IELTS vs Duolingo vs TOEFL — Which English Test Should You Take?
If English is not your first language, you need a standardised test score to study abroad. But which test? The answer depends on your budget, your target countries, and how you perform under different test conditions.
The quick comparison
| IELTS | Duolingo (DET) | TOEFL iBT | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cost | €230–260 | $65 (~€60) | €145–230 |
| Format | Paper or computer | Computer (at home) | Computer (at home or centre) |
| Duration | 2h 45min | ~1 hour | ~2 hours |
| Results | 3–13 days | 48 hours | 4–8 days |
| Validity | 2 years | 2 years | 2 years |
| Test centres | 1,600+ worldwide | At home (any computer) | 4,500+ worldwide + home |
| Acceptance | 11,000+ institutions | 5,000+ institutions | 12,000+ institutions |
IELTS — the universal standard
IELTS (International English Language Testing System) is the most widely accepted test globally. It is required or preferred by universities in the UK, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and increasingly in Europe. Two versions exist: Academic (for university admission) and General Training (for immigration).
Strengths: Universal acceptance, especially for visa purposes. UKVI, IRCC (Canada), and Australian immigration all recognise IELTS Academic.
Weaknesses: The highest cost, and in some countries test centres are limited or booked months in advance. The speaking test is face-to-face with an examiner, which some students find more stressful.
Duolingo English Test — the budget option
At just $65, the Duolingo English Test is roughly one-quarter the cost of IELTS. You take it from home on your own computer, it lasts about an hour, and results arrive in 48 hours. Acceptance has exploded from a few hundred institutions pre-pandemic to over 5,000.
Strengths: Cheapest by far, fastest results, no travel required, retake as often as every 21 days.
Weaknesses: Not accepted by all universities (especially some top-tier institutions), not accepted for visa purposes in some countries (UK SELT requirements, for example).
TOEFL iBT — strong for North America
TOEFL remains the preferred test for US universities and is widely accepted in Canada. The home edition makes it more accessible, and the format is entirely computer-based with no human examiner interaction.
Strengths: Strongest acceptance in the USA, familiar format for computer-native students, no face-to-face speaking component.
Weaknesses: Less accepted in the UK for visa purposes, some universities in Europe and Asia prefer IELTS.
Which test for which country?
| Destination | Best test | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| UK | IELTS | Required for UKVI; Duolingo accepted by some universities for admission only |
| USA | TOEFL or Duolingo | Both widely accepted; Duolingo growing fast |
| Canada | IELTS | Required for immigration/PGWP; TOEFL accepted for admission |
| Australia | IELTS or PTE | Both accepted for visa; Duolingo less common |
| Germany | IELTS or TOEFL | Both widely accepted; some unis accept Duolingo |
| Europe (other) | IELTS | Most European universities prefer IELTS; check individually |
| Japan/Korea | IELTS or TOEFL | Both accepted for English-taught programmes |
Our recommendation
If budget is your primary constraint, take the Duolingo English Test first and check if your target universities accept it. If they do, you save €170+. If they do not, use IELTS for maximum flexibility — especially if you are applying to the UK, Canada, or Australia where it doubles as your visa English proof.
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