The accessiBe alternative that actually fixes your site
accessiBe is a JavaScript overlay that patches your site's appearance without fixing the underlying code. WCAGsafe scans your real HTML with axe-core, identifies every WCAG violation, and gives your developer exact fix instructions.
No sign-up · No credit card · Results in 60 seconds
Last reviewed: March 23, 2026
$1M
FTC fine against accessiBe (2025) for misrepresenting their overlay as ADA compliance
22.64%*
of web accessibility lawsuits in H1 2025 targeted sites with an overlay already installed
$7/mo
WCAGsafe Starter — real scanning, real fixes, vs accessiBe at $490/yr
Why switch from accessiBe?
Overlays were always a shortcut. Here is why they have become a liability.
Overlays have attracted more lawsuits
According to EcomBack's 2025 Mid-Year ADA Lawsuit Report, 22.64% of all web accessibility lawsuits in H1 2025 targeted sites that already had an overlay installed. An overlay does not remove ADA legal exposure — it may increase it.
FTC fined accessiBe $1 million
In 2025 the FTC settled with accessiBe for $1 million for misrepresenting their widget as a guaranteed ADA compliance solution. Overlays are not a compliance solution — they are a patch over inaccessible code.
Your code stays broken
accessiBe injects JavaScript that attempts to modify your page for screen readers at runtime. It never touches your actual source code — every underlying WCAG violation remains unfixed.
PDF document scanning included
accessiBe only covers web pages. WCAGsafe also scans your PDF files for accessibility issues and PDF/UA compliance — essential if your site publishes documents, forms, or reports.
WCAGsafe vs accessiBe
| Feature | WCAGsafe | accessiBe |
|---|---|---|
| Real axe-core scanning | ||
| Works without JavaScript overlay | ||
| Plain-English violation reports | Not advertised | |
| Developer fix instructions | ||
| Legal risk per violation | ||
| Based on WCAG 2.1 AA (DOJ standard) | ||
| Monthly monitoring + alerts | ||
| PDF export of scan report | ||
| PDF document accessibility scan | ||
| PDF/UA compliance check | ||
| One-time audit option | $29 | Not available |
| Documents actual violations for remediation | ||
| Starts at | $7/mo | $490/yr |
Cost comparison
WCAGsafe does more and costs less. Here is how the numbers compare.
WCAGsafe Starter
Recommended$7/mo
$84/yr — billed monthly, cancel anytime
- 50 scans/month, up to 15 pages
- All WCAG violations with fix instructions
- Monthly monitoring + email alerts
- Upgrade to Pro for PDF scanning & export
accessiBe Basic
$490/yr
~$40.83/mo — annual commitment required
- JavaScript overlay — no code fixes
- No plain-English explanations
- No PDF document scanning
- No developer fix instructions
- No one-time audit option
Why overlays like accessiBe fail
Accessibility overlays add a JavaScript widget to your site that attempts to modify the page for screen reader users on-the-fly. The fundamental problem: they don't fix your actual code.
The National Federation of the Blind, Disability Rights Advocates, and hundreds of accessibility experts have publicly stated that overlays do not make websites accessible. The DOJ's 2024 final rule on web accessibility under the ADA requires conformance with WCAG 2.1 AA — not installation of an overlay widget.
In 2025 the FTC settled with accessiBe for $1 million for misrepresenting their widget as a compliance guarantee. That same year, data from UsableNet showed that 22.64% of all web accessibility lawsuits in H1 2025 targeted sites that already had an overlay installed.
WCAGsafe takes the opposite approach: scan your actual HTML with axe-core — the same engine used by Google Chrome DevTools and Microsoft — identify every real violation, and give your developer the exact fix instructions to remediate them in the source code.
Frequently asked questions
Does accessiBe make my website WCAG 2.1 AA compliant?
accessiBe claims WCAG 2.2 AA alignment, but their product is a JavaScript overlay that modifies your page at runtime without fixing the underlying HTML. The FTC fined accessiBe $1 million in 2025 for misrepresenting their widget as a guaranteed compliance solution. Real WCAG 2.1 AA conformance requires fixing actual source code — which an overlay does not do.
Has accessiBe been fined or penalized?
Yes. In 2025 the FTC settled with accessiBe for $1 million for misrepresenting their widget as a guaranteed ADA compliance solution. This is a matter of public record.
Do accessibility overlays increase lawsuit risk?
According to EcomBack's 2025 Mid-Year ADA Lawsuit Report, 22.64% of all web accessibility lawsuits in H1 2025 targeted sites that already had an overlay widget installed. Overlays do not remove ADA legal exposure and courts evaluate actual usability — not the presence of a widget.
How much does accessiBe cost compared to WCAGsafe?
accessiBe starts at $490/yr (~$41/mo). WCAGsafe starts at $7/mo ($84/yr) and includes real axe-core scanning, plain-English fix instructions, and monthly monitoring. The Pro plan at $29/mo adds PDF accessibility scanning and PDF report export.
Can I switch from accessiBe to WCAGsafe easily?
Yes. Remove the accessiBe widget from your site, run a free WCAGsafe scan, and get a full report of every real WCAG violation with plain-English explanations and exact fix instructions for your developer.
What does WCAGsafe actually scan?
WCAGsafe uses axe-core — the same engine used in Google Chrome DevTools — to scan your actual HTML for WCAG 2.1 Level A and AA violations. It also scans PDF documents for accessibility issues. Every violation includes a plain-English explanation and step-by-step fix instructions.
Sources & Disclaimer
- · * EcomBack, 2025 Mid-Year ADA Website Accessibility Lawsuit Report. Methodology for identifying overlay presence on defendant sites was not independently verified.
- · FTC settlement with accessiBe: FTC Press Release, January 2025.
- · accessiBe product features verified from accessibe.com (March 2026).
Disclaimer: Competitor feature and pricing information was accurate as of March 23, 2026. accessiBe may have added, changed, or removed features since this page was last reviewed. We are not affiliated with accessiBe Ltd. All trademarks belong to their respective owners. This page reflects our independent research and should not be taken as a complete or current representation of accessiBe's product offering.
See your real WCAG violations in 60 seconds
No overlay. No widget. Just a clear report of every violation and how to fix it — free.
Scan my website free