Comparison · Tools
PillarScan vs WAVE: which accessibility tool is right for schools and governments?
August 25, 2026 · 6 min read
WAVE, from WebAIM, is the browser extension every accessibility professional keeps installed. It is free, fast and shows issues in context on a single page. If you have one page to check, use WAVE.
| Capability | WAVE | PillarScan |
|---|---|---|
| Single page check | Yes (free) | Yes (free) |
| Whole-site crawl (100–2,000 pages) | No (API is paid, per-page) | Yes |
| Scheduled monitoring | No | Monthly / weekly |
| Letter grade and trend | No | Yes |
| Mark fixed / ignored, track across scans | No | Yes |
| Plain-English fix steps per rule | Partial | Yes, plus CMS-specific AI instructions |
| Board-ready PDF, accessibility statement | No | Yes |
| Price | Free | $99–$599 per year |
Both tools are built on the same philosophy: automated checks with zero false positives, and honesty that automation finds only part of the picture. The difference is whether you need a tool for a person or a process for an organization.