Side by side
PAC (PDF Accessibility Checker) vs PDFix Desktop
Both stand on pdf accessibility software. Which one you can start free with, which one lets you read the code, and what each costs once you pay.
Free plan Windows
PAC provides a free Windows tool for PDF accessibility checks, including automated scans, manual review, and remediation guidance. It does not offer mobile testing, a browser extension, or CI/CD integration.
Visit PAC (PDF Accessibility Checker)
Free plan APILinuxMac+2
PDFix Desktop combines automated validation with manual remediation tools and multiple tagging methods. The free download has a saved-PDF limitation, and PDFix says human review remains necessary for full compliance.
Visit PDFix DesktopThe facts
| PAC (PDF Accessibility Checker) | PDFix Desktop | |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Open source | Not published | No |
| Runs on | Windows | API, Linux, Mac, Self-hosted, Windows |
| Lowest paid plan | Free or on request | See the plans |
| Plans published | 1 | 6 |
| Maker | PAC (PDF Accessibility Checker) | PDFix Desktop |
| Website | pac.pdf-accessibility.org | pdfix.net |
| On pdf accessibility software | #11 of 26 | #7 of 26 |
PAC (PDF Accessibility Checker): what it does well
- Free Windows desktop application.
- Checks PDF/UA and WCAG criteria.
- Covers WCAG 2.2.
- Combines automated scans and manual review tools.
- Includes remediation guidance.
What to know first
- Available for Windows only.
- Does not provide mobile testing.
- No browser extension or CI/CD integration.
PDFix Desktop: what it does well
- Runs on Windows, macOS, and Linux
- Offers four auto-tagging methods
- Exports audit reports as HTML, XML, or JSON
- Free download includes all features
What to know first
- Saved PDFs in the free download may have redacted content and a watermark
- Full compliance requires human checks and intervention
- External marketplace actions require Docker
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