CWAC

At a glance

• Editor score
  3.0 / 10
• Pricing
  Open source
• Best for
  Python teams running focused site scans
• Paid from
  Free
• WCAG version
  Wcag 2.2
• Facts checked
  22 Sep 2026

• Where it wins

  • Crawls discovered pages and accepts CSV lists of base URLs
  • Combines axe-core audits with focus and 320px reflow checks
  • Exports CSV results and captures screenshots for review

• Where it doesn't

  • Repository-based CLI requires technical setup and operation
  • No verified scheduling, API, or recurring scan service
  • Does not provide manual review or remediation guidance

Our verdict on CWAC

CWAC, or Centralised Web Accessibility Checker, is an open-source command-line tool from New Zealand Government’s Web Standards team. It is designed for organizations monitoring accessibility across many websites, with a particularly good fit for Python teams that want focused site scans. CWAC accepts lists of base URLs, crawls discovered pages, runs automated axe-core audits, and exports results to CSV. Its site-level scope and WCAG 2.2 positioning make it suited to repeatable technical checks across a defined set of websites rather than a broader accessibility management program.

The standout feature is the combination of automated audits and targeted page checks. Alongside axe-core, CWAC checks keyboard focus indicators, tests page reflow at a 320px viewport, audits page titles and selected HTML elements, and captures screenshots for visual review. These checks give teams more context than an accessibility scan limited to rule violations alone. Python and Selenium integrations support scripted workflows, while Chrome for Testing provides the browser environment used by the tool. CSV input and output also fit teams managing several site entry points or reviewing results outside the command line.

CWAC follows an open-source model rather than paid tiers, and it is distributed as a repository-based command-line tool instead of a hosted commercial service. That makes it a practical choice for technically capable teams that want control over scanning and reporting without a subscription. It is less suitable for organizations seeking verified scheduling, an API, CI/CD integration, browser-based workflows, manual accessibility review, or built-in remediation guidance. Those needs call for a broader platform, while teams prioritizing focused crawling, automated checks, screenshots, and CSV exports may find CWAC a strong fit.

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CWAC pricing

CWAC fact sheet

CWAC integrations

CWAC lists 4 integrations on its own site.

• Python
• Selenium
• axe-core
• Chrome for Testing

Alternatives to CWAC

• Octopus Scanner (formerly A11y Scanner)A free desktop scanner for detailed local audits of complex websites.9.3
• WAVEA flexible accessibility suite spanning free page checks, browser extensions, APIs, and CI workflows.9.1
• IBM Equal Access Accessibility CheckerA technically focused toolkit for browser, batch, and CI/CD accessibility checks.9.0

See all CWAC alternatives →

Featured on iTechGuides

CWAC is listed in our Website Accessibility Tools directory. Add the badge to your site — it links back to this page.

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Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

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Last updated 7 Oct 2026 · How we research and update