TL;DR – What You Need to Know
- Cheapest: DET at $70 ($60 via Comet), versus $200-$300+ for IELTS, TOEFL and PTE
- Fastest results: DET, as little as 24 hours. PTE follows at 1-2 days. IELTS and TOEFL take 3-13 days
- Widest acceptance: IELTS and TOEFL remain the safest default for university and visa purposes. DET’s 6,000+ university list is catching up fast but has real gaps at a handful of institutions (Oxford, for example)
- Best for visas: IELTS, TOEFL and PTE are recognised standalone by most immigration authorities. DET generally is not – check this before relying on it for a visa application
- Easiest format: DET and PTE use short, integrated tasks and AI scoring. IELTS and TOEFL are longer and more essay-driven
- Bottom line: there’s no universal “best” test. The right one depends on your target universities, your visa requirements, your budget, and which format plays to your strengths
Table of Contents
- The quick answer: which test should you take?
- What each test actually is
- Side-by-side comparison at a glance
- Cost comparison, including the fees people forget
- Score scales and how they convert
- Format and difficulty, section by section
- University acceptance by destination
- Visa requirements: the factor most students overlook
- Results speed and retake policies
- Decision framework: which test fits your situation
- Why students are increasingly choosing DET
- Common mistakes when choosing an English test
- Frequently asked questions
- Next steps
The quick answer: which test should you take?
If you want the short version: check your target universities’ official English requirements page first, always. Every comparison in this guide is secondary to that one check, because acceptance varies by institution and even by programme.
Once you know DET, IELTS, TOEFL and PTE are all viable options for your target schools, here’s how to break the tie:
- Tightest budget or tightest deadline: DET. It’s the cheapest of the four and delivers results the fastest.
- Applying somewhere that requires a test for your student visa: IELTS, TOEFL or PTE. DET is not yet recognised standalone by most visa authorities.
- Applying to the US, especially competitive or Ivy League programmes: TOEFL or DET both work well; DET acceptance among US universities is now close to universal.
- Applying to the UK, Australia or Canada: IELTS remains the most broadly recognised, though DET and PTE acceptance is growing quickly at all three destinations.
- You find live, face-to-face speaking tests stressful: DET or PTE, both use recorded rather than live speaking components.
- You want the most “traditional,” universally safe choice with no acceptance research required: IELTS or TOEFL.
None of these four tests is objectively “the best.” Each is built differently, priced differently, and accepted differently. The right choice is the one that matches your specific university list, your visa pathway, and your test-taking strengths.
What each test actually is
Duolingo English Test (DET)
DET is a fully online, adaptive English proficiency test you take from home using a computer, webcam and microphone. It costs $70 officially ($60 through Comet, Cialfo’s official Duolingo voucher partner), takes about an hour, and is scored on a 10-160 scale. Results typically arrive within 24-48 hours. It’s accepted by more than 6,000 universities and programmes worldwide, including every Ivy League school.
IELTS Academic
IELTS is co-owned by the British Council, IDP IELTS, and Cambridge University Press & Assessment. It tests Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking, historically via a mix of paper and computer delivery with a face-to-face (or video-call) Speaking test conducted by a live examiner. From mid-2026, IELTS has moved to fully computer-delivered testing worldwide, though the Speaking component remains a live conversation. It’s scored on a 0-9 band scale and typically costs $200-$255 depending on your country. Results usually arrive within 3-13 days.
TOEFL iBT
TOEFL is produced by ETS and has long been the standard choice for US university admissions. It’s a computer-based test of Reading, Listening, Speaking, and Writing, scored on a 0-120 scale. Recent redesigns have shortened it to under two hours. It typically costs $200-$300 and results arrive in 4-8 days. A TOEFL Home Edition lets you take the exact same test remotely under live supervision.
PTE Academic
PTE Academic, developed by Pearson, is a fully computer-based test with integrated tasks that combine skills (for example, reading a passage aloud, which scores both reading and speaking). It’s scored on the 10-90 Global Scale of English, uses AI scoring throughout, and is known for the fastest results among the fee-based tests: typically 1-2 days. It costs roughly $200-$280 and has particularly strong recognition for Australian visa and immigration purposes.
Side-by-side comparison at a glance
| Factor | DET | IELTS Academic | TOEFL iBT | PTE Academic |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cost | $70 ($60 via Comet) | $200-$255 | $200-$300 | $200-$280 |
| Format | Fully online, from home | Computer or paper; live Speaking | Computer-based | Fully computer-based |
| Duration | ~1 hour | ~2h 45min (or 2h 15min computer) | Under 2 hours | ~2 hours |
| Score scale | 10-160 | 0-9 bands | 0-120 | 10-90 |
| Scoring method | AI, with human oversight | Human examiners | Human + AI oversight | AI throughout |
| Results speed | As little as 24 hours | 3-13 days | 4-8 days | 1-2 days |
| Free score reports | Unlimited | 5 free, then $20 each | 4 free, then $20 each | Unlimited |
| Speaking format | Recorded, AI-scored | Live examiner | Recorded, computer-based | Recorded, AI-scored |
| Test location | Anywhere with internet | Test centre or online (region-dependent) | Test centre or TOEFL Home Edition | Test centre or online |
| University acceptance | 6,000+ programmes | 11,000+ institutions | 12,000-13,000+ institutions | Thousands, strongest in Australia |
| Standalone visa acceptance | Limited | Widely accepted (SELT for UK visas) | Widely accepted | Widely accepted, especially Australia |
| Validity | 2 years | 2 years | 2 years | 2 years |
Note on acceptance numbers: these figures shift as institutions update their policies. Always confirm directly on your target university’s admissions page before committing to a test.
Cost comparison, including the fees people forget
The headline test fee is only part of the real cost. Score-reporting fees change the picture significantly once you factor in applying to multiple universities.
| Test | Test fee | Score-sending fees | Total cost applying to 8 universities |
|---|---|---|---|
| DET | $70 ($60 via Comet) | Free, unlimited | $60 via Comet |
| IELTS Academic | $200-$255 | $20 per report after 5 free | $260-$315 |
| TOEFL iBT | $200-$300 | $20 per report after 4 free | $280-$380 |
| PTE Academic | $200-$280 | Free, unlimited | $200-$280 |
DET’s cost advantage is not just the base fee. It’s the only test alongside PTE that sends unlimited score reports for free, so applying widely doesn’t add expense. For a full breakdown of every DET-related cost, including retakes and currency conversion, see our DET cost guide.
If your budget is the deciding factor and your target universities accept DET, it is difficult to beat on price. A discounted Comet voucher brings it down further, to $60, delivered to your inbox in under a minute.
Score scales and how they convert
Each test uses a different scale, which makes direct comparison confusing. Universities and test-prep organisations publish approximate conversion tables, though these are estimates rather than official equivalencies (no single conversion is perfectly accurate, since the tests measure slightly different things).
| Proficiency level | IELTS | TOEFL iBT | PTE | DET |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Good (typical university minimum) | 6.5 | 79-93 | 58-64 | 110-120 |
| High (competitive programmes) | 7.0 | 94-101 | 65-72 | 120-130 |
| Excellent (top universities, skilled visas) | 7.5+ | 102-109 | 73-78 | 130-140 |
These are approximations, not guarantees. Always check your specific university’s published minimum for the test you plan to take, rather than converting from a different test’s requirement. For a full breakdown of what counts as a good DET score by university type, see our DET score guide.
Format and difficulty, section by section
No test is objectively “easier.” Each rewards different skills, so the right one depends on your personal strengths.
Reading. TOEFL uses short, multistage-adaptive tasks mixing academic and everyday content. IELTS uses three longer passages with the widest range of question types among the four tests. PTE and DET both integrate reading with other skills through shorter, combined tasks.
Listening. TOEFL again favours shorter adaptive segments. IELTS follows a fixed four-part, 40-question structure covering both social and academic contexts. PTE and DET use shorter, integrated audio tasks embedded within mixed-skill questions.
Writing. TOEFL rewards students who can synthesise information across reading and listening passages into a structured essay. IELTS Writing is descriptive and argumentative, completed within a strict 60-minute window across two tasks, and by hand if you’re on the paper format. PTE’s writing tasks are shorter and typed, which some students find more approachable, while others struggle to summarise concisely within tight word limits. DET’s writing tasks are similarly short and integrated into the adaptive flow.
Speaking. This is where the four tests diverge most. IELTS uses a live conversation with a human examiner, which some students find more natural and others find nerve-racking. TOEFL, PTE, and DET all use recorded speaking, scored by AI (with human oversight at DET). If face-to-face speaking is your biggest source of test anxiety, DET or PTE will likely feel more comfortable. If you do your best speaking in a real conversation rather than talking to a screen, IELTS may suit you better.
Pacing and pressure. PTE moves quickly, with some tasks giving very short response windows, which some students find stressful. DET adapts its difficulty in real time based on your answers, which means the test gets noticeably harder if you’re doing well; this adaptive format rewards consistency over the full hour rather than a strong start followed by a weak finish.
Overall time and fatigue. DET is the shortest at about an hour. IELTS is the longest at up to 2 hours 45 minutes. TOEFL and PTE fall in between, at under 2 hours and roughly 2 hours respectively. If test fatigue affects your performance, DET’s shorter length is a genuine advantage.
University acceptance by destination
Acceptance varies meaningfully by country and by institution, which is why “which test is best” always needs a “for where” attached to it.
United States. DET and TOEFL are the most established here, since both are made by American companies and used heavily in domestic applications. DET acceptance in the US is now close to universal, including all Ivy League schools, though a small number of institutions still don’t accept it, so always verify your specific programme.
United Kingdom. IELTS remains the most broadly recognised test historically, though DET and PTE acceptance is growing quickly, including at several Russell Group universities. Requirements vary a lot by programme, so check the exact score your specific course requires.
Canada. DET and PTE acceptance is expanding steadily, with major institutions including the University of Toronto and McGill now recognising DET. IELTS remains the safest default if you haven’t checked your specific university yet.
Australia. PTE has particularly strong recognition here, especially for immigration purposes, but DET acceptance is growing too. Universities like Flinders University and the University of Newcastle accept DET across all programmes, while others such as Monash accept it for specific pathways like foundation courses.
Ireland. DET is accepted at 15 of the country’s 18 universities and is officially recognised for Irish student visa purposes, making it one of DET’s strongest destinations outside the US.
Elsewhere (Europe, New Zealand and beyond). DET acceptance continues to expand into markets like Germany, the Netherlands and New Zealand, generally at the individual programme level rather than nationwide. Always check institution by institution rather than assuming country-wide acceptance.
The takeaway across every destination is the same: acceptance figures change, and no comparison article can substitute for checking your specific university’s admissions page directly.
Visa requirements: the factor most students overlook
This is the single most important distinction between DET and the other three tests, and it’s easy to miss if you’re only comparing cost and speed.
IELTS, TOEFL and PTE are all widely recognised standalone by immigration authorities for student visa purposes. DET generally is not, at least not yet, in most countries.
In practice, this often matters less than it sounds, because many student visa systems accept your university’s confirmation of admission as sufficient proof of English proficiency, without requiring a separate government-recognised test. This is common in the US, Canada, and for many UK visa routes once you have a confirmed offer.
But if your specific visa pathway does require a standalone, government-approved English test, DET is unlikely to satisfy that requirement on its own. Before committing to DET purely for its cost and speed advantages, check your destination country’s visa requirements, not just your university’s admissions requirements. If in doubt, IELTS, TOEFL or PTE are the safer choice for the visa side of your application, even if you also take DET for admissions.
Results speed and retake policies
If your deadline is close, speed can matter as much as cost.
| Test | Typical results speed | Retake policy |
|---|---|---|
| DET | As little as 24 hours | Can retake every 21 days |
| PTE Academic | 1-2 days | No mandatory waiting period in most locations |
| TOEFL iBT | 4-8 days | Can retake after 3 days in most locations |
| IELTS Academic | 3-13 days (format-dependent) | No mandatory waiting period; subject to seat availability |
DET’s combination of the fastest results and the ability to book a retake almost immediately makes it the strongest option when a deadline is genuinely tight. If you’re in exactly that situation, an unusually urgent DET booking, see our note on why voucher delivery speed matters – the difference between a voucher that arrives in under a minute and one that takes 24-48 hours can be the difference between making a deadline and missing it.
Decision framework: which test fits your situation
“I have a deadline in the next few days.”
DET. It’s the only one of the four you can realistically book, take, and receive results for within a week, and vouchers through Comet arrive in under a minute.
“My visa application requires a specific test.”
Check the exact requirement first. If it names IELTS, TOEFL or PTE specifically, take that test. Don’t assume DET will satisfy a government visa requirement unless you’ve confirmed it does.
“I’m on a tight budget and applying to several universities.”
DET. The combination of the lowest base fee and unlimited free score reports makes it the cheapest option by a wide margin once you factor in applying to multiple schools.
“I get nervous speaking to a live examiner.”
DET or PTE, both use recorded speaking sections rather than a live conversation.
“I want the single safest, most universally recognised option and don’t want to research acceptance at each school.”
IELTS or TOEFL. Both have the broadest, most established acceptance globally, particularly for visa purposes.
“I’m applying mostly to US universities.”
TOEFL or DET both work well. DET acceptance among US institutions is now close to universal.
“I want the fastest possible results without sacrificing computer-based, AI-friendly formatting.”
DET, followed by PTE.
“I’m not sure which universities I’ll apply to yet.”
IELTS or TOEFL, since their acceptance is broad enough to keep your options open while you finalise your list.
Why students are increasingly choosing DET
Cost and speed explain most of DET’s growing popularity, but the full picture is a bit broader.
No travel, no test centre queues. You take DET from home, at any hour, with just a computer, webcam and stable internet.
Retake flexibility without financial punishment. At $60-$70 per attempt, retaking DET if your first score falls short of a target university’s requirement is a much smaller financial decision than retaking IELTS or TOEFL at $200+.
Unlimited free score reports. Applying to 10 universities costs the same as applying to one. IELTS and TOEFL both charge per additional report after a handful of free sends.
Faster iteration for last-minute applications. Because results arrive in as little as 24 hours and retakes are available every 21 days, DET fits tight application cycles better than any of the other three tests.
A genuine discount channel exists. Duolingo’s Global Partner Network authorises partners like Comet, powered by Cialfo, to sell official vouchers at a discount. $60 instead of $70 isn’t a huge saving on its own, but combined with everything else, it adds up.
None of this makes DET universally “better.” It makes DET the strongest option specifically for students who are budget-conscious, time-pressured, and applying to universities that already accept it.
Common mistakes when choosing an English test
1. Choosing based on price alone, without checking acceptance first. A cheaper test that your target university doesn’t accept is not a saving, it’s a wasted $60-$70 and a delay to your application.
2. Assuming a visa requirement is satisfied by any English test. IELTS, TOEFL and PTE are far more commonly recognised standalone for visa purposes than DET. Confirm your specific pathway before assuming.
3. Converting scores instead of checking published requirements. Score conversion tables are approximations. If a university publishes a DET minimum, use that number directly rather than converting from an IELTS requirement.
4. Booking the test that’s “easiest” without considering your actual weak skills. A shorter test isn’t necessarily easier for you personally. If live speaking is your strength, choosing IELTS to avoid a “harder” format might work against you.
5. Not accounting for score-report fees when comparing total cost. IELTS and TOEFL both charge per additional report after a handful of free sends; DET and PTE don’t. This can add $100+ to your real cost if you’re applying broadly.
6. Leaving the decision until the deadline is almost on top of you. If you’re choosing under time pressure, DET’s speed advantage becomes decisive, but ideally this decision is made weeks, not days, before you need a score.
Frequently asked questions
DET, at $70 officially or $60 through Comet. IELTS, TOEFL and PTE all typically cost $200 or more, and IELTS and TOEFL also charge for extra score reports, unlike DET.
DET, with results typically arriving in as little as 24 hours. PTE follows at 1-2 days. TOEFL takes 4-8 days, and IELTS takes 3-13 days depending on format.
IELTS and TOEFL currently have the broadest global acceptance, at roughly 11,000-13,000+ institutions each. DET’s 6,000+ university list is smaller but growing quickly, especially in the US, where acceptance is now close to universal.
Usually not on its own. Most student visa systems either don’t require a standalone English test (accepting your university confirmation instead) or specifically require IELTS, TOEFL, or PTE. Always check your destination country’s visa requirements directly before relying on DET for this purpose.
None is objectively easiest. DET and PTE use shorter, integrated, AI-scored tasks that many students find less stressful than IELTS’s live speaking interview or TOEFL’s longer academic writing tasks. The right choice depends on your personal strengths
Approximately, an IELTS 6.5 (a common university minimum) corresponds to roughly TOEFL 79-93, PTE 58-64, and DET 110-120. These are estimates, not official conversions, so always check your target university’s published requirement for the specific test you’re taking
Yes, in most cases. There’s no rule against taking multiple English tests, and many students take DET first because of its low cost and quick results, then take a second test if needed. Just confirm your target universities accept whichever test you ultimately submit.
IELTS remains the most broadly recognised in the UK, though DET and PTE acceptance is expanding quickly, including at several Russell Group universities. Check your specific programme’s requirements before deciding.
PTE has particularly strong recognition for both Australian universities and immigration purposes. DET acceptance is growing too, but check whether your target university accepts it for your specific programme, since acceptance sometimes varies between full-degree programmes and foundation pathways.
Yes, at many institutions, though acceptance rates for graduate programmes are generally a bit lower than for undergraduate admissions across all four tests. Always confirm directly with your target graduate programme.
A DET retake costs $60-$70 (or less through Comet). Retaking IELTS, TOEFL or PTE costs $200+ each time. If there’s a real chance you’ll need more than one attempt, DET’s lower retake cost is a significant practical advantage.
Yes. Each test rewards different skills, from TOEFL’s synthesis-heavy writing tasks to IELTS’s live speaking interview to DET’s adaptive, integrated format. See our DET preparation guide for a section-by-section study plan specific to DET.
Next steps
If DET fits your situation, universities, and visa pathway, the next step is booking it. Save on the test fee with a discounted Comet voucher, delivered to your inbox in under a minute.
Not sure what score you’ll need to hit? Our DET score guide breaks down requirements by university, with conversion tables for IELTS and TOEFL. Ready to start studying? Our DET preparation guide covers a full study plan and free official resources.
→ Get your DET voucher for $60 – instant delivery
