UserWay vs AccessiBe vs EAAPass: Which Accessibility Solution?
UserWay vs AccessiBe vs EAAPass: Which Accessibility Solution Is Right for You?
In the crowded accessibility tool market of 2026, three names come up constantly: UserWay, AccessiBe, and EAAPass. But these tools take fundamentally different approaches to accessibility — and those differences matter enormously for EU compliance under the European Accessibility Act.
The Fundamental Divide: Overlays vs. Audits
Before comparing features, it's crucial to understand the fundamental split in the accessibility tool market:
- Overlay tools (UserWay, AccessiBe) — inject JavaScript widgets into your site that attempt to automatically patch accessibility issues at runtime
- Audit tools (EAAPass) — analyze your actual code, identify real violations, and give you a roadmap to fix them at the source
This isn't just a technical distinction. It's the difference between putting a bandage over a wound versus actually healing it.
UserWay: Overview
UserWay is one of the most popular accessibility overlays on the market. Like AccessiBe, it works by injecting a JavaScript widget into your website that provides end-users with an accessibility toolbar. Users can activate features like text resizing, contrast adjustments, and dyslexia-friendly fonts.
Price: Starting at $490/year for a single domain.
Approach: Overlay widget that modifies the DOM at runtime.
WCAG coverage: Claims WCAG 2.1 AA compliance, but these claims are disputed by accessibility experts.
AccessiBe: Overview
AccessiBe is arguably the most heavily marketed overlay tool, spending significantly on PPC and affiliate marketing. It uses AI to attempt to classify and fix elements automatically.
Price: $490/year per domain.
Approach: AI-powered overlay that scans and modifies the DOM.
WCAG coverage: Disputed — hundreds of accessibility experts have publicly stated it doesn't achieve real conformance.
EAAPass: Overview
EAAPass takes a completely different approach. It runs a comprehensive code-level audit using three independent engines — axe-core, Google Lighthouse, and Pa11y — and then applies AI analysis to provide accurate, prioritized remediation guidance.
Price: Free basic audit; paid plans from €49/month.
Approach: Automated code-level WCAG audit, no overlay involved.
WCAG coverage: All 50 WCAG 2.1 AA success criteria, tested against your actual source code.
Feature Comparison
| Feature | UserWay | AccessiBe | EAAPass |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fixes source code | ❌ No | ❌ No | ✅ Yes (guides developers) |
| EU/EAA focused | ❌ US-first | ❌ US-first | ✅ Built for EAA |
| PDF compliance report | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ |
| Verifiable certificate | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ |
| Supported by disability community | ❌ Opposed | ❌ Opposed | ✅ Audit-based |
| Price | $490/year | $490/year | Free + from €49/mo |
Which Should You Choose?
If you're targeting EU customers and need to comply with the European Accessibility Act, the answer is clear: neither UserWay nor AccessiBe will get you there. Both are overlay tools that patch symptoms rather than fix causes. EU regulators expect actual WCAG 2.1 AA conformance in your source code.
EAAPass gives you the audit, the remediation roadmap, the PDF report, and the compliance certificate that your legal team can actually use. Start with a free audit at eaapass.eu — it takes under 60 seconds and requires no signup.