AudioEye Review 2026: Is the Hybrid Overlay Approach Worth $199–$799/Month?
AudioEye positions itself as a step above pure overlay widgets — combining automated JavaScript fixes with human-guided remediation. But at $199–$799/month, customers are still getting sued, shareholder lawsuits allege misleading claims, and the FTC is watching the entire overlay industry. Here's our honest, detailed assessment.
⚖️ Our Verdict: 3/5 — Better Than Pure Overlays, But Overpriced
What AudioEye Does Right
- ✓Human experts involved in remediation process
- ✓More technically sophisticated than pure overlays
- ✓Litigation support package available
- ✓VPAT documentation on higher tiers
- ✓Dashboard with compliance reporting
Significant Concerns
- ✗Customers still getting sued despite AudioEye installed
- ✗Doesn't fix source code — relies on JS DOM manipulation
- ✗$199–$799/month is 7x–27x more than code-based alternatives
- ✗Shareholder lawsuits alleged misleading compliance claims
- ✗Fixes disappear if JavaScript fails to load
- ✗FTC overlay industry scrutiny creates regulatory risk
Table of Contents
What Is AudioEye?
AudioEye is a publicly traded (NASDAQ: AEYE) digital accessibility company founded in 2005 and headquartered in Tucson, Arizona. The company offers a suite of web accessibility tools and services designed to help businesses comply with WCAG guidelines and the ADA.
Unlike pure overlay competitors like accessiBe (which the FTC fined $1 million for deceptive claims), AudioEye positions itself as a "hybrid" solution — combining automated JavaScript-based fixes with human accessibility experts who review and customize remediations.
AudioEye serves over 100,000 customers across various industries and has partnerships with web hosting platforms, CMS providers, and digital agencies. The company generated approximately $31 million in revenue in 2024 and has been growing its managed services business.
On paper, AudioEye's approach sounds promising — automated scanning plus human expertise. But the reality is more nuanced. Let's look at how it actually works, what it costs, and the controversies that should inform your decision.
How AudioEye Actually Works
Understanding AudioEye's technical approach is critical to evaluating whether it's right for you. The company describes its platform as having multiple layers:
Layer 1: Automated Scanning
AudioEye scans your website for WCAG violations using automated testing. This is similar to what tools like axe-core, Lighthouse, or RatedWithAI do — identifying issues like missing alt text, insufficient color contrast, missing form labels, and broken ARIA attributes. So far, so standard.
Layer 2: JavaScript-Based "Fixes"
Here's where AudioEye diverges from code-based solutions. Instead of telling you to fix your source code, AudioEye injects JavaScript that modifies the DOM (Document Object Model) at runtime. This can include adding ARIA labels, modifying heading structures, adjusting color contrast, and generating alt text.
The critical issue: These "fixes" only exist when AudioEye's JavaScript successfully loads and executes. If a user has JavaScript disabled, if the CDN has an outage, if a content security policy blocks the script, or if AudioEye's service is discontinued — all accessibility improvements disappear instantly. Your underlying HTML remains exactly as broken as before.
Layer 3: Human-Guided Remediation
On higher-tier plans, AudioEye employs accessibility specialists who review automated findings and create custom JavaScript "fixes" for complex issues. This is what differentiates AudioEye from pure AI-driven overlays like accessiBe — there are actual humans in the loop.
However, these human experts are still creating JavaScript patches that modify the DOM at runtime — not fixing your source code. They're building a more sophisticated band-aid, but it's still a band-aid.
Layer 4: User-Facing Toolbar
Like other overlay vendors, AudioEye includes a toolbar widget that allows users to adjust font sizes, color contrast, cursor size, and other visual settings. While these customization options can help some users, they're also the most controversial element — the National Federation of the Blind and other disability advocacy organizations have consistently opposed toolbar-style overlays as patronizing and often counterproductive.
Bottom line: AudioEye's approach is more technically sophisticated than pure overlays like accessiBe or UserWay. Human experts review and customize fixes, and the company has a real engineering team. But the fundamental architecture — JavaScript DOM manipulation rather than source code fixes — means your website's actual HTML/CSS/JS remains non-compliant. You're renting compliance through a JavaScript layer that can fail.
AudioEye Pricing Breakdown
AudioEye's pricing is one of its biggest pain points. As a publicly traded company with significant overhead, AudioEye's plans are substantially more expensive than most alternatives.
| Plan | Monthly Price | Annual Price | Key Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Essentials | $199/mo | ~$1,910/yr | Automated scanning, basic automated fixes, toolbar widget, compliance dashboard |
| Advanced | $399/mo | ~$3,830/yr | + Manual testing by human experts, custom remediation, priority support |
| Assurance | $799/mo | ~$7,670/yr | + Litigation support, VPAT documentation, dedicated account manager, SLA |
| Enterprise | Custom | Custom | Multi-site licensing, API access, SSO, custom integration, white-labeling |
How AudioEye's Pricing Compares
| Service | Monthly Cost | Annual Cost | Approach |
|---|---|---|---|
| RatedWithAI | $29/mo | $348/yr | Code-based scanning + continuous monitoring |
| Google Lighthouse | Free | $0 | Basic automated scanning (limited rules) |
| Deque axe Monitor | ~$250/mo | ~$3,000/yr | Code-based scanning (enterprise focus) |
| AudioEye | $199–$799/mo | $1,910–$7,670/yr | Hybrid overlay + human remediation |
| accessiBe | $41–$333/mo | $490–$3,990/yr | AI overlay widget (FTC-fined) |
| Siteimprove | ~$400+/mo | ~$5,000+/yr | Enterprise scanning + content quality |
💡 The math: AudioEye's cheapest plan ($199/mo) costs 6.9x more than RatedWithAI ($29/mo) while fundamentally relying on the same controversial approach — JavaScript DOM manipulation. The $799/mo Assurance plan costs more annually than many one-time manual audits, and still doesn't fix your source code.
The Lawsuit Controversy: AudioEye Customers Still Getting Sued
One of AudioEye's key marketing claims is that its service helps businesses avoid ADA lawsuits. The company even offers a "Litigation Support Package" on its highest tier. But the data tells a more complicated story.
The Numbers
- •In H1 2025, 22.6% of ADA website lawsuits (456 cases) targeted websites with accessibility overlay widgets installed — including AudioEye customers
- •AudioEye's own offering of a "Litigation Support Package" implicitly acknowledges that their service doesn't prevent lawsuits
- •Courts have consistently ruled that overlay-based approaches do not constitute genuine ADA compliance — even when combined with human oversight
- •Plaintiff attorneys specifically target sites with overlay widgets because the overlay's presence can be detected via source code inspection, identifying potential targets
AudioEye argues that its hybrid approach — with human experts customizing fixes — provides a stronger compliance posture than pure AI overlays. That's partially true: AudioEye's remediations are generally more thoughtful than accessiBe's automated guesses. But "better than accessiBe" is a low bar, and no court has ruled that any DOM-manipulation approach is equivalent to genuine source code compliance.
Why Overlay-Based Fixes Don't Hold Up in Court
- • Non-permanent: JavaScript fixes can fail, be blocked, or be removed. Courts expect permanent, source-code-level compliance.
- • Incomplete: Even AudioEye's human experts can only create DOM patches for detectable issues. Complex interaction patterns, logical reading order, and custom component accessibility often can't be patched from outside.
- • Not developer education: The overlay approach means your development team never learns to build accessible code. Every new feature or update requires a new patch from AudioEye.
- • Detection as evidence: Ironically, the presence of an accessibility overlay has been cited in lawsuits as evidence that the site owner was aware of accessibility issues but chose a shortcut over genuine remediation.
FTC Scrutiny & Regulatory Risk
The FTC's January 2025 action against accessiBe — a $1 million fine for deceptive WCAG compliance claims — sent shockwaves through the overlay industry. While AudioEye was not the target of that specific action, the implications are significant:
The FTC's Position on Overlay Claims
The FTC found that claims of automated WCAG compliance were "false, misleading, or unsubstantiated." While this ruling specifically targeted accessiBe, the FTC's reasoning applies broadly to any service that claims JavaScript-based DOM manipulation can make websites "compliant." AudioEye has been more careful with its marketing language than accessiBe was, but the fundamental approach is similar.
AudioEye's Shareholder Lawsuits
AudioEye faced class-action lawsuits from shareholders (consolidated in 2022–2023) alleging the company made materially misleading statements about the effectiveness of its technology. Shareholders claimed AudioEye inflated its compliance capabilities, contributing to stock price inflation. While these lawsuits focused on securities fraud rather than product claims, they reflect broader concerns about the gap between AudioEye's marketing and its actual compliance outcomes.
Industry-Wide Regulatory Pressure
The DOJ's 2024 letter to Congress explicitly stated that overlay widgets do not constitute ADA compliance. The European Accessibility Act, which took effect in June 2025, requires genuine technical accessibility — not overlay-based workarounds. As regulatory pressure increases globally, the overlay model faces growing existential risk. Businesses relying on AudioEye should consider what happens if the regulatory environment shifts further against DOM-manipulation approaches.
Important note: We are not suggesting AudioEye has done anything illegal. AudioEye is more careful and transparent than accessiBe was. But the broader regulatory trend is clearly moving against overlay-based approaches, and businesses should factor this trajectory into their purchasing decisions.
AudioEye Pros and Cons: The Full Picture
✅ Pros
- +Human expertise in the loop. AudioEye employs certified accessibility specialists who review and customize automated fixes. This is meaningfully better than pure AI overlays.
- +Comprehensive dashboard. The AudioEye platform provides solid compliance reporting, trend tracking, and issue management — useful for enterprise compliance teams.
- +Litigation support. The Assurance plan includes legal support resources, which can be valuable if (when) you're sued. Though this is essentially insurance for a problem AudioEye should be preventing.
- +VPAT generation. Higher tiers include Voluntary Product Accessibility Template documentation, which is increasingly required in enterprise procurement.
- +Easy initial setup. Like all overlay-based solutions, AudioEye requires minimal initial effort — add a script tag and the platform starts working.
- +Publicly traded company. As a NASDAQ-listed company, AudioEye has financial transparency and is less likely to disappear overnight than smaller startups.
❌ Cons
- −Doesn't fix source code. The fundamental issue. All fixes are JavaScript patches applied at runtime. Your actual website code remains non-compliant.
- −Expensive for what you get. At $199–$799/month, AudioEye costs 7x–27x more than code-based scanning tools that provide actionable remediation guidance for fixing source code permanently.
- −Customers still get sued. The presence of AudioEye doesn't prevent ADA lawsuits, and in some cases may attract them by signaling awareness of accessibility issues.
- −Vendor lock-in. If you cancel AudioEye, all accessibility fixes disappear instantly. You've invested thousands of dollars with zero permanent improvement to your website.
- −Regulatory headwinds. The FTC, DOJ, and disability advocacy organizations are increasingly hostile to overlay-based approaches. The regulatory trajectory favors code-based solutions.
- −Creates dependency, not capability. Your development team doesn't learn to build accessible code. Every new feature requires AudioEye to patch it, creating permanent dependency.
- −Performance impact. AudioEye's JavaScript adds page load overhead. For performance-sensitive sites, this can negatively impact Core Web Vitals and user experience.
Who AudioEye Is Actually Good For
Despite the concerns, there are specific scenarios where AudioEye makes sense:
✅ AudioEye Could Work If…
- • You can't modify your source code. If you're on a locked-down platform where you have zero access to HTML/CSS (some proprietary SaaS platforms, legacy systems), overlay-based fixes may be your only option — even if imperfect.
- • You need an immediate stopgap. If you've been sued or received a demand letter and need to demonstrate immediate compliance efforts while your team works on permanent source code fixes, AudioEye's rapid deployment can help in the short term.
- • You need VPAT documentation urgently. Enterprise sales teams facing procurement deadlines for accessibility documentation may benefit from AudioEye's VPAT generation on the Assurance plan.
- • You want human experts without hiring. If you don't have in-house accessibility expertise and can't afford a dedicated consultant, AudioEye's human remediation team provides some expert oversight.
❌ AudioEye Is Probably Not For You If…
- • You can modify your source code (which is most websites). Code-based scanning + fixing at the source is always more reliable, permanent, and cost-effective than DOM manipulation.
- • You're a small to mid-size business on a budget. At $199+/month, AudioEye costs more than most small businesses need to spend. A $29/month automated scanner covers the same ground for the issues that matter most.
- • You want permanent compliance improvements. When you stop paying AudioEye, all fixes vanish. With code-based remediation, fixes are permanent regardless of what tools you use in the future.
- • You're building a culture of accessibility. AudioEye creates dependency. Code-based tools teach your team to build accessible products, making each subsequent feature more accessible by default.
- • You're concerned about regulatory trends. If you want to future-proof your compliance approach, code-based solutions align with where regulation is clearly headed.
AudioEye vs Code-Based Alternatives
The fundamental question isn't "Is AudioEye good?" — it's "Is AudioEye's approach the right one?" Let's compare the overlay/hybrid model to code-based accessibility services.
| Feature | AudioEye | RatedWithAI |
|---|---|---|
| Approach | JS overlay + human patches | Source code scanning + fix guidance |
| Starting Price | $199/month | $29/month |
| Fixes Source Code | ✗ DOM patches only | ✓ Guides you to fix actual code |
| Fixes Are Permanent | ✗ Gone if you cancel | ✓ Code changes are permanent |
| Testing Engine | Proprietary + some axe-core | axe-core (industry standard) |
| Continuous Monitoring | ✓ | ✓ |
| JavaScript Dependency | ✗ Fixes require JS to load | ✓ No JS dependency |
| Performance Impact | Adds page load overhead | Zero (scanning is server-side) |
| Vendor Lock-in | High (cancel = lose all fixes) | None (fixes live in your code) |
| Regulatory Alignment | Uncertain (overlay scrutiny) | Aligned (source code fixes) |
Key insight: With AudioEye, you're renting compliance for $199–$799/month. The moment you stop paying, every fix disappears. With a code-based approach, you're building compliance permanently — and each fix stays regardless of what tools you use in the future. Over 3 years, AudioEye costs $7,164–$28,728 with zero permanent improvement. RatedWithAI costs $1,044 and every fix your team implements is permanent.
Our Recommendation
AudioEye is a real company with real expertise, and it's meaningfully better than pure overlay widgets like accessiBe. If we're grading on a curve against the overlay industry, AudioEye gets a B-minus.
But we don't think the overlay industry deserves to be the benchmark. The right comparison is code-based accessibility services — and against that standard, AudioEye's value proposition breaks down.
For most businesses, we recommend this approach:
Start with a free automated scan
Use RatedWithAI's free scan to identify your current WCAG violations. This takes 60 seconds and costs nothing.
Fix the critical violations in your source code
Follow the remediation guidance to fix the high-impact issues (missing alt text, form labels, contrast, keyboard navigation). Most developers can address 80% of violations in a day or two.
Enable continuous monitoring ($29/month)
Catch regressions and new violations automatically as your site evolves. This is the part that keeps you compliant over time — something a one-time audit or overlay can't match.
Supplement with manual testing for critical pages
For your highest-traffic pages (homepage, checkout, key forms), invest in focused manual testing with a screen reader. This can be done in-house or via a targeted audit ($2,000–$5,000).
This approach costs roughly $348–$5,000 in the first year (vs AudioEye's $2,388–$9,588), produces permanent code improvements, builds internal accessibility competence, and aligns with the regulatory direction. It's better for your users, better for your budget, and better for your long-term compliance posture.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is AudioEye worth it in 2026?
For most businesses, no. At $199–$799/month, AudioEye is significantly more expensive than code-based alternatives while still relying on JavaScript DOM manipulation rather than fixing your source code. AudioEye customers continue to face ADA lawsuits, and regulatory trends favor code-based approaches. For small to mid-size businesses, automated scanning services like RatedWithAI ($29/month) provide better compliance value at a fraction of the cost.
How much does AudioEye cost?
AudioEye pricing: Essentials at $199/month, Advanced at $399/month, and Assurance at $799/month. Annual plans offer roughly 20% discounts. Enterprise pricing is custom. The Essentials plan covers basic scanning and automated fixes; Advanced adds human expert remediation; Assurance adds litigation support and VPAT documentation.
Can you still get sued with AudioEye installed?
Yes. AudioEye customers have been named in ADA lawsuits despite having AudioEye installed. The company even offers a "Litigation Support Package" on its highest tier, which implicitly acknowledges the lawsuit risk. Courts have not recognized any overlay or DOM-manipulation approach as equivalent to genuine WCAG source code compliance.
What's the difference between AudioEye and accessiBe?
AudioEye takes a hybrid approach with human experts involved in the remediation process, while accessiBe relies primarily on AI-powered overlay automation. AudioEye is generally more technically substantive. However, both use JavaScript DOM manipulation rather than fixing source code. accessiBe was fined $1 million by the FTC in 2025; AudioEye has faced shareholder lawsuits alleging misleading compliance claims.
Does AudioEye fix source code issues?
No. AudioEye injects JavaScript that modifies the DOM at runtime — adding ARIA labels, modifying heading structures, and adjusting elements in the browser. Your actual HTML source code remains unchanged. If AudioEye's JavaScript fails to load or you cancel the service, all fixes disappear instantly.
What happened with AudioEye's shareholder lawsuits?
AudioEye faced class-action shareholder lawsuits (consolidated 2022–2023) alleging the company made misleading statements about its technology's effectiveness and inflated compliance capabilities. Shareholders claimed AudioEye's representations that its technology could make websites fully ADA-compliant were materially false.
Try Code-Based Accessibility Scanning Free
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