Ability Bazaar guide
How much does a website accessibility audit cost?
The short answer
A website accessibility review can cost from little or nothing for a self-run automated check to several thousand dollars for a scoped manual evaluation. For one concrete benchmark, WebAIM publishes a typical range of $2,000 to $8,000 for an initial evaluation of a representative 10- to 25-page sample; complex systems and follow-up work are quoted separately.
Ability Bazaar's $199 Advanced Accessibility Scan is a different, narrower service: an automated scan of up to 200 unique public pages on one website. A blind or low-vision accessibility expert then validates up to 20 highest-impact distinct findings and performs focused checks on 3 key pages, with delivery within three business days. Comprehensive manual and assistive-technology testing require a custom scope and quote.
Why is there no single standard audit price?
The word audit is used for very different products. An automated crawler may examine many pages quickly. A conformance evaluation usually samples representative pages and workflows, applies human judgement, and documents reproducible findings. User testing adds another question: can people with disabilities actually complete important tasks?
Price therefore depends on the number and variety of templates, forms and transactions; the target standard; desktop and mobile coverage; assistive-technology combinations; report detail; remediation support; and whether re-testing is included.
What do published prices actually show?
Use published figures as examples, not a universal rate card. WebAIM says most of its initial evaluations cost $2,000 to $8,000 and normally cover a representative 10- to 25-page sample. Its follow-up work is published at $240 per hour. The U.S. Department of Justice's regulatory impact analysis also catalogued automated tool subscriptions ranging from low annual fees to several thousand dollars, illustrating that tool access is not the same purchase as expert evaluation.
A buyer comparing proposals should ask each vendor to state the page or workflow sample, testing methods, assistive technologies, deliverables, re-test terms and exclusions. A low number is useful only when the scope is equally clear.
Where does Ability Bazaar's $199 service fit?
The $199 service is an early diagnostic, not a claim of legal conformance. ABLE crawls up to 200 public pages it can reach and reports potential WCAG 2.2 issues. A blind or low-vision expert then validates up to 20 highest-impact distinct findings and performs focused checks on the homepage, one form or primary workflow, and one representative content page before delivery.
Choose a custom engagement when you need representative workflow testing, screen-reader or other assistive-technology testing, a formal conformance evaluation, a VPAT/ACR, remediation coaching, or re-testing after fixes.
A practical way to request comparable quotes
- List the website, mobile apps, authenticated areas and third-party components in scope.
- Identify the highest-risk tasks, such as checkout, applications, account access or document download.
- State the required standard and level, but ask the vendor to explain any legal assumptions.
- Request the exact page and workflow sample, browsers and assistive technologies.
- Ask whether remediation advice, developer consultation and re-testing are included.
- Require an accessible report with issue location, impact, steps to reproduce and recommended fixes.
Frequently asked questions
- Is a free automated scan the same as an accessibility audit?
No. It is a useful first check, but automated tools cannot evaluate every WCAG requirement or the full user experience.
- What does Ability Bazaar's $199 scan include?
It includes an automated scan of up to 200 unique public pages on one website, validation of up to 20 highest-impact distinct findings by a blind or low-vision expert, focused checks on 3 key public pages, and delivery within three business days.
- When should I request a custom audit?
Use a custom scope for detailed manual evaluation, assistive-technology testing, formal conformance documentation, remediation support or re-testing.
Sources
- WebAIM, Evaluation Services FAQ
- Ability Bazaar, Accessibility services
- W3C WAI, Involving Users in Evaluating Web Accessibility
- U.S. Department of Justice, Web Accessibility Rule Preliminary Regulatory Impact Analysis
Sources were checked on August 21, 2026. Regulations, standards and product documentation can change; follow the linked source for the latest version.