Side by side
axe Monitor vs Pa11y
Both stand on website accessibility tools. Which one you can start free with, which one lets you read the code, and what each costs once you pay.
Paid APIWeb
axe Monitor combines configurable scans, WCAG 2.2 coverage, prioritization, and progress reporting for accessibility programs. Jira handoff is available, though synchronization stops at storing the ticket link.
Visit axe Monitor
Free plan APILinuxMac+3
Pa11y covers one-off checks, continuous integration, and daily monitoring, with multiple report formats and selectable standards. Check the Node.js requirement for Pa11y 10 before choosing it for a workflow.
Visit Pa11yThe facts
| axe Monitor | Pa11y | |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | Not published | Yes |
| Open source | Not published | Not published |
| Runs on | API, Web | API, Linux, Mac, Self-hosted, Web, Windows |
| Lowest paid plan | Free or on request | Free or on request |
| Plans published | 1 | 1 |
| Maker | axe Monitor | Not published |
| Website | deque.com | pa11y.org |
| On website accessibility tools | #113 of 133 | #4 of 133 |
axe Monitor: what it does well
- Scans websites and PDFs
- WCAG 2.2 coverage
- Configurable scan controls and page limits
- Prioritized reports and remediation guidance
- Unlimited user seats
What to know first
- No browser extension
- Jira status updates do not flow back
- Pricing requires a request
Pa11y: what it does well
- Free, open-source tools for accessibility checks.
- Dashboard runs daily tests and graphs changes over time.
- Offers API access and CI/CD integration.
- CLI supports WCAG2AA, WCAG2A, and WCAG2AAA.
- Reports include CSV, HTML, JSON, and TSV.
What to know first
- Pa11y 10 requires Node.js 22.13.0 or above.
- Pa11y 10 requires an even-numbered Node.js version.
- Documented Windows installation requirements specify Windows 11.
Alternatives to axe Monitor Alternatives to Pa11y The whole list