Maria Bueno

Posted on Jun 16 • Originally published at dev.to

2025 Guide: Best 10 Accessibility Testing Tools (Automated)

#testing #a11y #automation

Ensuring that digital content is accessible to all users, including those with disabilities, is no longer optional. It's a critical requirement, both legally and ethically. As organizations scale, automated accessibility testing becomes an essential tool in maintaining inclusive digital environments without slowing down development cycles.

Manual audits, while valuable, can be time-consuming and prone to oversight. Automated tools accelerate the process and integrate seamlessly into CI/CD pipelines, helping teams catch and correct accessibility errors early and often.

This 2025 guide highlights ten of the most reliable, feature-rich, and developer-friendly automated accessibility testing tools available today. Whether you're a solo developer or managing a large QA team, these platforms can help you comply better with WCAG, ADA, and other global accessibility standards.

1. axe DevTools by Deque Systems

Highly trusted and widely used in enterprise environments
Axe DevTools is a staple in accessibility testing, trusted by major organizations for its comprehensive scanning engine and developer-friendly browser extensions. Built by Deque Systems, it provides robust integrations with Cypress, Selenium, and Jest.

Notable Features:

WCAG 2.1 Level A, AA, AAA testing support
Integration into GitHub Actions and CI/CD workflows
Chrome, Edge, and Firefox extensions
Offers actionable recommendations for every issue

Its open-source core (axe-core) is also widely adopted in many custom testing stacks.

2. TestEvolve

An emerging star in automated accessibility and functional testing
TestEvolve is quickly gaining attention for its all-in-one automation capabilities. It combines functional testing with accessibility testing, making it a practical choice for QA teams who want to consolidate tools.

What makes TestEvolve stand out:

Visual testing combined with accessibility analysis
Real-time dashboards for monitoring accessibility compliance
Seamless integration with GitLab, GitHub, and Jenkins
No-code/low-code test building features

It’s especially useful for teams looking to balance efficiency with detailed compliance analysis, and it fits well in Agile testing environments.

3. WAVE Accessibility Evaluation Tool

Great for quick audits and educational feedback
WAVE by WebAIM offers both a browser extension and an API for automated scanning. It’s popular with developers and educators alike because of its easy-to-understand interface and color-coded feedback.

Ideal For:

Spot-checking single pages
Educating teams new to accessibility
Understanding content structure and contrast issues
Non-technical users needing accessible insights

While it’s not a CI/CD-integrated powerhouse, WAVE is perfect for quick evaluations and teaching moments.

4. Lighthouse (by Google)

Built into Chrome DevTools and great for front-end audits
Lighthouse is a widely accessible tool built directly into Chrome, designed to assess performance, SEO, and accessibility. It’s perfect for developers needing quick insights while building or modifying web interfaces.

Highlights Include:

Scores accessibility on a 0–100 scale
Identifies missing labels, ARIA issues, and contrast problems
Easy export for reporting
Open-source and continuously maintained by Google

Its ease of access makes it a top tool for front-end developers working in real time.

5. Pa11y

A powerful command-line tool for custom workflows
Pa11y is open-source and widely used by developers who want flexibility. It’s designed to run accessibility tests via the command line and is ideal for integration into automated testing suites.

Key Strengths:

Customizable test runner (Pa11y CI)
Friendly reporting options (HTML, CSV, JSON)
Built for continuous deployment pipelines
Integrates with Headless Chrome and PhantomJS

For technically skilled teams that want a free, customizable option, Pa11y is an outstanding choice.

6. axe Monitor

Enterprise-grade monitoring for continuous compliance
Also from Deque, axe Monitor focuses on large-scale reporting and compliance tracking across multiple properties. It’s ideal for organizations with many domains or digital properties needing centralized oversight.

Best For:

Managing large web portfolios
Automated testing across dev and production environments
Dashboard-driven compliance summaries
Tracking historical progress and risk management

It’s built for scalability and regulatory reporting, especially in finance, healthcare, and government sectors.

7. Siteimprove Accessibility Checker

All-in-one suite with deep analytics and learning support
Siteimprove is not just a testing tool—it’s a full platform for digital accessibility governance. While the Chrome extension offers basic scanning, the full platform delivers deep insights and continuous monitoring.

Benefits Include:

Detailed accessibility issue tracking
WCAG scoring and improvement tracking
Integration with CMS platforms like WordPress, Drupal
Learning modules to upskill teams

For digital marketers and accessibility managers, it offers both oversight and education.

8. Tenon.io

Flexible API-first platform for developers and agencies
Tenon is designed with integration in mind. With a robust API, it's perfect for companies looking to plug accessibility checks directly into their design and development tools.

What You’ll Appreciate:

Real-time issue feedback
Mobile accessibility testing support
Custom rules for tailored testing
Compatible with Jenkins, Travis CI, and more

Tenon gives full control to developers and QA engineers while maintaining detailed compliance feedback.

9. Accessibility Insights by Microsoft

Perfect for dev teams using Windows environments
Developed by Microsoft, Accessibility Insights is an open-source tool with both desktop and browser-based applications. It supports fast tests as well as comprehensive assessments based on WCAG criteria.

Key Functionalities:

FastPass mode for quick issue identification
Assessment mode with guided checks
Exportable reports for audits
Free and backed by Microsoft’s developer community

It’s especially effective in Windows-based environments or Azure DevOps pipelines.

10. AChecker

Great for testing legacy systems and simple HTML
AChecker is a lesser-known but useful tool for quick WCAG compliance checks on older websites. It works well with simple code bases and provides reports that highlight exact code line errors.

Best Use Cases:

Testing outdated or minimal websites
Identifying exact HTML problem areas
Supporting compliance teams with limited tech backgrounds
Batch testing of static pages

While it lacks modern integrations, it remains valuable for specific use cases and legacy platforms.

Final Thoughts

Selecting the best automated accessibility testing tool depends on your workflow, technical expertise, and project size. Some tools, like TestEvolve and axe DevTools, are suited for enterprise-grade applications with CI/CD needs, while options like WAVE or Lighthouse are better for individuals or small teams needing immediate feedback.

Key Considerations: