Freedom251 › Accessibility Testing Software
Ariada
What Ariada is
Ariada is an open-source set of accessibility tools and rule packs for checking websites against WCAG 2.2 AA and European Accessibility Act requirements. Its reusable GitHub Actions workflow scans public site pages and can create an accessibility statement and machine-readable evidence files. Coverage combines WCAG checks with EAA sectoral rules for e-commerce checkout, banking digital channels, accessibility statements, and Nordic-language locales. Evidence files include VPAT 2.5 INT and accessibility.json, with violations linked to WCAG success criteria and EN 301 549 clauses. A bundle also gives an advisory estimate of potential euro exposure across 11 EU member states to help prioritize remediation; it is not legal advice. Package adapters are listed for Jest, Vitest, Mocha, Playwright, and Cypress. Ariada’s modules are free under the EUPL-1.2 license, and the workflow needs no Ariada account or API key. Hosted scans reach public URLs from a GitHub-hosted runner, but examine a static page state rather than interacting with controls or logged-in views.
Who it suits
Ariada suits teams seeking automated accessibility checks integrated into GitHub Actions, alongside evidence files and remediation guidance. Its hosted workflow is intended for public pages rather than intranet, VPN-only, or logged-in sites.
What it does well
- Free modules under the EUPL-1.2 license
- Scans WCAG 2.2 AA and EAA requirements
- Produces VPAT 2.5 INT and accessibility.json files
- Adapters listed for five testing frameworks
What to know first
- Hosted scans cover public URLs only
- Scans do not interact with controls or logged-in views
Plans
| Plan | Billed and limits | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Ariada open-source modules | All six listed surfaces are free · EUPL-1.2 | Free |
As ariada.org lists them, read 12 Oct 2026. The maker's own page has the final word.
Verdict
Ariada combines accessibility rules, workflow automation, and evidence generation without requiring an account or API key. Its static, public-page scan scope may not fit sites that require interaction or private access.
Facts from Ariada's own pages
- Automated scans
- Yes · ariada.org, 25 Sept 2026
- Browser extension
- The Chrome side panel runs a multi-domain compliance scan on the active tab locally, covering accessibility, privacy, security, AI-readiness, structured data, and sustainability. · ariada.org, 12 Oct 2026
- CI/CD integration
- Yes · ariada.org, 25 Sept 2026
- CI workflow
- Its reusable GitHub Actions workflow scans public site pages and can generate an accessibility statement and machine-readable evidence files. · ariada.org, 12 Oct 2026
- Free plan
- Yes · ariada.org, 25 Sept 2026
- Headquarters
- Sweden · ariada.org, 28 Sept 2026
- Integrations
- The package catalog lists test adapters for Jest, Vitest, Mocha, Playwright, and Cypress. · ariada.org, 12 Oct 2026
- License
- The modules are free and distributed under the EUPL-1.2 license. · ariada.org, 12 Oct 2026
- Limit: interaction
- The workflow scans a static page state and does not click controls, fill forms, or inspect logged-in views. · ariada.org, 12 Oct 2026
- Limit: public URLs
- The hosted workflow scans public URLs reachable from a GitHub-hosted runner; localhost, intranet, VPN-only, and IP-allowlisted sites are out of scope. · ariada.org, 12 Oct 2026
- Maker
- The site identifies Alexander Brichkin of Agonist Development AB in Sweden as lead maintainer. · ariada.org, 12 Oct 2026
- Penalty estimate
- The evidence bundle includes an advisory euro exposure estimate for 11 EU member states, intended to help prioritize remediation rather than provide legal advice. · ariada.org, 12 Oct 2026
- Privacy
- The maker says the site has no analytics or tracking, and the GitHub Actions workflow requires no Ariada account or API key. · ariada.org, 12 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- Ariada publishes open-source accessibility rule packs and tools for scanning websites against WCAG 2.2 AA and European Accessibility Act requirements. · ariada.org, 12 Oct 2026
- Remediation guidance
- Yes · ariada.org, 25 Sept 2026
- Reporting
- The shipped evidence emitter produces VPAT 2.5 INT and accessibility.json files that map violations to WCAG success criteria and EN 301 549 clauses. · ariada.org, 12 Oct 2026
- Rule coverage
- The workflow combines WCAG 2.2 AA rules with EAA sectoral coverage for e-commerce checkout, banking digital channels, accessibility statements, and Nordic-language locales. · ariada.org, 12 Oct 2026
- Support
- Accessibility feedback can be sent to [email protected]; the maker aims to acknowledge reports within five business days and publish a remediation track within 14 business days. · ariada.org, 12 Oct 2026
- WCAG coverage
- wcag 2.2 · ariada.org, 25 Sept 2026
Where Ariada stands on Freedom251
- Accessibility Testing Software#22 of 168