accessiBe vs. AccessBell
accessiBe is best known for accessWidget, an AI-powered overlay that adjusts your page in the visitor’s browser and adds a toolbar. AccessBell takes the opposite approach: it tests your pages, shows the failing code with a corrected example so it can be fixed at the source, and keeps dated evidence of your work.
The short version: accessiBe sells an AI overlay priced by traffic, and was ordered by the FTC to pay $1 million over its compliance claims. AccessBell is not an overlay: it shows the code to fix, monitors 500 URLs per domain daily and documents every fix, for $29 per domain.
Comparing other overlay and automated-fix tools? See AudioEye vs. AccessBell and UserWay vs. AccessBell, or all comparisons.
accessiBe vs. AccessBell, Side by Side
AccessBell’s features next to what accessiBe publishes. “Not published” means we could not find it in a public source.
| Capability | AccessBell | accessiBe |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing and access | ||
| Published price | $29 per domain per month, or $199 per year | From $490/year for up to 5,000 monthly visits |
| Free option | Free one-page scan, no account, and a 3-day free trial | Free scan |
| Price does not rise with traffic | Yes | No |
| Fixing issues | ||
| Apply fixes without a code deploy | Fixes you approve, with AccessBellFix | AI changes applied in the browser |
| Relies on an overlay widget | No | Yes, accessWidget |
| Compliance and evidence | ||
| Legal or regulatory action over compliance claims | None | FTC order to pay $1 million (2025) |
Comparison based on publicly available information, checked October 1, 2026, and subject to change. See the sources below.
Why Teams Choose AccessBell Over accessiBe
An overlay vs fixing the code
A widget runs on top of your page and cannot rebuild missing labels, headings or keyboard support in the code. AccessBell shows exactly what to change in your code, then confirms the fix on the next scan.
The FTC order
In 2025 the FTC finalized an order requiring accessiBe to pay $1 million over claims that its product could make any website WCAG compliant. AccessBell does not claim any tool can make a site compliant on its own.
Price that does not grow with traffic
accessiBe’s widget price rises with monthly visits. AccessBell is $29 per domain per month whatever your traffic.
The same differences apply to other overlay and automated-fix tools: compare AudioEye vs. AccessBell and UserWay vs. AccessBell.
More About accessiBe
What the FTC Found
In January 2025 the FTC announced a $1 million settlement (opens in a new tab) with accessiBe. Its complaint said accessiBe marketed accessWidget as able to make websites comply with WCAG 2.1 AA automatically, when the widget failed to make basic components such as menus, form fields and image descriptions accessible. The FTC also found that accessiBe published paid endorsements formatted to look like independent reviews. The order became final in April 2025.
The Overlay Fact Sheet (opens in a new tab), signed by more than 1,000 accessibility professionals, names accessiBe among overlay vendors whose products it says can interfere with screen readers and keyboard use rather than fixing the underlying problems.
Why an Overlay Cannot Fix Your Code
An overlay runs after your HTML has reached the browser. It cannot give a page real headings, add a label that is missing from the markup, or make a custom dropdown keyboard-operable if it was never built that way. When you remove the widget, your site is exactly as accessible as before. That is why many lawsuit settlements require the defendant to fix the code, and why AccessBell shows you the code to change.
accessiBe or AccessBell: Which Is Right for You?
Choose AccessBell if…
- You want issues fixed in your code, with the fix shown.
- You want a price that does not rise with traffic.
- You want dated evidence of testing and fixes.
Consider accessiBe if…
- You want a visitor toolbar and accept the limits of an overlay.
accessiBe vs. AccessBell: Frequently Asked Questions
Does accessiBe make a website ADA compliant?
No tool can on its own. The FTC ordered accessiBe to pay $1 million in 2025 over claims that its widget could make any website WCAG compliant, and sites using overlays have continued to be sued.
How much does accessiBe cost compared with AccessBell?
accessiBe’s accessWidget starts at $490 a year for up to 5,000 monthly visits and rises with traffic. AccessBell is $29 per domain per month or $199 per year.
How do I switch from accessiBe to AccessBell?
Run a free AccessBell scan with the widget removed to see what your code still fails, fix the critical issues first, then monitor the whole domain with a 3-day free trial.
Related Reading
Other Comparisons
- AudioEye vs. AccessBell Automated fixes plus managed services
- UserWay vs. AccessBell Overlay widget
- AAArdvark vs. AccessBell Accessibility testing and audit management
- Siteimprove vs. AccessBell Enterprise digital governance suite
- Level Access vs. AccessBell Enterprise platform with expert services
- Acquia vs. AccessBell Web governance suite (formerly Monsido and Acquia Optimize)
See AccessBell on Your Own Site
Run a free scan with no account, watch the demo, or start a 3-day free trial to monitor every page on your domain.
Sources
- accessiBe: accessWidget pricing (opens in a new tab)
- FTC: final order requiring accessiBe to pay $1 million (opens in a new tab)
- Overlay Fact Sheet (opens in a new tab)
Comparison based on publicly available information as of October 1, 2026 and subject to change. accessiBe and all other product and company names are trademarks of their respective owners. AccessBell is not affiliated with, endorsed by or sponsored by accessiBe. No accessibility product makes an organization legally compliant on its own. See our disclaimer.