English test comparison
Duolingo English Test vs TOEFL vs IELTS: which is easiest?
Short answer: by length, cost and convenience, the Duolingo English Test is usually the easiest and fastest — about an hour, taken at home, with results in ~2 days. But TOEFL and IELTS are accepted more widely, and the genuinely easiest test is the one your target institution accepts. Here's the full picture.
| Duolingo English Test | TOEFL iBT | IELTS | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total length | ~1 hour | ~2 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 | 0–120 | Band 0–9 |
| Speaking format | Recorded, adaptive tasks | Recorded (4 tasks) | Live face-to-face examiner |
| Speaking interaction | Recorded prompts plus interactive follow-ups | One independent and three integrated responses | Three-part conversation with an examiner |
| Best fit | Convenience and short at-home testing | Academic listening, notes and synthesis | 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. Always confirm current 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, taken at home, roughly a third of the price, with results in ~2 days. It's why most people call it the 'easiest' of the three.
You freeze up talking to a live person
Duolingo or TOEFL
Both record your speaking answers instead of putting you in front of a human examiner, which many test-takers find far less stressful than IELTS.
You're comfortable in a real conversation
IELTS
Its speaking test is a live interview. If you practise speaking out loud regularly, this can actually play to your strengths.
Your target university clearly prefers one
Whatever they accept
The 'easiest' test is the one your institution accepts. Always check the official requirements before you book — acceptance and prices vary by country and year.
Printable speaking cheatsheets
Once you know which test you need, use the matching task templates, scoring checklist and seven-day practice plan.
Every one of them tests your speaking
Duolingo, TOEFL and IELTS all score how well you speak — and speaking is the part you can't cram from a book. Mira calls your phone, runs a mock speaking test in a real conversation, and gives you band-style feedback. Your first 3-minute call is free.
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When the call connects, wait for Mira to speak first. There's no need to say hello, she begins the conversation on her own.
Want the deep dive on each test's speaking section? Read the full speaking comparison or go straight to our IELTS & TOEFL speaking practice.
Frequently asked questions
Which is easier, the Duolingo English Test or TOEFL?
For most people the Duolingo English Test feels easier: it's about an hour instead of two, is taken at home on demand, costs roughly a third as much, and returns results in about two days. TOEFL is longer and more academic, but it's 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 and length. The biggest difference is speaking: IELTS uses a live face-to-face interview, while TOEFL records your answers. 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 IELTS's live interview. But 'easier' 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 the same thing: speaking clearly and fluently under a little time pressure. The fastest way to build that is to talk out loud often. Mira, our AI tutor, calls your phone and runs a mock speaking test, then gives you band-style feedback — your first call is free.