If you're not sure which English proficiency test fits your situation, here's a direct, side-by-side comparison of all four major options — format, turnaround time, and where each is most widely accepted — rather than a deep dive into any single pairing.
Take the free TOEFL Benchmark Test and get your estimated band score in about 45 minutes.
| Test | Format | Typical Turnaround | Known For |
|---|---|---|---|
| TOEFL | Computer-based, task-separated sections | 4–8 days | Broadest graduate-admissions acceptance |
| IELTS | Computer or paper-based, live Speaking option | 5–13 days (varies by format) | Live examiner Speaking, strong UK/Commonwealth ties |
| PTE Academic | Computer-based, integrated item types | Often within 48 hours | Fast turnaround, algorithmic scoring |
| Duolingo (DET) | Fully remote, adaptive, ~1 hour | 1–2 days | Lowest cost, fastest and most flexible scheduling |
TOEFL remains the most universally recognized of the four, particularly for graduate admissions, scholarship committees, and institutions outside markets where PTE or Duolingo have made stronger inroads. See our TOEFL vs IELTS and TOEFL vs PTE guides for direct head-to-head comparisons.
IELTS is the only one of the four offering a live, in-person Speaking component in its standard format, which some test-takers specifically prefer over a recorded response. It also has particularly strong ties to UK and Commonwealth institutions and visa pathways.
Take the free TOEFL Benchmark Test and get your estimated band score in about 45 minutes.
PTE's roughly 48-hour turnaround is the fastest among the three traditional, widely-accepted tests, and its algorithmic scoring appeals to test-takers who want a predictable, consistent evaluation process.
The Duolingo English Test is the newest, cheapest, and most flexible of the four — a roughly one-hour, fully adaptive test taken from home on your own schedule. Acceptance has grown quickly, including at many highly selective institutions, but coverage is still uneven — always confirm your specific target program accepts it before relying on it as your primary test.
Start from your target program list, not from a general preference: check which tests each program explicitly accepts, check whether a visa or scholarship pathway names a specific test, and only then weigh format preference, cost, and turnaround among your remaining valid options. If more than one test clears every requirement on your list, our score converter can help you see how a target score maps across all four before you commit prep time to one.
Convert a TOEFL, IELTS, PTE, or Duolingo score to its estimated equivalent on the others.