IBM Equal Access Accessibility Checker vs QualWeb
IBM Equal Access Accessibility Checker
ibm.com
QualWeb
qualweb.di.fc.ul.ptSide by side
| Figure | IBM Equal Access Accessibility Checker | QualWeb |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | Free | — |
| Free plan | Yes | — |
| Free trial | — | — |
| Open source | Yes | — |
| Web | Yes | Yes |
| Windows | — | Yes |
| macOS | — | Yes |
| Linux | — | Yes |
| API | Yes | Yes |
| Self-hosted | Yes | Yes |
| Plans published | 2 | 0 |
| Spec score · Accessibility Testing Software | 9.0 (#7) | 7.7 (#102) |
| Spec score · Website Accessibility Tools | 9.0 (#6) | 7.6 (#85) |
| Spec score · Web Accessibility Software | 8.4 (#6) | 7.4 (#18) |
| Audience | IBM describes the tools as intended for web developers and accessibility auditors. | QualWeb is presented as a tool for evaluating the accessibility of webpages, with online use as well as command-line and JavaScript integration options. |
| Browser extension | The Chrome extension runs inside Developer Tools and helps locate accessibility problems and possible fixes. | The project provides a Chrome extension that can be loaded in Chrome through its extensions page using Developer Mode. |
| CI/CD integration | Yes | Yes |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Purpose | The checker automates accessibility checking of web content and applications for web developers and accessibility auditors. | QualWeb is an automated web accessibility evaluation service that checks webpages against WCAG 2.1 Techniques and ACT Rules. |
| Reports | XLSX output is included automatically, and JSON and other report formats can be configured. | QualWeb can generate Evaluation and Reporting Language (EARL) reports, including aggregated reports. |
| Scan scope | page | page |
| Support | The project Wiki directs users to submit bugs, questions, and suggestions through GitHub issues. | The QualWeb site invites users to send suggestions or accessibility problems to [email protected]. |
| WCAG version | wcag 2.2 | wcag 2.1 |
Plans
IBM Equal Access Accessibility Checker
- Free and open sourceFree
- Free/open-source toolkitFree
In their own words
IBM Equal Access Accessibility Checker
IBM Equal Access Accessibility Checker automates accessibility checks for web content and applications, with tools aimed at web developers and accessibility auditors. Its rule engine connects checks to accessibility standards, including WCAG 2.2, and scans at page level. Results can identify the issue type, applicable WCAG success criteria, affected element, XPath, progression level, and a help link. Browser extensions are available for Chrome, Firefox, and Edge. They work in browser DevTools and include a visualization mode for keyboard checking. For CI/CD workflows, packages are available for Node, Cypress, and Java; the project Wiki also lists a Karma plugin and names Selenium, Puppeteer, Playwright, and Zombie as testing or parsing engines. The extension can combine up to 50 stored scans into a Microsoft Excel report. The Wiki says web data, rules, and the engine stay local rather than sending web data to servers or third parties. The tool is free at free. IBM cautions that automated checks cover only part of its accessibility requirements, so manual and screen reader testing should follow.
QualWeb
QualWeb has no write-up on Specifiction yet; its figures are above.