Summary
WAVE is a web accessibility tool that identifies many accessibility and WCAG errors and supports human evaluation of web content. Its browser extensions for Chrome, Firefox, and Edge can examine password-protected, locally stored, and highly dynamic pages. WAVE supports page scans, scheduled audits, mobile viewport checks, and intranet pages with most authentication types. Stand-alone tools can integrate with continuous-integration systems such as Selenium and Puppeteer. The API returns results in JSON or XML; basic analysis uses one credit, while advanced features can use two or three. New accounts receive 100 free API credits. Subscription API access has a 250-credit minimum purchase for 10.00 USD per month. Stand-alone API licenses cost 4000.00 USD per year for Basic, 8000.00 USD per year for Expanded, and 12000.00 USD per year for Unlimited. The stand-alone API runs on Linux, Mac, or Windows web servers with PHP and Node installed, and its minimum requirements are 1 CPU, 1 GB memory, and 100 MB storage.
Who it is for
WAVE suits web teams that want automated accessibility checks alongside tools for human review. Its extensions, scheduled audits, and CI support may fit teams working with authenticated pages or continuous integration.
What is good
- Extensions can test password-protected and dynamic pages
- Supports scheduled audits and mobile viewport checks
- API returns JSON or XML results
- New accounts receive 100 free API credits
What to know first
- Subscription API access requires a 250-credit minimum purchase
- Stand-alone API requires PHP and Node
- Minimum server requirements include 1 CPU and 1 GB memory
Verdict
WAVE combines browser-based checking, human evaluation support, and API or CI workflows. Its free credits offer a starting point, while ongoing access and stand-alone licensing have stated purchase requirements.
WAVE plans and pricing
All plansCompared on accessibility testing software
- Free plan
- Yeswave.webaim.org
- Paid from
- Freewave.webaim.org
- WCAG coverage
- Many accessibility and WCAG errorswave.webaim.org
- Automated scans
- Yeswave.webaim.org
- Manual review tools
- Yeswave.webaim.org
- Mobile testing
- Yeswave.webaim.org
- Browser extension
- Yeswave.webaim.org
- CI/CD integration
- Yeswave.webaim.org
Facts
- Free plan
- Yeswave.webaim.org · 21 Sept 2026
- Browser extension
- Yeswave.webaim.org · 21 Sept 2026
- CI/CD integration
- Yeswave.webaim.org · 21 Sept 2026
- WCAG version
- wcag 2.2wave.webaim.org · 21 Sept 2026
- Scan scope
- pagewave.webaim.org · 21 Sept 2026
- Scan limit
- 250wave.webaim.org · 21 Sept 2026
- Scheduled scans
- Yeswave.webaim.org · 21 Sept 2026
- API access
- Yeswave.webaim.org · 21 Sept 2026
- WCAG Error Detection
- WAVE identifies many accessibility and WCAG errors.wave.webaim.org · 28 Sept 2026
- Human Evaluation
- The tools facilitate human evaluation of web content.wave.webaim.org · 28 Sept 2026
- Browser Platforms
- Browser extensions are available for Chrome, Firefox, and Edge.wave.webaim.org · 28 Sept 2026
- Protected Page Testing
- Browser extensions can test password-protected, locally stored, and highly dynamic pages.wave.webaim.org · 28 Sept 2026
- API Data Formats
- The API returns results data in JSON or XML format.wave.webaim.org · 28 Sept 2026
- API Credit Cost
- Basic analysis costs one credit; advanced features can cost two or three credits.wave.webaim.org · 28 Sept 2026
- API Request Method
- API requests use a GET request containing an API key and page URL.wave.webaim.org · 28 Sept 2026
- CI Integration
- The stand-alone tools support continuous integration, including Selenium and Puppeteer systems.wave.webaim.org · 28 Sept 2026
- Scheduled Audits
- The stand-alone tools can perform regularly scheduled site audits.wave.webaim.org · 28 Sept 2026
- Authentication Support
- Password-protected and intranet pages are supported, including most authentication types.wave.webaim.org · 28 Sept 2026
- Mobile Viewports
- Custom viewport sizes support checking mobile responsive breakpoints.wave.webaim.org · 28 Sept 2026
- System Requirements
- Minimum requirements are 1 CPU, 1 GB memory, and 100 MB storage.wave.webaim.org · 28 Sept 2026
- Server Platforms
- The stand-alone API runs on Linux, Mac, or Windows web servers with PHP and Node installed.wave.webaim.org · 28 Sept 2026
- Support Contact
- Support is provided through a contact channel at Utah State University.wave.webaim.org · 28 Sept 2026
Company
- Headquarters
- Logan, Utah, United Stateswave.webaim.org · 28 Sept 2026
Best WAVE alternatives
See all 12
Where it ranks on Everything Xiaomi
Is WAVE yours?
Claim it for free: prove the domain, then correct facts, plans and screenshots. An editor reviews every change.
Sources
- wave.webaim.org/api/;· checked 21 Sept 2026
- wave.webaim.org· checked 28 Sept 2026
- wave.webaim.org/api/· checked 28 Sept 2026
- wave.webaim.org/standalone· checked 28 Sept 2026