20 Best Accessibility Testing Tools (For Devs & Designers)

With millions living with disabilities, creating the perfect digital experience becomes challenging. You must use the top accessibility testing tools to make sure you deliver your brand to everyone.

This article highlights 20 tools to create an accessible design for every disability. These tools help designers and developers connect with the right audience.

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Choosing the Right Accessibility Testing Tools for Your Project

You must consider what you need to meet the standards to select the right accessibility testing tools. Think about the following factors:

• Automation vs. Manual: Know whether you need automated scans or manual checks. Automated accessibility testing can reduce the time spent on the development process. Meanwhile, manual testing support catches problems using human experience.
• Compliance standards: Make sure the tool works for the accessibility standards you need. This tool should suit the legal requirements in your industry.
• Integration: Select tools that easily combine with your existing workflow. This enables you to incorporate accessibility testing into your normal process. It allows things to flow naturally without affecting your team’s productivity.
• Platform support: Choose tools that work for your target platforms. It could be web, native mobile (iOS/Android), or documents (PDF). Whatever you choose, the testing tool should match where your users will interact with your content.

The Best Accessibility Testing Tools for Developers and Designers

Now that you know what you’re looking for, let’s list out the 21 best available options.

1. BrowserStack Accessibility Testing

BrowserStack Accessibility Testing is a complete solution for real device testing. This tool combines this with automated checks.

This feature enables it to ensure everyone can use web applications. Beyond this, the platform allows you to access 3,500+ real browsers and devices.

• Type: Cloud platform using real devices for automated and manual testing.
• Key features: Automated WCAG checks and Workflow Analyzer to check user journeys. The Analyzer is useful for testing not just individual pages; it checks the whole user flow. It provides real screen reader testing and a central reporting dashboard.
• Compliance: It supports WCAG 2.1/2.2, ADA, Section 508, AODA, and EN 301 549. This makes it perfect for businesses operating across many jurisdictions.
• Pricing: Offers a free plan with paid plans starting at $199 monthly.
• Best for: Teams needing testing across 3,500+ real devices. It ensures your site remains compliant for audiences around the world.

2. Axe DevTools

Axe DevTools is popular as an accurate testing tool. Built on the Axe-Core engine, this tool has zero false positives. This quality makes it the go-to solution for development teams who need reliable results.

• Type: Enterprise-grade solution for automated accessibility testing.
• Key features: Browser extension and zero false positives. It combines easily with Selenium, Cypress, and VS Code Linter. The VS Code integration particularly comes in handy for developers. It allows them to identify accessibility barriers prior to committing code.
• Compliance: WCAG 2.0-2.2, EN 301-549, Section 508.
• Pricing: Offers a free browser extension. It also has a Pro plan at $99 yearly for one user.
• Best For: Developers blending automated accessibility checks into their CI/CD pipeline. The continuous integration support enables you to continue testing throughout the process.

3. WAVE (Web Accessibility Evaluation Tool)

WAVE identifies accessibility issues and gives visual feedback directly on a webpage. This tool highlights errors, contrast issues, and structural elements. This visual approach enables you to understand the problems easily.

• Type: Free browser extension and internet accessibility checker.
• Key features: Provides visual feedback on issues on a webpage. The tool overlays icons on the page. This enables you to see the exact elements needing attention.
• Compliance: WCAG 2.2.
• Pricing: Free, but you can subscribe to an API for automated scanning.
• Best for: Quickly performing visual audits and manual checks while developing and designing. The instant feedback makes it perfect for designers.

4. Accessibility Insights

Accessibility Insights combines automated and guided manual testing. It has a “FastPass” feature to deliver automated checks within 5 minutes. There is also the “Assessment” mode to guide you through a detailed manual review.

• Type: Microsoft’s open-source tool for web and Windows apps.
• Key features: “FastPass” for quick automated checks, “Assessment” to put you through manual WCAG testing. It also integrates with GitHub and Azure DevOps.
• Compliance: WCAG 2.1 AA.
• Pricing: Free and open-source.
• Best for: Teams looking for a free tool with complete features for guided manual testing. This guidance makes it easy for beginners to test accessibility.

5. ANDI (Accessible Name & Description Inspector)

ANDI is a lightweight accessibility checker that works without needing to install it. You don’t have to do much to use this tool. You only need to drag the bookmarklet to the toolbar on your browser.

• Type: Free, open-source bookmarklet for manual testing.
• Key features: No need to install anything. This tool checks for links, images, focus, headings, color contrast, and more.
• ANDI gives you immediate feedback on the accessibility status of interactive elements. In addition, it is a common tool in the government’s Trusted Tester process.
• Compliance: WCAG 2.0-2.2.
• Pricing: Free
• Best For: Complete manual checks without needing a browser extension. This tool aligns with the testing standards at the federal level. This makes it a top choice for government contractors and agencies.

6. Color Contrast Analyzer (CCA)

The Color Contrast Analyzer is an essential tool for testing on-screen contrast ratios. It is perfect for designers who want to meet WCAG guidelines. It has a color picker to measure the contrast ratio of any digital element.

• Type: Free desktop application for testing the ratio of color contrast.
• Key features: A color picker tool to measure the contrast ratio. It also measures text on gradients and images. It is perfect for testing colors from any part of your screen. This makes it suitable for design mockups.
• Compliance: WCAG AA and AAA contrast levels.
• Pricing: Free
• Best for: Confirming color combinations meet WCAG standards. This tool is helpful for ensuring visual accessibility before starting development.

7. WebAIM Contrast Checker

The WebAIM Contrast Checker is a simple tool for checking contrast ratio. This tool checks the contrast ratio between two foreground and background colors. You only need to enter their hex codes to get results.

• Type: Free web-based tool for checking contrast.
• Key features: Simple interface to check contrast ratio using hex codes. The tool gives instant results for color combinations that pass WCAG AA and AAA standards. Plus, you don’t need to install anything to use it.
• Compliance: WCAG AA and AAA.
• Pricing: Free
• Best For: Fast and easy checks while designing.

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8. IBM Equal Access Accessibility Checker

IBM Equal Access gives you real-time feedback in the browser. It also has integrations for VS Code and NPM modules.

• Type: Free browser extension and toolkit for CI/CD.
• Key features: Real-time feedback and VS Code integrations. It also has NPM modules for automated testing with Selenium, Cypress, and more. The tool uses IBM’s detailed accessibility ruleset to compare results.
• Compliance: WCAG 2.0-2.2.
• Pricing: Free and open-source.
• Best for: Teams using IBM’s ruleset and looking for a tool with deep CI/CD integration. The detailed reporting helps teams to fix accessibility issues efficiently.

9. Pa11y

Pa11y performs automatic accessibility testing in CI/CD pipelines. It also generates JSON reports. Beyond this, it has a dashboard for tracking multiple pages at once. This makes it perfect for people looking for command-line tools.

• Type: Open-source command line interface (CLI) tool.
• Key features: Automated testing in CI/CD pipelines, and gives JSON reports. It features a dashboard for tracking many projects. It allows you to test entire domains and track the status of accessibility over time.
• Compliance: WCAG 2.0-2.2.
• Pricing: Free
• Best for: Developers using the command line to run automated tests. The JSON output easily works with the systems for issue tracking.

10. Tenon

Tenon is perfect for testing accessibility on code before deployment. This tool combines with developer tools like Jira and GitHub to do this. This approach prevents issues from reaching the final result.

• Type: API-driven accessibility testing solution.
• Key features: Integrates with developer tools to test code. The API-driven structure enables custom workflows and reporting.
• Compliance: WCAG 2.0-2.1, Section 508.
• Pricing: Contact sales.
• Best for: Large teams needing an API-driven testing solution that they can modify. The platform provides actionable insights to focus accessibility efforts on important places.

11. SortSite

SortSite is more than an accessibility tool. It scans entire websites to find over 700 issues. It also identifies issues related to SEO, broken links, and HTML standards.

• Type: Desktop and cloud-based scanner for websites.
• Key features: Scans the whole website for over 700 issues. The tool checks multiple categories to give you a detailed picture of how your site is doing.
• Compliance: WCAG 2.0-2.1.
• Pricing: Commercial license.
• Best for: Complete site audits and teams managing large websites.

12. AChecks (AChecker)

AChecks uses URL or file uploads to evaluate webpages. It guides manual review by arranging issues into “Known,” “Likely,” and “Potential” problems. This helps teams to focus their attention on fixing confirmed issues first.

• Type: Open-source online tool for evaluating WCAG.
• Key features: Evaluates pages via URL or file upload. The three-tier grouping system helps you understand which problems require instant attention.
• Compliance: WCAG 2.1, Section 508.
• Pricing: Plans starting from $99 per month.
• Best for: Teams needing a guide to review different webpages.

13. Google Accessibility Developer Tools

Google Accessibility Developer Tools inspects ARIA attributes, roles, and issues with contrast. It does this by adding an accessibility audit and sidebar pane in Chrome DevTools.

This helps to keep checks within the development environment you are used to.

• Type: Chrome extension integrated into DevTools.
• Key features: Integrates with Chrome DevTools. You can check the accessibility tree to see what meaning assistive technology gives your web content.
• Compliance: WCAG 2.0-2.1.
• Pricing: Free
• Best for: Developers who want accessibility testing within Chrome DevTools.

14. Firefox Accessibility Inspector

Firefox Accessibility Inspector is a built-in feature for excellent testing. This tool allows you to see the accessibility tree. You can also check the roles and states of elements. Beyond this, it allows you to create simulations of screen reader users interpreting a page.

• Type: Firefox Developer Tools’ built-in feature.
• Key features: The inspector provides insights into your page structure’s translation to assistive technology.
• Compliance: WCAG 2.0-2.1.
• Pricing: Free
• Best for: Developers who prefer Firefox and want to achieve accessibility on the browser.

15. Dyno Mapper

Dyno Mapper is a powerful tool for creating visual sitemaps and auditing content. This tool also tests for WCAG/ADA issues across an entire website. It works with Google Analytics to help you focus your testing based on real user traffic.

• Type: Sitemap generator and tool for managing accessibility.
• Key features: Integrates with Google Analytics. Produces graphical sitemaps to see how your site looks. It also checks content and tests for non-compliance with WCAG and ADA standards.
• Compliance: WCAG 2.0-2.1.
• Pricing: Starts at $39 per month.
• Best for: Project managers and UX designers requiring mapping. It also allows them to scan large websites within a short period. The graphic method makes it easier to inform stakeholders about the accessibility of the website.

16. NVDA (NonVisual Desktop Access)

NVDA is a free screen reader for reading text and other elements on the website aloud. It supports various web standards and Braille displays. Many accessibility experts recommend this tool for its accuracy and popularity. 

• Type: Free, open-source screen reader for Windows.
• Key features: Reads text and interface elements for users to hear. It works with Braille displays and supports web standards like ARIA. NVDA provides a testing environment to help you experience your site like screen reader users.
• Compliance: Used to test against WCAG 2.0-2.1.
• Pricing: Free
• Best for: Manually testing how users with visual impairment experience a site on Windows.

17. JAWS (Job Access With Speech)

JAWS is the most popular screen reader that experts use for testing. It offers advanced features like OCR for PDFs and images that people can’t access. Its testing is compatible with the screen reader most blind users depend on.

• Type: Commercial screen reader for Windows.
• Key features: Advanced features for reading the content on the screen. It also offers OCR for PDFs and images you can’t access. JAWS offers features for customizable scripts.
• Compliance: Used to test against WCAG 2.0-2.1.
• Pricing: Contact sales.
• Best for: Professional testing that needs the most common assistive technology.

18. VoiceOver

VoiceOver is a vital part of the features offered by Apple. This tool supports gesture navigation and works easily with Braille devices.

You can find VoiceOver on every Mac and iOS device. This tool’s testing is vital for giving equal access on Apple platforms.

• Type: macOS and iOS screen reader.
• Key features: Supports gesture-based navigation and Braille devices.
• Compliance: Used to test against WCAG 2.0-2.1.
• Pricing: Free on Apple devices.
• Best for: Testing apps and web accessibility on Apple products.

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19. ChromeVox

ChromeVox is an effective screen reader for Chromebooks. This tool is also available as a Chrome extension for testing on various operating systems.

It enables you to understand how people using accessibility features on Chrome OS use your site.

• Type: Screen reader built into the Chrome operating system.
• Key features: Chromebooks’ screen reader and Chrome extension.
• Compliance: Used to test against WCAG 2.0-2.1.
• Pricing: Free
• Best for: Educational institutions using Chromebooks to learn.

20. EqualWeb

EqualWeb is a powerful tool that automatically fixes common issues. It also provides a widget for adjusting text size, contrast, and other settings.

This approach allows you to make changes quickly. However, you should still carry out proper accessibility testing.

• Type: AI-powered widget for remediation and accessibility.
• Key features: Automatic problem fixing and a user-facing widget for adjusting settings. The AI checks your digital content to suggest or apply fixes.
• Compliance: WCAG 2.1, ADA.
• Pricing: Starts at $30 per month.
• Best for: Businesses looking to improve web content accessibility.

Comparison of Top Accessibility Testing Tools

The table below compares the accessibility testing tools based on their features and pricing:

Why Digital Accessibility Testing is Non-Negotiable

Digital accessibility is crucial for enabling millions of potential users to access your content and services.

Key Statistics on Digital Accessibility

About 16% of the world’s population has at least one form of disability. This value translates to over one billion people struggling to access websites and applications.

18.7% of the U.S. population has a disability, and most of them are adults who use the internet. These users depend on assistive technology to help them navigate the web. This dependence makes web accessibility vital for reaching this audience.

Many businesses need to comply with WCAG 2.1 AA standards to help visually impaired users. These standards specify that normal text should have a minimum color contrast ratio of 4.5:1.

They also state that touch targets should have at least 44×44 CSS pixels. These accessibility requirements ensure everyone can read your content.

In addition, governments make accessibility compulsory. It becomes legal with standards like ADA, Section 508, and AODA (Canada).

Failure to comply means you are taking legal risks. This can result in lawsuits and fines. It can even damage your brand reputation.

The Limitations of Automated Accessibility Testing Tools

While automated tools are powerful, they can only detect 20-40% of all issues. They are perfect for finding errors in programs. This includes missing alt text and wrong contrast ratios.

Automated checks scan your website’s code. This enables it to point out obvious violations of accessibility rules. However, they can’t check the quality of the user experience. Similarly, they can’t detect issues that require human perception.

For instance, an automated tool will know whether an image has alt text. However, it can’t say if it is the correct description of the content or context of the image.

Due to this, you need to combine automated scans with manual testing and feedback from real users. This will enable you to achieve compliance. This approach allows you to catch technical violations and problems with usability.

Building an Accessible Foundation for Your Digital Presence

You need a platform to create inclusive digital experiences for everyone. This means creating a website or online store to test for accessibility.

But first, you will need to understand web design to create a solid foundation. You will also need to know UX design to deliver a positive user experience. 

Luckily, beginners can start with the best website builders. This tool offers a user-friendly drag-and-drop interface and built-in templates to make it easier. You can get excellent features on top, affordable options like Hostinger and IONOS.

In addition, you will need the best web hosting service to keep your site running. These solutions ensure your site achieves web accessibility compliance.

While all of these sound good, remember to focus on accessibility from the beginning. Think about including everyone when creating your digital presence. This means choosing the right colors, creating dynamic content, and writing alt text for images.

Conclusion

Accessibility testing tools are essential for serving every internet user. By combining automated and manual checks, you can follow the web content accessibility guidelines. You should also use the best website testing tools to ensure accuracy.

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Next Steps: What Now?

Follow these practical steps to test for accessibility:

1. Create a website with good hosting.
2. Identify your accessibility needs.
3. Choose an automated tool to identify issues.
4. Use manual testing to find issues that tools might have missed.
5. Confirm whether all buttons and interactive elements work.
6. Gather feedback from users with disabilities.
7. Improve your website based on this feedback.

Further Reading & Useful Resources

Here are more resources for you:

• Creative 404 Pages: Create a broken link page that improves user experience.
• Fonts for Websites: Use the right fonts to ensure everyone can read your content.
• Icons in Web Design: Use icons to create an inclusive experience.
• Writing Web Content: Create web content that offers a better user experience.
• Updating a Website: Update your website for more visibility and user experience.