A11yProof vs UserWay: Scanning and Fixes vs Overlay Widget
TLDR
A11yProof scans your site and generates code-level fixes for WCAG violations starting at $29/month. UserWay adds an overlay widget starting at $49/month that adjusts page rendering without fixing source code. A11yProof wins on scanning depth and code-level remediation. UserWay is easier to install but does not address root issues.
| Feature | A11yProof | UserWay | A11yProof |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly cost | $29-$199/mo | $49-$199/mo | from $29/month |
| Approach | Overlay/Enterprise | Overlay/Enterprise | AI scanning + code fixes |
| Feature | A11yProof | UserWay |
|---|---|---|
| Approach | Scan source code, generate fixes | JavaScript overlay widget |
| Starting price | $29/mo (1 site) | $49/mo (1 site) |
| Free tier | No | Yes (basic widget) |
| Code-level fixes | Yes — AI-generated suggestions | No |
| WCAG scanning | Full WCAG 2.1 AA automated scan | Limited (widget adjustments) |
| Compliance reports | Per-criterion WCAG reports | Widget usage reports |
| Fixes persist after cancel | Yes — fixes are in source code | No — overlay is removed |
| Developer required | Yes (to apply fixes) | No |
Overlay vs Scanner
UserWay is an accessibility overlay widget. You add a script tag to your site, and it creates a floating accessibility menu that lets visitors adjust font sizes, contrast, cursor styles, and other display settings. The widget modifies how your page renders in the browser without changing the underlying HTML.
A11yProof is a scanner and fix generator. It crawls your site, tests each page against WCAG 2.1 AA success criteria, identifies violations, and generates code-level fix suggestions. A developer applies those fixes to your actual source code. The fixes are permanent.
These are fundamentally different products solving different problems. UserWay gives users controls to adjust their experience. A11yProof finds and fixes the structural issues that create accessibility barriers in the first place.
The Free Widget Question
UserWay’s free tier is worth mentioning because it is often the first accessibility tool SMBs encounter. The free widget adds a basic accessibility menu to your site. It does not scan for WCAG violations, generate compliance reports, or provide fix suggestions. It is a user interface enhancement, not a compliance tool.
If you are comparing UserWay’s paid plans ($49+/month) against A11yProof ($29/month), you are looking at two paid tools with different approaches. A11yProof provides more scanning depth and actual fix generation at a lower price. UserWay provides an easier installation path with no developer requirement.
Compliance Documentation
A11yProof generates compliance reports mapped to specific WCAG 2.1 AA success criteria. Each report shows which criteria were tested, what violations were found, and how they were resolved. This documentation is useful for legal defense, procurement requirements, and internal audits.
UserWay’s reports focus on widget usage and accessibility adjustments made by visitors. These metrics are useful for understanding how users interact with the widget but do not constitute WCAG compliance documentation.
Who Should Choose What
Choose A11yProof if: you need WCAG compliance documentation, you have developer access to implement fixes, and you want remediation that persists after cancellation.
Choose UserWay if: you want a no-developer installation, you need a user-facing accessibility menu, and you understand the limitations of overlay-based approaches.
Neither option feel right?
Most small businesses pay for accessibility features they don't need. A11yProof starts at from $29/month.
Verdict
A11yProof wins on scanning depth and code-level fixes. UserWay is easier to install but does not address the root accessibility issues in your source code. For SMBs that need defensible compliance, A11yProof's scan-and-fix approach produces more durable results.
PROS & CONS
A11yProof
Pros
- Fixes actual source code issues permanently
- WCAG 2.1 AA scanning with criterion-level reports
- Lower starting price at $29/month
- Fixes survive tool cancellation
Cons
- Requires developer to implement fix suggestions
- No free tier available
- Full remediation takes longer than overlay installation
- Newer platform with smaller market presence
PROS & CONS
UserWay
Pros
- Free basic widget available
- No developer needed for installation
- Quick 2-minute setup via script tag
- User-facing accessibility menu for manual adjustments
Cons
- Does not fix underlying HTML or ARIA issues
- Overlay disappears when script is removed
- Limited WCAG scanning compared to dedicated tools
- Paid plans start higher at $49/month for less scanning depth
Q&A
Does UserWay fix source code accessibility issues?
No. UserWay provides an overlay widget that lets users adjust contrast, text size, and navigation settings. The underlying HTML, ARIA attributes, and semantic structure remain unchanged. A11yProof scans the actual source code and generates fix suggestions that address violations at the code level.
Q&A
Which is cheaper, A11yProof or UserWay?
A11yProof starts at $29/month for 1 site. UserWay's paid plans start at $49/month. UserWay does offer a free basic widget, but it provides limited functionality compared to the paid plans and does not include WCAG scanning or compliance reporting.
Q&A
Should I use UserWay's free widget or pay for A11yProof?
It depends on what you need. UserWay's free widget adds a user-facing accessibility menu but does not scan for or fix WCAG violations. If you need compliance documentation and actual code fixes, A11yProof at $29/month provides scanning and fix generation. The free widget and a paid scanning tool solve different problems.
Does UserWay fix accessibility issues in the source code?
Is A11yProof harder to set up than UserWay?
Which tool provides better WCAG 2.1 AA coverage?
Can I use UserWay's free widget with A11yProof?
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