WAVE

No phone app

8.2No. 5 of 168
in Accessibility Testing Software

Recognised40% of the score100
Phone app26% of the score0
Documented20% of the score95
Free plan14% of the score100

Free plan: Yes
Paid plans from: $10/mo
Runs on: api, Browser extension, Linux, Mac, Web, Windows

Summary

WAVE is a web accessibility tool that identifies many accessibility and WCAG errors and supports human evaluation of web content. Browser extensions are available for Chrome, Firefox, and Edge. They can inspect password-protected, locally stored, and highly dynamic pages, including intranet pages with most authentication types. WAVE supports page scans, mobile viewport checks, and scheduled site audits. Stand-alone tools can connect to continuous-integration systems such as Selenium and Puppeteer. The API returns data in JSON or XML; basic analysis costs one credit, while advanced features may cost 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, and requires at least 1 CPU, 1 GB memory, and 100 MB storage.

Who it is for

WAVE suits people evaluating web accessibility on individual pages, protected content, or mobile viewports. Its scheduled audits, API, and CI support may also suit teams incorporating checks into ongoing site work.

What is good

Browser extensions available for Chrome, Firefox, and Edge
Can check password-protected and dynamic pages
API results available in JSON or XML
New accounts receive 100 free API credits

What to know first

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

Verdict

WAVE combines browser-based accessibility checks with API and stand-alone options for audits and CI workflows. Readers should account for API credit requirements and the substantial annual fees for stand-alone licenses.

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