IELTS vs TOEFL vs Duolingo English Test: Which Should You Take?

July 2026  ·  8 min read

If you are applying to study in English, you will almost certainly need to prove your English with a standardised test. The three big names are IELTS, TOEFL, and the newer Duolingo English Test (DET). They test the same underlying ability, but they differ a lot in cost, length, format, and where they are accepted.

This guide compares all three on the factors that actually affect your decision, so you can pick the one that fits your budget, your timeline, and the requirements of the places you are applying to.

1. The Quick Comparison

Here is the three tests side by side on the points students ask about most. Exact figures vary by country and change over time, so confirm current details on each official site before booking.

• Cost — DET: the cheapest, usually well under $100. IELTS: often around $215 to $250. TOEFL: often around $200 to $300.
• Length — DET: about 1 hour. IELTS: about 2 hours 45 minutes. TOEFL iBT: about 2 hours.
• Where taken — DET: at home. IELTS and TOEFL: test centre, with at-home versions available in many places.
• Results speed — DET: about 2 days. TOEFL: several days to about a week. IELTS: a few days (computer) up to around 2 weeks (paper).
• Scoring — DET: 10 to 160. IELTS: band 0 to 9. TOEFL iBT: 0 to 120.
• Acceptance — IELTS and TOEFL: extremely broad, including immigration. DET: thousands of institutions and growing, but not universal.

2. Cost

Cost is where the DET stands apart. It typically costs well under a hundred US dollars, a fraction of what IELTS or TOEFL charge, which commonly land somewhere in the two to three hundred dollar range depending on your country. For students applying to several universities on a tight budget, that difference is significant, especially if you might need to sit the test more than once.

IELTS and TOEFL are closer to each other in price, and the exact fee depends heavily on where you take the test. If money is a deciding factor and your target institutions accept the DET, it is the obvious low-cost choice.

3. Length and Format

The three tests feel quite different to sit:

• DET — About an hour, computer-adaptive, with short task types that change quickly, plus a writing and speaking sample at the end. It is fast-paced and rewards broad, accurate English.
• IELTS — Around two hours 45 minutes across Listening, Reading, Writing, and a separate face-to-face Speaking interview with a human examiner. That live speaking test is unique among the three.
• TOEFL iBT — Around two hours covering Reading, Listening, Speaking, and Writing, delivered on a computer with speaking recorded through a microphone.

If a real conversation with an examiner suits you, IELTS Speaking is a genuine advantage. If you would rather speak into a microphone and finish quickly, the DET or TOEFL format may feel more comfortable.

4. At-Home vs Test Centre

The DET was built to be taken at home from the start. You use your own computer and webcam, and the session is proctored by review afterwards, so there is no need to travel or book a centre slot. That removes a lot of friction, particularly if the nearest test centre is far away.

IELTS and TOEFL are traditionally test-centre exams, and for many students that remains the standard route. Both now offer at-home versions in many locations, but availability and rules vary, so check what is offered where you live. If a simple, travel-free experience is a priority, the DET has the edge.

5. Speed of Results

When application deadlines are close, results speed can decide everything. The DET is the fastest by a wide margin, with scores usually arriving in about two days. TOEFL results generally take several days to around a week. IELTS results typically come in a few days for the computer-based version and up to around two weeks for the paper-based version.

If you are up against a tight deadline or want the option to retake and still submit in time, the DET's turnaround is a real practical advantage.

6. Where Each Test Is Accepted

This is the factor that can override all the others. IELTS and TOEFL are long-established and accepted almost everywhere: universities worldwide, and crucially many immigration authorities and professional bodies. If your plans involve a visa route or a regulator that names a specific test, IELTS or TOEFL is often the safer or required choice.

The DET is now accepted by thousands of institutions and its reach keeps expanding, but it is not yet universal, and it is less commonly used for immigration purposes. That means the DET can be the perfect choice for one applicant and simply not an option for another. Always confirm acceptance for your exact programmes before you commit.

7. How to Choose the Right Test for You

Work through these questions in order and the answer usually becomes clear:

• What do my target institutions require and accept? Check every programme's admissions page. If they only accept IELTS or TOEFL, your decision is made.
• Do I need an immigration-recognised result? If yes, IELTS or TOEFL is usually the safer route.
• How tight is my budget and timeline? If both are tight and the DET is accepted, its low cost and fast results are hard to beat.
• Which format plays to my strengths? If a live speaking interview suits you, lean toward IELTS. If you prefer a short, at-home computer test, lean toward the DET.

Whichever test you choose, targeted practice is what lifts your score. Derstina's exam-prep track offers interactive lessons, real practice drills, spaced-repetition vocabulary review, and full timed mock tests, including a dedicated Duolingo English Test mock, all inside a personalised study plan that counts down to your test date. You can practise the exact tasks your chosen exam throws at you and track your progress the whole way.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is cheaper: IELTS, TOEFL, or the Duolingo English Test?

The Duolingo English Test is by far the cheapest, usually costing well under a hundred US dollars. IELTS and TOEFL both cost significantly more, often somewhere in the range of two to three hundred dollars depending on your country. If budget is a major factor and your target institutions accept it, the DET is the clear low-cost option.

Which English test can I take from home?

The Duolingo English Test is designed to be taken at home on your own computer with a webcam, and it is proctored by review afterwards. IELTS and TOEFL are traditionally taken at a test centre, though both now offer at-home versions in many locations. If you want the simplest at-home experience, the DET was built for it from the start.

Which test gives results the fastest?

The Duolingo English Test is the fastest, with results typically arriving within about two days. TOEFL scores usually take several days to around a week, and IELTS results generally take a few days for the computer-based version and up to around two weeks for the paper-based version. For tight application deadlines, the DET has a clear speed advantage.

Which English test is most widely accepted?

IELTS and TOEFL are the most widely and long-established accepted tests, recognised by universities worldwide and by many immigration and professional bodies. The Duolingo English Test is now accepted by thousands of institutions and its reach keeps growing, but it is not yet universal, so you must confirm your specific programmes accept it before you book.

How do I choose between IELTS, TOEFL, and the Duolingo English Test?

Start with what your target institutions require and accept, because that can rule tests in or out immediately. If they accept the DET and you want lower cost, a shorter test, and fast results, choose it. If you need the broadest acceptance or an immigration-recognised result, IELTS or TOEFL is safer. When several are accepted, pick the format that suits your strengths.