axe-core vs WAVE

axe-core is a free, open-source accessibility testing engine for websites and other HTML-based interfaces. It is designed to run beside functional tests in unit, integration, browser, and other testing environments. Its rules cover WCAG 2.0, 2.1, and 2.2 at A, AA, and AAA levels, along with additional best practices. Deque says automated checks find an average of 57% of WCAG issues, while uncertain findings are marked for manual review. Installation is documented through npm or pnpm, with tests calling the axe.run() API. The API lists Microsoft Edge, Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, and Apple Safari; Internet Explorer 11 is deprecated. Chrome and Firefox are tested on every pull request. JSDOM support is limited, and color-contrast checks do not work there. axe-core uses the Mozilla Public License 2.0. Security updates are available for minor lines up to 18 months old. Vulnerabilities are requested by email, with a stated 24-business-hour response and no bug bounty.

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 a month. Stand-alone API licenses cost $4,000 a year for Basic, $8,000 a year for Expanded, and $12,000 a 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.