Side by side
IBM Equal Access Accessibility Checker vs Pa11y
Both stand on accessibility testing software. Which one you can start free with, which one lets you read the code, and what each costs once you pay.
Free plan Open source APIExtensionSelf-hosted+1
The checker offers browser-based and CI/CD options for identifying accessibility issues, with scan details that can help locate them. Its automated results are not a substitute for manual and screen reader testing.
Visit IBM Equal Access Accessibility Checker
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
| IBM Equal Access Accessibility Checker | Pa11y | |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Open source | Yes | Not published |
| Runs on | API, Extension, Self-hosted, Web | API, Linux, Mac, Self-hosted, Web, Windows |
| Lowest paid plan | Free or on request | Free or on request |
| Plans published | 2 | 1 |
| Maker | Not published | Not published |
| Website | ibm.com | pa11y.org |
| On accessibility testing software | #1 of 169 | #14 of 169 |
IBM Equal Access Accessibility Checker: what it does well
- Checks against accessibility standards including WCAG 2.2
- Available for Chrome, Firefox, and Edge
- Offers Node, Cypress, and Java CI/CD packages
- Combines up to 50 scans in an Excel report
What to know first
- Automated checks cover only a subset of requirements
- Manual and screen reader testing should follow
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 IBM Equal Access Accessibility Checker Alternatives to Pa11y The whole list