Google Lighthouse
Lighthouse is Google's open-source automated audit tool that scores web pages for performance, accessibility, best practices, SEO, and PWA readiness. The accessibility category runs axe-core under the hood.
Detailed explanation
Lighthouse runs in Chrome DevTools, the PageSpeed Insights API, and Google Search Console. The Accessibility category produces a 0–100 score derived from a subset of axe-core rules. A 100 score does not mean WCAG conformant — it means the automated checks Lighthouse runs all passed.
Lighthouse is a useful free first-pass for any storefront, but it tests one URL at a time, runs only a subset of axe-core, and skips manual-only criteria like keyboard operability or reading order. Treat it as a smoke test, not a compliance audit.
How this applies to Shopify stores
Shopify's Built for Shopify (BFS) program checks Lighthouse for performance, but accessibility is checked separately. AccessComply's site-wide scans cover what Lighthouse misses — every page, every axe rule, plus Shopify-specific theme and app overlap.
Primary source: developer.chrome.com