Which Browsers Work Best With Assistive Technology
Your browser choice affects how well your assistive technology works. This page shares what disabled users have learned about browser-AT compatibility, helping you choose the best combination for your needs.
Why This Matters
Section titled “Why This Matters”Not all browsers work equally well with screen readers, voice control, switch access, and other assistive technologies. The wrong combination can mean:
- Websites that other people navigate easily are unusable for you
- Features that work in one browser fail in another
- Frustrating workarounds for basic tasks
- Wasted time troubleshooting compatibility issues
The right browser choice can significantly improve your daily experience.
Quick Compatibility Summary
Section titled “Quick Compatibility Summary”Screen Reader Users
Section titled “Screen Reader Users”| Browser | NVDA | JAWS | VoiceOver | Narrator |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chrome | Excellent | Excellent | Good | Good |
| Firefox | Excellent | Good | Good | Limited |
| Edge | Excellent | Excellent | N/A | Excellent |
| Safari | N/A | N/A | Excellent | N/A |
| Brave | Good | Good | Good | Good |
Other AT Users
Section titled “Other AT Users”| Browser | Voice Control | Switch Access | Magnification | Cognitive Aids |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chrome | Good | Good | Good | Many extensions |
| Firefox | Good | Good | Good | Good extensions |
| Edge | Good | Good | Excellent | Immersive Reader |
| Safari | Excellent | Good | Good | Reader Mode |
Detailed Browser Information
Section titled “Detailed Browser Information”Google Chrome
Section titled “Google Chrome”For screen reader users:
- Generally excellent compatibility
- Most web developers test with Chrome
- Regular accessibility updates
- Strong with NVDA and JAWS
- Works with VoiceOver on Mac
For other AT users:
- Vast extension library for accessibility
- Works well with Dragon and other voice control
- Good zoom and magnification
- High contrast modes
Downsides:
- Memory-intensive (can slow systems)
- Privacy concerns with Google
- Some accessibility features require extensions rather than built-in
Best for: Users who need maximum website compatibility and access to Chrome extensions.
Mozilla Firefox
Section titled “Mozilla Firefox”For screen reader users:
- Historically strong accessibility support
- Works very well with NVDA
- Some JAWS users report occasional issues
- Decent VoiceOver support
- Active accessibility team
For other AT users:
- Strong keyboard navigation
- Reader View for cognitive accessibility
- Good zoom options
- Fewer extensions than Chrome but quality options
Downsides:
- Some sites don’t work as well as Chrome
- Occasional compatibility quirks
- Smaller market share means less testing by developers
Best for: Users who prioritize privacy or open-source software, NVDA users.
Microsoft Edge
Section titled “Microsoft Edge”For screen reader users:
- Excellent Narrator support (both from Microsoft)
- Good NVDA and JAWS support
- Built on Chromium (same base as Chrome)
For other AT users:
- Immersive Reader built-in (text-to-speech, reading aids)
- Strong Windows integration
- Good magnification compatibility
- Works well with Windows voice control
Downsides:
- Mac version less integrated
- Some privacy concerns
- Pushing Microsoft services
Best for: Windows users, especially those using Narrator; anyone wanting built-in reading aids.
Safari
Section titled “Safari”For screen reader users:
- Excellent VoiceOver integration (both Apple)
- VoiceOver on Mac is designed around Safari
- May be less compatible with Windows screen readers (no Windows Safari)
For other AT users:
- Reader Mode for cognitive accessibility
- Strong integration with macOS/iOS accessibility features
- Good Voice Control support on Mac
- Efficient battery use on Mac
Downsides:
- Mac/iOS only
- Some web features not supported
- Fewer extensions than Chrome/Firefox
- Some websites don’t work perfectly
Best for: Apple ecosystem users, VoiceOver users.
Brave Browser
Section titled “Brave Browser”For screen reader users:
- Based on Chromium (like Chrome)
- Generally works with screen readers
- Less tested than major browsers
For other AT users:
- Chrome extensions work
- Built-in ad blocking may help with cluttered pages
- Privacy-focused
Downsides:
- Smaller user base means less accessibility testing
- Some features may have unexpected AT interactions
- Not as well documented for AT users
Best for: Privacy-focused users who need Chrome-like compatibility.
Choosing by Your Assistive Technology
Section titled “Choosing by Your Assistive Technology”NVDA Users
Section titled “NVDA Users”Recommended: Chrome or Firefox
Why: Both have excellent NVDA support. Firefox has long history with NVDA. Chrome has wider website compatibility.
Tips:
- Try both and see which works better for your specific sites
- Some sites work better in one or the other
- Keep both installed for flexibility
JAWS Users
Section titled “JAWS Users”Recommended: Chrome or Edge
Why: Freedom Scientific tests with these browsers. Edge often works well because of similar accessibility APIs.
Tips:
- Check JAWS release notes for browser recommendations
- Internet Explorer is deprecated—avoid it
- Some older JAWS features may expect specific browsers
VoiceOver (Mac) Users
Section titled “VoiceOver (Mac) Users”Recommended: Safari
Why: Apple builds both VoiceOver and Safari. They’re designed to work together.
Tips:
- Safari is usually most reliable
- Chrome can be backup for incompatible sites
- Some web apps may require Chrome
VoiceOver (iOS) Users
Section titled “VoiceOver (iOS) Users”Recommended: Safari
Why: Safari is deeply integrated with iOS accessibility.
Tips:
- Third-party browsers may have inconsistent VoiceOver support
- Some apps include in-app browsers that vary in accessibility
Narrator Users
Section titled “Narrator Users”Recommended: Edge
Why: Microsoft makes both. They share accessibility infrastructure.
Tips:
- Edge + Narrator is most integrated Windows option
- Good fallback if you don’t want to install third-party software
Voice Control Users
Section titled “Voice Control Users”Recommended: Chrome or Safari (depending on platform)
Why:
- Dragon NaturallySpeaking works well with Chrome
- macOS Voice Control works well with Safari
- Windows Voice Access works well with Edge
Switch Access Users
Section titled “Switch Access Users”Recommended: Chrome or browser matching your switch interface
Why: Switch access software varies; check compatibility with your specific setup.
Magnification Users
Section titled “Magnification Users”Recommended: Edge (Windows) or Safari (Mac)
Why: Better integration with OS-level magnification tools.
Tips:
- Browser zoom (Ctrl/Cmd +) works in all browsers
- High contrast modes may work differently
- Test with your magnification software
Common Problems and Solutions
Section titled “Common Problems and Solutions”Website Doesn’t Work With Screen Reader
Section titled “Website Doesn’t Work With Screen Reader”- Try a different browser: Same site may work in Chrome vs. Firefox
- Check for accessibility mode: Some sites have accessible versions
- Update browser and screen reader: Compatibility improves with updates
- Check site’s accessibility: Problem may be the site, not your setup
- Contact site owner: Report accessibility issues
Browser Extension Breaks Accessibility
Section titled “Browser Extension Breaks Accessibility”- Disable extensions one by one to find culprit
- Try incognito/private mode (no extensions)
- Check extension accessibility before installing
- Look for accessible alternatives
Forms Don’t Work
Section titled “Forms Don’t Work”- Try different browser: Form accessibility varies
- Tab through systematically: Some forms have unusual tab order
- Check for ARIA labels: Screen reader may read different text
- Try forms mode/focus mode: Screen reader mode changes may help
Videos Not Accessible
Section titled “Videos Not Accessible”- Try YouTube in browser instead of embedded player
- Check for caption settings: May be in player or browser
- Try different browser: Video players vary in accessibility
- Look for audio description options
Browser Accessibility Features
Section titled “Browser Accessibility Features”Built-in Features Worth Knowing
Section titled “Built-in Features Worth Knowing”Chrome:
- Live Captions (Settings > Accessibility)
- High contrast mode
- Zoom controls
- Reading list
Firefox:
- Reader View (strips distractions)
- Text-only zoom
- High contrast support
- Privacy-focused tracking protection
Edge:
- Immersive Reader (reads aloud, simplifies page)
- Read Aloud feature
- High contrast themes
- Collections for organizing
Safari:
- Reader mode
- Privacy features
- Efficient with VoiceOver
- Tab management
Extensions to Consider
Section titled “Extensions to Consider”For cognitive accessibility:
- BeeLine Reader (colors lines to aid tracking)
- Mercury Reader (simplified reading)
- Helperbird (multiple accessibility tools)
For visual accessibility:
- Dark Reader (dark mode everywhere)
- High Contrast
- Zoom Page WE
For motor accessibility:
- Vimium (keyboard navigation)
- Click-free Browsing
For screen reader users:
- Accessibility Insights for Web (testing)
- WAVE (accessibility checker)
Updating and Maintaining
Section titled “Updating and Maintaining”Keep Everything Updated
Section titled “Keep Everything Updated”Accessibility compatibility often improves with updates:
- Browser updates
- Assistive technology updates
- Operating system updates
- Extension updates
Incompatibility often means something needs updating.
When Updates Break Things
Section titled “When Updates Break Things”Sometimes updates cause problems:
- Roll back to previous version if possible
- Report issue to browser or AT developer
- Check community forums for workarounds
- Wait for patch (often quick for major issues)
Testing Before Committing
Section titled “Testing Before Committing”Before making a browser your primary:
- Test your most-used sites: Do they work?
- Test critical tasks: Can you do what you need?
- Test for a few days: Edge cases appear over time
- Have backup browser ready: In case of problems
Mobile Considerations
Section titled “Mobile Considerations”Safari is most reliable with VoiceOver. Other browsers may have issues.
Android
Section titled “Android”Chrome is generally most reliable with TalkBack. Firefox has improved but may have gaps.
Cross-Device Sync
Section titled “Cross-Device Sync”If you use multiple devices:
- Chrome syncs across platforms
- Firefox syncs across platforms
- Safari syncs within Apple ecosystem
- Edge syncs across platforms
Consider whether sync benefits outweigh any accessibility differences.
Privacy vs. Accessibility Trade-offs
Section titled “Privacy vs. Accessibility Trade-offs”Some privacy-focused browsers may have fewer accessibility features or testing:
More accessible (but privacy concerns):
- Chrome (Google tracking)
- Edge (Microsoft telemetry)
More private (but less accessibility testing):
- Brave (smaller team, less testing)
- Tor Browser (limited accessibility)
Balance:
- Firefox (privacy features + good accessibility)
Related Pages
Section titled “Related Pages”- Screen Reader Comparison
- Digital Accessibility Beyond Checklists
- Web Accessibility
- Mobile and OS Accessibility
This page centers disabled people’s expertise and is informed by what AT users have learned through daily use. Browser choice matters. Test what works for you. For questions or to suggest additions, see How to Contribute.
Contribute to This Page
Section titled “Contribute to This Page”Have lived experience or expertise that could strengthen this page? We especially welcome perspectives on models not well represented here, including those from the Global South and Indigenous communities.
This page centers disabled people’s expertise and is informed by disabled-led organizing globally. For questions or to suggest additions, see How to Contribute.