If you're shopping for PDF remediation, the three names that come up most are GrackleDocs, axesPDF, and CommonLook. All three are legitimate tools used by accessibility teams — but they take very different approaches and sit at very different price points. Here's a side-by-side to help you choose.
The three at a glance
GrackleDocs offers manual remediation services plus a Google Workspace add-on for Docs, Slides, and Sheets. Strong for organizations living in Google's ecosystem; remediation is service-based (priced per page, days of turnaround).
axesPDF is a capable Windows desktop tool for hands-on PDF/UA remediation — per-seat licensing, a learning curve, and an expert operator required. Best for teams that want surgical, manual control over every tag.
CommonLook (Allyant) sells enterprise remediation software and services — audits, certified remediation teams, VPAT/ACR support, and guaranteed-compliance contracts. Thorough, and priced for enterprise budgets.
What they're each best at
- GrackleDocs — Google Workspace integration; manual remediation for legally sensitive documents.
- axesPDF — deep, surgical control over the tag tree; offline operation for high-security environments.
- CommonLook — end-to-end enterprise programs and guaranteed-compliance service contracts.
Where EasyAccessPDF fits
All three assume either a trained operator, a service engagement, or an enterprise contract. EasyAccessPDF runs the same PDF/UA-1 validation (via veraPDF) and auto-remediates documents in the browser for a flat $2.99 each — no install, no per-seat license, no enterprise commitment. For the bulk of a document library (reports, forms, agendas), that covers the deterministic 90% of remediation in about 60 seconds per document. See our honest breakdowns of the GrackleDocs, axesPDF, and CommonLook alternatives — including where each is genuinely better.
Which should you choose?
Need Google Docs/Slides accessibility or manual remediation of complex documents? GrackleDocs.
Want hands-on desktop control with expert operators? axesPDF.
Need an enterprise program with audits and VPAT support? CommonLook.
Need fast, affordable remediation of standard documents at volume? Automated remediation handles the same PDF/UA-1 standard for a fraction of the cost — then reserve the manual and enterprise tools for the documents that genuinely need human judgment. See the full cost comparison and what remediation involves.