Side by side
Octopus Scanner (formerly A11y Scanner) 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.
Free plan MacWindows
Octopus Scanner provides local website accessibility checks, reports, and support for authenticated journeys. Note the beta label and the listed download architectures when assessing fit.
Visit Octopus Scanner (formerly A11y Scanner)
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
| Octopus Scanner (formerly A11y Scanner) | Pa11y | |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Open source | Not published | Not published |
| Runs on | Mac, Windows | API, Linux, Mac, Self-hosted, Web, Windows |
| Lowest paid plan | Support contribution: $1, paid once | Free or on request |
| Plans published | 3 | 1 |
| Maker | Not published | Not published |
| Website | lachie1999.itch.io | pa11y.org |
| On website accessibility tools | #9 of 133 | #5 of 133 |
Octopus Scanner (formerly A11y Scanner): what it does well
- Scans websites against WCAG 2.2
- Keeps scanning, analysis, and reporting local
- Replays authenticated flows without code
- Produces interactive HTML and CSV reports
- Supports dynamic interfaces and embedded frames
What to know first
- Version 5.0.9.8 is marked beta
- Windows download is 64-bit only
- macOS download is ARM64
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 Octopus Scanner (formerly A11y Scanner) Alternatives to Pa11y The whole list