No |
| WAVE | Free / API paid | Partial WCAG 2.1 | No | No |
| Lighthouse | Free | Subset (axe-powered) | No | No |
| Tenon | Custom API pricing | WCAG 2.1 | Custom integration | Custom |
A11yProof
An automated scanner with multi-client management, scheduled scans, and white-label reporting — designed for agencies running accessibility audits across client portfolios.
Pros
- ✓ Multi-client portfolio management from one account
- ✓ Source-level WCAG 2.1 AA scanning with element and criterion details
- ✓ Scheduled automated scans — no manual execution
- ✓ White-label PDF output for client deliverables
Cons
- × Pre-launch — track record not yet established
- × No CI/CD pipeline integration at launch
Pricing: $29/mo (agency portfolio)
Verdict: Best for agencies that want scheduled portfolio-wide scanning with client reporting built in.
axe DevTools Pro
Professional-grade accessibility testing built on the open-source axe-core engine. Browser extension, IDE plugin, and API for CI/CD integration.
Pros
- ✓ Deep WCAG criterion coverage including complex interactivity testing
- ✓ Browser extension and IDE integration fit developer workflow
- ✓ CI/CD API for automated testing in build pipelines
- ✓ Most widely trusted axe-based tool in the accessibility community
Cons
- × Per-user seat pricing — costs grow with team size
- × No multi-client management or client reporting
- × Manual trigger required unless CI/CD is configured
Pricing: $40-$100/user/mo
Verdict: Best for development teams doing active remediation — complements portfolio-level tools.
WAVE (WebAIM)
WebAIM's free web accessibility evaluation tool, available as a browser extension and online checker. Widely used for spot-checking and education.
Pros
- ✓ Free to use via browser extension
- ✓ Visual in-page feedback — accessibility issues highlighted on the page
- ✓ Well-known and trusted for spot checks
- ✓ WAVE API available for automated scanning integration
Cons
- × Not a portfolio management tool — manual per-page evaluation
- × No client reporting or scheduled scanning
- × Narrower WCAG coverage than axe-core based tools
Pricing: Free (browser extension); WAVE API is paid
Verdict: Useful for quick spot-checks and developer learning — not suitable for systematic portfolio auditing.
Lighthouse (Google)
Google's open-source audit tool built into Chrome DevTools. Accessibility audit is one of several categories alongside performance, SEO, and best practices.
Pros
- ✓ Free and built into Chrome — zero barrier to entry
- ✓ Familiar to most web developers
- ✓ Integrates into CI/CD via Lighthouse CI
- ✓ Covers performance and SEO alongside accessibility
Cons
- × Powered by axe-core but with narrower accessibility rule coverage than axe directly
- × No multi-client management or reporting
- × Results don't map cleanly to WCAG criterion references
Pricing: Free
Verdict: A baseline check, not a compliance audit tool. Good starting point; not a replacement for systematic scanning.
Tenon
An API-first WCAG testing service that returns structured accessibility issue data, designed for integration into custom workflows and enterprise testing pipelines.
Pros
- ✓ API-first design enables custom reporting and workflow integrations
- ✓ Detailed WCAG criterion mapping in API responses
- ✓ Strong for building custom accessibility tooling
Cons
- × No built-in dashboard or reporting — requires building your own
- × API pricing model requires volume estimation
- × Not a self-serve tool — best for technical teams building custom integrations
Pricing: Custom (API pricing by test volume)
Verdict: For agencies with technical capacity to build custom reporting pipelines. Not a self-serve option.
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See plans & pricingAutomated accessibility scanning is a narrower product category than the broader accessibility software market. This comparison deliberately excludes overlay products (accessiBe, UserWay, AudioEye) because overlays do not scan and do not produce remediation documentation. They are a separate category.
The tools here all test pages against WCAG criteria and return findings that developers can act on. They differ in how they deliver those findings, how they handle multiple sites or clients, and what they cost.
The honest ceiling of automated scanning is roughly 30-40% of WCAG issues. Every tool in this comparison leaves a significant portion of WCAG findings to manual testing — keyboard navigation, screen reader compatibility, cognitive accessibility, and complex interactive component testing all require human judgment. Automated scanning is a first pass that catches structural failures efficiently; it is not a replacement for manual testing or expert review.
For agencies, the practical question is: which tool produces outputs that can be handed to a developer or included in a client report without manual reconstruction? That filters the list quickly.
Q&A
What automated accessibility scanner is best for web agencies?
For portfolio management and client reporting, A11yProof is designed for this use case: multi-client, white-label reports, flat pricing. For developers remediating code during builds, axe DevTools Pro is the most capable developer tool. WAVE and Lighthouse are spot-check utilities appropriate for quick reviews, not systematic auditing.
Q&A
How much do automated accessibility scanners cost?
Free tools (WAVE browser extension, Lighthouse) are available for manual spot-checking. Professional tools start at $29/month (A11yProof portfolio plan) to $40-$100/user/month (axe DevTools Pro). Enterprise platforms (Siteimprove, Deque WorldSpace) use custom pricing. The cost question for agencies isn't just tool price — it's whether the tool's output scales to client portfolio management.
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