NVDA Screen Reader

NonVisual Desktop Access - Free Screen Reader for Windows

100% Free and Open Source

No cost, no time limits, fully featured screen reader

Free

No Cost

Windows

Platform

Open Source

Community Driven

What is NVDA?

NVDA (NonVisual Desktop Access) is a free, open-source screen reader for Windows developed by NV Access. It's the most popular free screen reader and is used by millions of blind and visually impaired users worldwide, making it essential for accessibility testing.

NVDA provides full-featured screen reading capabilities without any cost or time limitations. It converts on-screen text and interface elements into synthesized speech or Braille output, allowing users with visual impairments to navigate Windows, applications, and websites using keyboard commands.

For accessibility professionals, NVDA is an excellent alternative to JAWS for testing, especially for organizations with budget constraints. Many accessibility testers prefer NVDA because it's free, regularly updated, and has a large user base, making it representative of real-world screen reader usage.

NVDA is portable (can run from a USB drive), doesn't require installation, and works with all major browsers. It's actively developed by the open-source community and receives frequent updates with new features and improvements.

Key Features

Speech and Braille

High-quality text-to-speech with multiple voices (eSpeak, SAPI5, Windows OneCore)
Full Braille display support for refreshable Braille devices
Customizable speech rate, pitch, volume, and voice selection
Multiple language support

Web Browsing

Full support for modern web standards (HTML5, ARIA, CSS)
Browse mode for reading web content
Focus mode for interacting with web applications
Support for Chrome, Edge, Firefox, and other browsers

Navigation

Quick navigation keys (headings, links, landmarks, forms, buttons)
Table navigation with cell reading
List navigation and reading modes
Virtual buffer for efficient web reading

Portability and Customization

Portable version (runs from USB without installation)
Extensive configuration options
Add-on system for extending functionality
User profiles and settings management

Essential NVDA Keyboard Shortcuts

Master these keyboard shortcuts to efficiently test accessibility with NVDA (Insert key is the NVDA modifier by default):

Basic Navigation

Insert + Down Arrow: Read from cursor position
Insert + Up Arrow: Read previous line
Ctrl: Stop speech
Insert + F7: List all links on page
Insert + F7 (then H): List all headings

Quick Navigation

H: Next heading
Shift + H: Previous heading
K: Next link
Shift + K: Previous link
F: Next form field
Shift + F: Previous form field
B: Next button
Shift + B: Previous button

Landmarks and Regions

D: Next landmark
Shift + D: Previous landmark
Insert + F7 (then R): List all landmarks

Tables

T: Next table
Shift + T: Previous table
Insert + Space: Toggle browse/focus mode

Using NVDA for Accessibility Testing

NVDA is an excellent tool for accessibility testing, especially for organizations that need a free alternative to JAWS. Here's how to use it effectively:

Download and Run: Download NVDA (portable or installer version). The portable version can run from a USB drive without installation, making it ideal for testing on different machines.

Configure Settings: Adjust speech settings, verbosity levels, and keyboard shortcuts to your preference. NVDA offers extensive customization options.

Test Browse Mode: Use browse mode (default for web pages) to read content. Test how NVDA announces headings, links, buttons, form fields, and landmarks.

Test Focus Mode: Switch to focus mode (Insert + Space) to interact with web applications. Verify that all interactive elements are keyboard accessible.

Verify ARIA: Test ARIA attributes to ensure they're announced correctly. Check live regions, roles, states, and properties.

Document Issues: Note any navigation problems, incorrect announcements, or WCAG violations. Compare findings with other screen readers.

NVDA vs JAWS

Feature	NVDA	JAWS
Cost	Free (open source)	$1,095
Platform	Windows	Windows
Portable	Yes (USB version)	No
Update Frequency	Frequent (monthly)	Annual major releases
User Base	Growing rapidly	Largest (corporate)
Best For	Budget-conscious testing, personal use	Professional testing, corporate environments

NVDA is an excellent free alternative to JAWS for accessibility testing. Many professionals use both to ensure compatibility across different screen readers.

Best Practices for NVDA Testing

Use Latest Version: NVDA receives frequent updates. Always test with the latest stable version to match real user experience
Understand Browse vs Focus Mode: Browse mode is for reading, focus mode is for interacting. Test both modes appropriately
Test Multiple Browsers: NVDA behavior can vary by browser. Test in Chrome, Edge, and Firefox
Use Portable Version: The portable version is ideal for testing as it doesn't require installation and can run from USB
Check Verbosity Settings: Test with different verbosity levels to ensure content is accessible at all announcement levels
Compare with JAWS: Test with both NVDA and JAWS to ensure compatibility across different screen readers

Find Jobs Requiring NVDA Testing

Looking for accessibility jobs that require NVDA? Browse our latest opportunities.

Last Updated: January 2025