Introduction 
In todayβs digital age, website accessibility is paramount for reaching a wider audience and ensuring inclusivity. From ensuring that visually impaired users can navigate your site to making it functional for those with other disabilities, accessibility checkers are essential tools for any website owner. Below, weβve meticulously curated a list of the top 10 free website accessibility checkers, each offering unique features and benefits. Whether youβre a graphic designer, YouTuber, or student, these tools can help you create a more accessible and user-friendly website.
1. WAVE Web Accessibility Evaluation Tool 
The WAVE Web Accessibility Evaluation Tool is an exceptional tool developed by WebAIM. Itβs designed to help web developers make their sites more accessible by providing visual feedback about the accessibility of their web content.
Features:
Visual representation of accessibility issues directly on your webpage.
Highlights errors, alerts, features, and structure of the page.
Offers detailed insights and suggestions for each issue identified.
Pros and Cons:
Pros | Cons |
---|---|
Intended Audience: Web developers, designers, and content creators.
Summary: A robust tool for quick and effective accessibility checks with a highly intuitive visual representation.
Star Rating: β
2. axe Accessibility Checker 
The axe Accessibility Checker by Deque Systems is a powerful tool for developers looking for detailed insights into their siteβs accessibility. Known for its accuracy and reliability, axe is highly recommended for both beginners and seasoned professionals.
Features:
Integrates with browsers like Chrome and Firefox.
Detailed reporting and issue tracking.
Automates testing processes with a focus on WCAG 2.1 standards.
Pros and Cons:
Pros | Cons |
---|---|
Intended Audience: Developers, QA testers, and technical SEO specialists.
Summary: An excellent choice for those who require a precise and detailed accessibility assessment integrated within their development environment.
Star Rating:
3. Google Lighthouse 
Google Lighthouse is a versatile, open-source tool thatβs part of the Chrome DevTools. It provides comprehensive audits for performance, accessibility, progressive web apps, SEO, and more.
Features:
Generates detailed reports covering various aspects of web development.
Works with any website, public or requiring authentication.
Offers suggestions for improvement and tracks progress over time.
Pros and Cons:
Pros | Cons |
---|---|
Intended Audience: Web developers, digital marketers, and SEO specialists.
Summary: A multifunctional tool perfect for those seeking a detailed, all-in-one solution for website audits.
Star Rating: β
4. Accessibility Checker by A11Y 
Accessibility Checker by A11Y is a user-friendly tool that helps ensure your website adheres to accessibility standards. The tool is designed to simplify the process of identifying and fixing accessibility issues.
Features:
Provides a comprehensive checklist based on WCAG guidelines.
Generates easy-to-understand reports.
Offers color-coded severity levels for identified issues.
Pros and Cons:
Pros | Cons |
---|---|
Intended Audience: Beginners, bloggers, and small business owners.
Summary: A perfect starting point for anyone new to website accessibility, providing clear guidance and actionable insights.
Star Rating:
5. Siteimprove Accessibility Checker 
The Siteimprove Accessibility Checker is a comprehensive tool that integrates directly into your browser to identify and fix accessibility issues on your site. Itβs known for its robust features and detailed reporting.
Features:
Real-time scanning and issue identification.
Detailed reports and analytics.
Offers solutions and tracks progress over time.
Pros and Cons:
Pros | Cons |
---|---|
Intended Audience: Web developers, project managers, and digital marketers.
Summary: An advanced tool for those who need comprehensive accessibility checks and ongoing monitoring.
Star Rating: β
6. Pa11y 
Pa11y is an open-source accessibility testing tool that offers a suite of features for web developers looking to ensure their websites meet accessibility standards.
Features:
Command-line interface for automated testing.
Dashboard for visual representation of issues.
Supports multiple web standards including WCAG, Section 508, and more.
Pros and Cons:
Pros | Cons |
---|---|
Intended Audience: Experienced developers and technical teams.
Summary: Ideal for those who are comfortable with command-line tools and need extensive customization options.
Star Rating:
7. AChecker 
AChecker is a free online accessibility checker that helps identify accessibility problems based on various guidelines like WCAG 2.0, Section 508, and more.
Features:
Detailed reports on accessibility issues.
Supports multiple guidelines.
Easy-to-use interface for quick checks.
Pros and Cons:
Pros | Cons |
---|---|
Intended Audience: Small business owners, bloggers, and non-technical users.
Summary: A straightforward tool that provides basic accessibility checks suitable for quick assessments.
Star Rating: β
8. Tenon.io 
Tenon.io is a versatile accessibility testing tool that offers both automated and manual testing options. Itβs known for its flexibility and detailed reporting.
Features:
API integration for automated testing.
Detailed issue reports with suggested fixes.
Supports a wide range of guidelines and standards.
Pros and Cons:
Pros | Cons |
---|---|
Intended Audience: Developers, QA testers, and project managers.
Summary: A comprehensive tool ideal for those who need both automated and manual testing options.
Star Rating:
9. tota11y 
tota11y is an accessibility visualization toolkit designed to help developers see how their site performs against various accessibility guidelines.
Features:
Visual representation of accessibility issues.
Easy integration into existing sites.
Supports multiple guidelines.
Pros and Cons:
Pros | Cons |
---|---|
Intended Audience: Web developers and designers.
Summary: A fantastic tool for visually understanding and addressing accessibility issues.
Star Rating:
10. Microsoft Accessibility Insights 
Microsoft Accessibility Insights is a suite of tools for Windows and web applications to help developers find and fix accessibility issues.
Features:
FastPass for quick accessibility checks.
Comprehensive assessments and insights.
Detailed reports with actionable suggestions.
Pros and Cons:
Pros | Cons |
---|---|
Intended Audience: Developers and testers working on Windows and web applications.
Summary: A powerful suite of tools for those who need detailed accessibility insights and solutions.
Star Rating:
Pricing Overview 
All the tools listed offer free versions, but some may have limitations or require a subscription for full access to all features. Check each toolβs website for the most current information on pricing and features.
Conclusion 
Ensuring your website is accessible is crucial for reaching a broader audience and adhering to legal standards. These tools provide a range of options from quick checks to detailed assessments, making it easier to create an inclusive online environment. Choose the one that best fits your needs and start making your website more accessible today!
Comparison Table
Tool Name & Official Website | Features | Pros | Cons | Intended Audience | Summary | Star Rating |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
WAVE Web Accessibility Evaluation Tool | Visual feedback, detailed analysis | Web developers, designers | Robust tool for accessibility checks with intuitive visuals | |||
axe Accessibility Checker | Browser integration, detailed reporting | Developers, QA testers | Precise tool for detailed accessibility assessments | |||
Google Lighthouse | Comprehensive audits, open-source | Web developers, digital marketers | Multifunctional tool for detailed website audits | |||
Accessibility Checker by A11Y | Checklist-based analysis, easy reports | Beginners, bloggers | Clear guidance for website accessibility | |||
Siteimprove Accessibility Checker | Real-time scanning, detailed reports | Web developers, project managers | Advanced tool for accessibility checks and monitoring | |||
Pa11y | Command-line interface, dashboard | Experienced developers | Customizable tool for accessibility testing | |||
AChecker | Online interface, supports guidelines | Small business owners, bloggers | Basic tool for quick accessibility checks | |||
Tenon.io | API integration, detailed reports | Developers, QA testers | Comprehensive tool with automated and manual options | |||
tota11y | Visualization toolkit, easy integration | Web developers, designers | Tool for visual understanding of accessibility issues | |||
Microsoft Accessibility Insights | Suite for Windows and web, detailed insights | Developers, testers | Suite of tools for detailed accessibility assessments |