axe DevTools
Built on axe-core, the open-source engine most other accessibility scanners are built on top of. The browser extension catches a real chunk of WCAG violations automatically.
What is axe DevTools?
axe DevTools is an accessibility testing tool built on axe-core, the open-source engine that powers most other automated accessibility scanners under the hood, including the ones built into Chrome DevTools and Lighthouse. The browser extension runs automated WCAG checks against a live page and flags real violations, not just generic warnings.
Key features
- Built on axe-core, so its rule set is the same engine widely used across the accessibility tooling ecosystem
- Catches a meaningful share of WCAG issues automatically: contrast, missing labels, ARIA misuse, focus order problems
- Guided manual testing flows for the class of issues automated scanning structurally can't catch, like meaningful reading order or genuine keyboard usability
- Browser extension works directly against your running app, not just static markup
- Deque also offers CI-integrated and Pro versions for teams that want accessibility checks enforced in the pipeline
Who it's for
Good baseline for any team shipping a real UI, automated scanning catches real bugs cheaply, but it's a floor, not a ceiling. Passing an automated scan doesn't mean a page is actually accessible, manual testing still matters for anything beyond basic compliance.
Pricing
The browser extension is free; Deque's Pro/enterprise tooling for CI integration and team workflows is a paid product. Check the site for current plans.