WAVE

Accessibility Testing Software

Free planAPIBrowser extensionLinuxmacOSWebWindows

9.0#1 of 168$10/mofirst paid tier

Overview

WAVE is a web accessibility tool that identifies many accessibility and WCAG errors and provides tools for human evaluation of web content. Its browser extensions for Chrome, Firefox, and Edge can examine password-protected, locally stored, and highly dynamic pages. The service supports page scans, scheduled site audits, intranet pages with most authentication types, and custom viewport sizes for checking responsive breakpoints. Stand-alone tools can integrate with continuous-integration systems including Selenium and Puppeteer. The API returns JSON or XML; basic analysis uses one credit, while advanced features may use two or three. New accounts receive 100 free API credits. Subscription API access has a 250-credit minimum purchase for 10.00 USD per month. Stand-alone API licenses cost 4000.00 USD per year for Basic, 8000.00 USD per year for Expanded, and 12000.00 USD per year for Unlimited. The stand-alone API runs on Linux, Mac, or Windows web servers with PHP and Node installed; minimum requirements are 1 CPU, 1 GB memory, and 100 MB storage.

Who it is for

WAVE suits people evaluating web accessibility who need browser extensions, scheduled scans, or API access. Its CI support is relevant to teams using Selenium or Puppeteer.

What is good

Extensions cover Chrome, Firefox, and Edge.
Can test password-protected and dynamic pages.
Supports scheduled audits and mobile viewport checks.
API results are available in JSON or XML.
New accounts receive 100 free API credits.

What to know first

Subscription API access requires a 250-credit minimum purchase.
Stand-alone API licenses start at 4000.00 USD per year.
Stand-alone API requires PHP and Node.

Verdict

WAVE combines browser-based checks, human evaluation tools, scheduled audits, and API options. Compare credit needs and the stand-alone license scope with the way you plan to scan.

WAVE plans and pricing

All plans

Subscription API — 250–999 credits $10/mo 250 credit ($10) minimum purchase 250 credits minimum wave.webaim.org · 21 Sept 2026

Subscription API — 1,000–9,999 credits Not published 1,000 credits minimum wave.webaim.org · 21 Sept 2026

Subscription API — 10,000+ credits Not published 10,000 credits minimum wave.webaim.org · 21 Sept 2026

Stand-alone API — Basic $4,000/yr Annual license fee 100,000 API requests · Up to 3 domains · 1 installation · Licensee-only data distribution wave.webaim.org · 21 Sept 2026

Stand-alone API — Expanded $8,000/yr Annual license fee 300,000 API requests · Up to 10 domains · 3 installations · Licensee-only data distribution wave.webaim.org · 21 Sept 2026

Stand-alone API — Unlimited $12,000/yr Annual license fee Unlimited API requests · Unlimited domains · Unlimited installations · Licensee-only or authorized data distribution wave.webaim.org · 21 Sept 2026

Compared on accessibility testing software

Free plan: Yeswave.webaim.org
Paid from: Freewave.webaim.org
WCAG coverage: Many accessibility and WCAG errorswave.webaim.org
Automated scans: Yeswave.webaim.org
Manual review tools: Yeswave.webaim.org
Mobile testing: Yeswave.webaim.org
Browser extension: Yeswave.webaim.org
CI/CD integration: Yeswave.webaim.org

Facts

WCAG version: wcag 2.2wave.webaim.org · 21 Sept 2026
Scan scope: pagewave.webaim.org · 21 Sept 2026
Scan limit: 250wave.webaim.org · 21 Sept 2026
Scheduled scans: Yeswave.webaim.org · 21 Sept 2026
API access: Yeswave.webaim.org · 21 Sept 2026
WCAG Error Detection: WAVE identifies many accessibility and WCAG errors.wave.webaim.org · 28 Sept 2026
Human Evaluation: The tools facilitate human evaluation of web content.wave.webaim.org · 28 Sept 2026
Browser Platforms: Browser extensions are available for Chrome, Firefox, and Edge.wave.webaim.org · 28 Sept 2026
Protected Page Testing: Browser extensions can test password-protected, locally stored, and highly dynamic pages.wave.webaim.org · 28 Sept 2026
API Data Formats: The API returns results data in JSON or XML format.wave.webaim.org · 28 Sept 2026
API Credit Cost: Basic analysis costs one credit; advanced features can cost two or three credits.wave.webaim.org · 28 Sept 2026
API Request Method: API requests use a GET request containing an API key and page URL.wave.webaim.org · 28 Sept 2026
CI Integration: The stand-alone tools support continuous integration, including Selenium and Puppeteer systems.wave.webaim.org · 28 Sept 2026
Scheduled Audits: The stand-alone tools can perform regularly scheduled site audits.wave.webaim.org · 28 Sept 2026
Authentication Support: Password-protected and intranet pages are supported, including most authentication types.wave.webaim.org · 28 Sept 2026
Mobile Viewports: Custom viewport sizes support checking mobile responsive breakpoints.wave.webaim.org · 28 Sept 2026
System Requirements: Minimum requirements are 1 CPU, 1 GB memory, and 100 MB storage.wave.webaim.org · 28 Sept 2026
Server Platforms: The stand-alone API runs on Linux, Mac, or Windows web servers with PHP and Node installed.wave.webaim.org · 28 Sept 2026
Support Contact: Support is provided through a contact channel at Utah State University.wave.webaim.org · 28 Sept 2026