Tool Comparison
Scanly vs. WebAIM WAVE: Comprehensive Auditing
This page is for business administrators, digital compliance officers, and designers who need to run simultaneous SEO and security checks alongside automated WCAG accessibility audits.
Feature Comparison at a Glance
| Capability | Scanly | WebAIM WAVE |
|---|---|---|
| Combined 4-in-1 website audit Scanly audits SEO, speed, accessibility, and security in 60s. WAVE evaluates web accessibility only. | ||
| Cloud-based, no-install crawls Both track URLs online, though WAVE is often run manually as a browser extension. | ||
| WCAG 2.2 accessibility validation Both tools scan for contrast, ARIA structure, and screen-reader compatibility issues. | ||
| HTTP security headers check Scanly scans for response headers (CSP, HSTS). WAVE excludes security checks. | ||
| Core Web Vitals & speed audit Scanly tests performance metrics. WAVE does not monitor page speeds. | ||
| AI recommendations in plain English Scanly outputs step-by-step instructions. WAVE overlays icons on the live page, requiring user interpretation. | ||
| White-label PDF export Scanly generates structured client PDFs. WAVE does not offer white-labeled reporting layouts. | ||
| Affordable starting price WAVE is free to use page-by-page. Scanly starts at $10/mo, adding multi-page crawling, history, and automated reports. | $10/mo | Free / Credit API |
Pricing Snapshot Comparison
Free & Affordable Plans
$0 – $49/mo
- Free on-demand homepage audits
- Starter: $10/mo for 50 scheduled scans
- Scale: $49/mo for unlimited scans & API
Flexible subscriptions. Cancel online in one click with no contracts.
WebAIM WAVE Rates
Free / Credit-based API
Verified from official WebAIM WAVE pricing options as of 2026.
When to Use Each Tool
WebAIM WAVE is an industry-standard visual evaluator for web accessibility compliance. While highly detailed for accessibility checks, it offers no SEO audits, page speed tracking, or security evaluation features.
Choose Scanly if:
You want a fast, cloud-based check of your core channels (SEO, web speed, access compliance, security response headers) at an affordable rate. It flags exactly which scripts block rendering or highlights design contrast errors without complex setups.
Choose WebAIM WAVE if:
Your goals demand Visual compliance marking of accessibility errors on pages.
Frequently Asked Questions
Wait, does WAVE check for SEO issues?
No. WAVE is built by WebAIM specifically to check accessibility compliance (WCAG). It does not scan for title tags, keywords, meta descriptions, sitemaps, or canonical links.
Is Scanly's accessibility test as deep as WAVE?
Yes. Scanly uses standard WCAG 2.1/2.2 auditing tests to inspect page contrast, keyboard navigation, missing alt text, and form labels, displaying issues in a neat dashboard alongside performance metrics.
Can I automate audits with these tools?
Scanly lets you scheduled audits easily via the cloud interface, and includes API access on the Scale plan. WAVE requires buying credit packs for API query integration.
Get Your Free Scan Instantly
Compare your website and see where you stand in SEO, Page Speed, WCAG accessibility, and safety headers. Audit complete in 60 seconds with no credit card required.
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Read our details comparison at How to Improve Website Accessibility: Complete WCAG Guide or check out a real rendering in our Sample Audit Report.