IELTS vs TOEFL vs PTE vs Duolingo English Test (2026 Comparison)
Updated 2 August 2026
The right test depends on three things: what your target institution or visa authority accepts, your budget, and how fast you need results. All four tests measure the same skills and are linked by published score concordances. Always confirm acceptance with your institution before booking — that one check outranks every other difference on this page.
| IELTS | TOEFL iBT | PTE Academic | Duolingo English Test | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Format | Paper or computer at a test centre; Speaking with a live examiner | Computer at a test centre or at home; adaptive Reading/Listening (from Jan 2026) | Computer at a test centre; fully AI-scored | Online at home, adaptive, remotely proctored |
| Duration | ~2 h 45 min total | ~90 min | ~2 h in one sitting | ~1 h (plus setup) |
| Typical price | ~US$215–310 (varies by country) | ~US$180–300 (varies by country) | ~US$180–250 (varies by country; US$235 in the US) | US$70 worldwide (US$118 for 2 tests) |
| Score scale | Bands 1–9 (half bands) | Bands 1–6 from Jan 2026 (0–120 shown alongside until 2028) | 10–90 | 10–160 |
| Results | 1–5 days (computer), ~13 days (paper) | ~3 days | Typically within 48 hours | Within 48 hours |
| Accepted by | 12,500+ organisations; widely used for study, work and migration | 13,000+ institutions in 160+ countries | 4,000+ institutions; accepted for Australia/NZ and UK visas | 6,000+ institutions; mainly university admissions, limited visa use |
Prices are set per country by each test provider and change over time — the ranges above are indicative for 2026. Always check the official IELTS, ETS (TOEFL), Pearson (PTE) and Duolingo websites for the exact fee in your country. This page is an independent comparison; we are not affiliated with any of these test providers.
How do IELTS, TOEFL, PTE and Duolingo scores compare?
The table below aligns the four scales using the providers' published concordances: the ETS TOEFL–IELTS linking study, Pearson's 2025 PTE–IELTS concordance, and Duolingo's official IELTS comparison chart.
| IELTS band | TOEFL iBT (0–120) | PTE Academic | Duolingo English Test |
|---|---|---|---|
| 9.0 | 118–120 | 90 | 160 |
| 8.5 | 115–117 | 86–89 | 160 |
| 8.0 | 110–114 | 79–85 | 150–155 |
| 7.5 | 102–109 | 71–78 | 140–145 |
| 7.0 | 94–101 | 63–70 | 130–135 |
| 6.5 | 79–93 | 55–62 | 120–125 |
| 6.0 | 60–78 | 47–54 | 105–115 |
| 5.5 | 46–59 | 39–46 | 95–100 |
| 5.0 | 35–45 | 31–38 | 80–90 |
Concordances are statistical estimates, not guarantees — institutions set their own cut scores and may use slightly different mappings. Note that from 21 January 2026 the TOEFL iBT reports a 1–6 band scale; the familiar 0–120 score (shown above) appears alongside it on score reports until 2028. On the new scale, IELTS 6.0 sits around TOEFL band 3.5–4 and IELTS 7.0 around band 4.5–5, per the ETS comparison tables.
What is the IELTS test like?
IELTS is a four-section test (Listening, Reading, Writing, Speaking) taking about 2 hours 45 minutes, scored on bands 1–9, with Speaking conducted face-to-face by a trained examiner.
It is accepted by more than 12,500 organisations and is the most widely recognised option for migration routes (for example Australia, Canada, New Zealand and the UK) as well as university study. You can take it on paper or computer; results arrive in about 1–5 days on computer or around 13 days on paper, and fees are set locally — roughly US$215–310 depending on the country. See the full IELTS test format guide for section-by-section detail.
What is the TOEFL iBT like in 2026?
The redesigned TOEFL iBT (launched 21 January 2026) is about 90 minutes long, uses adaptive Reading and Listening sections, and reports a new 1–6 band scale with results in about 3 days.
TOEFL is accepted by more than 13,000 institutions in over 160 countries and is particularly established for admission to universities in the United States. All four skills are tested by computer at a test centre or via the home edition, with Speaking recorded rather than examiner-led. During the 2026–2028 transition, score reports show the new band, the equivalent 0–120 score and a CEFR level side by side.
What is PTE Academic like?
PTE Academic is a computer-based test of about 2 hours in a single sitting, scored 10–90 by automated scoring, with results typically available within 48 hours.
It is accepted by more than 4,000 institutions and is approved for student and migration visa routes in Australia and New Zealand as well as UK visa applications. Speaking is done into a microphone at the test centre and scored by AI. Fees are set per country — commonly in the US$180–250 range (US$235 in the United States).
What is the Duolingo English Test like?
The Duolingo English Test is a roughly one-hour adaptive test taken online at home, priced at US$70 worldwide, scored 10–160, with certified results within 48 hours.
It is accepted by more than 6,000 institutions, mostly for university admissions — it is generally not accepted for skilled-migration visa routes, so check carefully if you need a test for immigration purposes. The at-home format uses strict remote proctoring, and one fee covers sending results to unlimited institutions.
IELTS vs TOEFL vs PTE vs Duolingo FAQ
Which English test should I take: IELTS, TOEFL, PTE or Duolingo?
Start from what your target institution or visa authority accepts — that decision outranks price and convenience. If several tests are accepted, compare budget (Duolingo is the cheapest at US$70, the others typically cost US$180–310 depending on country), how fast you need results (Duolingo and PTE typically within 48 hours, TOEFL about 3 days, IELTS 1–13 days depending on delivery mode), and whether you prefer speaking to a human examiner (IELTS) or to a computer (the other three).
Is IELTS easier than TOEFL, PTE or Duolingo?
No test is officially "easier" — they measure the same skills and their scores are statistically linked through published concordance tables. Individual candidates do find formats suit them differently: IELTS uses a live examiner for Speaking, TOEFL and PTE are fully computer-based at test centres, and Duolingo is a short adaptive test taken at home.
What TOEFL, PTE and Duolingo scores equal IELTS band 7?
Using the published concordances, IELTS band 7.0 corresponds to roughly 94–101 on the old TOEFL 0–120 scale, about 63–70 in PTE Academic (Pearson 2025 concordance), and about 130–135 on the Duolingo English Test. From January 2026 TOEFL reports a 1–6 band scale, where band 7.0 IELTS sits around TOEFL 4.5–5.
Which English test gives results fastest?
The Duolingo English Test and PTE Academic typically return results within 48 hours. The redesigned TOEFL iBT reports scores in about 3 days. Computer-delivered IELTS typically takes 1–5 days, and paper-based IELTS about 13 days.
Which English test is the cheapest in 2026?
The Duolingo English Test, at US$70 worldwide (US$118 for a two-test bundle). IELTS, TOEFL iBT and PTE Academic are priced per country and typically cost between roughly US$180 and US$310.
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