When it comes to creating an inclusive digital experience, web accessibility tools can be your best friend.
However, many businesses still struggle with selecting the right tools, using them effectively, or even using them at all.
This creates a gap that can increase risks, lead to missed opportunities, and even open you up to legal exposure.
In this guide, we’ll take a look at everything you need to know. From what web accessibility tools are, to how they support compliance with standards like WCAG, ADA, and the EAA.
We’ll also offer practical tips and advice on implementing these tools efficiently into your workflows.
What are web accessibility tools?
Let’s get started with the basics.
Web accessibility tools are technologies and software that help to evaluate, optimize, and monitor websites to make them more usable. This is especially true for people with disabilities or impairments.
These tools help assist developers, designers, and compliance officers in spotting and fixing issues such as poor keyboard navigation, missing alternative text, or low color contrast.
They contribute to aligning websites with standards like WCAG 2.1 and help businesses meet obligations under laws like the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the European Accessibility Act (EAA).
Key features to look for in accessibility tools
Choosing the right accessibility tool is all about making sure your website is truly usable for all users.
Because an accessible site is good for everyone, not just those with disabilities.
A good tool will not only help you detect issues but also fit naturally into your development workflow, support different types of accessibility testing, and guide you toward making meaningful improvements to your site.
When evaluating your options, it’s a good idea to prioritize tools that offer:
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Automated and manual testing capabilities: Automated scans can help you catch common issues quickly, while manual testing captures more complex usability barriers.
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Screen reader simulation options: Helps you experience your website the way visually impaired users would.
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Keyboard navigation support checking: Allows users who rely on a keyboard alone to move through your site easily.
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Color contrast analysis: Verifies that text and visual elements meet the minimum contrast ratios for readability.
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Actionable, easy-to-understand reports: Reports that provide clear guidance on whatever issues are found and how to fix them, which reduces any guesswork.
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Compliance checking: Helps to align your site with the major accessibility standards and legal frameworks such as WCAG 2.1, ADA, and EAA.
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Integration with development workflows: Allows accessibility testing to be a part of your build and deployment processes automatically.
There’s no one-size-fits-all tool that will work for everyone.
Different types of accessibility tools serve different needs; more often than not, a combination of tools works best.
Automated web accessibility testing tools
Automated testing tools are great for catching many common accessibility issues quickly, consistently, and easily.
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axe DevTools: A popular browser extension that finds accessibility issues right inside your development environment.
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WAVE Evaluation Tool: A free, easy-to-use browser extension that highlights accessibility errors visually on your webpage.
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Accessibility Insights: A Microsoft tool that offers both fast automated checks and guided manual assessments.
Manual web accessibility evaluation tools
Manual testing complements automation by identifying more complex or subjective issues, like confusing navigation or poor focus order.
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Screen reader testing: Use tools like NVDA or VoiceOver to experience your site from a non-visual perspective and manually spot gaps.
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Manual review of semantic structure: Check headings, landmarks, ARIA roles, and logical tab order directly in the HTML or using browser dev tools.
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Manual keyboard testing: Navigate your site using only the Tab, Enter, and Arrow keys to check keyboard accessibility.
Color contrast checkers
Color contrast tools help make sure your text and visual elements are readable by users with low vision or color blindness.
Screen readers and simulators
Testing with real screen readers helps you to validate how accessible your site’s structure and content really are.
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JAWS: One of the most widely used screen readers globally, often considered to be the industry standard.
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NVDA: A free and powerful screen reader for Windows that lets you experience your website as a visually impaired user would.
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VoiceOver: Apple’s built-in screen reader, perfect for testing how your site performs on MacOS and iOS devices.
Keyboard navigation testing tools
Since many users depend on keyboards instead of mice, good keyboard navigation is important.
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axe DevTools’ keyboard focus tests: Identify missing focus indicators or keyboard traps that can disrupt navigation.
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Manual testing with tab/shift-tab navigation: Manually simulate a complete user journey using only keyboard controls.
How to use web accessibility tools effectively
Accessibility should always be baked into your processes, not treated as an afterthought.
Tools are at their most powerful when they’re used proactively during the development stage. Here are a few ways you can maximize their impact and make your site as accessible as possible:
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Integrate automated checks into CI/CD pipelines: Catch issues early by running accessibility tests automatically during the build and deployment stages.
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Schedule regular manual audits: Manually test critical workflows and pages at key stages of development.
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Prioritize fixes based on impact: Focus first on issues that affect usability the most, like keyboard traps or unreadable text.
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Train your team on accessibility-first principles: Make sure your designers and developers know how to avoid introducing accessibility barriers right from the start.
Free vs. paid web accessibility tools: Which should you choose?
Getting the right solution for you depends on a number of factors, including your budget, site complexity, and compliance exposure.
So let’s take a look at the pros and cons of both free and paid web accessibility tools:
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Free accessibility tools |
Paid accessibility tools |
| Pros |
No cost to use |
Full-site scanning and detailed reports |
|
Great for small websites or early-stage testing |
Continuous monitoring and alerts |
|
Many tools cover basic WCAG 2.1 checks |
Integration with CI/CD pipelines |
| Cons |
Limited depth of testing |
Higher upfront or subscription costs |
|
No continuous monitoring |
May require training to use fully |
|
May miss complex or nuanced accessibility issues |
Sometimes they are bundles with extra features you might not need |
How web accessibility tools help with WCAG, ADA, and EAA compliance
Accessibility tools are still essential for identifying and fixing barriers that can prevent compliance with:
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WCAG 2.1: The gold standard for web accessibility guidelines worldwide.
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ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act): Requires reasonable accommodation for people with disabilities, including digital accessibility.
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EAA (European Accessibility Act): Mandates accessible websites and services for companies offering to EU consumers.
However, if there’s one thing you should remember, it’s that web accessibility tools alone cannot make your site compliant. So these should never be seen as a catch-all solution.
True compliance requires a broader strategy, including design, coding best practices, and ongoing monitoring.
Take the next step on your journey to accessibility
Choosing and implementing the right web accessibility tools is a key part of creating a digital experience that works for everyone – as well as staying ahead of legal requirements like WCAG, ADA, and EAA.
No single tool can ever guarantee full compliance. But by combining automated testing, manual evaluation, and accessibility enhancements, you’ll be well on your way to building a more inclusive, user-friendly, and legally safer website.
Because accessibility isn’t a box-ticking exercise. It’s about improving the experience of all your users.
Need support improving your site’s accessibility?
If you’re looking for a better way to improve your website’s accessibility, iubenda’s Accessibility Solution may be the answer.
It offers an affordable, quick-to-install, and easy-to-use tool designed to help you move closer to creating a better experience for your visitors.
You get:
- Quick installation
- Automated optimization
- User-controlled adjustments
- Continuous improvements
Web accessibility tools FAQs
Web accessibility tools are technologies and software that help evaluate, optimize, and monitor websites to make them more usable for people with disabilities. They support compliance with standards like WCAG 2.1, ADA, and the European Accessibility Act (EAA).
Accessibility tools help identify barriers that can prevent users with disabilities from accessing your website – and they support legal compliance, usability improvements, and better SEO performance.
Free tools are great for basic testing, but often have limitations. Full compliance usually requires a combination of free tools, paid solutions, manual evaluations, and ongoing accessibility improvements.
Automated testing quickly finds common issues using software scans.
Manual testing catches more complex problems, like poor navigation or confusing content, by mimicking real-world user interactions.
Both are essential for a thorough accessibility evaluation.
No, tools alone cannot guarantee compliance. They are valuable aids, but achieving full compliance requires a broader strategy that includes accessible design, development best practices, and continuous monitoring.
Ideally, you should integrate automated accessibility checks into your development pipeline and run manual accessibility audits at key stages – such as after major updates, feature launches, or design changes.
Companies offering products or services to EU consumers must comply with the European Accessibility Act by June 28, 2025. This includes making websites, apps, and digital services accessible to people with disabilities.
iubenda’s Accessibility Solution offers an easy-to-install widget that allows users to adjust accessibility settings like font size and contrast. It can also automatically optimize key accessibility features, helping you move closer to compliance.
