axe-core
axe-core is an open-source accessibility testing engine for websites and other HTML-based user interfaces.
What axe-core is
axe-core is an open-source accessibility testing engine for websites and other HTML-based user interfaces. It is designed to run alongside functional tests and integrate with unit, integration, browser, and other testing environments. Its rules address WCAG 2.0, 2.1, and 2.2 at levels A, AA, and AAA, as well as additional best practices. Deque says automated checks find an average of 57% of WCAG issues, with uncertain results marked for manual review. The project describes installation through npm or pnpm and use of the axe.run() API in tests. Supported browsers listed for the API are Microsoft Edge, Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, and Apple Safari; Internet Explorer 11 is deprecated. Chrome and Firefox are tested on every pull request, while JSDOM support is limited and color-contrast checks do not work there. axe-core is free under the Mozilla Public License 2.0. Deque says security updates are available for minor version lines up to 18 months old.
Good
- Covers WCAG 2.0, 2.1, and 2.2.
- Designed to integrate with functional test environments.
- Available under the MPL-2.0 license.
- API browser support lists four major browsers.
Watch out
- Automated checks find an average of 57% of WCAG issues.
- Uncertain results need manual review.
- Color-contrast checks do not work in JSDOM.
- Internet Explorer 11 is deprecated.
Who it suits
axe-core suits developers who want to add automated accessibility checks to tests for websites or other HTML interfaces. Teams should plan for manual review of uncertain results and JSDOM's stated limitations.
Verdict
axe-core provides a free way to include accessibility checks in software tests, while its stated automated coverage leaves issues for manual review. Its test-environment and browser limits are worth checking before adoption.
Plans and prices
From axe-core's own pricing page, checked 11 Oct 2026.
| Plan | Price | What it gives you |
|---|---|---|
| axe-core | Free | Open-source accessibility testing engine · MPL-2.0 license |
The facts
Each one read from axe-core's own pages, with the date it was checked.
What it does
- API access
- Yeschecked 21 Sep 2026
- Automated coverage
- Deque says axe-core finds an average of 57% of WCAG issues automatically and marks uncertain results for manual review.checked 11 Oct 2026
- CI/CD integration
- Yeschecked 21 Sep 2026
- Integration
- The engine is designed to integrate with existing unit, integration, browser and other functional test environments.checked 11 Oct 2026
- License
- axe-core is distributed under the Mozilla Public License, version 2.0.checked 11 Oct 2026
- Maintainer
- Deque says it released axe-core in 2015 and identifies Deque Systems, Inc. as its maker.checked 11 Oct 2026
- Package
- The README shows installation through npm or pnpm and use of the axe.run() API in tests.checked 11 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- axe-core is an accessibility testing engine for websites and other HTML-based user interfaces that can run alongside functional tests.checked 11 Oct 2026
- Scan scope
- pagechecked 21 Sep 2026
- Security updates
- Deque says security updates are available for minor version lines up to 18 months old.checked 11 Oct 2026
- Standards
- Its rules cover WCAG 2.0, 2.1 and 2.2 at levels A, AA and AAA, plus additional best practices.checked 11 Oct 2026
- Vulnerability reporting
- Deque asks researchers to report vulnerabilities by email rather than through public GitHub issues and says it responds within 24 business hours; it has no bug bounty program.checked 11 Oct 2026
- WCAG version
- wcag 2.2checked 21 Sep 2026
Where it runs
- Browser testing limits
- Only Chrome and Firefox are tested on every pull request, and JSDOM support is limited, with color-contrast known not to work there.checked 11 Oct 2026
- Supported browsers
- The API lists Microsoft Edge, Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox and Apple Safari as supported; Internet Explorer 11 is deprecated.checked 11 Oct 2026
The company
- Founded
- 2015checked 28 Sep 2026
- Headquarters
- Herndon, Virginia, USAchecked 28 Sep 2026
- Maker headquarters
- Deque Systems, Inc. lists its address as 13800 Coppermine Road, Herndon, Virginia 20171.checked 11 Oct 2026
Money
- Free plan
- Yeschecked 21 Sep 2026
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