
Axe DevTools Pro is a comprehensive development suite that offers a wide range of tools for web and mobile development.
It provides a suite of accessibility testing tools, including a color contrast analyzer and a screen reader simulator.
Axe DevTools Pro also includes a visual regression testing tool, which allows developers to identify visual changes in their application's UI.
This tool can help developers catch visual bugs early in the development process, reducing the time and effort required to fix them.
For another approach, see: Rapid Web Application Development Tools
Free Trial Options and Getting Started
If you're new to axe DevTools Pro, getting started can be a bit overwhelming. We offer four free trials of our accessibility testing tools to help you get familiar with our features.
You can start with the axe DevTools Extension, which offers interactive testing right in your browser.
Our free trials are designed to be easy to use and understand. You can test any app on iOS, Android, or other cross-platform technology using the axe DevTools Mobile trial.
For your interest: Axe Devtools
For static code analysis, the axe DevTools Linter trial is a great option. It stops accessibility bugs immediately, so you can catch issues before they become major problems.
If you're looking to integrate our tools into your existing end-to-end tests, the axe Developer Hub trial is a good place to start.
Here are our free trial options at a glance:
- axe DevTools Extension: Interactive testing in your browser.
- axe DevTools Mobile: Test any app on iOS, Android, or other cross-platform technology.
- axe DevTools Linter: Static code analysis stops accessibility bugs immediately.
- axe Developer Hub: Integrate into your existing end-to-end tests easily.
Web and Mobile Development
With axe DevTools Pro, you can shift left with accessibility, catch issues while they are cheapest to fix, improve productivity, and deliver ROI.
You can get the widest web and mobile coverage – fast, by finding and fixing 80% or more of your web issues with unparalleled automation and Intelligent Guided Tests (IGTs).
This means you can have peace of mind with consistent results across tools, and avoid wasting time on false positives.
Web and Mobile
Web and mobile development is a crucial aspect of creating accessible and functional experiences for everyone, including people with disabilities.
You can shift left with accessibility and catch issues while they are cheapest to fix. This approach can improve productivity and deliver ROI.
Finding and fixing issues on the web and mobile can be a challenge, but with the right tools, you can find and fix 80% or more of your web issues with unparalleled automation and Intelligent Guided Tests (IGTs).
Web development teams can understand and pinpoint accessibility issues in the context of a fully rendered page, which can help identify and fix problems more effectively.
The goal of accessibility testing for web applications is to make sure that websites deliver highly functional, bug-free, and accessible experiences across browsers and devices.
Native mobile apps also require accessibility testing to ensure that there are no issues within the app across a wide range of Android and/or iOS devices.
Suggestion: Free Website Accessibility Checker
Web Development Teams
Web development teams can benefit from using axe DevTools, which helps them understand and pinpoint accessibility issues in the context of a fully rendered page. This is especially useful for teams who want to improve productivity and deliver results quickly.
Axe DevTools offers a range of features that make it easy to identify and fix accessibility issues. For example, it allows teams to test in pull requests, which means they can catch issues early on and avoid costly rework.
Here are some benefits of using axe DevTools for web development teams:
- Understand and pinpoint accessibility issues in the context of a fully rendered page.
- Test in pull requests to catch issues early on.
By using axe DevTools, web development teams can improve the accessibility of their websites and applications, which is essential for delivering a great user experience. With axe DevTools, teams can also share results, track reports, and customize rules to fit their needs.
Supported Browsers
If you're planning to develop a website or mobile app, it's essential to know which browsers are supported. Microsoft Edge v40 and above, Google Chrome v42 and above, Mozilla Firefox v38 and above, and Apple Safari v7 and above are all supported browsers.
We regularly test each browser, but only Chrome and Firefox are currently tested on every pull request. This ensures that our development process is efficient and effective.
Discover more: Firefox Inspect Element
Here's a list of supported browsers:
- Microsoft Edge v40 and above
- Google Chrome v42 and above
- Mozilla Firefox v38 and above
- Apple Safari v7 and above
- Internet Explorer v11 (DEPRECATED)
Note that we have limited support for JSDOM, and while we attempt to make all rules compatible, some features may not work as expected. For example, the color-contrast rule is known not to work with JSDOM.
API Package Contents
The API Package Contents is a crucial part of web and mobile development, and it's essential to understand what's included in this package.
The API package contains two main files: axe.js and axe.min.js.
Axe.js is the JavaScript file that should be included in your web site under test, providing the API functionality.
Axe.min.js is a minified version of the axe.js file, optimized for performance.
To get started with the API, you'll need to include one of these files in your project.
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Testing and Quality
Automating code quality policies can be a game-changer, especially when it comes to accessibility. Enforce policies, track changes, deduplicate issues, and understand whether a code change made your product more or less accessible.
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Automated accessibility testing tools are a great way to reduce the volume of manual tests you need to do. They enable testers to focus on more complex issues that can't be detected automatically.
By using Intelligent Guided Tests (IGTs) and other semi-automated tools, you can streamline your testing process and free up time for more in-depth manual testing.
Digital vs Manual Testing
Digital testing tools are a game-changer for testers. They enable testers to reduce the volume of manual tests they have to do without machine assistance.
Automated accessibility testing tools can't replace manual testing entirely. Testers can focus manual testing efforts on more complex issues that can't yet be detected automatically.
The key is to use a combination of both digital and manual testing methods. This allows testers to identify and fix issues more efficiently.
For example, Intelligent Guided Tests (IGTs) and other semi-automated tools can help streamline the testing process. They can detect some accessibility issues, freeing up testers to focus on more complex problems.
By using digital testing tools effectively, testers can save time and resources. They can also ensure that their applications are more accessible and user-friendly.
Why Do Evinced and Other Tools Claim to Catch More Issues?
Some vendors want you to believe that always flagging "more issues" is better, but this can lead to false positives.
False positives are a major problem, evident in comparative reviews with accessibility experts who participate in setting the WCAG standards.
These false positives can lead to dev team testing abandonment and wasted time.
False positives undermine the credibility of accessibility team leaders who recommend these tools and practices.
Accessibility and Compliance
Accessibility and Compliance is crucial for any website or application. Axe DevTools Pro ensures you're meeting these requirements with its comprehensive ARIA support, covering a wide range of roles and attributes.
For a complete list of supported ARIA roles and attributes, refer to axe-core ARIA support. This will give you a clear understanding of what axe DevTools Pro can do.
Deque's Enterprise Suite of Accessibility Tools, which includes axe DevTools Pro, offers a range of features to help you achieve compliance. These include axe DevTools, axe Auditor, and axe Monitor.
Here's a brief overview of each tool:
Does Replace Screen Reader Testing?
Screen readers like JAWS, NVDA, and VoiceOver are essential for people with low or no vision, and many users rely on them.
These screen readers are not replaced by automated and semi-automated tests, which can only eliminate a large percentage of issues.
Manual testing with screen readers is still required to ensure all potential issues are addressed.
JAWS, NVDA, and VoiceOver are used by many people, so it's crucial to include manual testing with these screen readers in your accessibility plan.
Making Apps More Accessible
Axe is a powerful tool for finding and fixing accessibility issues in apps. It's open source and returns zero false positives, making it a reliable choice for developers.
Axe supports a wide range of ARIA roles and attributes, ensuring that your app is accessible to users with disabilities. For a complete list, refer to axe-core ARIA support.
Deque's Enterprise Suite of Accessibility Tools offers a range of solutions for making apps more accessible. These include axe DevTools, axe Auditor, and axe Monitor.
axe DevTools allows development teams to find and fix accessibility issues while they code, making it a valuable addition to any development workflow.
The axe suite is highly configurable, allowing teams to tailor their accessibility testing to their specific needs. It also integrates with existing functional and automated tests, making it easy to incorporate into your development process.
Here are some of the key features of the axe suite:
Axe is actively supported by Deque Systems, a major accessibility vendor, ensuring that you'll have the support you need to make your app more accessible.
Updates & Security
Axe-core, a tool for accessibility testing, has a regular release schedule that ensures you stay up-to-date with the latest features and security patches. New minor releases are issued every 3 to 5 months, which is a great reason to schedule regular upgrades.
These updates often introduce new rules and features that can improve your testing process and help you catch more accessibility issues.
To stay secure, Axe-core provides security updates for minor version lines up to 18 months old. This means you can rely on the tool for a good amount of time without worrying about security vulnerabilities.
If you're curious about the frequency of releases or the types of changes introduced, I recommend checking out the release and support details. This will give you a better understanding of what to expect from each new version.
Here are some key points to keep in mind when it comes to upgrading Axe-core:
- See release and support for details on the frequency of releases, long-term support and recommendations on upgrading axe-core.
- See backward compatibility for details on the types of changes different releases may introduce.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is axe DevTools free?
Yes, axe DevTools is a free browser extension. It's a fast and lightweight testing tool that's powered by the world's most trusted accessibility testing engine, axe-core.
How to use axe DevTools in Chrome?
To use axe DevTools in Chrome, click "Inspect" to open the Chrome Devtools window and select the scanning options. From there, sign in with your email and choose to scan a specific part of your page.
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