Scrutia vs accessiBe
Real Testing vs Overlay

Two fundamentally different approaches to website accessibility. One tests your actual code against WCAG 2.1 AA and delivers fixes you own. The other injects a script that tries to adjust the page at runtime.

Run a real audit — $499

What is an accessibility overlay?

An accessibility overlay is a JavaScript widget that you install on your website by adding a single script tag. Once loaded, it attempts to modify the page at runtime — adjusting colors, font sizes, adding a toolbar, or injecting ARIA attributes — to make the site more accessible. accessiBe is one of the best-known overlay products.

The W3C and WebAIM, two of the most respected bodies in the web accessibility community, have publicly raised concerns about overlay-based approaches. Their main argument is that overlays cannot reliably fix fundamental code issues (missing alt text, broken heading structure, inaccessible custom components) and may interfere with the assistive technology that users have already configured. Many accessibility advocates prefer fixing the source code directly, and plaintiff law firms have successfully argued in court that overlays alone do not constitute ADA compliance.

In 2023, the FTC announced a settlement with accessiBe over allegations regarding the company's marketing claims — a matter of public record. We share these facts so buyers can make an informed decision; nothing here is a substitute for your own research or legal advice.

Scrutia vs accessiBe: side by side

Comparison of Scrutia and accessiBe
FeatureScrutiaaccessiBe
ApproachReal WCAG audit + code fixesOverlay widget
Pricing model$499 one-timeMonthly subscription (published starting at ~$490+/year per site)
What you ownCode fixes you applyWidget dependency
Ongoing costNoneRecurring subscription
Source-code fixesYes, with copy-paste fixesNo — runtime modifications only
TransparencyFull WCAG report, every violation documentedVaries
Community reputationCode-level audits endorsed by WebAIM approachOverlays criticized by W3C & WebAIM

Pricing shown for accessiBe is based on publicly available information at time of writing and may change.

Frequently asked questions

What is an accessibility overlay, and why do experts raise concerns?
An accessibility overlay is a JavaScript widget that loads on your site and attempts to modify the page — adding toolbars, adjusting contrast, or injecting ARIA attributes — to improve accessibility for end users. The W3C and WebAIM have publicly raised concerns about overlay-based approaches, arguing that they cannot reliably fix underlying code issues and may interfere with assistive technology that users already have configured. Many accessibility advocates prefer fixing the source code directly.
Has accessiBe faced any legal issues?
In 2023, the US Federal Trade Commission announced a settlement with accessiBe over allegations that the company made false or misleading claims about the effectiveness of its product. This is a matter of public record. For specific legal details, consult public sources or an attorney — we summarize the publicly known facts rather than speculate.
Do overlays actually satisfy ADA compliance?
Plaintiff law firms have successfully argued that overlays do not constitute full ADA compliance, and several lawsuits have been filed against sites that relied primarily on overlays. The technical consensus among accessibility experts is that durable compliance comes from fixing source code, improving authoring practices, and testing with real assistive technology — not from a single script tag. A Scrutia audit targets the underlying code, which is where plaintiff firms point when building a case.
What does Scrutia give me that an overlay does not?
A Scrutia audit delivers (1) a detailed WCAG 2.1 AA report of every violation in your actual code, (2) copy-paste HTML/CSS/JS fixes for each issue, (3) a dated report documenting your remediation effort, and (4) a re-audit after fixes. You own the code changes — there is no widget that can be disabled, no subscription to lapse, and no dependency on a third party to keep your site accessible.
Can I use both Scrutia and an overlay?
You can, though most of our customers switch entirely to code-level fixes because they are more durable and defensible. If you currently have an overlay on your site, a Scrutia audit will show you the underlying issues the overlay is masking, so you can fix them at the source.

Related resources

Fix the code, not the symptom.

Get a real WCAG 2.1 AA audit with code-level fixes you own — once. $499.

Run a real audit — $499

Scrutia provides technical accessibility audits. This is not legal advice. For ADA legal matters, consult an attorney.