ALTtext.org

ALTtext.org generates written image descriptions for accessibility across web publishing, social platforms, and Apple devices. It is best suited to people who add alt text in several places or need a path from occasional posts to team or API workflows. Its range of entry points is useful, though the free tier is capped daily and image descriptions are generated through Google’s Gemini API.

Overview

The web generator accepts JPEG and PNG images by drag and drop, file selection, or clipboard paste, and can process one image or many. Concise and detailed styles give users a choice between shorter descriptions and more detail. That makes it workable for both an individual post and a larger batch, although the usefulness of any generated description still depends on whether it suits the image and its context.

The browser extension places a generate button in alt text fields on Bluesky, X/Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Threads, Tumblr, Pinterest, Mastodon, and Pixelfed. On other sites, a right-click menu can generate text for an image. This broad coverage helps people who publish across multiple services; a writer who only needs an occasional standalone description may not benefit as much from the extension.

ALTtext says generated results are saved only in the current browser. Its privacy policy says images are downscaled in the browser, sent to Google’s Gemini API for description, and not stored on ALTtext’s servers. The service has no accounts, does not sell data, and says it uses neither advertising nor cross-site tracking. Google, Stripe, Netlify, and Resend handle data for generation, payments, hosting and records, or license emails. Usage counts reset daily; license records remain while a license is active and for a reasonable period afterward.

Key features

Screen reader support includes VoiceOver, NVDA, and JAWS, as well as keyboard-only use. Generated descriptions are focused and announced so screen reader users can hear them immediately. ALTtext says it builds to WCAG 2.2, which gives accessibility-conscious users a clear reason to consider it alongside its image-description function.

Bulk processing and API access extend the service beyond individual uploads. The Business / API plan pairs those capabilities with a generous quota and workflows for ADA and EAA needs, making it the clearest fit for larger publishing operations. Commercial licensing is separately included in the Team plan.

Pricing

The free plan costs nothing, billed forever, and allows 20 ALT texts per day across the website, Apple apps, and browser extensions. It includes concise and detailed styles and requires no account. That is a useful ongoing allowance for light personal use, but the daily cap makes it a poor fit for regular high-volume publishing.

Individual costs $9.99, paid once, billed one-time, for unlimited ALT text for personal, non-commercial use. It removes the free tier’s daily ceiling for an individual, but its non-commercial terms rule it out for business publishing.

Team costs $19.99 a month, billed per month, for up to 5 seats, a commercial-use license, and priority support. It suits a small group that needs licensed commercial use; teams larger than five should look to the business plan.

Business / API costs $99 a month, billed per month. It adds API access, a generous quota, more seats, and bulk and ADA / EAA workflows. Organizations that need integration or substantial throughput have a direct route here, while the higher monthly price and unspecified seat count make it less compelling for small or occasional workloads. There is no free trial stated for the paid plans.

Platforms

ALTtext is available on the web, iOS, macOS, and as a browser extension. The extension supports Chrome, Brave, Edge, other Chromium browsers, Firefox, and Safari on macOS and iOS. The Mac and iOS apps bring the tool to desktop and the share sheet, which can suit users who want image descriptions within Apple workflows.

Who it's for

ALTtext suits social media publishers, accessibility-minded individuals, and small teams that need to generate descriptions in multiple contexts. The free plan can cover modest daily use; the one-time Individual license targets personal non-commercial work, while Team serves up to five commercial users. Larger operations with bulk or API needs have the Business / API tier.

It is a weaker fit for users who require image processing to stay entirely on their own device: images are sent to Google’s Gemini API, even though ALTtext says it does not retain them on its servers. A fixed daily allowance may also frustrate free users who regularly publish above 20 images a day.

Pros and cons

• Pros: One tool spans web, Apple apps, and extensions, with direct generation in alt text fields on ten named social platforms.
• Pros: The free plan is ongoing, needs no account, and includes both concise and detailed styles.
• Pros: Screen reader and keyboard support, bulk processing, and an API serve distinct accessibility and publishing needs.
• Cons: Free use stops at 20 ALT texts per day, limiting heavier personal workflows.
• Cons: The 9.99 USD one-time Individual plan is limited to personal, non-commercial use; commercial users need a monthly plan.
• Cons: Image descriptions require sending downscaled images to Google’s Gemini API, which may not suit users seeking local-only processing.

Alternatives

For a wider comparison, browse AI Alt Text Generators.

Altagonist is another freemium option for web and Windows, with a free allowance of 50 credits per month and support for 70 languages across quality tiers. It may suit someone who prioritizes those language and platform details.

AI Alt Text Builder is a web option with a free trial and 25 free tokens; users can bring their own OpenAI API key for unlimited single-image generations. Consider it if that API-key arrangement fits your workflow.

Alt Audit offers web and API access, with paid plans that include monthly credits, bulk image processing, and export capabilities. It may suit users whose workflow calls for those features.

Alt Text Pro is a freemium web and API service whose free plan includes 15 credits, a 150-credit signup bonus that never expires, and a WordPress plugin. It is worth comparing for WordPress publishing.

AltGen has a free monthly allowance of 26 credits, bulk upload, CSV import, a page scraper, API access, webhooks, and an image library across web and API. It may fit users who want those batch and integration tools.

AltText.io offers web, API, and extension access; its Silver plan includes 600 image credits per month, batch processing, advanced SEO, and priority email support. Consider it if that combination is a closer match.

AltTextAPI has web and API access, with a free plan covering 50 images per month in English and including a REST API and usage dashboard. It may suit a developer who needs a defined monthly API allowance.

AltTextLab is another freemium web, API, and extension option, with a free plan offering 25 credits per month, unlimited websites, more than 20 integrations, API access, and over 130 languages. It may be a stronger match when broad language coverage is central.

Verdict

ALTtext.org is a strong choice for people who need image descriptions across social platforms, browsers, and Apple devices, especially when screen reader support or a path to bulk and API use matters. Its no-account free tier is practical for light use, and the one-time Individual plan is straightforward for non-commercial work. Look elsewhere if the daily free cap is too restrictive, commercial use needs a lower-cost route, or sending images to Google’s Gemini API does not fit your privacy requirements.