Choosing an Accessibility Testing Tool
When it comes to checking your website for accessibility issues, you have several options. WAVE (Web Accessibility Evaluation Tool) has been an industry standard for years, and for good reason - it's free, reliable, and trusted by accessibility professionals worldwide.
So why did we build ClearA11y? Not to replace WAVE, but to solve different problems. Here's an honest comparison to help you choose the right tool for your needs.
Quick Comparison
| Feature | WAVE | ClearA11y |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free tier (3 scans) + paid plans |
| Browser Extension | Yes | No (web-based) |
| AI Code Fixes | No | Yes |
| PDF Reports | Limited | Full reports with code examples |
| Blockchain Certification | No | Yes (Hedera) |
| API Access | Yes (paid) | Coming soon |
| WCAG Version | 2.1 | 2.2 |
Where WAVE Excels
Let's be clear: WAVE is an excellent tool. Here's where it shines:
It's Completely Free
WAVE's browser extension and web checker are 100% free with no limitations. If budget is your primary concern, WAVE is hard to beat.
Browser Extension
WAVE's Chrome and Firefox extensions let you test pages without leaving your browser, including pages behind login screens. This is something ClearA11y can't currently do.
Industry Trust
WAVE has been around since 1999 and is developed by WebAIM, a highly respected accessibility organization. It's cited in countless accessibility guides and used by professionals worldwide.
Visual Overlay
WAVE shows issues directly on the page with icons and highlights. This visual approach makes it easy to see exactly where problems occur in context.
Where ClearA11y Excels
AI-Powered Code Fixes
This is our biggest differentiator. When ClearA11y finds an issue, it doesn't just tell you what's wrong - it shows you exactly how to fix it.
WAVE tells you:
"Image missing alternative text"
ClearA11y tells you:
"Image missing alternative text"
<!-- Current code -->
<img src="hero.jpg">
<!-- Fixed code -->
<img src="hero.jpg" alt="Team collaborating around a whiteboard in modern office">
The AI analyzes your actual HTML, the image filename, and page context to suggest relevant alt text - not just generic examples.
Blockchain-Verified Reports
When you certify a scan with ClearA11y, the results are permanently recorded on the Hedera blockchain. This means:
- Tamper-proof records - No one can alter historical scan results
- Verifiable by anyone - Third parties can confirm your audit is authentic
- Legal protection - Prove when accessibility testing occurred
This matters when facing ADA lawsuits, client disputes, or regulatory audits. A PDF report can be fabricated; a blockchain record cannot.
WCAG 2.2 Support
ClearA11y tests against the latest WCAG 2.2 guidelines (released October 2023), including new criteria like:
- 2.4.11 Focus Not Obscured
- 2.5.7 Dragging Movements
- 2.5.8 Target Size (Minimum)
- 3.3.8 Accessible Authentication
WAVE currently tests against WCAG 2.1.
Clean PDF Reports
ClearA11y generates comprehensive PDF reports designed to share with clients, developers, or stakeholders. Reports include:
- Executive summary with letter grade
- All issues with severity levels
- Copy-paste code fixes for each issue
- Blockchain certification (if enabled)
These are particularly useful for agencies delivering accessibility audits to clients.
Use Case Recommendations
Use WAVE if:
- You need a free tool with unlimited usage
- You're testing pages behind authentication
- You want a browser extension for quick checks
- You're already familiar with it and it works for your workflow
Use ClearA11y if:
- You need actionable code fixes, not just issue lists
- You're delivering reports to clients or stakeholders
- You need proof of accessibility testing for legal/compliance
- You're checking against WCAG 2.2 specifically
Use Both if:
Many accessibility professionals use multiple tools. Each scanner catches slightly different issues, and the visual overlay of WAVE combined with the code fixes from ClearA11y can give you the most complete picture.
A Note on Automated Testing
No automated tool - WAVE, ClearA11y, or any other - catches 100% of accessibility issues. Automated scanners typically find 30-50% of WCAG failures. The rest require manual testing:
- Keyboard navigation flow
- Screen reader experience
- Cognitive accessibility
- Content clarity
Think of automated tools as a first pass, not a complete audit.
Try ClearA11y
We built ClearA11y to solve real problems we experienced: unclear guidance on how to fix issues, and no way to prove compliance.
If those resonate with you, try a free scan and see the difference AI-powered fixes and blockchain certification can make.
Already using WAVE? Great - keep using it. Consider ClearA11y when you need detailed reports or verifiable proof of testing.
The goal isn't which tool "wins" - it's making the web more accessible for everyone.
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