Side by side.
Swipe the table sideways to see all three tests.
| Feature | Duolingo English Test | TOEFL iBT | IELTS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total length | ~1 hour | ~1.5 hours | ~2 h 45 m |
| Typical cost | ~$65 | ~$185–330 | ~$190–255 |
| Where you take it | Online, at home, on demand | Test centre or Home Edition | Test centre (or IELTS Online) |
| Score scale | 10–160 | 1–6 bands (0–120 also reported for now) | Band 0–9 |
| Speaking format | Recorded, adaptive tasks | Recorded, 2 tasks (~8 min) | Live face-to-face examiner |
| Speaking interaction | Recorded prompts plus interactive follow-ups | Listen and Repeat (7 sentences), then a 4-question interview with no prep time | Three-part conversation with an examiner |
| Best fit | Convenience and short at-home testing | Academic English, recorded answers | Natural live conversation |
| Results turnaround | ~2 days | ~4–8 days | 1–13 days |
| Roughly where accepted | 5,000+ institutions | 12,000+ (strong in the US) | 12,000+ (strong in UK / AU / CA) |
Figures are approximate and vary by country and year. TOEFL details reflect the format introduced in January 2026. Always confirm cost, format and acceptance on each test’s official website before booking.
Which is easiest for you?
You want the fastest, cheapest option
Duolingo English Test
About an hour at home, roughly a third of the price, results in ~2 days.
You freeze up talking to a live person
Duolingo or TOEFL
Both record your spoken answers instead of seating you with an examiner.
You’re comfortable in a real conversation
IELTS
Its speaking test is a live interview, which suits people who already practise speaking out loud.
Your university prefers one
Whatever they accept
The easiest test is the one your institution accepts. Check their requirements before you book.
All three test your speaking.
It’s the part you can’t cram from a book. Use the cheatsheet for your test: task templates, a scoring checklist and a seven-day practice plan.
Want more? Read the full speaking comparison or try IELTS speaking practice.
Questions.
Which is easier, the Duolingo English Test or TOEFL?
For most people the Duolingo English Test feels easier: it takes about an hour, is taken at home on demand, costs roughly a third as much and returns results in about two days. TOEFL is more academic but accepted more widely, especially in the United States.
Which is the easiest English test overall — Duolingo, TOEFL or IELTS?
By length, cost and convenience, the Duolingo English Test is usually the easiest and fastest. IELTS and TOEFL are longer and more expensive but accepted more widely. The genuinely easiest test is the one your target institution accepts, so check their requirements first.
Is IELTS or TOEFL harder?
They’re similar in difficulty. The biggest difference is speaking: IELTS is a live face-to-face interview, while TOEFL (since January 2026) records about 8 minutes of answers: you repeat 7 sentences, then answer 4 interview questions with no prep time. If talking to a person makes you nervous, TOEFL can feel easier; if you’re comfortable in conversation, IELTS can feel more natural.
Which test has the easiest speaking section?
Many learners find the recorded speaking sections of the Duolingo English Test and TOEFL less stressful than the IELTS live interview. But it really comes down to preparation: the more you practise speaking out loud, the easier every format becomes.
How can I prepare for the speaking section?
All three tests reward speaking clearly and fluently under a little time pressure, and the fastest way to build that is to talk out loud often. Mira, our AI tutor, calls your phone so you can practise, and can run a full IELTS speaking mock with an estimated band. Your first call is free.
Your free practice call is one ring away.
- Pick the language you speak and the one your exam is in
- Tell us where to reach you
- Mira calls for a free 3-minute practice conversation
Confirm your details
Mira will call this number for your free 3-minute trial conversation.
When the call connects, wait for Mira to speak first. There's no need to say hello, she begins the conversation on her own.