WAVE
WAVE: A flexible accessibility suite spanning free page checks, browser extensions, APIs, and CI workflows. Ranked #2 of 129 in Website Accessibility Tools by our editors (9.1/10); pricing: Free plan; best for established teams needing flexible page analysis.
At a glance
- Editor score9.1 / 10
- PricingFree plan
- Best forEstablished teams needing flexible page analysis
- Free planYes
- WCAG versionWcag 2.2
- Facts checked21 Sep 2026
Where it wins
- Free online evaluator and browser extensions for public, private, and dynamic pages
- Rendered-content testing, screenshots, WCAG mappings, and detailed issue reporting
- Hosted and stand-alone APIs support scheduled audits and CI integration
Where it doesn't
- Annual stand-alone API plans begin at $4,000
- API Basic and Expanded limit domains and installations
- No AI features are included
Our verdict on WAVE
WAVE is a suite of web accessibility evaluation tools developed by WebAIM at Utah State University. It is intended for web authors, developers, accessibility professionals, organizations, and educators that need to inspect web pages and support human review. The online evaluator analyzes a web page URL, while browser extensions can inspect private, password-protected, intranet, and dynamic content after CSS and JavaScript are applied. Reports organize findings into WAVE categories and item details, with WCAG success-criteria mappings.
Pricing is split between free evaluation tools and credit-based API access. The online evaluator and browser extensions are free. The WAVE API minimum purchase is $10 one time for 250 API credits, with basic analysis costing 1 credit per page. The stand-alone API Basic plan costs $4,000 per year for 100,000 API requests, up to 3 domains, and 1 installation. Expanded costs $8,000 per year for 300,000 requests, up to 10 domains, and 3 installations. Unlimited costs $12,000 per year and includes unlimited requests, domains, and installations.
For teams moving beyond individual page checks, WAVE supports hosted API results in JSON or XML, scheduled site audits, continuous-integration workflows, full-page screenshots, and customizable viewport sizes. Selenium, Puppeteer, and Node.js integrations support development workflows, while web, Chrome, Windows, macOS, Linux, self-hosted, and API access broaden deployment options. WAVE is a strong fit for organizations that want flexible analysis across public and protected content. Teams seeking AI features or a lower-cost annual API program should consider a different tool.
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WAVE pricing
WAVE fact sheet
| Free plan | Yes |
|---|---|
| Paid from | Not verified |
| WCAG version | Wcag 2.2 |
| Scan scope | Page |
| Scan limit | 250 pages |
| Scheduled scans | Yes |
| Browser extension | Yes |
| CI/CD integration | Yes |
| API access | Yes |
| Deployment | Cloud, Self-hosted, Browser extension |
| Platforms | Web, Chrome extension |
| Support | Email, Docs |
| Built for | Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise (editorial estimate) |
| Integrations | 3 integrations: Selenium, Puppeteer, Node.js |
| Pricing | Free plan (source) |
| Website | wave.webaim.org |
| Facts checked | 21 Sep 2026 |
WAVE integrations
WAVE lists 3 integrations on its own site.
- Selenium
- Puppeteer
- Node.js
Alternatives to WAVE
- Octopus Scanner (formerly A11y Scanner)A free desktop scanner for detailed local audits of complex websites.9.3
- IBM Equal Access Accessibility CheckerA technically focused toolkit for browser, batch, and CI/CD accessibility checks.9.0
- Level Access PlatformA broad accessibility program platform for teams managing web, mobile, and software assets.8.8
WAVE vs the competition
- WAVE vs Octopus Scanner (formerly A11y Scanner)
- WAVE vs IBM Equal Access Accessibility Checker
- WAVE vs Axe DevTools
- WAVE vs Evinced
- WAVE vs AudioEye
Compare WAVE with any tool side by side →
Also Ranked In
WAVE is ranked in 4 of our directories.
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Featured on iTechGuides
WAVE 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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