If I were to tell you I'm an expert in productivity extensions for Chrome, you'd naturally assume I'm a poster child for efficiency and focus. The truth is, thanks to ADHD, my expertise is born out of sheer necessity—a desperate attempt to rein in a brain that took one look at the concept of "linear thinking" and said, "Nah, I'd rather juggle flaming chainsaws."
If you want to learn more, please visit our website EXTENTOOL.
Each Chrome extension recommended below has been battle-tested, not by someone who's a pinnacle of productivity, but by someone who's tried them all in a bid to wrangle a wandering mind.
uBlock Origin for blocking ads
Todoist for task management
1Password for password management
Grammarly for writing
Momentum for getting motivated
Inbox When Ready for
Zapier for automating workflows
Tab Manager by Workona for tab management
The Marvellous Suspender for improving computer performance
Consent-O-Matic for auto-handling cookie consent
Scribe for screen capture
Google Keep for note-taking
Noisli for staying focused
Save to Pocket for saving for later
Just Read for removing distracting elements
SponsorBlock for YouTube for skipping sponsored content
Extensity for managing extensions
Our best apps roundups are written by humans who've spent much of their careers using, testing, and writing about software. Unless explicitly stated, we spend dozens of hours researching and testing apps, using each app as it's intended to be used and evaluating it against the criteria we set for the category. We're never paid for placement in our articles from any app or for links to any site—we value the trust readers put in us to offer authentic evaluations of the categories and apps we review. For more details on our process, read the full rundown of how we select apps to feature on the Zapier blog.
If you'd told me 10 years ago that someday I'd be offering unsolicited advice about Chrome extensions like a low-rent tech guru, I would've choked on my Hot Cheetos, laughing you out of the room. Yet here I am, on the cusp of my influencer dreams, recommending internet tools to you instead of lip kits or those terrifying face massagers.
There was no way for me to test every single Chrome extension out there, but I spent time with some solid fan favorites. Besides the ever-important "Does this make me want to throw my computer out of the window?" test, the main criteria are:
Ease of use: Is the extension easy to set up and use? The extension should be user-friendly, with a straightforward and intuitive interface, allowing you to quickly understand how to use it and access its features.
Genuine utility: Does the extension actually make lives easier, or is it just taking up space? The extension should streamline and expedite tasks, saving you time and effort.
Features: Does the extension offer enough features that address the specific productivity needs of the user? Each feature should add value and enhance the functionality of the extension.
RAM usage: Does the extension run smoothly and efficiently without slowing down Chrome? Extensions that consume an excessive amount of memory can lead to decreased productivity and increased frustration. (See the aforementioned "Does this make me want to throw my computer out of the window?" test.)
Security and reliability. You shouldn't give any random developer access to your web browser. Make sure you trust the developers behind any extension you install.
In addition to all that, there's of course my personal preferences, which, since you're a human and I'm a human, are likely different from yours. Productivity is deeply personal, so make sure you find the extensions that work for you—not for me.
uBlock Origin pros:
Free and open source
Offers filters to block irritants beyond ads
Versatile customization options
uBlock Origin cons:
Can be difficult to configure
Interface leaves something to be desired
The irony of a digital marketer using an ad blocker isn't lost on me, but hear me out. While sometimes useful, ads often feel like those vuvuzelas during the World Cup—loud and intrusive. My go-to is uBlock Origin, a free, open source tool that does more than just block ads. It weeds out questionable scripts and sneaky trackers, enhancing my browsing experience and noticeably reducing website loading times.
The design cleverly reveals how many intruders it's fended off per website visit, often soaring into double or triple digits, and since installation (several million in just a few years for me). It also allows me to block other annoyances, like those guilt-tripping anti-ad blocker placeholders. And I can always allow websites I trust—after some recon, of course.
uBlock Origin pricing: Free
Todoist for Chrome pros:
Easy to use
Lightweight, using very little CPU resources
Attractive interface
Todoist for Chrome cons:
Requires sign-up
Free plan is very limited
There are few feelings as satisfying as checking off tasks. Todoist is my to-do list app of choice, and the Chrome extension speeds up the process of adding tasks (including adding websites as tasks). Whichever to-do list you use, there's almost definitely a Chrome extension for it—and it'll save you a lot of time clicking back and forth between apps.
What draws me to Todoist for Chrome is how effortlessly it integrates with my browser, letting me jot down tasks and spur-of-the-moment ideas without throwing a wrench in my workflow. Navigating through my jumble of tasks is a breeze, thanks to its slick, user-friendly interface. Plus, it syncs across all my devices in real time, so my to-do list is always at my fingertips, no matter where I find myself. Despite some limitations in the free plan, the sheer convenience and boost in productivity Todoist for Chrome brings to the table makes it an indispensable tool for anyone on a mission to conquer their to-do list.
Todoist also integrates with Zapier, so you can automatically create tasks based on things that happen in the other apps you use most. Learn more about how to automate Todoist, or get started with one of these pre-made workflows.
Todoist pricing: Free for Beginner plan; $4/month for Pro plan; $6/month for Business plan
1Password pros:
14-day free trial
Very easy to create and manage strong passwords
One-click autofill of login information
1Password cons:
Paid subscription required
Can be expensive for large teams
Like with your to-do list, you'll want the Chrome extension for whatever password manager you use. For me, that's 1Password.
With just one main password, you can retrieve usernames and passwords for any website you frequent, eliminating the hassle of memorizing each one. If you're logging in to a site for the first time, 1Password can efficiently create a complex, unique password and store it in an encrypted vault so you don't have to remember a thing.
In addition to usernames and passwords, the extension saves:
Secure documents and notes
Credit card details
Security questions and answers
Software license keys
Sensitive personal information (bank account details, Social Security number, health insurance info)
1Password even keeps an eye on whether any of your current passwords are weak, reused, or have been involved in a security breach. It's how I found out my Neopets password from the aughts was compromised. On the bright side, maybe now someone will finally feed my starving Poogle.
1Password pricing: $3.99/month for Individual plan; $6.95/month for Families plan with up to 5 accounts; Business pricing scales based on number of users
Grammarly pros:
Writing assistant to help improve quality
Customizable to suit your writing style
Tone detection
Grammarly cons:
Sometimes too nitpicky
Can be disruptive while typing
Even as a writer, I need a little help from my friend, Grammarly. It proofreads everything I write in real time and then provides suggestions for spelling, grammar, punctuation, and even tone. If you're willing to splurge for Premium, it can also improve your vocabulary and clarity.
It saves me time proofreading for basic errors and makes me think deeper about my writing. The Grammarly Chrome extension works on everything from casual social posts to Google Docs. But sometimes, it can get a bit too eager to help, popping up and blocking what I'm trying to click, which can be a tad frustrating when I'm in the zone (but not so frustrating that it makes me want to disable the feature).
Grammarly pricing: Free for basic features; $30/month for Premium; custom pricing for Enterprise
Momentum pros:
Background and quotes update daily
Integrates with other apps
Momentum cons:
Difficult to customize
Limited productivity features compared to other extensions
Momentum transforms every new tab into a personalized dashboard with the time, weather updates, beautiful backgrounds, a to-do list, and a motivational quote, making it one of the more lighthearted and enjoyable apps on this list, even though that's pretty much all it does.
When the day begins, Momentum asks, "What is your main focus for today?" as if I have any hope of achieving anything worthwhile. Each time I open a new tab with the intention of getting distracted, I'm reminded of my goal, which can provide that crumb of dopamine I need to get something done.
Momentum pricing: Free for basic features; $39.96/year for Plus plan
Inbox When Ready pros:
Pauses notifications until a specified time
Customizable settings
Minimizes distractions
Inbox When Ready cons:
May not support all providers
Potential delays in responding to important messages if not managed effectively
Nothing lures me quite like the notification announcing the arrival of yet another . Like a well-trained dog, I instinctively click over, eager to unearth the contents of every new message. I've regained control over my time and focus with Inbox When Ready.
This Chrome extension is like Michelle Pfeiffer in "Dangerous Minds"—a stern yet caring teacher overseeing my reading habits. While I remain free to compose emails and sift through older ones, the temptation of new, unread messages is kept under lock and key. Inbox When Ready works by hiding my inbox by default, only revealing it when I consciously decide to check my emails, ensuring I only get sidetracked when I truly want to be. It's like having a personal bouncer, keeping the distractions out until I say the word.
Inbox When Ready pricing: Free for Basic plan; $48/year for Pro plan
Zapier pros:
Create Zaps without leaving your browser
Run AI-powered actions inside Chrome
Zapier cons:
Premium features require a paid subscription
The Zapier Chrome extension lets you kick off automated workflows with a click of a button from anywhere on the web. Zapier connects to thousands of apps, so in one click, you can do things like save URLs to a spreadsheet without leaving your browser or create tasks, calendar events, or database records straight from Chrome.
With AI-powered actions, you can give Zapier instructions in natural language, and Zapier will use AI to carry them out. It's like having a personal assistant who actually understands what you need. For instance, you could say, "When one of my blog posts is published, my mom so she can finally believe this is a real job." Zapier would then use AI to identify the trigger event (publishing a blog post), create an action, and send it to Mom, all without having to set up complex workflows manually.
Automate the Zapier Chrome extension with (wait for it) Zapier to connect it with other apps in your tech stack. Here are some example workflows to get you started.
Zapier pricing: Free for basic features; $29.99/month for Professional plan; $103.50/month for Team plan; custom pricing for Company plan
Tab Manager by Workona pros:
Organizes tabs into workspaces
Cloud sync across devices
Reduces memory usage by suspending inactive tabs
Tab Manager by Workona cons:
Limited number of workspaces on free plan
Takes time to set up initial workspaces
Having 73 tabs open and crashing the browser is a personal specialty of mine. Tab Manager by Workona offers a semblance of order amidst the chaos—like having a personal librarian for my "research" sessions. Should I find myself engrossed in the riveting world of Rhode Island biker gangs, I can safely archive that 35-tab hoard, pivot to another task with a fresh set of tabs, and then effortlessly circle back when the mood strikes.
What makes Workona one of the more useful Chrome extensions is that it neatly tucks away my chaotic collection of tabs into manageable, searchable "spaces." By grouping tabs into specific spaces, I can designate areas for different projects, activities, or contexts—for example, one space for drafting a blog post, another for performing keyword research, and yet another for Googling why the dishwasher sounds like that.
Within each space, I have access to both open tabs and saved resources, along with sections for notes and task lists. This eliminates the need to manage multiple browser windows and keeps my workflow organized, ensuring that whether I'm handling work-related tasks or personal browsing, everything remains neatly categorized and easily accessible.
You can extend the productivity even more with Zapier's Workona integrations, which let you connect Workona to all your favorite apps. Here are some examples of how to get started.
Tab Manager by Workona pricing: Free for basic features; $9/month for Pro plan; $10/user/month for Teams plan (minimum of three users); custom pricing for Enterprise plan
The Marvellous Suspender pros:
Improves browser performance and saves computer memory
Resumes tabs quickly and easily
Customizable suspension settings
The Marvellous Suspender cons:
May not work perfectly with all websites
You may lose unsaved work on suspended tabs
Rather than taking the proactive step of saving a group of tabs for later with Workona (because who has the energy for that?), this open source Chrome extension is the hero we didn't know we needed.
Instead of letting idle tabs run amok and gobble up your computer's memory, this extension gently puts them to sleep after a certain period of inactivity. It's like tucking your tabs into bed, ensuring they don't drain resources while you're off getting distracted by yet another rabbit hole. A single click is all it takes to bring the desired tab back to life. For those who can't be bothered with the tab-saving formalities, The Marvellous Suspender offers a laid-back solution to keep things zippy.
The Marvellous Suspender pricing: Free
Consent-O-Matic pros:
Automatically handles cookie consent pop-ups
Customizable consent preferences
Open source and privacy-focused
Consent-O-Matic cons:
May not work on all websites
Limited to cookie consents—won't help with other pop-ups
If I had a nickel for every time I've clicked away a cookie consent banner, I'd probably own a small island by now, complete with my own bakery churning out actual cookies. Sure, these banners are there for a good reason—they give us control over our own data—but constantly swatting them away is highly irritating.
Despite its questionable name, Consent-O-Matic lets you surf in peace without sacrificing your data on the altar of convenience. Unlike other extensions that take the "accept all cookies" shortcut, Consent-O-Matic hides those pesky banners and selects the most privacy-friendly options by default (though you can adjust these settings to suit your preference).
The company is the world’s best Extension Tool supplier. We are your one-stop shop for all needs. Our staff are highly-specialized and will help you find the product you need.
It's not perfect—some websites seem to have their own unique brand of consent forms that can trip it up—but for the most part, it works seamlessly in the background. And since it's open source, you can browse the code yourself if you're into that sort of thing. (I'm not.)
Consent-O-Matic pricing: Free
Scribe pros:
Integrates with Google Drive
Supports a variety of formats
Supports multiple languages
Scribe cons:
Accuracy may vary depending on the audio quality
Free tier is limited
Scribe streamlines the process of showing others or even reminding yourself how to execute specific online tasks without getting tangled in long videos. It lets you record your screen, clicks, and keystrokes, and then, like some modern-day scribe (hence the name, I presume), crafts meticulous step-by-step guides, complete with screenshots.
Gone are the days of laboriously penning instructions or fumbling with the screenshot function. Scribe handles the heavy lifting, churning out guides that can be tweaked, stored, and disseminated at will—perfect for those moments when you need to indoctrinate a new recruit or enlighten a client without breaking a sweat.
Scribe pricing: Free for Basic plan; $29/month for Pro Personal plan; $15/user/month for Pro Team plan (minimum of five users)
Google Keep pros:
Integrates with Google ecosystem
Color coding and labeling features
Syncs across multiple devices
Google Keep cons:
Less feature-rich compared to some dedicated note-taking apps
Can be difficult to organize notes
While my thoughts flutter like moths around a dim porch light, this Chrome extension is the proverbial bug zapper. A simple click on the Google Keep icon creates a new note, allowing me to jot down ideas before they flit away, giving some semblance of order to my chaotic mind. I've tried fancy note-taking apps—if you already use a different one, check to see if it has a Chrome extension—but there's a charm in Google Keep's simplicity. It's like a pocket-sized notebook that doesn't carry the risk of going through the wash.
The Google Keep Chrome extension is a dream for anyone who's ever had a brilliant idea while browsing, only to forget it moments later. With just a click on the Google Keep icon, a new note pops up, ready for you to spill your thoughts before they vanish into the ether. You can color-code your notes, add labels, and even include images, making it a versatile tool for all your note-taking needs.
Google Keep pricing: Free with a Google account
Noisli pros:
Customizable soundscapes
Timer feature for work intervals
Can save favorite sound combinations
Noisli cons:
Daily limit and fewer options on free plan
Additional content requires a subscription
I work from home in a modest house, often trapped between a keyboard and whatever period drama my wife has decided to put on in the other room—usually one of the 27 adaptations of "Pride and Prejudice" that seem to exist. Ever try to drown out the dramatic sighs of Elizabeth Bennet with sheer willpower?
Thankfully, I found the Noisli Chrome extension, a customizable background noise generator that's changed the WFH game. At this moment, I've got the clattering of a train paired with a bonfire crackling, which, surprisingly, is not as jarring as you'd expect. What's even cooler is that I can save this quirky sound combo as a favorite for easy access later, and Noisli also offers curated playlists based on different moods, like Productivity or Relax, ensuring there's always the perfect background hum for any situation. If you, too, are at the mercy of the sounds of Colin Firth emerging from that lake, give Noisli a whirl.
Noisli pricing: Free for Basic plan; $12/month for Pro plan; $14/month per user for Business plan (minimum of two users)
Pocket pros:
Organized and clutter-free reading list
Offline reading mode
Tagging and organization features
Pocket cons:
Free plan has limited features
Can be overwhelming if you have a lot of saved content
I often find articles I want to read but aren't relevant to the work I'm doing at the moment. And when I'm being good, I don't read them right then and there—instead, I save them to Pocket. It creates a database of articles I've saved, and I can organize them using tags.
Using the Chrome extension, I can add articles to Pocket with one click. Other read it later apps also have extensions, and it's really the best way to make the most of this kind of tool.
You can also connect Pocket to Zapier and automate all your read-it-later workflows. Learn more about how to automate Pocket, or get started with one of these pre-made workflows.
Pocket pricing: Free for basic features; $4.99/month for Premium
Just Read pros:
Improves readability
Works offline
Just Read cons:
May not work perfectly on all websites, particularly those with complex layouts
Every so often, I'll find myself on a website so cluttered with distractions it's like stumbling upon a GeoCities page from —flashing marquee text, neon-colored fonts, and a mysterious MIDI song playing in the background.
This is why Just Read is a reader view Chrome extension I swear by. This magical tool is like having a digital Marie Kondo, who, instead of asking if that old T-shirt sparks joy, tidies up webpages by banishing the distracting ads, relentless sidebars, and dancing baby GIFs straight into oblivion. The result is a clean, uninterrupted reading zone where the content shines, devoid of all the cluttery chaos.
And for those willing to invest in the premium version, there's even more magic to be had. You can share pages in a customized format, annotate and highlight text, enjoy the luxury of auto-scroll, and use domain-specific content selectors for a truly tailored reading experience.
Just Read pricing: Free for Basic plan; $24/year for Pro plan
SponsorBlock for YouTube pros:
Automatically skips sponsored segments in videos
Customizable skip categories
Track how much time you've saved
SponsorBlock for YouTube cons:
Relies on crowdsourced contributions
Occasional false positives
There's nothing like settling into a YouTube deep dive only for it to be derailed by a creator monologuing about the latest meal kit or VPN service. SponsorBlock for YouTube deftly bypasses those segments so I can get back to the content I came for—GeoGuessr speedruns and "RuPaul's Drag Race" compilations.
Powered by community contributions, users of this extension mark the start and end times of sponsored segments (and intros and outros) in YouTube videos. This info is stored in a freely accessible database, and those segments will be skipped automatically for future viewers.
Since SponsorBlock is tied to a community network, it's not infallible. If no one has marked the sponsorship in a particular video, you'll have to do it yourself. And occasionally, it might skip over content you'd actually want to see. But you can downvote inaccurate submissions to ensure quality.
SponsorBlock for YouTube pricing: Free
Extensity pros:
Quick extension toggling
Profile management
Lightweight and fast
Extensity cons:
Basic, utilitarian interface
Limited customization options
Yes, I included an extension for your extensions.
Extensity adds a simple icon to your toolbar, listing all your installed extensions for easy management. With one click, you can toggle extensions on and off, change their settings, and create profiles for different use cases.
It's not fancy, and it won't organize your extensions into neat folders or offer detailed stats. But it's a straightforward solution to keep your browser running smoothly without making the hard decision about which Chrome extensions to Sophie's Choice.
Extensity pricing: Free
Remember, the productivity extensions for Chrome that I shared here stem from personal preference. The internet is your oyster, and these Chrome extensions are merely a droplet in the ocean of productivity tools out there. Check if your favorite productivity tools have Chrome extensions waiting for you to tap into. The journey to becoming a task-conquering warrior could very well begin with a simple browser add-on.
Related reading:
The best apps to help you focus and block distractions
Neurodivergent? Why you should learn how to automate
The best to do list apps
The best time blocking apps
How to customize Chrome
Chrome keyboard shortcuts you should be using every day
Accessibility testing is a subset of usability testing and a specific kind of software testing that requires software to comply with specific accessibility standards, like WCAG 2.1. To successfully perform accessibility testing, software testers need to have the right expertise and knowledge to ensure that the web content meets various criteria described in these guidelines.
You might be interested in: Top 5 Myths and Facts About Digital Accessibility
To perform accessibility testing more efficiently, software testers use a variety of accessibility testing tools and browser extensions to cover various components and functionalities. Accessibility extensions can also be applied to multiple browsers and are all simple to use. In fact, using accessibility extensions is a fast and efficient way for testers to track accessibility issues and for developers to confirm the accuracy of their work. Accessibility testers need to evaluate the results obtained from these tools and extensions manually. To do this, they use keyboard navigation, screen readers, adaptive switches, and logical thinking to see whether guidelines are met or not.
In this blog post, we will analyze and compare 7 accessibility extensions for Google Chrome, helping software testers learn more about the extensions and help them choose the best ones for their accessibility testing needs. We will analyze the extensions’ overall functionality, explore what success criteria they cover, and highlight their benefits.
Axe DevTools is a browser extension for Chrome, Firefox and Edge. Though it is primarily used for web testing, it can also be used for testing iOS and Android mobile devices. Apart from testers, developers also usually use this tool during the development process to find and fix issues.
This accessibility browser extension allows you to scan the area that you want to check. You can either scan the whole page or scan a specific part of it. When scanning is complete, the selected area is deeply analyzed, and the issues found are presented in a report.
Axe DevTools shows the priority/severity level of every issue detected. Users can highlight the issues and see where they actually appear on the page. Additionally, they can inspect the issues or get more information about them, like how they can be fixed, what the underlying problem is, and which WCAG criteria they are related to. Axe DevTools allows users to save, share, or export the results. All issues found are real.
Furthermore, what is interesting about this accessibility extension is that it can do intelligent guided testing (IGT) using machine learning. Intelligent guided accessibility tests can be used for issues related to tables, keyboard navigation, modal dialogs, interactive elements, structure, images, and forms. When the user selects one of these functionalities to test, the intelligent guided testing feature analyzes the screen according to the chosen functionality and provides a set of simple questions about the content and an answer format for the user. The user answers the questions as instructed, and the issue reports are based on the user’s answers.
Axe DevTools can detect up to 80% of digital accessibility issues and cover the following WCAG criteria:
Accessibility Insights for Web is a Chrome accessibility extension that is used by software testers and developers to find and fix accessibility issues.
This accessibility extension supports two main scenarios—FastPass and assessment. FastPass is a lightweight, two-step process that uses automated checks to detect the most common accessibility issues. However, all issues must be checked manually. One of the good things about this accessibility testing tool is that for every failed instance, the extension provides useful information about the element. Specifically, you can highlight the issue, get detailed information about the issue and how it can be fixed, and find out which accessibility criterion was violated. FastPass also provides assisted testing for tab stops which allows testers to examine keyboard navigation, keyboard traps, focus indicator, the tab order, and input focus issues. The tester follows the instructions provided in the tab stops screen and uses various keyboard shortcuts, like TAB / Shift + TAB key, and arrows.
The second scenario, assessment, is a process that includes automated checks and 24 manual tests. The manual tests are usually assisted. The checking involves using keyboard navigation. One test can cover one or more requirements, but with this scenario, all success criteria from WCAG 2.1 AA are covered. Every test includes guidance that explains why the test matters, the dos and don’ts of design guidelines, links to relevant WCAG success criteria, sufficient techniques, and common failures. To learn more about the requirements, users can select the ‘Info and examples’ link, which contains various information.
The Accessibility Insights for Web covers the following WCAG 2.1 AA success criteria:
The Siteimprove Accessibility Checker is another a11y extension for Chrome that includes testing for various criteria. Though the extension provides instant analysis, the tester can filter the results by their conformance level, difficulty level, responsible person, and element type. Every issue can be reviewed so testers can get detailed information about the issue, for example, why it is an issue, which success criterion it is connected to, which type of disability it affects, and information about the occurrence of the issue with examples of how the issue can be fixed. The extension also allows users to view the content from the perspective of different types of color blindness.
The Siteimprove Accessibility Checker covers the three levels of WCAG, WAI-ARIA authoring practices and accessibility best practices. Testers can choose between specific standards or can apply all of them during the filtering process.
Google Lighthouse is an open-source auditing tool that is used to measure and improve the quality of web pages. It can be run in Chrome Developer Tools. Apart from accessibility audits, Google Lighthouse also provides audits for performance progressive web apps, SEO, and more, so it is a good choice if you want to perform a combination of audits. Additionally, when a report is generated, it contains detailed information about the web page.
Google Lighthouse generates a detailed report about the issues found and the average number of different checks made during the checking process. It includes information on the number of checks that have failed, passed, and information about additional items that should be manually checked. Furthermore, the report explains why the issue occurs, how the HTML element is presented, how the issue can be fixed, and which success criteria it is associated with.
Google Lighthouse evaluates web pages against the following WCAG success criteria:
The Color Contrast Analyzer is a Chrome accessibility extension that analyzes text color contrast based on WCAG 2.0 color contrast requirements—specifically 1.4.3 Contrast (Minimum), and 1.4.6 Contrast (Enhanced).on all conformance levels.
Using the Color Contrast Analyzer you can analyze a portion of a web page, all of the visible contents of a tab, or an entire web page. Furthermore, from the option menu, you can choose the conformance level—either AA or AAA level—and select the pixel radius to analyze adjacent pixels. When the analysis is complete, the image is displayed with a mask which can also be hidden. The elements with low contrast, according to the selected conformance level, are shown on the underlying page and aren’t outlined in the output mask. All other elements with enough contrast are outlined in the output mask, providing you with all of the necessary information about the issues detected.
Another great Chrome accessibility extension is ARIA DevTools, which is specifically designed for checking ARIA. ARIA—or Accessible Rich Internet Applications—refers to a set of roles and attributes that describe how to increase digital accessibility and make web content and web applications more accessible to people with disabilities.
ARIA DevTools allows you to view your website as it is presented by screen readers. All page elements—headings, images, tables, forms—are displayed based on their ARIA roles. The page elements are presented in a list, providing users with detailed information about every single page element. The extension provides information on missing ARIA labels, misused ARIA roles, and incomplete keyboard support.
The main success criteria that are covered by the ARIA DevTools accessibility extension are:
Another great accessibility tool that is primarily focused on following a11y standards and regulations is the EqualWeb Accessibility Checker. It is also a Chrome extension that is used for auditing and WCAG 2.1 validation. The extension is designed by EqualWeb, the only company that is recognized by the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) to be fully compliant with WCAG 2.1, ADA, AODA, European Union EN 301 549 standards, and Section 508 guidelines.
The results from the analysis are shown in the form of a summary. The summary contains the found errors, notices, warnings, and there is also a separate section for contrast errors. Users can open every issue and get detailed information about the issue, the criteria that were violated, how to fix the issue, information about the element, and so on. In addition, the results can be scanned and compared using an extra widget, the remediation tool, which can also be implemented but is not obligatory.
This tool validates all success criteria from WCAG 2.1 on all three conformance levels: A, AA, and AAA.
Accessibility extensions provide developers and testers with valuable insights into a web page's performance. With the help of accessibility testing tools, these browser extensions highlight potential problems, such as color contrast errors or missing alt text. They’re perfect for manual or automated accessibility testing workflows.
Ensuring web accessibility requires a mix of strategies to cover all bases. Here are some key approaches to make your accessibility testing more effective:
Ensure all web applications and web pages are fully navigable using a keyboard. Test keyboard shortcuts, tab order, and focus indicators to avoid keyboard traps.
Example: Use Accessibility Insights to perform a two-step process for testing keyboard accessibility.
Poor color contrast can make web content inaccessible to users with visual impairments. Use tools like Color Contrast Analyzer to test contrast ratio and ensure compliance with WCAG 2.1.
Example: Analyze adjacent pixels to identify contrast errors and improve readability.
Incorporate assistive technologies like screen readers and voice typing into your testing process. This helps ensure your web content is usable for people with disabilities.
Example: Use ARIA DevTools to check if page elements are properly labeled.
The best way to ensure web accessibility is to involve users with disabilities in your testing process. Their feedback can reveal accessibility issues that tools might miss.
Example: Conduct usability testing with screen reader users to identify navigation challenges.
Combining manual tests with accessibility testing tools creates a robust testing process. Automated tools cover large-scale checks, while manual testing addresses sensitive web pages and user-specific concerns like keyboard traps.
Example: Use Accessibility Insights for automated checks, then manually test keyboard navigation and screen reader compatibility.
Adhering to WCAG guidelines is non-negotiable for creating accessible digital spaces. Using tools that evaluate dynamically generated content, such as google drive pages or local files, ensures inclusivity for all users.
Example: Run a wave report to identify contrast errors and ensure color combinations meet WCAG 2.1 AA standards.
Accessibility testing tools like Axe DevTools and Siteimprove Accessibility Checker scan web pages for accessibility issues such as contrast errors, missing alt text, and keyboard traps. They provide visual feedback and detailed reports to help developers fix accessibility issues.
Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) are international standards for web accessibility. They ensure web content is accessible to people with disabilities. Tools like Accessibility Insights and Google Lighthouse help evaluate success criteria like 1.4.3 Contrast (Minimum) and 2.1.1 Keyboard.
Yes, tools like Google Lighthouse and Axe DevTools can evaluate password-protected or sensitive web pages. Ensure you configure the tools correctly to access and test these pages.
False positives occur when automated accessibility testing tools flag issues that aren’t actual accessibility issues. Tools like Wave Extension and Accessibility Insights help reduce false positives by providing detailed wave reports and visual feedback.
Screen readers interpret page elements and read them aloud for visually impaired users. Tools like ARIA DevTools ensure web content is compatible with screen readers by checking ARIA roles and labels.
The primary standard is the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG), which is divided into three levels:
In this blog post, we explored the key features of 7 must-have accessibility extensions for Google Chrome. Looking at each extension, we can conclude that there are extensions that cover all or multiple success criteria, while there are also some that are specifically designed for just one or a few specific success criteria. Nevertheless, most of the extensions cover criteria on A and AA conformance levels, as most accessibility assessments are based on WCAG 2.1 recommendations.
Here is a comparison of the 7 accessibility extensions and their capabilities:
From our analysis, most of the a11y extensions cover the following success criteria:
On the other hand, the least covered success criteria are related to time-based media and:
When it comes to choosing the right extension for your accessibility testing needs, it comes down to what regulations you want to meet as well as your users’ needs. Nonetheless, using any of these 7 accessibility extensions will prove valuable when performing accessibility testing and checking regulatory compliance.
The great thing about these extensions is that they immediately provide us with results, help us detect defects and problematic areas, and give us detailed information about the defects found. Therefore, we can get an overall view of the product regarding accessibility.
However, we highly recommend using more than one extension with a different functionality. Also, for the most accurate results, remember to combine automated and manual evaluation.
Do you want to check the accessibility of your software and make sure it complies with relevant standards and regulations? Learn more about our accessibility consultancy, testing, and auditing services or contact us for more details.
If you are looking for more details, kindly visit Extension Pole.