Google Lighthouse
Automated tool for improving the quality of web pages.
Overview
Google Lighthouse is an automated auditing tool built directly into Chrome DevTools. It allows developers to run a suite of tests against any web page, public or requiring authentication. Its accessibility audit checks for common technical accessibility issues, such as missing alt text, improper ARIA roles, and contrast issues, providing a score and actionable advice for improvement. While not a comprehensive accessibility test, it serves as an excellent first-pass and awareness tool for developers.
✨ Key Features
- Built into Google Chrome DevTools
- Audits for Performance, Accessibility, Best Practices, and SEO
- Provides an accessibility score from 0-100
- Highlights specific issues and provides links to learn more
- Can be run from the command line and in CI/CD pipelines
🎯 Key Differentiators
- Integrated directly into the most popular web browser.
- Provides a holistic view of page quality beyond just accessibility.
- Backed by Google and is completely free.
Unique Value: Provides a free, fast, and incredibly easy way for developers to get a baseline understanding of their site's accessibility and overall quality, directly within their primary development tool.
🎯 Use Cases (4)
✅ Best For
- Performing a quick, automated check for common, low-hanging accessibility issues.
💡 Check With Vendor
Verify these considerations match your specific requirements:
- A complete replacement for manual accessibility testing.
- Testing for issues that require human judgment, such as logical focus order or quality of alt text.
🏆 Alternatives
Unlike specialized accessibility tools, Lighthouse offers a broader set of audits (Performance, SEO) which encourages wider adoption among development teams. It's less comprehensive than paid tools but is the most accessible starting point.
💻 Platforms
✅ Offline Mode Available
🔌 Integrations
🔒 Compliance & Security
💰 Pricing
Free tier: Lighthouse is completely free and open source.
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