WAVE
WAVE is a web accessibility tool for checking pages for many accessibility and WCAG errors, while helping people carry out human evaluation of web content. It offers browser extensions for Chrome, Firefox, and Edge, as well as API and stand-alone tools. The extensions can inspect password-protected, locally stored, and highly dynamic pages; support also extends to intranet pages and most authentication types. WAVE supports page scans, scheduled audits, mobile viewport checks, and continuous-integration workflows using systems such as Selenium and Puppeteer. API results are available in JSON or XML, and a basic analysis uses one credit; advanced features may use two or three. New accounts get 100 free API credits. Subscription API access starts at 10.00 USD per month, with a 250-credit minimum purchase. Stand-alone API licenses are listed at 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.
Who it is for
WAVE suits web teams checking page accessibility, including teams that need to review authenticated or dynamic pages. Its API and CI support may also suit teams incorporating accessibility checks into automated workflows.
What is good
- Browser extensions cover Chrome, Firefox, and Edge.
- Can test password-protected and dynamic pages.
- Supports scheduled audits and mobile viewport checks.
- API results are available in JSON or XML.
What to know first
- Advanced API features may use two or three credits.
- Stand-alone API licenses start at 4000.00 USD per year.
Verdict
WAVE combines automated page checks with tools that support human evaluation. Its extension, scheduled scan, and API options cover different review workflows, though advanced API use can consume more credits.
WAVE plans and pricing
All plansCompared on accessibility testing software
- Free plan
- Yes
- Paid from
- Free
- WCAG coverage
- Many accessibility and WCAG errors
- Automated scans
- Yes
- Manual review tools
- Yes
- Mobile testing
- Yes
- Browser extension
- Yes
- CI/CD integration
- Yes
