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Good practice Imported

NVDA (NonVisual Desktop Access): Free Open-Source Screen Reader for Blind and Low-Vision Computer Users

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Evidence: Observational / pre–post Top 23% 92/100 · Ask Evidence Copilot about this practice

Free, open-source Windows screen reader from Australian non-profit NV Access. WebAIM's independent 2024 survey of 1,539 users found NVDA the most commonly used screen reader worldwide (65.6%), with a 97.6% satisfaction rate - ahead of paid alternatives.

65.6%
Screen reader usage share among respondents (Dec 2023-Jan 2024)
37.7%
Named as primary screen reader (Dec 2023-Jan 2024)
97.6%
User satisfaction (very/somewhat satisfied) (Dec 2023-Jan 2024)
NVDA (NonVisual Desktop Access): Free Open-Source Screen Reader for Blind and Low-Vision Computer Users

Details

Maturity
Established
Promoter
NV Access
Period
2006-present
Keywords
assistive technology, accessibility, blindness, low vision, screen reader, open source

Context

NonVisual Desktop Access (NVDA) is a free, open-source Windows screen reader begun by Michael Curran in 2006 and developed since 2007 by Australian non-profit NV Access, removing the cost barrier of commercial screen readers that can cost hundreds of dollars per licence.

Results

The independent WebAIM Screen Reader User Survey #10 found NVDA the most commonly used screen reader worldwide at 65.6% of respondents (ahead of JAWS at 60.5% and VoiceOver at 43.9%), with 37.7% naming it their primary screen reader, and the highest user satisfaction of major screen readers at 97.6%.

Conclusions

As a small non-profit, NV Access depends on grants and donations (e.g. a Nippon Foundation grant) rather than licence revenue, creating less predictable funding than commercial competitors — a sustainability risk the survey data does not capture.

Implementation

Implementation detail (cost, timeline, staffing, conditions for success) is not yet available for this practice.

Commonly funded by

Philanthropic / foundation funding

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Data sources

Where this practice's information was retrieved from, and when.

Attachments

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