11 Best PDF Accessibility Checker Tools (2024) [FREE]

1. Introduction

In the contempoary digital age, PDF remains a widely favored format for sharing documents due it’s ability to maintain a consistent layout across different devices and operating systems. However, to ensure inclusivity and to comply with accessibility legislations, it is important that these documents be accessible to all individuals, including those with disabilities. This is where PDF Accessibility Checker tools come in handy.

1.1 Importance of PDF Accessibility Checker tool

PDF Accessibility Checker tools evaluate the accessibility of PDF documents and provide solutions to optimize their usability for people with disabilities. These tools check whether a PDF is properly structured, ensuring that assistive technologies, like screen readers or text-to-speech software can easily interpret and relay the content to the user.

Failure to have accessible PDFs could exclude a significant part of an audience who have impairments, reducing the ubiquity and usability of the material. Moreover, organizations could potentially face legal penalties for not complying with accessibility laws such as Section 508 in the US, or the PDF/UA and WCAG standards set by W3C. Hence, these tools are critically important for digital inclusivity.

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1.3 Objectives of this Comparison

The primary objective of this comparison is to provide an overview of various PDF Accessibility Checker tools available in the market, including their features, pros and cons, to help businesses and individuals make informed decisions in choosing the tool that best fits their needs. The comparison aims to save the reader’s time, providing them a comprehensive guide, rather than needing to research each product individually. The comparison will also highlight key differentiators between the tools, enabling readers to understand what makes each tool unique and how they stack up against each other.

2. Acrobat Pro DC Accessibility Checker

Acrobat Pro DC Accessibility Checker by Adobe is a comprehensive tool designed for checking the accessibility of PDF documents. It verifies the document against the PDF/UA standards and WCAG 2.0 requirements. Not just a checker, this solution also provides options to fix identified issues, making it a one-stop shop for creating accessible PDFs.

2.1 Pros

• Comprehensive Checking: Perform a complete accessibility check of your PDF document against multiple standards including PDF/UA and WCAG 2.0.
• Auto-correction Features: Acrobat Pro DC doesn’t just identify problems, it helps rectify them. Its auto-correction features help fix accessibility issues seamlessly.
• Industry Standard: As a product of Adobe, the maker of PDF, Acrobat Pro DC remains a trustworthy industry standard.
• Detailed Reports: Provides detailed reports of detected issues, offering adequate information for troubleshooting and correction.

2.2 Cons

• Cost: Acrobat Pro DC is one of the pricier options in the market. Its cost can be a hurdle for individual users or small businesses.
• Complicated Interface: For beginners, the interface might seem complicated. It can take some time to understand and get accustomed to.
• Manual Intervention Needed: While there are auto-correction features, many accessibility issues need manual intervention to rectify.
• Performance: For larger files, Acrobat Pro DC might be slow in performing accessibility checks.

3. PDFix Desktop Lite

PDFix Desktop Lite is a user-friendly tool designed to make PDF accessibility checks simple and efficient. It improves the accessibility of PDF files by analyzing the document structure and applying a series of enhancements to assist users depending on their needs. It targets both PDF/UA compliance and WCAG 2.0 standards, allowing for a broad range of accessibility checks.

3.1 Pros

• User-Friendly Interface: PDFix Desktop Lite provides an intuitive and easy-to-understand interface, even for first-time users.
• Automated Enhancements: The tool provides automated enhancements such as transforming scanned documents into searchable PDFs, adding semantic structure and improving text selection to improve overall PDF accessibility.
• Cost-effective: PDFix Desktop Lite is reasonably priced, making it an affordable solution for small businesses and individuals.
• Local Processing: The tool operates locally on your desktop, ensuring data privacy and speedy processing.

3.2 Cons

• Limited Advanced Features: While PDFix Desktop Lite is efficient for basic accessibility checks, it lacks some advanced features that might be needed by larger organizations or complex projects.
• No In-built PDF Editor: The tool does not have its own PDF editing feature. Users need to use an external editor for any required adjustments.
• No Batch Processing: As of now, PDFix Desktop Lite does not support batch processing of files.

4. PDF Accessibility Checker (PAC)

PDF Accessibility Checker (PAC) is a free tool that offers a comprehensive and fast review of the accessibility of PDF documents. Designed by the Access for All foundation, it checks in accordance with the PDF/UA standard, helping creators ensure they comply with international accessibility requirements.

4.1 Pros

• Comprehensive Validation: Offers a detailed check in compliance with PDF/UA standards.
• Free of Cost: As a free tool, PAC is accessible to all businesses and individuals, making PDF accessibility more reachable.
• Visual Feedback: Provides visual feedback (PAC star) for easy understanding of the level of accessibility.
• Preliminary Report Feature: Allows users to generate a preliminary report of the accessibility status of the document.

4.2 Cons

• No Automated Fixing Capabilities: While PAC can identify accessibility issues, it doesn’t provide automated solutions. Fixes have to be done manually.
• No WCAG Compliance: PAC focuses primarily on PDF/UA standards, and does not include checks for WCAG compliance.
• User Interface: The interface of PAC could be improved for better user experience.
• No In-depth Guidance: While PAC identifies issues, its feedback might not provide adequate guidance on how to fix the said issues.

5. axesPDF

AxesPDF is a dedicated tool aimed at making PDFs more accessible. Developed by axes4, this tool has a strong reputation in the accessibility industry. It is designed to check for PDF/UA compliance and also reaches WCAG 2.1 standards. axesPDF also provides remediation features to help users correct identified issues.

5.1 Pros

• Dedicated Tool: As a dedicated PDF accessibility suite, axesPDF provides more specialized features designed for accessibility checks.
• WCAG 2.1 Compliance: Unlike many other tools, axesPDF checks for WCAG 2.1 compliance, giving a broader coverage of accessibility standards.
• Remediation Features: In addition to identifying issues, axesPDF provides ways to rectify the problems, making it a comprehensive accessibility solution.
• Designed with Professionals in Mind: axesPDF is designed keeping professional accessibility workers in mind, the tool is capable of handling more complex and nuanced tasks.

5.2 Cons

• Cost: All these advanced features come with a price tag. AxesPDF is one of the more expensive tools in the market.
• Learning Curve: Given its professional design, beginners might find axesPDF complex and challenging to navigate.
• Performance: Users have reported performance issues when working with larger files.
• No Free Version: Unlike some other tools in the market, axesPDF does not offer a free version or trial period, alienating some potential users.

6. Foxit PDF Editor

Foxit PDF Editor is a versatile tool that allows users to create, edit, and manage PDF files. Its accessibility checking features allow you to ensure that your PDFs are accessible to every user. Foxit PDF Editor supports both PDF/UA and WCAG compliance checks.

6.1 Pros

• All-In-One Tool: Foxit PDF Editor provides PDF creation, editing, and accessibility checking in one platform. This makes it a versatile choice for users who want a comprehensive solution.
• WCAG 2.0 Compliance: The tool ensures that your PDFs are compliant with WCAG 2.0, providing peace of mind for businesses that need to meet these standards.
• User-Friendly Interface: The tool comes with an easy-to-use interface which simplifies the process of creating, editing, and checking PDF accessibility.
• Extensive Tutorial Resources: Foxit provides a wealth of learning resources to help users get started and make the most of the software.

6.2 Cons

• Paid Software: Unlike some other tools, Foxit PDF Editor does not offer a free version. So, it might not be the best choice for individuals or small companies with tight budgets.
• Manual Correction Required: While it identifies accessibility issues well, fixing those issues has to be performed manually.
• Occasional Software Bugs: Some users have reported occasional bugs and crashes during operation.
• Heavy on System Resources: Users have noted that the software can consume significant system resources, leading to slower overall computer performance during use.

7. Tingtun Checker

Tingtun Checker is an online tool primarily designed to evaluate the accessibility of web content but also offers accessibility checks for PDF files. This tool centres around making technology more inclusive and aids in achieving digital equality. Tingtun Checker assesses PDFs against the WCAG guidelines.

7.1 Pros

• Web-based Solution: As a web-based tool, there’s no need for software installation, making it universally accessible and easy to use.
• WCAG Compliance Checks: Focuses on WCAG standards for accessibility checks, which is comprehensive and widely recognized globally.
• User-Friendly: The tool is easy to use with a simple interface, suitable for beginners as well as advanced users.
• Multi-language Support: Tingtun Checker supports multiple languages which is a big plus for global usage.

7.2 Cons

• Limited PDF Checks: While it is excellent for web accessibility, its functionality in PDF accessibility checks is limited compared to dedicated PDF tools.
• Manual Fixes required: The tool identifies accessibility issues but does not provide in-tool options to rectify them, requiring users to manually fix issues.
• No PDF/UA Support: The tool does not mention support for PDF/UA checks, these are required by some organizations and policies.
• Data Privacy: Since it is a web-based tool, users may have data privacy concerns when uploading sensitive documents.

8. CommonLook PDF Validator

CommonLook PDF Validator is a robust tool that tests and certifies your PDFs for accessibility compliance. It not only checks for PDF/UA and WCAG 2.1 standards, but it can also guide users through the process to fix the accessibility issues it identifies, making it a complete PDF accessibility solution.

8.1 Pros

• Comprehensive Standard Checks: Validates against WCAG 2.1 and more recently PDF/UA-1 and PDF/UA-2, ensuring your content is fully inclusive.
• Remediation Support: Not only does it identify issues, but it also guides users on how to remedy these issues.
• Vendor Support: CommonLook offers exceptional customer support, providing users with fast resolution of any issues they encounter.
• Accuracy: Known for providing the accurate and extensive report of potential accessibility issues.

8.2 Cons

• No Free Version: CommonLook PDF Validator is a paid tool and does not offer a free version or trial.
• Cost: This tool is on the expensive end of the market, which may make it inaccessible to smaller businesses or individual users.
• Complicated User Interface: Some users have reported the user interface as less intuitive and slightly complex.
• Occasional Slowness: Users have also noted that the application can sometimes be slow, particularly when working with larger PDF files.

9. Equidox PDF Accessibility Software

Equidox PDF Accessibility Software is a tool dedicated to transforming inaccessible PDFs into WCAG 2.1 compliant documents. It provides automated conversion features along with the ability to refine conversions manually, enabling creation of fully compliant PDF/UA files.

9.1 Pros

• Physical Document Support: Equidox supports conversion of physical documents to accessible PDFs.
• Automated and Manual Conversion: It features both automated and manual conversion options, offering users flexibility in the way they want to apply remediation.
• Detailed Reporting: Provides comprehensive reporting on accessibility issues within the PDF file.
• User Instruction: Offers step-by-step instructions for manual conversions, guiding users throughout the process.

9.2 Cons

• Learning Curve: Given its intricacy and flexibility, users may require some time to understand and effectively use all the features.
• Cost: The sophisticated features come with a considerable price tag, pushing Equidox towards the expensive side of the spectrum.
• Performance: The tool’s performance can slow down when dealing with larger files, potentially affecting productivity.
• No Free Trial: There is no free trial option available for the software, limiting the potential for users to test and evaluate the tool before purchase.

10. accessWidget

accessWidget, derived from accessiBe, is primarily a tool for enhancing website accessibility including PDF accessibility. The tool offers automated solutions to make your PDFs accessible, thereby reducing the manual work and delivering faster outputs. It provides accessibility according to the WCAG 2.1 standards to make your PDFs inclusive for all.

10.1 Pros

• Automated Solution: accessWidget provides an automated solution reducing the effort and time for accessibility checks and fixes.
• WCAG 2.1 Compliance: Ensures all PDFs are in compliance with the latest WCAG 2.1 guidelines.
• Easy-to-Use Interface: It comes with a user-friendly interface making it easy even for non-tech savvy individuals to improve PDF accessibility.
• Comprehensive Reporting: Provides detailed reports of accessibility issues, thus making it easy to understand the areas for improvement.

10.2 Cons

• Focuses Primarily on Web Accessibility: While accessWidget offers PDF accessibility, its core focus remains website accessibility and thus, PDF functionalities may be limited.
• Subscription-Based: Being a subscription-based tool can lead to higher long-term costs.
• Less Manual Control: The tool heavily relies on automation, offering less control to users who want to manually adjust the accessibility checks.
• Limited PDF/UA Support: It does not specifically mention the support for PDF/UA standards in their documentation.

11. UserWay

UserWay is renowned globally for providing website accessibility solutions and its PDF Remediation service follows suit. UserWay’s tool aids in transforming inaccessible PDFs to fully accessible and PDF/UA compliant ones, aligning with both Section 508 and WCAG 2.1 standards.

11.1 Pros

• Compliant with Multiple Standards: UserWay ensures PDFs are compliant with WCAG 2.1, Section 508 and are PDF/UA validated.
• Automated Remediation: The service provides automated tools to remediate most manual tasks, simplifying the process.
• Detailed Reports: UserWay provides comprehensive accessibility reports, detailing all identified issues and fixes applied.
• Tested with Assistive Technologies: Accessibility fixes provided by UserWay’s tool are tested using popular assistive technologies to ensure flawless accessibility.

11.2 Cons

• Service Pricing: The comprehensive service comes at a cost that may not suitable for small businesses or individuals.
• Less Control Over Remediation: As the remediation is mostly automated, users wanting more manual control over the process may find it restrictive.
• Dependent on the Quality of the Original Document: The efficiency of the tool heavily depends on the quality of the original document.

12. AccessibilityNow Validator

AccessibilityNow Validator, a product by CrawfordTech, is a tool designed to validate the accessibility of PDFs. Compliant with WCAG 2.1 and PDF/UA-1 standards, this web-based tool is designed to help organizations ensure that their documents can be independently accessed by individuals with disabilities.

12.1 Pros

• Standalone Accessibility Verification: This tool acts as a powerful standalone option for verifying PDF accessibility.
• Web-based Interface: A fully online tool, it saves users from the trouble of software installation or updating.
• WCAG 2.1 and PDF/UA-1 Compliance: Provides detailed checks ensuring compliance with WCAG 2.1 and PDF/UA-1 standards.
• Automated Processing: All validation is automated, providing quick and accurate results.

12.2 Cons

• No Remediation Capabilities: Although it identifies accessibility issues, it doesn’t offer any features to remedy them.
• Data Privacy Concerns: As a web-based tool, users may have data privacy concerns when uploading sensitive documents.
• Pricing: Considering the absence of built-in remediation features, some users may find the pricing a bit steep.
• No PDF Editing Feature: It doesn’t contain any editing feature, requiring users to use separate software for editing purposes.

13. Summary

13.1 Overall Comparison Table

Tool	Features	Ease of Use	Price	Customer Support
Acrobat Pro DC Accessibility Checker	Comprehensive Checking, Auto-correction Features, Detailed Reports	Moderate (Some learning curve)	High	High
PDFix Desktop Lite	Automated Enhancements, Local Processing, Multi-language Support	High	Low	Moderate
PDF Accessibility Checker (PAC)	Comprehensive Validation, Visual Feedback, Preliminary Report Feature	High	Free	Low
axesPDF	Dedicated Tool, WCAG 2.1 Compliance, Remediation Features	Low (Geared more for professionals)	High	High
Foxit PDF Editor	All-In-One Tool, WCAG 2.0 Compliance, Extensive Tutorial Resources	High	Moderate	High
Tingtun Checker	Web-based Solution, WCAG Compliance Checks, Multi-language Support	High	Free	Low
CommonLook PDF Validator	Comprehensive Standard Checks, Remediation Support, Extensive Validation	Moderate	High	High
Equidox PDF Accessibility Software	Physical Document Support, Automated and Manual Conversion, Diverse Report Generation	Moderate	High	High
accessWidget	Automated Solution, WCAG 2.1 Compliance, Comprehensive Reporting	High	Moderate (subscription-based)	High
UserWay	Compliant with Multiple Standards, Automated Remediation, Detailed Reports	Moderate	High	High
AccessibilityNow Validator	Standalone Accessibility Verification, WCAG 2.1 and PDF/UA-1 Compliance, Automated Processing	High	High	High

13.2 Recommended Tool Based on Various Needs

The recommended tool highly depends on specific needs and budgets of the users. For example, for small businesses or individuals who prefer a free tool, PDF Accessibility Checker (PAC) or Tingtun Checker could be suitable. For more comprehensive solutions, Acrobat Pro DC, axesPDF or CommonLook PDF Validator could be an effective tool. On the other hand, for users who want an all-in-one solution for PDF handling along with accessibility checks, Foxit PDF Editor could be a good choice.

14. Conclusion

14.1 Final Thoughts and Takeaways for Choosing a PDF Accessibility Checker Tool

With the various options available in the market, choosing the right PDF Accessibility Checker Tool comes down to a careful evaluation of one’s specific needs and budget. Ensuring digital content is accessible to everyone is not just about compliance with legal standards, it’s about inclusivity and creating an equitable digital world.

Factors to consider while making a choice should include the features of the tool, ease of use, pricing, and customer support. Is the focus on simplicity and ease of use, or is it more about depth of features and compliance? Is it for an individual, a small business, or a larger organization with heavy demands? Answering these questions will guide one towards the tool that best suits their needs.

In conclusion, selecting a PDF Accessibility Checker Tool is a step towards creating a more inclusive digital space. Each tool has its strengths and areas for improvement. Therefore, understanding these strengths, and comparing them based on personal or business requirements will enable users to make the best choice.

Author Introduction:

Vera Chen is a data recovery expert in DataNumen, which provides a wide range of products, including a powerful Photoshop repair tool.