Best PDF Remediation Software & Tools of 2025
| Tool | Type | Key Features | Best For | Automation Level | Compliance Standards | Unique Selling Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PREP | AI-Powered Software - Hybrid |
|
|
Very High (90% automation) | WCAG 2.2 AA, PDF/UA, Section 508, ADA | Industry-first screen reader output , cloud-based platform |
| Adobe Acrobat Pro | Desktop Software |
|
|
Medium (requires manual intervention) | WCAG, PDF/UA, Section 508 | Part of the established Adobe ecosystem, widely adopted |
| CommonLook PDF | Enterprise Plugin/Software |
|
|
High (AI-driven automation) | WCAG, PDF/UA, HHS, Section 508 | Choice between advanced/simplified editors, browser-based, or plugin |
| Equidox | Cloud-based SaaS |
|
|
High (up to 90% time savings) | WCAG, ADA, Section 508 | User-friendly interface, no special skills required |
| Axes4 (axesWord) | Microsoft Word Add-in |
|
|
Very High (fully automated from Word) | PDF/UA, WCAG 2, Section 508 | Direct Word integration, no rework needed |
| PAVE | Open-Source Web Tool |
|
|
Medium (automatic + manual corrections) | Basic accessibility compliance | Free open-source solution, 5MB file limit |
| GrackleDocs | Google Workspace Integration |
|
|
High (AI-powered with 95% acceleration) | PDF/UA, WCAG, Section 508 | Seamless Google Workspace integration |
| CrawfordTech | Enterprise Platform |
|
|
Very High (automated tagging at scale) | WCAG 2.0, Section 508, PDF/UA | High-volume processing capability, enterprise automation |
| Foxit | Desktop Software |
|
|
Medium-High (automated tagging + manual fixes) | WCAG 2.0 standards | Lightweight solution, good for SMBs |
| 247 Accessible Documents | Professional Service |
|
|
N/A (Human experts) | All major standards | Professional human expertise |
PREP
PREP by Continual Engine stands out as one of the most advanced document remediation solutions that is designed to meet the evolving needs of organizations across all industries, including government, finance, education, healthcare, and more.
- Up to 95% auto-tagging powered by AI, reducing manual effort by 80%.
- Ensures compliance with WCAG 2.2 AA, PDF/UA, ADA Title II, and Section 508.
- Side-by-side screen reader preview for real-world accessibility validation.
- Flexible deployment: cloud, on-premises, or hybrid.
- SOC 2 Type II certification, GDPR compliance and encrypted data handling.
- REST API and LMS integration for workflow automation.
- Multi-format support: PDF, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, EPUB.
- Built-in verification tools for structure and validation.
- Enterprise scalability trusted by universities, government, publishers and large organizations.
-
Adobe Acrobat Pro
A staple in the document world, Adobe Acrobat Pro offers comprehensive tools for PDF remediation and accessibility tagging.
- Has a comprehensive toolkit of accessibility checkers, reading order, and tag editing.
- Manual tagging with fine-grained control over structure and flow.
- Industry standard compatibility with extensive documentation and global adoption.
- Tools for creating accessible PDF forms with field descriptions and tab order.
- Seamless integration with the Adobe Creative Suite.
- Reflow capability for temporary text reorganization and improved screen reader navigation.
- Security options allowing screen reader access with document protection.
- Requires significant manual intervention and accessibility expertise for comprehensive remediation.
- Time-intensive compared to automated solutions, especially for large volumes.
-
CommonLook PDF
CommonLook PDF is another great enterprise-level PDF remediation tool designed for large-scale accessibility compliance. It offers robust validation, tagging, and remediation features.
- AI auto-tagging reduces remediation time by up to 95%.
- One-click fixes for machine-checkable errors.
- Advanced table editing for complex data table remediation and structure optimization.
- Fully web-based, works on any OS (including macOS).
- Compliance with WCAG, PDF/UA, and HHS standards for comprehensive regulatory compliance.
- Generates comprehensive validation reports for each document.
- Professional training programs with live and on-demand sessions are available for skill development.
- Scales easily for large accessibility compliance initiatives.
- Streamlined interface with both simplified and advanced editing modes for all skill levels.
-
Equidox
Known for its user-friendly interface, Equidox is a fully automated tool that streamlines the process of PDF remediation with its AI features that detect lists, headings, and forms, and allow for tag copying between documents.
- The Smart Zone Detector, powered by AI and computer vision, instantly identifies elements in a PDF.
- Automates up to 90% of manual tagging for headings, lists, tables, and forms through intelligent element detection and classification.
- One-click re-order tool for instant reading order correction with a built-in decimal placement system.
- Flexible deployment available as cloud-based SaaS or on-premises environment.
- OCR support for scanned PDF remediation and text recognition.
- HTML preview for logical screen reader flow.
- Save templates for consistent remediation across similar document layouts.
- Concurrent licensing for collaborative team-based use.
-
Axes4
Axes4’s axesWord is a Microsoft Word add-in that seamlessly creates PDF/UA-compliant PDFs directly within Word with no special expertise required.
- Fully automated, accessible PDF creation from Word.
- Guarantees WCAG and PDF/UA compliance at the source.
- Works as a native Word add-in to maintain a seamless workflow.
- Pre-configured accessibility templates and modules for consistent results.
- Handles complex elements like data tables, headers, footnotes, layout tables, and footers.
- Provides multilingual support with multiple localized versions.
- Free trial with full features for testing in real work environments.
- You get professional training from document accessibility experts for optimal implementation.
-
PAVE
PAVE is an open-source web-based PDF remediation tool developed to assist users in auditing their PDFs for proper tags and reading order. While not as robust in automation, it’s a good, basic tool for education sectors looking for cost-effective solutions.
- Free for personal use, making accessibility tools available to individual users and small organizations.
- Since it is a web-based platform, no installation or technical setup is required.
- Combines automatic fixes with guided manual remediation for remaining accessibility issues.
- Simple four-step process designed for beginners.
- Developed by ZHAW School of Engineering ICT Accessibility Lab.
- Has a file size limitation with a maximum 5MB upload capacity for document processing.
- Good option for basic, simple PDF remediation, but may not be suitable for complex enterprise needs.
- Files are stored temporarily, for up to 3 weeks, before being auto-deleted for privacy protection.
- Designed with a focus on the educational industry to assist teachers and students with accessible document creation.
-
GrackleDocs
GrackleDocs integrates with Google Docs to assist with accessibility checking and export to tagged PDFs. It’s a good tool for educational institutions or small teams that heavily use Google Workspace and need lightweight remediation capabilities.
- AI-powered layout detection with auto-tagging features that cut manual work by up to 95%.
- Works best for Google Workspace integration as native add-ons for Google Docs, Sheets, and Slides.
- 22 automated checks for accessibility compliance.
- Export your accessible PDF directly from Google Workspace.
- Interactive reading order adjustments without altering visual document layout.
- Alt text library for reusing image descriptions.
- Table tagging wizard for screen reader compatibility and enhanced document structure.
- Guided click-to-fix corrections for improving accessibility.
- Collaborative features for educational institutions and team environments.
-
CrawfordTech (AccessibilityNow)
CrawfordTech provides enterprise-level remediation tools for organizations that handle high volumes of documents. It’s suited for large businesses and public sector entities with complex requirements.
- Does real-time, cloud-first remediation processing in milliseconds.
- Supports document conversion services to transform documents to braille, large print, audio, and e-text formats.
- Scales for high-volume transactional documents in the finance, healthcare, utilities, and government sectors.
- Provides deployment flexibility for cloud, SaaS, hybrid, and on-premises configurations.
- Ensures compliance with WCAG, PDF/UA, and HHS standards.
- Provides CrawfordTech Accessibility Academy training for professional teams.
- Handles high-volume processing with the capacity to remediate thousands of PDF pages daily.
- A good option for large organizations with complex workflows, as technical expertise is required.
-
Foxit PDF Editor
Geared toward small to mid-sized organizations, Foxit offers a lightweight PDF remediation solution with tagging, reading order editing, and accessibility checks. It’s a good option for businesses looking for efficiency without enterprise-level overhead.
- Provides a complete toolkit for accessibility checking, tagging, and reading order management.
- Supports WCAG 2.0 compliance with detailed reports and remediation guidance.
- Easy alt text management for images and other non-text elements.
- Auto-tagging for quick document structuring.
- Tools for accessible fillable forms and PDF/UA validation to ensure international accessibility standards are followed.
- Available across platforms, along with advanced accessibility features in the business version.
- Affordable alternative to Adobe solutions with comparable functionality.
- Provides a 14-day free trial for full evaluation.
-
247 Accessible Documents
This service offers professional PDF remediation by accessibility experts. While not a tool in the traditional sense, 247 Accessible Documents is ideal for organizations that prefer outsourcing their remediation needs.
- Service-driven remediation that combines automation with human expertise.
- Self-service portal with instant quoting and delivery date transparency.
- Supports multiple formats, including PDF, PDF forms, Word, and PowerPoint documents.
- Scalable account options from free to enterprise levels with multi-user access.
- Screen reader testing by native screen reader users ensures real-world accessibility.
- Meets all major compliance standards, like WCAG 2.0/2.2, PDF/UA 1.0, Section 508, ADA Title II, and HHS.
- No minimum fees, making it accessible for organizations of all sizes.
- Personalized dashboard for document management and tracking.
- Direct upload via 247 Connect integration.
How to Choose the Right PDF Remediation Tool/Software?
With so many PDF remediation tools available in 2025, selecting the right one can feel overwhelming. The key is to evaluate your organization’s size and compliance needs before investing. Below are the most important factors to consider when choosing your right PDF remediation tool:
Define Document Volume
Start by understanding the size and type of your document workload. Organizations handling thousands of PDFs or complex file types like forms, tables, and scanned images need PDF remediation tools that support batch processing and advanced automation. On the other hand, smaller teams working with simpler documents may find lightweight solutions sufficient.
Determine Essential Compliance Standards
Accessibility regulations vary depending on region and industry. Whether you must meet WCAG 2.2 AA, PDF/UA, ADA Title II, or Section 508, it’s crucial to select a tool that aligns with your regulatory landscape. If your organization undergoes regular audits, look for tools that provide detailed compliance reports to simplify record-keeping.
Evaluate Control Needs
Not every workflow requires the same level of automation. Some teams prefer remediation tools that offer 90 to 95% automation with AI-based tagging, while others may need manual control for precision. Features like built-in accessibility checkers, real-time validation, and guided workflows can help balance speed with accuracy, especially if you’re still learning how to remediate your PDFs.
Think About Integrations
The right tool should fit seamlessly into your existing technology ecosystem. Look for features like API access, cloud vs. on-premises deployment, and compatibility with learning management systems or content management platforms. Collaboration features such as multi-user access, version control, and project management can also improve efficiency across teams.
Consider Budget & Licensing
Pricing models for different PDF remediation companies and tools vary widely. Some may follow a pay-per-document model, while others may cater to enterprise-level licenses. Consider whether the tool can scale as your accessibility requirements grow. A cost-effective option today should not limit you tomorrow if your document volume or compliance needs increase.
Look Into Security & Data Protection Requirements
If you work in industries like healthcare, finance, or government, a tool with strong data protection standards is non-negotiable. Look for encryption in transit and at rest, SOC 2 or ISO certifications, and compliance with regulations like GDPR. Enterprise-grade security ensures that sensitive information stays protected throughout the remediation process.
Availability of Support & Training
Even the best PDF remediation tools require proper onboarding. Evaluate whether the provider offers documentation, tutorials, live training, or direct support channels. Some even provide accessibility academies or dedicated experts to ensure smooth adoption. This is especially helpful if your staff is new to the remediation practices.
Take the Trial & Evaluation Route
Never invest without testing. Most top tools provide free trials or demos, allowing you to benchmark performance in terms of speed, ease of use, and compliance accuracy. Run real-world tests on your own documents to see whether the tool delivers the results your organization needs.
Base Your Decision on Industry Needs
Finally, match the tool to your specific industry requirements. A university may prioritize LMS integration, while a financial institution may demand high-volume transactional document support. By aligning your choice with sector-specific needs, you’ll ensure your investment in a PDF remediation tool pays off in the long run.
PREP – Your Perfect PDF Remediation Partner!
Simplify accessibility, ensure compliance—discover how PREP makes PDF remediation effortless.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
PDF remediation is the process of making PDF documents accessible to people with disabilities, ensuring compliance with standards like WCAG, PDF/UA, and Section 508. It involves adding tags, reading order, alt text, and other accessibility features so assistive technologies (like screen readers) can interpret content correctly.
Read More: What is PDF Remediation?
The cost typically ranges between $5 and $30 per page, depending on the document’s complexity and the vendor. Simple files may cost around $5 per page, while documents with forms, tables, or images may cost above $25. Pricing varies between companies, and whether you choose a service-based model or an in-house PDF remediation tool.
The time required depends on document size, complexity, and the tools used. Automated platforms can remediate simple documents within minutes, while more complex files requiring manual fixes may take several days.
Yes, many of them include OCR (Optical Character Recognition), which converts scanned images into readable, tagged text. Accuracy may vary depending on the tool, so always test critical scanned files to ensure reliable accessibility.
Top remediation tools for government agencies include PREP, CrawfordTech, CommonLook PDF, and Equidox.
For banking and financial services, PREP, CrawfordTech, CommonLook PDF, and Equidox are widely trusted. These solutions support high-volume document processing, strong security, and industry compliance.
Education-focused organizations benefit most from tools like PREP, Adobe Acrobat Pro, CommonLook PDF, and GrackleDocs.
For small businesses, cost-effective options such as Foxit PDF Editor, GrackleDocs, or Adobe Acrobat Pro are ideal due to their simplicity and lower licensing costs.
Large organizations need scalable solutions like PREP, CommonLook PDF, CrawfordTech AccessibilityNow, or Equidox Enterprise Edition, which support automation, hybrid deployments, APIs, and enterprise security certifications.
Choose a tool that complies with WCAG 2.2 Level AA, PDF/UA (ISO 14289), Section 508, ADA Title II, and regional standards such as EN 301 549 (EU) and AODA (Ontario). Industry-specific rules, like HHS for healthcare, may also apply.
Choose a tool that complies with WCAG 2.2 Level AA, PDF/UA (ISO 14289), Section 508, ADA Title II, and regional standards such as EN 301 549 (EU) and AODA (Ontario). Industry-specific rules, like HHS for healthcare, may also apply.
- Manual Remediation: Human experts carefully tag and verify documents for maximum accuracy, which is ideal for complex layouts.
- Automated Remediation: Automated PDF remediation tools use AI and algorithms to quickly fix common issues, saving time for high-volume projects.
Organizations that fail to comply with accessibility standards risk:
- Injunctions and lawsuits
- DOJ investigations in the U.S.
- Damages, legal costs, and reputational loss
Yes, advanced tools can tag complex elements such as tables, forms, and charts. However, accuracy depends on the platform. Some cases may still require manual fine-tuning for full compliance.
Yes, enterprise-grade PDF remediation tools, like PREP, are built to process thousands of documents through batch processing and workflow automation. This makes them ideal for large-scale organizations in government, finance, and healthcare.
