EqualWeb (equalweb.com) is a software company that provides web accessibility solutions aimed at helping websites comply with standards like the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). EqualWeb’s mission is to create “an equal and inclusive web” by removing barriers for users with disabilities.
History and Background
EqualWeb was founded in 2015 by a team experienced in web and app development. The company’s leaders have emphasized a “hybrid” approach to web accessibility, combining automated software with manual expert remediation to achieve full compliance with accessibility laws and guidelines. In interviews, EqualWeb’s executives have highlighted the goal of making all websites accessible and noted that the firm works closely with people with disabilities to test and improve its products. By 2021, the company reported providing services to thousands of global organizations, including notable clients such as Lenovo, Huggies, Zara, Adidas, Decathlon, Bosch, the Miami Heat, Avis, and Subaru, among others. EqualWeb has a relatively small team (roughly 25–50 employees) and despite its size, independent reviews have described EqualWeb as “a leader in web accessibility solutions,” citing its comprehensive tools for making sites inclusive. The company positions itself in the accessible technology market, offering an alternative solution focused on a blend of AI automation and human expertise.
Products and Solutions
EqualWeb offers a suite of products and services designed to detect, fix, and prevent accessibility issues on websites. Its core solutions include an AI-powered accessibility widget as well as auditing and monitoring tools and professional compliance services:
Auto AI Accessibility Widget
EqualWeb’s flagship product is an overlay widget that dynamically improves a website’s accessibility for end users through automated adjustments. By adding a single script to a site, the widget can apply fixes for many common issues (such as adding missing image alt text, enabling keyboard navigation, and fixing color contrast) without altering the site’s underlying code. The widget also provides a user interface for visitors to tailor the site to their needs. For example, users can adjust text size, change color schemes, or enable a built-in screen reader and text-to-speech functionality. There are pre-set accessibility profiles for different disabilities (such as a “Blindness” profile that turns on screen-reader mode, or a “Dyslexia” profile that activates reading guides), allowing one-click personalization of the browsing experience. In 2023, EqualWeb updated its widget to incorporate generative AI for smarter automatic remediations and interactions.
Web Accessibility Scanner and Monitor
To help site owners identify and fix problems, EqualWeb provides automated scanning tools. Its Web Accessibility Crawler is a cloud-based scanner (also available as a browser plugin) that crawls through an entire website and detects accessibility errors, even on pages behind login screens. The platform generates detailed audit reports highlighting any WCAG violations or areas needing improvement. In addition, EqualWeb’s Accessibility Monitor offers continuous monitoring of a website over time. This tool periodically re-scans the site to catch new issues introduced by content updates or code changes, ensuring that accessibility compliance is maintained as websites evolve. The monitoring system can alert administrators to regressions or new barriers, which can then be addressed through the widget or manual fixes. EqualWeb also provides a free Accessibility Checker as an entry-level tool, allowing anyone to perform a quick compliance test of a specific page against WCAG 2.2 standards.
PDF Accessibility Tools
Beyond web pages, EqualWeb extends its solutions to PDF documents and other digital files. The company offers a PDF Accessibility Checker that scans PDF files for compliance issues (such as missing tags, improper reading order, or images without descriptions) to ensure documents meet standards like WCAG and Section 508. In early 2024, EqualWeb introduced an AI-powered PDF auto-tagging tool that can automatically remediate PDF files by adding the necessary accessibility tags and structure, simplifying the process of making PDFs accessible to screen readers. This tool is part of EqualWeb’s effort to provide end-to-end compliance, covering website content as well as attached documents (e.g., reports, menus, forms) that users might download. For more complex documents or media, the company also offers manual PDF remediation services, where accessibility specialists fix issues that automation might miss.
Managed Compliance Services
In addition to its software products, EqualWeb provides hands-on services to help organizations achieve and sustain full ADA/WCAG compliance. Its ADA Managed Compliance program is a comprehensive service plan that combines the automated widget with intensive manual remediation by certified accessibility experts. Under this plan, EqualWeb’s team conducts in-depth audits, fixes any remaining accessibility gaps in the website’s code or content, and continually monitors the site for new issues. This approach is aimed at large enterprises or mission-critical sites that require the highest level of compliance assurance. EqualWeb’s experts can also prepare compliance documentation (such as VPAT reports for U.S. federal accessibility requirements) and provide training and consulting to the client’s own development team. To give clients peace of mind, EqualWeb includes a compliance warranty (reported as up to $1 million) for those who opt for the full remediation package, protecting them in the event of an ADA-related lawsuit. The company also offers specialty services like accessibility audits (with a free initial audit), user experience testing by people with disabilities, multi-language accessibility support, and ongoing consulting to ensure that web projects remain inclusive from inception through maintenance.
Market and Recognition
EqualWeb operates in the growing market of digital accessibility solutions, where organizations seek to make their websites usable for everyone and avoid legal penalties for non-compliance. The company’s hybrid automated/manual approach distinguishes it from some competitors that offer purely AI-driven widgets or solely manual audits. Industry observers have noted that EqualWeb’s combined strategy can help clients reach “the highest level of accessibility, fully compliant with regulations,” addressing limitations of single-faceted solutions. According to sources, EqualWeb’s technology works at the end-user level (within the browser) and does not require altering the site’s backend code, which enabled clients like Lenovo to implement accessibility without disrupting their existing website infrastructure. The platform is designed to serve both large enterprises and smaller businesses: for example, a multinational company might use EqualWeb’s managed plan for 100% compliance, while a small business can install the AI widget as a quick fix and then decide if further manual services are needed.
Over the years, EqualWeb has received recognition for its role in web accessibility. In 2021, it was selected as one of the “most promising compliance technology solution providers” globally, an accolade that reflected the company’s growth and innovation in that year. Tech industry reviews have generally praised EqualWeb for being user-friendly and effective: a 2024 TechRadar review highlighted the platform’s easy navigation and clear interface for identifying and addressing issues. Clients and partners have also attested to its impact; many high-profile organizations across sectors (technology, retail, sports, government, etc.) have adopted EqualWeb to meet accessibility mandates. By 2022, the company reported that its solution was installed on over 100 million web pages worldwide, underscoring its wide adoption and the trust it has gained in the market. While web accessibility overlays (like EqualWeb’s widget) have been part of debate in the accessibility community, EqualWeb positions its approach as a balanced one – providing automated assistance for efficiency, alongside human expertise for thoroughness. This strategy has helped establish EqualWeb as a prominent vendor in its field, as it continues to refine its AI technology and expand services in line with evolving WCAG standards (now up to WCAG 2.2) and emerging accessibility regulations.
