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Head-to-head · Web Accessibility Software

WAVE vs axe Auditor

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 1 check side by side
Higher score WAVE #1 in Web Accessibility Software 9.3/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 0 of 4 features Visit WAVE
axe Auditor #8 in Web Accessibility Software 8.4/10 Pricing on request ✓ 0 of 4 features Visit axe Auditor

WAVE leads on 0 checks, axe Auditor on 0, and 1 is even. Who comes out ahead on the 1 yes/no, price and count check where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreWAVE · 9.3/10
  • Free planonly WAVE

WAVE scores higher on our rubric for web accessibility software: 9.3 against 8.4 out of 10; our editors rank them #1 and #8.

WAVE is the better fit for teams needing broad web accessibility testing. axe Auditor is the better fit for teams requiring formal manual audits and VPAT workflows.

  • WAVE fits best

    Teams needing broad web accessibility testing

  • axe Auditor fits best

    Teams requiring formal manual audits and VPAT workflows

Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. Bought places stand at the number bought; this page and our disclosure say so. Paying vendors may get a fuller, more detailed review from our editors, and that review can change their score. How we rank.

Side by side

Feature WAVE 9.3/10 Visit ↗ axe Auditor 8.4/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.3 8.4
Ranking #1 in Web Accessibility Software #8 in Web Accessibility Software
Best for Teams needing broad web accessibility testing Teams requiring formal manual audits and VPAT workflows
Pricing model Free plan + paid Paid
Starting price — Pricing on request
Free plan ✓ (best) Not checked yet
Free trial — —
Deployment Cloud, Self-hosted, Browser extension Cloud, Self-hosted, Browser extension
Platforms Web, Chrome extension Web, Chrome extension
Support Email, Docs Email, Phone, Tickets, Docs
Integrations 3 integrations 2 integrations
Built for Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features WAVE 0/4 · axe Auditor 0/4
Automated scanning Not checked yet Not checked yet
Manual testing tools Not checked yet Not checked yet
Issue tracking Not checked yet Not checked yet
Browser extensions Not checked yet Not checked yet
Specs
Scan scope Not checked yet Not checked yet
Monitoring frequency Not checked yet Not checked yet
Our review
Pros
  • Visual issue indicators add context to page-level findings.
  • WCAG 2.2 checks are available across online and API workflows.
  • Tests secure pages and supports scheduled audits and CI/CD workflows.
  • Guided manual procedures paired with axe-core automated checks
  • ACR/VPAT creation, review, approval, and publishing workflows
  • Audit trails, remediation examples, and Jira synchronization
Cons
  • Basic page analysis consumes one API credit per page.
  • Self-hosted API plans start at $4,000 per year.
  • Findings support human review rather than replacing it.
  • Pricing requires contacting sales
  • No 24/7 support coverage
  • Jira synchronization is limited to SaaS and Private Cloud customers
Our verdict

WAVE is WebAIM’s suite of web accessibility evaluation tools for people who need to assess individual pages and review accessibility findings in context. It combines an online evaluator and browser extensions with hosted and self-hosted…

Read the review →

axe Auditor is Deque’s accessibility testing application for accessibility practitioners, QA teams, agencies, companies, and consulting firms. It combines guided manual procedures with automated checks powered by axe-core, supporting…

Read the review →
  1. WAVEWeb Accessibility Software 9.3Free plan
  2. axe AuditorWeb Accessibility Software 8.4Pricing on request

Strengths and trade-offs

  • WAVE — where it wins

    • Visual issue indicators add context to page-level findings.
    • WCAG 2.2 checks are available across online and API workflows.
    • Tests secure pages and supports scheduled audits and CI/CD workflows.

    Where it doesn't

    • Basic page analysis consumes one API credit per page.
    • Self-hosted API plans start at $4,000 per year.
    • Findings support human review rather than replacing it.

  • axe Auditor — where it wins

    • Guided manual procedures paired with axe-core automated checks
    • ACR/VPAT creation, review, approval, and publishing workflows
    • Audit trails, remediation examples, and Jira synchronization

    Where it doesn't

    • Pricing requires contacting sales
    • No 24/7 support coverage
    • Jira synchronization is limited to SaaS and Private Cloud customers
  • WAVE9.3/10 · Free plan

    A flexible accessibility testing suite, from free page checks to hosted and self-hosted APIs.

    Visit WAVEFull verdict →
  • axe Auditor8.4/10 · Pricing on request

    A formal audit workspace combining guided manual checks, axe-core automation, and VPAT workflows.

    Visit axe AuditorFull verdict →

More comparisons

All web accessibility software comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update