axe-core
axe-core: A focused page-analysis engine for adding WCAG checks to developer test workflows. Ranked #14 of 129 in Website Accessibility Tools by our editors (7.7/10); pricing: Free plan; best for developers embedding accessibility rules in tests.
At a glance
- Editor score7.7 / 10
- PricingFree plan
- Best forDevelopers embedding accessibility rules in tests
- Free planYes
- Paid fromFree
- WCAG versionWcag 2.2
- Founded2015 · Herndon, Virginia, USA
- Facts checked21 Sep 2026
Where it wins
- Supports WCAG 2.0, 2.1, and 2.2 accessibility rules
- Structured results separate passes, violations, incomplete items, and inapplicable rules
- Works with iframes, open Shadow DOM, major browsers, CLI testing, and CI tooling
Where it doesn't
- Primarily analyzes rendered pages rather than providing complete monitoring
- Does not include recurring scheduled scans as a hosted service
- No browser extension is provided for axe-core itself
Our verdict on axe-core
axe-core is an open-source JavaScript accessibility testing engine for websites and other HTML-based user interfaces. It is aimed at developers and testing teams that want automated accessibility checks inside unit, integration, browser, or other functional tests. The library analyzes rendered page content through the axe.run API and returns structured JSON results, making it suitable for workflows that need machine-readable findings alongside test output.
Its strongest fit is a developer-oriented testing ecosystem. axe-core supports configurable rules, checks, reporters, standards, and locales, with mappings for WCAG 2.0, 2.1, and 2.2. It can test nested iframes and open Shadow DOM, and supports Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Edge. Integrations include unit testing, integration testing, browser testing, Selenium, Puppeteer, and CI tooling. Page testing is also available through @axe-core/cli, giving teams a command-line path for CI workflows and other automated checks.
The trade-off is scope. axe-core is a page-analysis engine and developer library, not a hosted website-scanning service. It does not provide recurring scheduled scans or a browser extension for axe-core itself. That makes it a strong choice for teams embedding accessibility rules into existing test suites and release processes, particularly when configurable results and CI integration matter. Organizations seeking a complete monitoring product with hosted scanning workflows should choose a broader alternative instead.
Your product? Our editors can test axe-core in depth and publish a review, labelled as paid · from $149/mo →
axe-core pricing
axe-core fact sheet
| Free plan | Yes |
|---|---|
| Paid from | Free |
| WCAG version | Wcag 2.2 |
| Scan scope | Page |
| Scan limit | Not verified |
| Scheduled scans | Not verified |
| Browser extension | Not verified |
| CI/CD integration | Yes |
| API access | Yes |
| Deployment | Self-hosted |
| Platforms | Web |
| Support | Docs |
| Built for | Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise (editorial estimate) |
| Integrations | 4 integrations: JavaScript testing environments, Selenium, Puppeteer, Playwright |
| Pricing | Free plan |
| Website | github.com |
| Facts checked | 21 Sep 2026 |
axe-core integrations
axe-core lists 4 integrations on its own site.
- JavaScript testing environments
- Selenium
- Puppeteer
- Playwright
Alternatives to axe-core
- Octopus Scanner (formerly A11y Scanner)A free desktop scanner for detailed local audits of complex websites.9.3
- WAVEA flexible accessibility suite spanning free page checks, browser extensions, APIs, and CI workflows.9.1
- IBM Equal Access Accessibility CheckerA technically focused toolkit for browser, batch, and CI/CD accessibility checks.9.0
See all axe-core alternatives →
Also Ranked In
axe-core is ranked in 4 of our directories.
Used axe-core? Be the first to review it
The editor score above is our own research. What this page doesn't have yet is a reader's view — what you used axe-core for, what worked and what didn't. No stars are seeded and no review is paid for; an editor reads every one before it appears.
Write a reviewTwo minutes · verified accounts only · read by an editor before it appears
Featured on iTechGuides
axe-core is listed in our Website Accessibility Tools directory. Add the badge to your site — it links back to this page.
<a href="https://www.itechguides.com/products/axe-core/"><img src="https://www.itechguides.com/best/badge/axe-core.svg" alt="Featured on iTechGuides" width="230" height="46"></a>
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. Bought places stand at the number bought; this page and our disclosure say so. Paying vendors may get a fuller, more detailed review from our editors, and that review can change their score. How we rank.
Last updated · How we research and update