ClearA11y vs WAVE: Comparing Web Accessibility Testing Tools

Choosing an Accessibility Testing Tool

When it comes to checking your website for accessibility issues, you have several options. WAVE (Web Accessibility Evaluation Tool) has been an industry standard for years, and for good reason - it's free, reliable, and trusted by accessibility professionals worldwide.

So why did we build ClearA11y? Not to replace WAVE, but to solve different problems. Here's an honest comparison to help you choose the right tool for your needs.

Quick Comparison

Where WAVE Excels

Let's be clear: WAVE is an excellent tool. Here's where it shines:

It's Completely Free

WAVE's browser extension and web checker are 100% free with no limitations. If budget is your primary concern, WAVE is hard to beat.

Browser Extension

WAVE's Chrome and Firefox extensions let you test pages without leaving your browser, including pages behind login screens. This is something ClearA11y can't currently do.

Industry Trust

WAVE has been around since 1999 and is developed by WebAIM, a highly respected accessibility organization. It's cited in countless accessibility guides and used by professionals worldwide.

Visual Overlay

WAVE shows issues directly on the page with icons and highlights. This visual approach makes it easy to see exactly where problems occur in context.

Where ClearA11y Excels

AI-Powered Code Fixes

This is our biggest differentiator. When ClearA11y finds an issue, it doesn't just tell you what's wrong - it shows you exactly how to fix it.

WAVE tells you:

"Image missing alternative text"

ClearA11y tells you:

"Image missing alternative text"

<!-- Current code -->
<img src="hero.jpg">

<!-- Fixed code -->
<img src="hero.jpg" alt="Team collaborating around a whiteboard in modern office">

The AI analyzes your actual HTML, the image filename, and page context to suggest relevant alt text - not just generic examples.

Blockchain-Verified Reports

When you certify a scan with ClearA11y, the results are permanently recorded on the Hedera blockchain. This means:

This matters when facing ADA lawsuits, client disputes, or regulatory audits. A PDF report can be fabricated; a blockchain record cannot.

WCAG 2.2 Support

ClearA11y tests against the latest WCAG 2.2 guidelines (released October 2023), including new criteria like:

WAVE currently tests against WCAG 2.1.

Clean PDF Reports

ClearA11y generates comprehensive PDF reports designed to share with clients, developers, or stakeholders. Reports include:

These are particularly useful for agencies delivering accessibility audits to clients.

Use Case Recommendations

Use WAVE if:

Use ClearA11y if:

Use Both if:

Many accessibility professionals use multiple tools. Each scanner catches slightly different issues, and the visual overlay of WAVE combined with the code fixes from ClearA11y can give you the most complete picture.

A Note on Automated Testing

No automated tool - WAVE, ClearA11y, or any other - catches 100% of accessibility issues. Automated scanners typically find 30-50% of WCAG failures. The rest require manual testing:

Think of automated tools as a first pass, not a complete audit.

Try ClearA11y

We built ClearA11y to solve real problems we experienced: unclear guidance on how to fix issues, and no way to prove compliance.

If those resonate with you, try a free scan and see the difference AI-powered fixes and blockchain certification can make.

Already using WAVE? Great - keep using it. Consider ClearA11y when you need detailed reports or verifiable proof of testing.

The goal isn't which tool "wins" - it's making the web more accessible for everyone.