QualWeb
QualWeb: A flexible WCAG 2.1 evaluator for technical accessibility teams. Ranked #90 of 129 in Website Accessibility Tools by our editors (3.0/10); pricing: Free plan; best for researchers and developers using WCAG evaluators.
At a glance
- Editor score3.0 / 10
- PricingFree plan
- Best forResearchers and developers using WCAG evaluators
- Free planYes
- Paid fromFree
- WCAG versionWcag 2.1
- Facts checked21 Sep 2026
Where it wins
- Supports WCAG 2.1 HTML and CSS checks plus ACT Rules
- Offers browser, Chrome extension, CLI, API, and server integration
- Accepts URLs, domains, URL lists, and HTML inputs with EARL reports
Where it doesn't
- Focuses on WCAG 2.1 rather than newer standards coverage
- Page-level evaluation may not suit broader monitoring programs
- Technical interfaces may be more than nontechnical teams need
Our verdict on QualWeb
QualWeb is an open-source automated accessibility evaluator for webpages, designed for researchers, developers, and teams building accessibility checks into technical workflows. It evaluates conformance with ACT Rules and WCAG 2.1 HTML and CSS techniques. The project is associated with the Faculdade de Ciências da Universidade de Lisboa and serves as the engine of the Portuguese Accessibility Observatory. Its free, open-source model makes it suitable for organizations that want to inspect or integrate an evaluator without a commercial plan structure.
QualWeb’s strongest area is flexibility across evaluation environments. It offers a browser-based evaluator, Chrome extension, command-line interface, API access, and server-side or application integration. Inputs can include individual webpages, URL lists, domain crawls, and HTML, while EARL report generation supports structured evaluation output. Node.js and Chrome integrations further fit development-oriented workflows, including browser and CI/CD use. This breadth gives technical teams several ways to connect accessibility evaluation with existing research, development, or reporting processes.
The main trade-off is focus. QualWeb centers on WCAG 2.1, ACT Rules, and page-level evaluation, so teams seeking broader standards coverage or a product organized around recurring scheduled scans may prefer an alternative. It is a strong choice for researchers and developers who value open-source access, multiple execution modes, and detailed evaluator outputs. It is less suited to buyers looking primarily for a turnkey monitoring service or a workflow with minimal technical involvement.
Your product? Our editors can test QualWeb in depth and publish a review, labelled as paid · from $149/mo →
QualWeb pricing
QualWeb fact sheet
| Free plan | Yes |
|---|---|
| Paid from | Free |
| WCAG version | Wcag 2.1 |
| Scan scope | Page |
| Scan limit | Not verified |
| Scheduled scans | Not verified |
| Browser extension | Yes |
| CI/CD integration | Yes |
| API access | Not verified |
| Deployment | Cloud, Self-hosted, Browser extension |
| Platforms | Web, Windows, macOS, Linux, Chrome extension |
| Support | Email, Docs |
| Built for | Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise (editorial estimate) |
| Pricing | Free plan |
| Website | qualweb.di.fc.ul.pt |
| Facts checked | 21 Sep 2026 |
Alternatives to QualWeb
- 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 QualWeb alternatives →
Also Ranked In
QualWeb is ranked in 3 of our directories.
Used QualWeb? Be the first to review it
The editor score above is our own research. What this page doesn't have yet is a reader's view — what you used QualWeb for, what worked and what didn't. No stars are seeded and no review is paid for; an editor reads every one before it appears.
Write a reviewTwo minutes · verified accounts only · read by an editor before it appears
Featured on iTechGuides
QualWeb is listed in our Website Accessibility Tools directory. Add the badge to your site — it links back to this page.
<a href="https://www.itechguides.com/products/qualweb/"><img src="https://www.itechguides.com/best/badge/qualweb.svg" alt="Featured on iTechGuides" width="230" height="46"></a>
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
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.
Last updated · How we research and update