A Voluntary Product Accessibility Template (VPAT) itself is a free, blank template. The real cost is in producing the Accessibility Conformance Report (ACR), which is the completed document that evaluates your product against accessibility standards. ACR costs start at approximately 300 dollars for a WCAG edition and range to 1,000 dollars or more depending on the edition and scope of the evaluation.
| Key Point | What It Means |
|---|---|
| VPAT vs ACR | The VPAT is a blank template. The ACR is the completed report with evaluation results. You pay for the ACR. |
| WCAG Edition Cost | Approximately 350 dollars for ACR issuance, plus the cost of the underlying audit. |
| Other Editions | Section 508 starts around 550 dollars. EN 301 549 starts around 650 dollars. INT (all three combined) starts around 950 dollars. |
| Audit Cost | The accessibility audit that feeds the ACR typically costs 1,000 to 3,000 dollars depending on product size. |
| Total Investment | Expect 1,350 to 4,000 dollars or more for a WCAG ACR including the required audit. |
What You Are Actually Paying For
Most people who say they need a “VPAT” are really asking for an ACR. The VPAT is a standardized template published by the Information Technology Industry Council (ITI). Anyone can download it at no cost.
The expense comes from two parts: conducting an accessibility audit of your product, and then documenting the results in the VPAT format to produce the ACR. Both require accessibility expertise.
VPAT Editions and Their Pricing
VPATs come in four editions, each mapping to a different accessibility standard. The edition you need depends on who is requesting the document and which regulations apply.
The WCAG edition evaluates against Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) conformance levels. This is the most commonly requested edition, especially for SaaS products sold to U.S. organizations. ACR issuance for this edition starts at approximately 350 dollars.
The Section 508 edition maps to the U.S. federal accessibility standard. Federal procurement offices frequently require this edition. Pricing starts around 550 dollars for ACR issuance.
The EN 301 549 edition covers the European accessibility standard. Organizations selling into European Union markets or responding to EU procurement requests need this edition. ACR issuance starts around 650 dollars.
The INT edition combines all three standards into a single document. This is the most thorough option and starts around 950 dollars for ACR issuance. Organizations that sell globally often choose the INT edition to satisfy multiple procurement requirements with one document.
The Audit Behind the ACR
An ACR without a proper audit behind it has little value. The ACR documents the conformance status of your product against specific WCAG success criteria. That documentation requires a thorough evaluation conducted by an accessibility professional.
Most accessibility audits start at 1,000 dollars and range to 3,000 dollars depending on the number of pages or screens being evaluated. Per-page pricing typically falls between 100 and 250 dollars. A small web application with 10 screens will cost less than an enterprise platform with 30 or more distinct views.
The audit identifies accessibility issues across your product using screen reader testing, keyboard testing, visual inspection, and code review. Automated scans are sometimes included as one component, but scans only flag approximately 25% of issues. The remaining evaluation requires human expertise.
What Drives the Total VPAT Cost Higher
Several factors push the total cost above baseline estimates.
Product complexity matters most. A static marketing website with 5 pages costs far less to audit than a SaaS application with dynamic interfaces, forms, dashboards, and authenticated workflows. Each distinct interaction pattern adds evaluation time.
The edition you select also affects cost. A WCAG-only ACR is the least expensive. An INT edition covering all three standards requires additional mapping and documentation work.
Turnaround time can add a premium. Standard delivery timelines vary by provider, but expedited requests often come with rush fees.
When You Need to Update an ACR
ACRs do not have a formal expiration date. However, an ACR reflects your product at a specific point in time. When you release significant updates, add new features, or redesign portions of your interface, the existing ACR may no longer accurately represent your product’s conformance status.
Procurement teams reviewing an outdated ACR may question its relevance. Many organizations update their ACR annually or after major product releases. The update cost depends on whether a full re-evaluation is needed or whether a partial audit of changed areas is sufficient.
Budgeting for a VPAT
For a standard SaaS product requesting a WCAG edition ACR, budget between 1,350 and 4,000 dollars total. That covers both the audit and ACR issuance. Organizations needing the INT edition or evaluating large products should plan for the higher end of that range or above.
The ACR is often a procurement requirement, not an optional document. Organizations that sell to government agencies, higher education institutions, or large enterprises encounter VPAT requests regularly. Having a current, accurate ACR removes a common friction point in the sales process.