AccessGuard vs accessiBe for agency clients
accessiBe is best known for accessWidget, a script that adds an overlay to a site. AccessGuard adds nothing to the client's site. It finds the barriers so developers can fix the code.
Which one fits
An overlay changes how a page behaves in the browser. An audit tells you what to fix in the site itself. Agencies that build and maintain client sites usually need the second.
- Choose accessiBe if
- A client wants a widget with user controls such as text size and contrast on their site.
- You understand that a widget doesn't change the underlying code.
- Choose AccessGuard if
- You build or maintain the client's site and can change its code.
- You want to show clients what fails, what was fixed and what still needs a person.
- You want nothing added to the client's pages.
Side by side
| What you need | AccessGuard | accessiBe |
|---|---|---|
| Adds a script or widget to the site accessWidget | No | Yes |
| Automated WCAG 2.2 AA audit accessiBe also sells developer tools | Yes | Partly |
| Code fix for each finding AI fixes on AccessGuard paid plans | Yes | Partly |
| PDF report under your agency's name | Yes | No |
| Public pricing | Yes | Yes |
Where accessiBe is better
- Quick to install
- A widget is added with one script and gives visitors display controls straight away.
- User preferences
- The widget lets visitors adjust text size, spacing and colors on the page.
- Wider product range
- accessiBe has broadened beyond the widget with developer and monitoring tools.
Pricing
Prices change. Check each vendor's page before you decide.
- AccessGuard
- Free audit of any page without an account, and 3 free credits when you sign up. Plans from €14.99 a month. See pricing
- accessiBe
- accessWidget plans were listed from $490 a year on 13 September 2026, priced by average monthly visits. Source (accessiBe pricing, opens in new tab)
Questions
Does an overlay make a site WCAG compliant?
No automated product can guarantee that. In April 2025 the US Federal Trade Commission finalised an order requiring accessiBe to pay $1 million over claims that its product could make any website WCAG compliant.
Are sites with overlays still sued?
Yes. UsableNet's 2025 year-end report counted over 1,400 lawsuits filed in 2025 against companies using accessibility widgets on their websites. Fixing barriers in the code is the durable approach.
Does AccessGuard make a site compliant?
No, and it never claims to. It finds failures automated checks can detect, suggests fixes and marks what a person needs to test.
Related
- AccessGuard vs WAVE
Use WAVE while you build and review a page. Use AccessGuard when you audit client sites repeatedly and need a report you can send.
- AccessGuard vs axe DevTools
Use axe in your development workflow and tests. Use AccessGuard to audit live client sites and hand clients a report.
- ARIA checker
Finds invalid roles and attributes, controls with no accessible name and ARIA that hides content people need.
- Keyboard and focus checker
Finds controls people can't reach by keyboard, focus styles that were removed, and focused elements hidden behind sticky headers.
- Alt text checker
Finds images, icons and image buttons with missing or empty text alternatives, and alt text that says nothing useful.
Try AccessGuard on a client page
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