Top Accessibility Audit Companies for 2025

Top Accessibility Audit Companies for 2025
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The numbers don’t lie—websites are failing people with disabilities left and right. A shocking 96% of homepages contain accessibility failures that block users from basic tasks. Meanwhile, lawyers filed over 1,100 accessibility lawsuits in the first three months of 2024 alone. Businesses are paying a steep price for ignoring digital inclusion.

Finding the right partner to fix these problems isn’t simple. The market is flooded with companies claiming expertise, but many deliver cookie-cutter reports without addressing real user barriers.

This guide cuts through the noise to help you find accessibility audit companies that deliver actual value in 2025.

What is an Accessibility Audit?

Think of an accessibility audit as a home inspection for your website. Instead of checking for foundation cracks or wiring problems, it identifies barriers preventing people with disabilities from using your digital products.

These audits typically evaluate your website, app, or software against established standards like the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG). The goal? Finding everything from missing alt text and keyboard traps to color contrast issues before they trigger lawsuits or frustrate users.

What makes accessibility audits tricky is that different companies approach them in wildly different ways:

  • Full-scale audits check everything against WCAG standards and provide detailed remediation plans (taking 2-8 weeks)
  • Risk audits focus on lawsuit triggers that need immediate fixing (usually 1-2 weeks)
  • Automated scans use software to catch obvious issues (hours to days)
  • Expert reviews combine human testers with assistive technology (3-6 weeks)
  • VPATs create specialized documentation for government procurement (1-3 weeks)

The shocking truth? Those automated tools everyone loves catch only 30-40% of actual accessibility issues. The rest need human evaluation using screen readers, keyboard testing, and other methods that software just can’t replicate.

understanding accessibility audits

Why Every Business Needs an Accessibility Audit

Businesses often only address accessibility after receiving a legal threat letter. Bad move. The business case for proactive accessibility is overwhelming:

The market opportunity is massive. About 1.3 billion people worldwide have disabilities. That’s a huge customer segment with substantial buying power. Research from Return on Disability shows people with disabilities control over $6.9 trillion in annual disposable income.

It directly impacts revenue. Forrester studies found that e-commerce sites fixing accessibility issues saw conversion rates jump 8-12%. Accessible sites also rank better in search, gaining 12-15% more organic traffic according to WebAIM data.

Legal costs aren’t cheap. The math speaks for itself:

  • Making your site accessible: $10,000-$50,000
  • Settling an accessibility lawsuit: $25,000-$150,000 (plus fixing it anyway)
  • Legal fees even if you win: $15,000-$50,000
the cost of accessibility audits vs lawsuits

Customers genuinely care. The Click-Away Pound survey found 71% of disabled users immediately leave websites they can’t use. Nearly 40% of all consumers say they would switch brands to support more inclusive companies.

A proper accessibility audit doesn’t just run your site through software. It examines:

  1. Real usability: Can someone using a screen reader book an appointment on your site? Can someone with tremors complete your checkout flow?
  2. WCAG compliance: Does your site follow the guidelines courts reference in lawsuits?
  3. Legal exposure: Are you vulnerable to ADA or Section 508 violations?
  4. Equal experience: Are disabled visitors getting a second-rate experience?
  5. Technology compatibility: Does everything work with screen readers, voice control, and other assistive tools?

With so much at stake, choosing the right accessibility audit partner becomes critical. Let’s look at the top companies to consider.

Top Accessibility Audit Companies to Consider

1. Softeko

softeko hero section

Founded: 2013
Headquarters: Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Focus: Providing accessibility audits that combine usability and compliance.

Softeko doesn’t just focus on ticking boxes for accessibility. Instead, they’re about creating real solutions that ensure websites and apps work for everyone—especially people with disabilities. Their approach blends automated tools with human insights, which helps them provide a deeper level of testing than most other companies.

The reason Softeko is different is their emphasis on real user testing. Many companies rely on automated scans  only, but Softeko does more than that. They involve actual users who rely on assistive technologies like screen readers or specialized keyboards. This allows them to find problems that automated tools miss—issues that real users would face navigating your site.

The team at Softeko includes IAAP-certified experts with experience. They customize their audits to meet the specific needs of each client, ensuring compliance with WCAG standards, ADA regulations, and other accessibility requirements, while focusing on making the site genuinely usable for all visitors.

Here’s why Softeko stands out:

  1. Real-World Testing: They don’t just rely on software. Real users provide valuable feedback. This helps catch accessibility barriers that may not be apparent in automated scans.
  2. Thorough Approach: Softeko uses a mix of automated tools and manual testing. This combination helps with catching both technical issues and user experience problems.
  3. Tailored Solutions: Every company’s accessibility needs are different. Softeko offers customized audits that fit each organization, along with ongoing support and developer training to make accessibility a long-term priority.
  4. Continuous Monitoring: Accessibility is not a one-time job. Softeko helps businesses stay on top of accessibility with continuous monitoring and updates, ensuring long-term compliance as digital platforms evolve.

2. TestDevLab

TestDevLab started in Riga back in 2011. They’ve built a reputation for thorough accessibility testing with a European focus.

What makes them different? A massive collection of 4,000+ actual devices for testing. Not virtual machines or emulators – real hardware that people use daily. They’ve even got specialized gear like braille keyboards to test how blind users actually experience websites.

Their recent research on fintech accessibility raised eyebrows in the industry. They found that 70% of top European fintech companies fail basic accessibility checks. Think about that – platforms handling people’s money that wheelchair users or blind people can’t navigate properly.

They don’t just run automated scans and call it a day. While they use tools like axe and WAVE, their approach centers on real-world testing. Can keyboard users actually complete a checkout flow? Will screen reader software correctly announce dynamic content changes? These practical questions matter more than technical compliance.

With the European Accessibility Act coming in June 2025, TestDevLab’s regional expertise is becoming more valuable. They understand both the technical requirements and the spirit of these regulations.

Their testing deals with issues that frustrate actual users:

  • Can you navigate without a mouse?
  • Do screen readers understand the content?
  • Are there text alternatives for images?
  • Can you see where you are on the page?
  • Will keyboard users get trapped in popups?

They work with clients in different ways – quick consultations for some, ongoing testing for others. This works for companies just starting with accessibility and those who’ve been at it for years.

If European compliance matters to you, or if you want fresh eyes on your accessibility issues, give them a look. Sometimes a different perspective catches problems others miss.

3. QualityLogic

Founded: 1986 Headquarters: Boise, Idaho Standout feature: Real testing by people who use assistive technology daily

QualityLogic brings 36+ years of testing expertise to accessibility. What sets them apart is their emphasis on testing with people who have disabilities. Their teams include individuals who test with the assistive technology they use in daily life, giving you authentic feedback on real barriers.

Rather than pushing fancy proprietary tools, QualityLogic focuses on practical, real-world testing scenarios. They’re particularly strong at explaining exactly how real users experience accessibility problems, not just listing technical violations.

Their pricing structure offers flexibility without breaking the bank, making them a solid choice for organizations wanting authentic user feedback more than flashy reports.

4. Level Access

Started back in ’97 out of Vienna, Virginia, Level Access isn’t your typical accessibility company. It was actually founded by people with disabilities, which explains why they “get it” in ways most consulting firms don’t.

These folks built something called the Access Engine – basically their Swiss Army knife for testing everything from websites to mobile apps. What’s cool about them is they don’t just hand you a report and disappear. They’ve got this Academy thing where they’ll train your designers, developers, content people – pretty much anyone who touches your digital stuff.

Forrester named them a “Leader” in their accessibility platform rankings, which basically means they’re a big deal if you’re a large company with complex systems and serious legal concerns. You’re not getting the budget option with these guys, but enterprise clients seem to think they’re worth the investment.

They’ll work with you either through ongoing subscriptions (if you’ve got lots of properties to manage) or project by project if that’s more your speed.

5. Deque Systems

Ever used the axe browser extension for checking accessibility? That’s Deque‘s own product. Since 1999, these Herndon, Virginia folks have been building tools developers actually want to use – their accessibility libraries have been downloaded over 2 billion times. No joke.

What’s interesting about Deque (you pronounce it “dee-cue,” by the way) is they’ve got 15 people who actively help write the WCAG standards. When standards change, they’re not scrambling to catch up – they already knew it was coming because they helped create it.

They’ve got this philosophy called “shift left” which is a fancy way of saying “fix accessibility problems early in development.” Way cheaper than bolting it on at the end. Their Deque University has trained thousands of developers, so they’re good at explaining complex accessibility concepts without making your eyes glaze over.

Price-wise, you typically pay for their software tools and then add consulting when needed. Works well if you want to eventually handle most testing in-house.

6. TPGi (The Paciello Group)

TPGi started in 2002 when accessibility was barely on most companies’ radar. Based in Clearwater, Florida, they’ve grown into serious accessibility nerds – and I mean that as a compliment.

What’s impressive is they’ve got 21 people who help develop W3C standards. That’s like having NBA players as your basketball coaches. They created this tool called JAWS Inspect that’s pretty genius – it lets testers see what screen reader users experience without having to become screen reader experts themselves.

Their newest offering, “TPGi as a Service,” actually guarantees accessibility improvements. That’s rare in this business – most consultants just identify problems without promising results.

They’re not the cheapest option, but mid-size and larger organizations seem to appreciate their blend of technical tools and strategic advice. You’ll typically pay for their ARC Platform plus whatever consulting help you need.

7. Bureau of Internet Accessibility (BoIA)

BoIA (founded in 2001) takes a distinctly legal-first approach to accessibility. Based in Rhode Island, they’ve carved out a space helping organizations stay on the right side of ADA compliance.

When you get their reports, the first thing you’ll notice is how clearly they flag legal risks. They don’t just say “this fails WCAG 2.1 AA,” they explain which issues could actually trigger lawsuits based on recent legal precedents. Super helpful when you need to prioritize fixes.

Their ongoing monitoring tool, Compliance Sheriff, keeps watch after the initial audit. This appeals to organizations in lawsuit-prone industries or those who’ve been burned before.

Their pricing follows what you’d expect – one-time audits if that’s all you need, or ongoing partnerships if you want continuous compliance monitoring.

8. Knowbility

Knowbility stands out from the pack immediately because they’re a nonprofit. Founded in Austin back in ’99, they approach accessibility with a mission that goes beyond the bottom line.

What I like about their testing approach is how practical it is. Sure, they’ll check all the WCAG boxes, but they’re more focused on actual humans using your site than technical compliance for its own sake. Their reports tend to say things like “blind users can’t register for your event” rather than just “form labels missing.”

They run this cool thing called the OpenAIR competition where dev teams compete to make accessible websites for nonprofits. It’s created this community of accessibility-minded developers that’s pretty unique in the field.

Because they’re a nonprofit with an educational mission, their pricing tends to be more reasonable for smaller orgs and fellow nonprofits. That said, they work with plenty of commercial clients too.

9. Fable

Fable takes a completely different approach to accessibility testing. Founded in Toronto in 2018, they’ve built a platform that connects you directly with people with disabilities who test your digital products.

What makes Fable interesting is their focus on speed. Traditional accessibility testing can take weeks, but Fable can get you feedback from actual users with disabilities in as little as 48 hours. They’ve got this community of testers with various disabilities who use different assistive technologies.

Their pricing model is pretty flexible – you can do one-off studies or subscribe for ongoing access to their tester community. Works well if you’re doing agile development and need quick feedback throughout your sprints instead of big audits at the end.

Major companies like Microsoft and Shopify use them, which has helped them grow quickly despite being newer to the scene.

10. Evinced

Evinced is the new kid on the block, founded in 2018 by former Adobe and Amazon folks. Based out of Palo Alto, they’ve taken a distinctly Silicon Valley approach to accessibility testing.

What sets them apart is their developer-focused automation. While most accessibility tools scan the finished website, Evinced built tools that integrate directly into development workflows. Their browser extension is crazy powerful – it doesn’t just find issues but actually modifies the DOM to show you how to fix them.

They’ve raised serious venture capital (over $38 million) which tells you something about where the market is heading. Their enterprise platform can scan thousands of pages daily and integrates with CI/CD pipelines for continuous testing.

Pricing is typically enterprise-level SaaS subscriptions, so they’re targeting larger organizations with development teams. Not the best fit if you’re looking for a small one-time audit.

How to Choose the Right Accessibility Audit Company

What to Look for in an Accessibility Audit Partner

Picking the right accessibility partner isn’t straightforward. Here’s what actually matters:

Testing approach is everything. No single testing method catches everything. Automated tools miss 60-70% of real issues. Manual expert testing catches subtle problems but takes longer. Testing with actual disabled users finds issues nobody else will spot. The best audit companies combine all three.

Ask directly: “What percentage of your testing is automated versus manual?” If they dance around this question, that’s a red flag.

The actual people matter more than the company.

Who’s doing your audit makes all the difference. Look for:

  • IAAP certifications (CPACC or WAS) – these actually mean something
  • Experience in your industry (healthcare has different needs than e-commerce)
  • Testers with disabilities on the team (not just as occasional consultants)
  • People who contribute to accessibility standards (shows real expertise)

Don’t just talk to salespeople. Ask to meet or learn about the specific team who’ll handle your project.

what to look for in an accessibility

What happens after the audit can make or break you.

So many companies fixate on getting the audit done, then get this massive report and think “now what?” You need a partner who sticks around.

Ask yourself: Can you actually understand their reports?

Good companies prioritize the problems for you. “Fix these five things first because they’re blocking your checkout flow for keyboard users” is way more useful than “here are 347 issues organized by WCAG criterion.”

Another thing – can you actually reach them when your developers have questions? Nothing worse than a dev team stuck on implementing a fix with nobody to ask for help.

Knowledge transfer is huge too. Some companies guard their expertise like a secret recipe. Others teach your team as they go. Guess which approach leaves you better off after six months?

Looking under the hood: Tools and track record

Dig deeper than the sales pitch with these questions:

“How many sites in our industry have you audited?” If they claim expertise in healthcare or finance or whatever your field is, make them prove it. Specific numbers, not vague claims.

“Can I see a sample report?” Not just snippets they cherry-picked, but a full redacted report. You’ll learn tons about how they communicate.

If they offer software tools, try before you buy. Use your actual site, not their demo site that’s perfectly set up to make their tool look good. Watch for integration with your dev environment too – can it work with GitHub? JIRA? Whatever you use?

Here’s a clever trick: check their public content. Companies that really know accessibility usually:

  • Write helpful blog posts that aren’t just thinly disguised sales pitches
  • Speak at industry events (not just sponsor them)
  • Share genuinely useful free resources
  • Have team members active in standards groups

You can tell a lot about how much they actually know versus how much they claim to know.

What you’ll pay

Pricing is all over the map in this industry. Here’s the real deal:

One-shot audit costs:

What you’re testingWhat you’ll probably payWhy the price varies
Small website (10-20 pages)$2,500-$5,000How complex your pages are
Medium site (20-100 pages)$5,000-$10,000How many interactive bits you have
Big corporate site (100+ pages)$10,000-$25,000User journeys, custom functionality
Enterprise apps$15,000-$50,000+Login flows, integrations, complexity
Mobile apps$5,000-$20,000How many platforms, feature complexity
VPAT paperwork$2,000-$5,000How complicated your product is

Some places charge differently:

  • By the page: $200-$500 per template or unique page type
  • Monthly packages: $1,000-$10,000 for ongoing testing
  • Software access: $7,500-$70,000 yearly for platform use

Watch out for these warning signs when talking price:

  • Suspiciously cheap “comprehensive” audits (probably just automated scans)
  • Refusal to break down what you’re paying for
  • Cookie-cutter packages that don’t fit your situation
  • Pushy upselling of stuff you didn’t ask for

Remember, the cheapest audit usually leads to the most expensive fixes. A thorough audit might cost more upfront but save you thousands in efficient remediation.

Understanding Accessibility Across Different Platforms

Companies now need to handle accessibility across websites, apps, kiosks, and more. Each platform throws different curveballs at your accessibility efforts.

Deque‘s tools work pretty well across platforms, though they’re strongest on web and mobile. They’ll check your iOS and Android apps alongside your websites, which saves you from juggling multiple vendors.

TestDevLab brings something special to cross-platform testing. Their massive physical device lab – with over 4,000 actual devices – catches real-world problems that might slip through in theory. They recently found that even “accessible” fintech apps often break on slightly older Android phones with TalkBack enabled – something you’d never catch testing only on newer devices.

Mobile accessibility isn’t just desktop accessibility shrunk down. The rules change completely. Instead of keyboard focus, you need proper touch targets. Instead of hover states, you need clear tap indicators. Screen readers behave differently on mobile too.

Level Access does kiosk testing for places like hospitals and airports. They check both software and physical factors – can someone in a wheelchair reach the screen? Is there enough privacy for blind users having information read aloud?

When shopping for help with multi-platform accessibility, dig into:

  • Which platforms they’ve actually tested (not just claim to support)
  • Whether they use real devices or just simulators
  • Their familiarity with your specific tech stack
  • If they understand platform-specific guidelines

Good partners get that fixing a menu works totally differently in React versus Swift. They won’t give you generic advice that doesn’t fit your platform.

Balancing Design and Compliance

The old myth that accessible websites must be boring and ugly needs to die. Good accessibility partners help you keep your visual identity while making your site work for everyone.

TPGi reviews designs before coding starts, which saves tons of headaches later. They don’t just say “that won’t work” – they suggest alternatives that keep your design intent.

Color contrast trips up many sites. Level Access has helped clients develop “accessibility-enhanced” color palettes that stay on-brand while meeting contrast requirements.

Knowbility takes more of a teaching approach. They train your designers rather than just doing the work for them. This builds internal capability over time.

TestDevLab’s research on European fintech apps showed that many companies think accessibility means sacrificing design. Their case studies prove otherwise, showing sites that maintained visual appeal while becoming fully accessible.

The best partners in this area:

  • Show you accessible versions of common patterns
  • Offer solutions instead of just pointing out problems
  • Help build accessibility into your design system
  • Know when to be flexible versus when standards matter most

Accessibility isn’t about stripping away design. It’s about making design work better for everyone.

Accessibility Isn’t a One-Time Job

Accessibility Testing is Continuous Cycle of Feedback & Improvement

Websites evolve. Code changes. Content gets updated. And every time that happens, accessibility can break.

That’s why smart teams build maintenance into the process.

Companies like Level Access and TPGi offer automated scanning and alerts — so if something stops working, you know. Fast. Before it becomes someone’s bad experience.

Deque takes it up a level: developers get live feedback as they code. Accessibility becomes part of the dev environment — not a checkpoint.

TestDevLab? They go full-on CI/CD integration. Especially helpful in places like the EU where compliance laws (like the EAA) are no joke.

Want to keep things accessible over time? Do this:

  • Automate regular scans (not just once a year)
  • Train content teams, not just devs
  • Add accessibility checks to your release flow
  • Schedule real reviews by people — not just tools

When accessibility becomes routine, you don’t fall behind. You stay ahead.

Why Softeko?

We’re not another audit firm churning out WCAG checklists.

At Softeko, we combine standards-based testing with what actually matters — whether your site or app works for the people it’s supposed to.

Whether you’re trying to meet WCAG 2.2, ADA, Section 508, or EAA — we’ll guide you. And we’ll speak human, not legalese.

Picking the right accessibility partner? It matters. A lot.

Ask yourself:

  • Do they just run scans? Or do they test like real users?
  • Will they help your team fix things? Or just point fingers?
  • Can they grow with you? Or are they stuck in one-size-fits-all mode?

The best partners?
They translate the rules into something real — and help your team build better.

Don’t Wait for a Lawsuit

Start now. Not when you get a demand letter.
Because waiting? It costs more.

No pressure. No fluff. Just honest feedback and a plan to move forward.

Whether you’re new to accessibility or stuck mid-project, we’re here to help you ship better, more inclusive digital experiences.

  • Amit Chowdhury is the CTO at Softeko, where he brings over 16 years of experience in leading strategic tech initiatives. He’s passionate about building smart, scalable solutions using AI services—including GEN AI, AI Agents, and automation with Python. Amit’s strength lies in blending deep technical know-how with strong project management skills to drive real business impact. He’s also deeply engaged in exploring blockchain technologies, focusing on secure, future-proof digital systems. Known for aligning technology with business vision, Amit leads high-performing teams and fosters a culture of innovation. He’s driven by the mission to make digital transformation smarter, faster, and more human-focused.

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Comments (2)

  • Donald Knight,
    05 May, 2025

    I really like reading through a post that can make men and women think. Also, thank you for allowing me to comment!

  • Mariana Haley,
    05 May, 2025

    Very well presented. Every quote was awesome and thanks for sharing the content. Keep sharing and keep motivating others.

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