Freedom251 › Accessibility Testing Software
Guidepup
What Guidepup is
Guidepup is a free JavaScript library for automating screen readers in tests on Linux, macOS, and Windows. It can drive VoiceOver on macOS and NVDA on Windows, while its Virtual Screen Reader simulates reader workflows over a DOM container for unit tests. Tests can navigate by reading order, headings, landmarks, and links, then inspect the latest spoken phrase. The API supports activating items, entering interaction mode, pressing keys, typing, clicking, and capturing one announcement or a sequence for assertions. Packages can be used with Playwright, Jest, Vitest, Web Test Runner, Storybook, and Testing Library. Guidepup tests can run in continuous integration with macOS runners for VoiceOver and Windows runners for NVDA. Real-reader automation requires machine setup and screen-reader assets; the virtual reader does not. Runs sharing a real screen reader should avoid concurrency. Guidepup states that its virtual reader supplements rather than replaces testing with real readers and users. The project is MIT licensed and maintained by Craig Morten.
Who it suits
Guidepup suits JavaScript teams writing automated accessibility tests around screen-reader behavior. It supports projects using common test frameworks and continuous-integration runners.
What it does well
- Automates VoiceOver and NVDA
- Virtual reader needs no machine setup
- Captures spoken phrases for assertions
- Integrates with several test frameworks
- Runs in continuous integration
What to know first
- Real-reader runs require machine and asset setup
- Shared screen readers should not run concurrently
- Virtual reader does not replace real-reader testing
- No mobile testing support
Plans
| Plan | Billed and limits | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Guidepup | Screen reader automation library for testing | Free |
As guidepup.dev lists them, read 11 Oct 2026. The maker's own page has the final word.
Verdict
Guidepup gives JavaScript tests direct control over real and virtual screen-reader workflows. Teams should combine its virtual coverage with real-reader and user testing, following the setup and concurrency requirements.
Facts from Guidepup's own pages
- Announcements
- The API can capture the latest spoken phrase or a sequence of spoken phrases for assertions. · guidepup.dev, 11 Oct 2026
- Automated scans
- No · guidepup.dev, 23 Sept 2026
- Browser extension
- No · guidepup.dev, 23 Sept 2026
- CI
- Guidepup tests can run in continuous integration, with macOS runners for VoiceOver and Windows runners for NVDA. · guidepup.dev, 11 Oct 2026
- CI/CD integration
- Yes · guidepup.dev, 23 Sept 2026
- Concurrency limitation
- Real screen reader tests should avoid concurrent runs when they share a screen reader. · guidepup.dev, 11 Oct 2026
- Framework integrations
- Guidepup can be used with Playwright, Jest, Vitest, Web Test Runner, Storybook, and Testing Library, as applicable to its packages. · guidepup.dev, 11 Oct 2026
- Free plan
- Yes · guidepup.dev, 23 Sept 2026
- Headquarters
- United Kingdom · guidepup.dev, 28 Sept 2026
- Interaction
- Guidepup supports activating items, entering interaction mode, pressing keys, typing text, and clicking. · guidepup.dev, 11 Oct 2026
- License
- The project’s GitHub repository identifies its license as MIT. · github.com, 11 Oct 2026
- Maintainer
- The site footer credits Craig Morten. · guidepup.dev, 11 Oct 2026
- Manual review tools
- No · guidepup.dev, 23 Sept 2026
- Mobile testing
- No · guidepup.dev, 23 Sept 2026
- Navigation
- Tests can navigate by reading order, headings, landmarks, and links, then inspect the latest spoken phrase. · guidepup.dev, 11 Oct 2026
- Real screen readers
- Guidepup supports VoiceOver on macOS and NVDA on Windows. · guidepup.dev, 11 Oct 2026
- Remediation guidance
- No · guidepup.dev, 23 Sept 2026
- Setup requirement
- Real screen reader automation requires machine setup and installation of the screen reader assets; the Virtual Screen Reader does not require machine setup. · guidepup.dev, 11 Oct 2026
- Support
- The documentation directs users encountering setup issues to raise a GitHub issue. · guidepup.dev, 11 Oct 2026
- Virtual reader
- The Virtual Screen Reader simulates screen reader workflows over a DOM container for unit tests. · guidepup.dev, 11 Oct 2026
- Virtual reader limitation
- Guidepup says the Virtual Screen Reader should supplement real screen reader testing and does not replace testing with real readers and users. · guidepup.dev, 11 Oct 2026
- What it does
- Guidepup automates screen readers from JavaScript so tests can navigate pages, interact with content, and assert what a screen reader user experiences. · guidepup.dev, 11 Oct 2026
Where Guidepup stands on Freedom251
- Accessibility Testing Software#48 of 169