PDFix Desktop vs PDFUA.io Validator
PDFix Desktop
pdfix.netPDFUA.io Validator
pdfua.ioSide by side
| Figure | PDFix Desktop | PDFUA.io Validator |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | Free | $19/mo |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Free trial | Yes | — |
| Open source | — | — |
| Web | — | Yes |
| Windows | Yes | — |
| macOS | Yes | — |
| Linux | Yes | — |
| API | Yes | Yes |
| Self-hosted | Yes | Yes |
| Plans published | 7 | 9 |
| Spec score · Accessibility Testing Software | 9.0 (#11) | 8.7 (#20) |
| Automated scans | Yes | Yes |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Manual review tools | Yes | No |
| Self-hosting | Desktop and SDK are documented as on-premises products that keep documents on the user's computer or network. | Enterprise deployments can run a stateless validation API container that stores nothing or a self-hosted monitoring appliance inside the network. |
| Support | PDFix lists European support at [email protected] and a North America office with sales contact details. | Starter includes email support and Pro includes priority support. |
| WCAG coverage | wcag 2.2 | wcag 2.1 |
Plans
PDFix Desktop
- Desktop Pro$599 a year
- Desktop Enterprise€1,000 a year
- Desktop LiteFree
- PDFix Desktop LiteFree
- Desktop Pro$599 a year
- PDFix Desktop Pro$599 a year
- PDFix Desktop Enterprise€1,000 a year
PDFUA.io Validator
- Cloud FreeFree
- Cloud Starter$19 a month
- Cloud Growth$49 a month
- Cloud Pro$249 a month
- Cloud · FreeFree
- Cloud · Starter$19 a month
- Cloud · Growth$49 a month
- Cloud · Pro$249 a month
- Enterprise · On-premise · AgenciesPriced on request
In their own words
PDFix Desktop
PDFix Desktop is a desktop application for PDF accessibility remediation, auto-tagging, and validation against PDF/UA and WCAG standards. It runs on Windows, macOS, and Linux and offers automated scans as well as manual review tools. Four auto-tagging methods are available: basic tagging, templates generated from preflight checks, AI-generated templates, and predefined layout templates. A visual Accessibility Panel lets users refine tables, headings, and alternative text. Its built-in veraPDF engine checks PDF/UA-1 and PDF/UA-2, WCAG 2.1 and 2.2, Section 508, and the European Accessibility Act; audit reports can be exported in HTML, XML, or JSON. The free download exposes all features, but saved PDFs may contain redacted content and a watermark. Desktop Pro costs $599 a year, and Desktop Enterprise costs €1,000 a year; Enterprise adds batch processing with layout templates. The product page says validation is local and documents are not uploaded to a server. PDFix cautions that human checks and intervention remain necessary for full compliance.
PDFUA.io Validator
PDFUA.io Validator has no write-up on Specifiction yet; its figures are above.