Free WCAG Compliance Scanner

How the TestGuild Accessibility Scanner Works

The TestGuild Accessibility Scanner is a free WCAG compliance tool that analyzes a live web page against the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines. Paste any public URL and the scanner loads the page in a real browser environment, runs automated accessibility checks, and returns a prioritized report—typically in about 30 seconds.

For each issue, you get more than a rule ID. Results include a screenshot with the failing element highlighted, a plain-English explanation of the user impact, suggested fix ownership (developer, designer, or tester), and ready-to-use test code for Playwright, Cypress, or Selenium. That combination helps teams move from detection to remediation without decoding WCAG jargon or rebuilding checks from scratch.

Because the scanner is built for testers and developers, it also supports CI/CD workflows. You can copy generated snippets into your suite or use the provided GitHub Action configuration so accessibility regressions are caught before they reach production.

WCAG 2.0 vs 2.1 vs 2.2: What Changed?

WCAG is the international standard used to evaluate whether websites and apps are accessible to people with disabilities. Most legal and procurement requirements reference WCAG Level A or AA. Understanding the differences between versions helps you choose the right compliance target.

• WCAG 2.0 (2008) established the foundation: four principles (Perceivable, Operable, Understandable, Robust) and success criteria covering topics like text alternatives, keyboard access, contrast, and semantic structure. Many older policies still cite WCAG 2.0 AA.
• WCAG 2.1 (2018) added criteria focused on mobile accessibility, low vision, and cognitive disabilities. Notable additions include orientation, reflow, text spacing, content on hover or focus, and label-in-name requirements. WCAG 2.1 AA became the common target for many organizations and accessibility laws.
• WCAG 2.2 (2023) builds on 2.1 with additional success criteria that improve experiences for people with cognitive and learning disabilities, users of mobile devices, and people with low vision. Updates include focus appearance and not obscured by sticky headers, dragging alternatives, accessible authentication, and consistent help. Testing against WCAG 2.2 AA is the strongest current baseline for most teams.

The TestGuild Accessibility Scanner targets WCAG 2.2 AA, so newer criteria are included alongside the earlier 2.0 and 2.1 requirements that still apply. If your organization must demonstrate compliance with an older policy, a 2.2 AA scan still covers the shared criteria from earlier versions while giving you visibility into newer gaps.

Why Automated Accessibility Testing Is Only the First Step

Automated accessibility scanners are excellent at finding consistent, machine-detectable issues: missing alternative text, insufficient color contrast, unlabeled form fields, empty buttons or links, incorrect heading order, and many ARIA misuse patterns. Industry research commonly estimates that automation can catch roughly 30–40% of WCAG failures. That makes scanners invaluable for speed, coverage, and regression prevention—but not a complete substitute for human evaluation.

Manual testing is still required for experiences that depend on context and judgment. Examples include whether alt text is meaningful (not just present), whether keyboard focus order matches the visual flow, whether error messages are understandable, whether complex widgets behave correctly with a screen reader, and whether users with cognitive disabilities can complete real-world tasks. Assistive technology walkthroughs, keyboard-only testing, and usability sessions with people with disabilities uncover issues no rule engine can fully automate.

The practical approach is layered: use a free WCAG accessibility scanner like TestGuild's for fast feedback on every change, then follow up with manual checks and assistive technology testing before major releases. Automation reduces noise and prevents regressions; human testing confirms that the experience is actually usable. Together, they form a durable accessibility compliance process—not a one-time audit.