Microsoft Sway vs HTML: which is better for accessibility?
When it comes to sharing written content online — like articles, documentation or announcements — accessibility matters. You want your content to be usable by everyone, including people using screen readers, keyboard-only navigation, or text-to-speech tools.
So how does Microsoft Sway stack up against a traditional HTML-based webpage for delivering accessible content? We did a deep dive, and here’s what we found.
Structured content
Sway uses ‘cards’ to build content and lets you add headings and sections, which are fine if you follow the structure carefully. But if you rely too much on visuals or forget to use heading cards properly, assistive tech might struggle.
With HTML, structure is built right in. Screen readers love heading tags like <h1> and <h2>, paragraphs, and lists. You get full control and everything stays predictable.
Verdict
HTML offers better semantic clarity out of the box.
Screen readers and text-to-speech
Sway supports screen readers well, especially when users view content in its ‘Accessibility View’. This mode strips out the fancy layouts and presents everything in a linear, high-contrast format. Plus, Sway integrates with Microsoft’s Immersive Reader for a nice read-aloud experience.
HTML? It’s natively readable. If you use semantic tags and alt text, assistive tools just work.
Bonus: browser ‘reader modes’ also provide distraction-free reading and text-to-speech.
Verdict
Tie, though HTML doesn’t require a special mode to be accessible.
Keyboard navigation
Sway’s Accessibility View supports keyboard navigation and visible focus indicators, but outside of that view, things can get a little awkward, especially with animations or horizontal scrolls.
HTML pages, when built accessibly, offer flawless keyboard support. Tabbing is natural, focus is visible, and you can add skip links or landmarks as needed.
Verdict
HTML takes the lead here, especially for consistency.
Alternative formats and exports
Sway can export to PDF or Word, and it adapts to screen sizes. Great for general users. But you can’t customise the output much. It’s locked into Sway’s design system.
HTML is super versatile. You can print it, save as PDF, convert to EPUB, or even turn it into braille with the right tools.
Responsive design? Totally under your control.
Verdict
HTML wins for long-term flexibility and alternative formats.
Visual customisation
Sway includes contrast-friendly templates and a one-click high-contrast mode. It also supports zoom and has the excellent Immersive Reader for visual adjustments.
But with HTML, you can go further: offer theme toggles, respond to user system settings like dark mode, and ensure scalable fonts and contrast that meet WCAG standards. Exactly how you want them.
Verdict
HTML gives designers and users more power over readability.
WCAG compliance
Sway meets most WCAG 2.1 AA requirements, and Accessibility View gets you close. But it’s a closed platform. You can’t tweak things if it falls short.
With HTML, you can meet every single WCAG 2.2 guideline and update your site as standards evolve. It takes more effort, but it’s totally doable.
Verdict
HTML is more future-proof and standards-friendly.
Results
| Feature | Winner |
|---|---|
| Structured content | HTML |
| Screen readers and text-to-speech | Tie |
| Keyboard navigation | HTML |
| Alternative formats and exports | HTML |
| Visual customisation | HTML |
| WCAG compliance | HTML |
Conclusion
So, should you ditch Sway? Not at all.
- Use Sway for quick, beautiful, interactive presentations, especially if you
need to move fast and accessibility is ‘nice to have’. - Use HTML when you need full control, strict accessibility compliance, or
when content will live on the web long-term.
Want to reach the widest audience possible? Make accessibility part of your workflow from the start, no matter the tool.
Resources
HTML accessibility resources
- Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.2 – W3C
- MDN Web Docs: Accessibility
- Deque University: Web Accessibility Checklist