DET vs IELTS vs TOEFL: Which Test in 2026?

At a Glance: Comparison Table

Introduction

Ten years ago you had two choices for proving your English proficiency. Now you have three, and one of them costs $59.

The Duolingo English Test (DET) has grown from an unknown option to a legitimate alternative accepted by over 4,500 universities worldwide. But is it enough? Or do you still need the established gold standards: IELTS and TOEFL?

This guide compares all three tests across cost, format, scoring, university acceptance, and preparation needs. By the end, you will know exactly which test fits your goals and budget. For a deeper look at DET preparation, read our full DET prep guide.

Cost Comparison

Price is where these tests diverge the most.

Duolingo English Test: $49 to $59. Fully online with no travel costs. This makes DET about 75 to 80 percent cheaper than its competitors. For budget-conscious students, this alone is a deciding factor.

IELTS: $200 to $250 depending on your country. The price includes the in-person speaking component, test center costs, and administrative fees. You may also need to travel to a test center.

TOEFL iBT: $180 to $250. Similar to IELTS in pricing, with in-person test center requirements. Some locations offer TOEFL at home, but the cost remains similar.

When you add test preparation costs (courses, tutors, practice materials), the price gap widens further. DET requires less formal preparation because the format is simpler and shorter.

Test Format and Experience

Each test has a different structure. Your learning style and test-taking preferences will strongly influence which format suits you best.

Duolingo English Test Format

DET is the shortest test at just 1 hour. It is fully online and computer-adaptive, meaning the questions adjust in difficulty based on your answers. The test has three parts:

• Adaptive Test (45 minutes): Reading, writing, listening, and speaking questions that get harder or easier depending on your performance
• Writing Sample (10 minutes): Type a response to a prompt (this is sent to universities)
• Video Interview (5 minutes): Speak to recorded prompts (also sent to universities)

The adaptive format means you cannot predict what comes next. Answer correctly, and the test gets harder. Answer incorrectly, and it adjusts down. This makes DET feel more like a game than a traditional exam. For specific strategies, see our DET preparation guide with practice tips.

IELTS Format

IELTS takes 2 hours 45 minutes and offers both paper-based and computer-based options. It has 4 sections:

• Listening (30 minutes): 4 recordings with 40 questions
• Reading (60 minutes): 3 passages with 40 questions (Academic or General Training)
• Writing (60 minutes): 2 tasks (Task 1: graph/letter, Task 2: essay)
• Speaking (11-14 minutes): Face-to-face with an examiner (or video call)

The in-person speaking component is a unique feature. You speak with a trained examiner, which can feel more natural for some test takers and more stressful for others.

TOEFL iBT Format

TOEFL iBT is 2 hours long and fully computer-based. It has 4 sections:

• Reading (35 minutes): 2 academic passages with 20 questions
• Listening (36 minutes): Lectures and conversations with questions
• Speaking (16 minutes): 4 tasks where you record your responses
• Writing (29 minutes): 2 tasks (integrated + academic discussion)

TOEFL speaking responses are recorded, not live. Some test takers prefer this because there is no examiner watching them. Others find it harder because they cannot get clarifications.

Scoring and Score Validity

All three tests are valid for 2 years, but they use different scoring systems.

Score equivalence (approximate):

• DET 120 = IELTS 7.0 = TOEFL 94-101
• DET 130 = IELTS 7.5 = TOEFL 102-109
• DET 140 = IELTS 8.0 = TOEFL 110-114
• DET 150+ = IELTS 8.5+ = TOEFL 115-120

DET results arrive within 48 hours, significantly faster than IELTS or TOEFL. This is a major advantage if you are applying close to a deadline.

University and Institution Acceptance

This is where many test takers make their final decision. Your target university determines which test you need.

IELTS is accepted by over 11,500 organizations worldwide. It is the preferred test for UK universities, Australian institutions, and New Zealand immigration. If you are applying to the UK or planning to immigrate to Australia or Canada, IELTS is the safest choice.

TOEFL is accepted by over 12,000 organizations. It is the most widely accepted test for US universities and Canadian institutions. Many US scholarship programs specifically request TOEFL scores.

Duolingo English Test is accepted by over 4,500 universities, and this number is growing every month. It has strong acceptance among US universities and is expanding in the UK, Canada, and Australia. However, some universities accept DET for admission but not for visa purposes, so check both requirements. See our DET prep guide for the full list of accepting institutions.

Important: Always check your specific university's requirements before choosing a test. Some programs accept all three, while others are specific.

Which Test Should You Choose?

Here is a simple decision framework based on your situation.

Preparation Resources

Whichever test you choose, good preparation makes a significant difference to your score.

• DET: Free official practice test at englishtest.duolingo.com, our complete DET prep guide, YouTube tutorials, and Magoosh DET prep courses
• IELTS: British Council free resources, Magoosh IELTS prep, and iTalki tutors for speaking practice
• TOEFL: ETS official materials, Magoosh TOEFL prep, and Preply for 1:1 tutoring

Frequently Asked Questions

Conclusion

Three tests, three different strengths. The Duolingo English Test offers the best value at $59 with fast results and growing acceptance. IELTS remains the gold standard for UK, Australian, and immigration purposes. TOEFL is the US favorite with the widest institutional acceptance.

Your choice should be based on three things: your target university's requirements, your budget, and your personal test-taking preferences.