The modern web is all about website accessibility. Sites are becoming increasingly friendly to users with impairments. This is achieved by using alternate image descriptions, readable fonts, informative links texts, and so on. Developers and designers strive to make websites accessible, and content editors add their contribution by creating accessible content.
There are many useful websites' accessibility testing tools. We want to share with you a few free and user-friendly ones that can check website accessibility ang give you a good start in checking how accessible your website is. For a full accessibility check and optimization, you can always rely on our web development agency.
What makes website accessibility vital?
Before we move on to website accessibility checking tools, let’s see what makes the question so burning. Here are a few most important reasons why web accessibility check is a must-have:
- Your brand’s reputation
- Insurance against lawsuits
- Audience increase
- Conversion growth
- Better positions in search results
- Readiness for the technologies of the future (Siri, Alexa, Google Assistant, etc.)
- Overall better quality of your website
"A proper accessibility audit isn't just about checking boxes for WCAG compliance. It's about understanding how people with different abilities actually use and navigate your website."
- Léonie Watson, Director of TetraLogical and W3C Advisory Board Member
What Are Accessibility Testing Tools?
Accessibility testing tools are software applications designed to evaluate and identify issues on websites that could hinder users with disabilities. They help ensure that a website complies with accessibility standards, such as WCAG (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines), to provide an inclusive experience for all users. These tools check various aspects like color contrast, keyboard navigation, screen reader compatibility, and more. By using accessibility testing tools, site owners and developers can improve their website’s usability and reach a broader audience.
Free and easy-to-use website accessibility checking tools for websites
1. Accessibility Checker
The Accessibility Checker free tool is meant to check the accessibility of content created in CKEditor and immediately resolve the issues found. The tool has been created by the CKEditor team — the creators of the famous WYSIWYG HTML editor used on millions of websites.
Pros:
- Easy to Use: Simple interface, suitable for beginners with little technical knowledge.
- Detailed Reports: Offers comprehensive breakdowns of accessibility issues and guidelines.
- Multi-Device Support: Checks accessibility for both desktop and mobile versions.
Cons:
- Limited Customization: Does not allow for in-depth custom checks or configurations.
- Basic Free Version: Advanced features often require a premium version.
2. Wave
The WAVE, aka Website Accessibility Evaluation Tool, created by WebAIM, is a family of accessibility checking tools including browser extensions. The main tool allows you to simply submit your URL and get a useful summary. It uses a handy visualization with colors for the accessibility errors, features, alerts, and so on.
Pros:
- Visual Feedback: Highlights issues directly on your webpage, making it easy to understand errors in context.
- User-Friendly Interface: The tool’s visual nature and simple layout make it accessible to non-technical users.
- Chrome and Firefox Extensions: Offers browser extensions for easy and quick checks during site development.
Cons:
- Limited to On-Page Checks: Can’t evaluate dynamic content or test complex interactions.
- No Batch Testing: Cannot test multiple pages or a full website at once without manual effort.
3. AChecker
The AChecker is a website accessibility checking tool created by the Inclusive Design Research Centre of Toronto University. You can submit a URL, upload an HTML file, or paste in your HTML markup directly. It is also possible to select which accessibility guidelines should be used to test your pages.
Pros:
- Open-Source Tool: Free to use, modify, and integrate with your own platforms.
- Multiple Guideline Support: Supports WCAG, Section 508, and other international standards.
- Customizable Guidelines: Allows custom checks based on specific accessibility requirements.
Cons:
- Dated Interface: The UI isn’t as polished, making it harder for non-technical users to navigate.
- Outdated Results: May miss more recent accessibility issues due to limited updates.
4. Functional Accessibility Evaluator
The Functional Accessibility Evaluator (FAE), a free web accessibility checker, checks your entire website or particular web pages against the WCAG. You can choose different rulesets — the more modern HTML5 and ARIA Techniques or the older HTML4 Techniques. The tool evaluates pages by web crawling, creates detailed summary reports, and saves them in your archived report lists.
Pros:
- Comprehensive Evaluation: Provides in-depth analysis focusing on a wide range of accessibility metrics.
- Batch Testing Capabilities: Allows evaluation of entire websites, not just individual pages.
- Actionable Recommendations: Provides clear and specific fixes for accessibility issues.
Cons:
- Steep Learning Curve: Reports can be technical and challenging for beginners.
- Requires Registration: Access to full features may require creating an account.
5. A11Y Color Contrast Accessibility Validator
The A11Y Color Contrast Accessibility Validator (free website accessibility checker) by A11Y Company analyses the color contrast according to the WCAG 2.1 Guidelines. This is vital for visually impaired users.
To get the color contrast accessibility result, you can submit either a web page URL or a chosen color pair. When showing the detailed color contrast issues, the tool also provides recommendations on fixing them.
Pros:
- Precise Color Contrast Checks: Specializes in evaluating color contrast issues, crucial for users with visual impairments.
- Lightweight and Fast: Quick, dedicated tool focused solely on color contrast.
- WCAG Compliant: Checks against current WCAG standards for color contrast ratios.
Cons:
- Limited Scope: Only focuses on color contrast, ignoring other essential accessibility checks.
- No Full Report: Doesn’t generate complete accessibility reports, requiring separate tools for a full audit.
6. Lighthouse
Lighthouse is an open-source, automated tool developed by Google to audit website performance, check accessibility of website, SEO, and more. It’s integrated into Chrome DevTools, making it easy for developers and marketers to run checks directly from their browser.
Pros:
- Comprehensive Audits: Evaluates not only accessibility but also performance, SEO, and best practices.
- Built-in to Chrome: Easily accessible and requires no installation for Chrome users.
- Actionable Insights: Provides clear recommendations with links to resources for fixing issues.
Cons:
- Limited in Customization: Cannot be extensively customized for unique accessibility requirements.
- Basic Reporting: Reports may lack depth and detailed explanations for complex issues.
7. Siteimprove
Siteimprove is a comprehensive web governance platform that offers in-depth insights into accessibility, SEO, performance, and content quality. It’s a paid tool aimed at larger businesses that require automated and ongoing monitoring of their websites.
Pros:
- Automated Monitoring: Provides continuous monitoring of accessibility and other key metrics.
- User-Friendly Interface: Easy-to-read reports with clear explanations of issues.
- Integration Capabilities: Integrates with major CMS platforms for seamless accessibility checks.
Cons:
- Subscription Cost: It is a paid service, which might not be affordable for smaller businesses.
- Complex Setup: Initial configuration and learning curve can be time-consuming for new users.
8. Axe
Axe is an open-source accessibility testing tool developed by Deque Systems, known for its high level of accuracy and integration capabilities. It can be used as a browser extension or integrated into automated testing workflows.
Pros:
- Highly Accurate: Reduces false positives, providing reliable accessibility results.
- Developer-Friendly: Offers browser extensions and integrations with popular testing frameworks.
- Customizable Rules: Allows users to create custom rules for specific accessibility checks.
Cons:
- Technical Reports: Results may be too detailed and technical for non-developers.
- No Comprehensive Reports: Focuses mainly on accessibility, lacking broader site audits like SEO or performance.
Let’s make your website accessible!
Ensuring your website is accessible is not just about following guidelines—it’s about creating an inclusive digital experience for all users. By leveraging these accessibility testing tools, you can identify and resolve issues that may be affecting your audience’s ability to interact with your content. However, accessibility is an ongoing effort, requiring expertise and regular updates to keep up with evolving standards.
These have been just a few website accessibility checking tools for a good start. Our team of web developers, web designers, QA, and SEO specialists is ready to make your website accessible at the professional level. Don’t leave your audience behind — reach out to us today to create a more inclusive and engaging online experience for everyone!
