Buyer question #1 when procuring a WCAG audit: "what does this cost?" The honest answer in 2026 is a wide spread — from free browser plugins that catch a third of violations to six-figure enterprise firms that catch the rest by hand. Here is what each tier actually includes and what trade-offs you are making.
The pricing landscape at a glance
| Tier | Vendor examples | 2026 price | Coverage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free scanners | WAVE, axe DevTools free, Lighthouse | $0 | 30-40% of issues (automated only) |
| Browser tools | Deque axe DevTools paid | $45/user/month | Same 30-40% + saved scans + guided tests |
| Overlay widgets | accessiBe, UserWay, AudioEye | $49-490/month | See litigation concerns |
| SMB scanners + fix code | AccessiScan, Pope Tech, Sa11y | $19-199/month | 30-40% automated + VPAT + real fix code |
| Mid-market SaaS | TestParty, Siteimprove Accessibility | $12,000-50,000/year | Automated + manual + ongoing monitoring |
| Enterprise platforms | Level Access, Deque Enterprise | $25,000-60,000+/year | Full program: tool + consultancy + training |
| Manual audit (one-time) | Independent consultants, AFB, TPGi | $5,000-30,000 per audit | 100% if done properly; point-in-time only |
Why the spread exists
Automation tops out at ~35%
Deque's own 2024 benchmarking placed axe-core's detection rate at roughly 30-40% of real WCAG violations on a representative sample of public web pages. Every commercial scanner that relies on static HTML parsing hits the same ceiling: context-dependent criteria (meaningful sequence, sensory characteristics, use of colour for meaning, status messages) require human judgment or live assistive-technology interaction.
The 60-70% gap is filled by humans
Enterprise platforms charge what they charge because they bundle automation with expert review, remediation coaching, and assistive-technology user testing. That is genuinely different work than a browser plugin can do. Whether you need that depth is the decision.
SMB scanners sit between the two
The $19-199/month tier pairs automated scanning with concrete fix code per violation and a procurement-ready VPAT. You trade expert-driven remediation coaching for much lower price and more frequent re-scans. This is the tier most effective for engineering-heavy teams that can apply fixes themselves.
Which tier fits which buyer
Public entity (DOJ Title II)
With the April 2026 Interim Final Rule the Title II deadline is now April 26, 2027 for 50,000+ resident jurisdictions. Entities that already have accessibility coordinators typically pair (i) a mid-market scanner with continuous monitoring with (ii) a one-time manual audit per procurement cycle. Enterprise platforms are a fit for state-level agencies with dedicated digital accessibility teams.
Private SaaS serving EU users (EAA / EN 301 549)
The European Accessibility Act has been enforceable since June 28, 2025 (see EN 301 549 v3.2.1 explainer). EU public-sector buyers require evidence against EN 301 549 clauses. An SMB scanner that exports an EN 301 549-framed report plus a one-time manual audit is often enough to close B2G deals up to mid five figures.
Private SaaS serving US consumers (Title III)
The demand-letter volume in Title III is the primary risk. The goal here is documentation: a VPAT + a scan history + a remediation commitment in the contract. An SMB scanner with VPAT export is the workhorse tier; manual audits happen at major release cuts.
Government contractor (Section 508)
Section 508 requires Accessibility Conformance Reports (ACRs) using the VPAT template. A scanner that produces a VPAT 2.5 ACR is the minimum ante. Larger contracts (GSA schedules, DoD) will want a manual audit signed by a qualified professional.
Questions to ask every vendor
- What percentage of WCAG 2.1 AA criteria does your automation cover end-to-end? (Expect 30-40% if honest.)
- Can you export a VPAT 2.5 or an EN 301 549 Conformance Report?
- If a screen-reader user reports a barrier after we deploy your product, what is the remediation path and who is accountable?
- Is your product an overlay / widget, or does it produce fix code we apply to our own codebase? (If overlay, see the lawsuit guide.)
- How many times per month/year can we re-scan?
Our take
Start with an SMB scanner that exports a VPAT and ships actual fix code. Reserve enterprise spend for the manual-audit layer, where human expertise is genuinely irreplaceable. Pay once per release cycle, not forever.
AccessiScan sits at $19-199/month with VPAT 2.5 export, EN 301 549 export, continuous monitoring on the Business tier, and a free overlay detector. Try a free scan before committing to any vendor.