But here’s the big question: which tool should you choose? With options like Playwright, Selenium, Cypress, and popular tools like axe and Lighthouse, it can feel like you’re at an all-you-can-eat buffet trying to pick the best dish. Don’t worry—I’ve got you covered!

The Big Players: Playwright, Selenium, and Cypress

Playwright

This tool is like the cool new kid on the block. Playwright is a modern, fast, and reliable testing framework that supports multiple browsers (Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Edge) out of the box. When it comes to accessibility, Playwright integrates beautifully with axe-core (more on that later), letting you run accessibility checks directly within your test scripts.

What I love about Playwright is its simplicity and speed. You can write a single script that works across browsers and platforms, which is a game-changer for accessibility testing. Plus, it’s super developer-friendly, making it easy to incorporate accessibility tests into your CI/CD pipeline.

Selenium

Ah, Selenium—the granddaddy of all testing frameworks. It’s been around for ages and has a massive community backing it. Selenium supports all the major browsers and programming languages, making it a versatile choice.

For accessibility, Selenium itself doesn’t have built-in capabilities, but it plays nicely with libraries like axe-core. However, it can feel a bit clunky compared to newer tools. If you’re already using Selenium and have a well-oiled testing setup, it might still be worth sticking with it. Just know it’s not the fastest horse in the race anymore.

Cypress

If Playwright is the cool new kid, Cypress is its fun-loving cousin. Cypress is super fast and designed specifically for modern web apps. It runs directly in the browser, giving you instant feedback on your tests.

For accessibility, Cypress also integrates well with axe-core. You can add accessibility checks to your test suite with just a few lines of code. However, it’s worth noting that Cypress only supports Chrome-based browsers for now. If cross-browser testing isn’t a deal-breaker for you, Cypress is a fantastic choice.

Accessibility Testing Tools: axe, Lighthouse, and Beyond

axe

If accessibility tools had a rockstar, it’d be axe. Built by Deque Systems, axe-core powers many accessibility testing frameworks, including Playwright, Cypress, and Selenium integrations. It’s open-source, super accurate, and aligns with WCAG (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines).

Why is axe so popular? Because it’s both powerful and easy to use. Whether you’re a developer adding it to your test scripts or just running the browser extension for quick checks, axe makes accessibility testing a breeze.

Lighthouse

Google’s Lighthouse is another heavy hitter. It’s built into Chrome DevTools and focuses on more than just accessibility—it also evaluates performance, SEO, and best practices.

For quick audits, Lighthouse is a great tool. It provides a score and actionable recommendations, making it perfect for catching low-hanging fruit. However, it’s not as thorough as axe, and it’s not designed for continuous integration workflows.

Other Approaches

• Pa11y: A CLI-based tool that’s great for automation and reporting.
• Tenon: Offers API-based testing for flexibility in integrating with other tools.
• WAVE: A visual browser-based tool that’s fantastic for manual spot checks.

Each of these tools has its strengths, so choosing the right one depends on your workflow and needs.

Which Tool Should You Use?

Best for Full Automation

If you’re looking to fully integrate accessibility testing into your development workflow, Playwright or Cypress paired with axe-core is a winning combo. They’re fast, modern, and built for automation at scale.

Best for Legacy Setups

Already using Selenium? You can still integrate axe-core to add accessibility checks without overhauling your workflow.

Best for Quick Audits

Want something lightweight to check your site on the fly? Lighthouse or the axe browser extension are your go-to options.

Best for Visual Spot Checks

WAVE is excellent for manually spotting issues, especially during the design phase.

Final Thoughts

At the end of the day, no single tool will catch every accessibility issue. Automated testing is a fantastic starting point, but you’ll still need manual audits to address more complex problems like keyboard navigation or screen reader compatibility.

That said, combining the right tools—whether it’s Playwright with axe, Cypress, or good ol’ Lighthouse—can save you time, headaches, and ensure your site is inclusive to all users.

So, which one will you pick? Whatever you choose, remember: every step toward accessibility is a step toward making the web a better place for everyone. Happy testing!