IELTS vs TOEFL Which one is better?

Question

TOEFL iBT or IELTS? which language Test should I take? This is a frequently asked question so here we will try to answer it with the help of detailed comparison between the two.

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. TOEFL iBT
3. IELTS
4. How the exams are formatted?
5. TOEFL New updates for 2026
6. How long do the tests last?
7. How does scoring work?
8. How and where do I register?
9. Overview of TOEFL iBT New Score
10. Comparing TOEFL Scores Across the 1-6 and 0-120 Scales
11. Score Comparison Tables
12. IELTS vs TOEFL Side by Side Comparison
13. TOEFL vs IELTS: Which Is Harder?
14. Which Test Is Generally More Challenging by Skill?
15. Which Test for Your Destination?
16. Cost Comparison
17. How to Prepare for the TOEFL vs IELTS
18. How Long Should You Study?
19. Countries that Accept IELTS vs TOEFL

Introduction

As a non-native English speaker applying for a program that is either delivered in English or taught in an English-speaking country, your university will likely require you to prove your English language proficiency through a standardized test score.

If they don't have a preference as to which test they'd like you to take, you might find yourself wondering which is right for you – TOEFL iBT or IELTS. Both are accepted by thousands of institutes worldwide, with millions of prospective students opting for one or the other each year, but which one comes out on top where it really matters?

If you need to prove your English skills for university, immigration, or work, you’ve probably narrowed it down to two options: TOEFL vs IELTS. Both are accepted by thousands of institutions worldwide—but they test you in surprisingly different ways. So, which one should you take? The short answer: it depends on where you’re applying, your personal strengths, and how you prefer to be tested. The TOEFL is fully computer-based with a new 1–6 scoring scale (updated January 2026), while the IELTS includes a face-to-face speaking interview and uses a 0–9 band system. Neither is universally harder-they’re just different.

Choose the TOEFL if you:

prefer a shorter, fully computer-based test (~90 minutes)
are comfortable speaking into a microphone rather than to a person
want a test that is adaptive (for Reading and Listening) and adjusts to your level as you go
like having your results quickly (scores typically available within days)

Choose the IELTS if you:

prefer speaking face-to-face with an examiner
want the option of a paper-based test
need the General Training version for immigration or work purposes
value having a one-skill retake option if one section doesn’t go well

TOEFL iBT

The TOEFL test was founded in 1964 by ETS, the world's largest educational assessment and research organization. Over the years, it's been renowned for its high standards of quality and fairness. The TOEFL is accepted by more than 13,000 universities and other institutions worldwide, including those in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the UK, the US, and throughout Europe and Asia.

Starting January 21, 2026, the TOEFL introduced big updates, including adaptive testing, a revised scoring scale, and modernized content.

IELTS

Founded in 1989 by the British Council, Cambridge English Language Assessment, and IDP. Over 12,500 institutions, including thousands of universities, accept IELTS globally, covering the UK, Australia, Canada, and over 3,000 US universities, making it widely recognized for study abroad and immigration

How the exams are formatted?

TOEFL iBT
The TOEFL test is taken on a computer and features adaptive technology. Here are the questions that will appear in the new format:

Reading: Complete the Words (fill in missing letters), Read in Daily Life (short practical texts), and Read an Academic Text
Listening: Listen and Choose a Response, Listen to a Conversation, Listen to an Announcement, Listen to an Academic Talk
Writing: Build a Sentence (arrange words into correct sentences), Write an Email, Writing for an Academic Discussion
Speaking: Listen and Repeat (repeat sentences exactly as heard), Take an Interview (respond to simulated interview questions)

TOEFL New updates for 2026

The Reading and Listening sections now use adaptive technology: All test takers begin with the same set of questions, and based on your performance in the initial stage, the difficulty level of subsequent questions adjusts accordingly (high-performing students receive more challenging questions, and vice versa).

ETS has replaced niche historical topics with more modern content. You'll now encounter real-life campus conversations and situations, excerpts from magazines and websites, practical texts such as emails, announcements, and social media posts, as well as more academic content.

IELTS
IELTS is a paper-based test, with a computer-based option available in select countries.

IELTS requires participants to respond to a range of different question types, including short-answer, gap-filling, and essay tasks.
The speaking portion of IELTS requires an in-person interview with an examiner, often on a different day from the rest of the test.
Depending on your preference, this can be a much more stressful experience or a much more natural one compared to an exclusively computer-based exam.

How long do the tests last?

TOEFL iBT Test
You can complete the TOEFL iBT test in 90 minutes, in only one session.

Reading (18-27 minutes, adaptive)
Listening (18-27 minutes, adaptive)
Writing (⁓23 minutes)
Speaking (⁓8 minutes)

Note: Because the Reading and Listening sections are adaptive, the number of items and time may vary based on performance. The test no longer includes a 10-minute break.

You can retake the test an unlimited number of times, but not more than once in a 3-day period.

IELTS
You can take the IELTS in 2 hours and 45 minutes, but the speaking test takes place on a different day.

Writing (60 minutes)
Reading (60 minutes)
Listening (30 minutes)
Speaking (14 minutes)

How does scoring work?

TOEFL test
The TOEFL test now uses a new 1-6 band scale aligned with the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). The scores will be reported on a 1-6 scale with half-point increments, such as 4.5 and 5.5 for each section (Reading, Listening, Speaking, and Writing). The overall score is the average of all 4 section scores, rounded to the nearest half band.

TOEFL with CFR Level
The new scoring system directly aligns with CEFR levels:

Band score	CEFR level
5.5-6.0	C1 (Advanced)
4.5-5.0	B2 (Upper Intermediate)
3.5-4.0	B1 (Intermediate)
Below 3.5	A2 or below

Note for the transitional period: For a two-year period (2026-2028), students will receive both the new 1-6 band score and a comparable overall score on the traditional 0-120 scale. This helps universities and students compare results during the transition.

All scoring uses a centralized online scoring network.
There's a combination of AI and human raters of speaking and writing responses.
The Speaking section employs multiple raters who are unaware of the student's identity.
As of 2026, scores will be available within 72 hours, compared to the previous 4-8 days.

IELTS
The paper-based test is scored by a human examiner. Most of the computer-based test is scored digitally.

IELTS uses a 1-9 band scoring system, where each section is measured in .5 increments.
If you take the paper-based exam, you must ensure that your handwritten answers are legible and easily understood.
Unclear handwriting may be misunderstood by the examiner.
On both the paper and computer-based test, the speaking section is scored by a single examiner only, so your score might be dependent on whether they can fully understand your accent.

How and where do I register?

TOEFL iBT
You can book online or via the TOEFL Official App, and take the exam from wherever you are in the world. As of 2026, ETS has redesigned the registration process, offering simplified booking options for both test centers and at-home testing.

There are over 3,000 TOEFL testing locations in 200 countries and territories.
Find a test center easily with an online test-center search powered by Google Maps.
You can also take the Home Edition or Paper Edition versions of the test.
The price of the TOEFL iBT test varies by country from $180 to $325.
The TOEFL iBT test is offered more than 50 times each year.

IELTS
Apply online, over the phone, or by mail.

There are 4,000 IELTS testing locations in up to 140 countries.
Tests are offered up to 4 times per month, up to 48 times a year.
The IELTS cost varies depending on your location and the exact exam you wish to take, but it's usually between 300 and 400 US dollars. You can see the exact price for your desired testing location on their official website.

Overview of TOEFL iBT New Score

To ease the transition for students and institutions, ETS will provide comparable scores on the 0 – 120 score scale on score reports for two years. These comparable scores will represent the midpoint value of the equivalent range on the 0 - 120 scale. The updated scale will look like this:

CEFR	Total	Reading	Listening	Writing	Speaking
C2	6	6	6	6	6
C1	5.5	5.5	5.5	5.5	5.5
C1	5	5	5	5	5
B2	4.5	4.5	4.5	4.5	4.5
B2	4	4	4	4	4
B1	3.5	3.5	3.5	3.5	3.5
B1	3	3	3	3	3
A2	2.5	2.5	2.5	2.5	2.5
A2	2	2	2	2	2
A1	1.5	1.5	1.5	1.5	1.5
A1	1	1	1	1	1

Under the 1 – 6 scale:

Total score. A student’s overall score is the average of the four section scores, rounded to the nearest half band. This differs from the 0 – 120 scale, in which the overall score is the sum of the section scores.
Nearest half band calculation. To give two examples: If the average of a student’s four individual section scores is 5.125, their overall score will be a 5. If the average of the four sections is a 5.25, that student will receive a 5.5.

Setting TOEFL Requirements Under the 1 – 6 Scale
Over the next several months, the TOEFL team will provide robust support as you set your score requirements. ETS recommends first identifying the appropriate CEFR level for your program and setting your score requirements accordingly.

The chart below also shows a list of the most common overall TOEFL score requirements under the 0 – 120 scale, alongside the overall TOEFL requirements we recommend establishing under the 1- 6 scale that launches in January 21, 2026.

Current TOEFL Score Requirement (0-120)	Recommended TOEFL Score Requirement (1-6)
100	5
90	4.5
80	4
70	3.5

Comparing TOEFL Scores Across the 1-6 and 0-120 Scales

To help you interpret scores from TOEFL exams taken before January 21, 2026 – and since TOEFL scores stay active for two years, you may see a handful of these scores through late 2027 – the chart below compares the two sets of scores.

Total and section scores (1-6)	Reading (0-30)	Listening (0-30)	Writing (0-30)	Speaking (0-30)	Total (0-120)
6	29-30	28-30	29-30	28-30	114+
5.5	27-28	26-27	27-28	27	107+
5	24-26	22-25	24-26	25-26	95+
4.5	22-23	20-21	21-23	23-24	86+
4	18-21	17-19	17-20	20-22	72+
3.5	12-17	13-16	15-16	18-19	58+
3	6-11	9-12	13-14	16-17	44+
2.5	4-5	6-8	11-12	13-15	34+
2	3	4-5	7-10	10-12	24+
1.5	2	2-3	3-6	5-9	12+
1	0-1	0-1	0-2	0-4	0+

Note: Estimated total scores under the 0 – 120 scale are the sum of the section scores and can be obtained with different section score combinations.

In the chart above, the 1 – 6 scores (in increments of 0.5) align with a range of scores under the 0 – 120 scale – for example, a 5 on TOEFL iBT is equivalent to a 95 and up (through 106). This may raise questions for institutions who today require, to use one example, a 100 or above.

In this scenario, setting a minimum score threshold of 5.5 might reduce the chances of accepting applicants with an equivalent score of less than 100, but it will increase the chances of not accepting qualified candidates with an equivalent score of 100 or even higher. Therefore, choosing a band score of 5 should work well for institutions that previously required a total score of 100. ETS will also recommend that the same requirement is also established for the section scores.

This same analysis applies for institutions, to use a few more common examples, that accept a TOEFL score of 90 (which is now equivalent to a 4.5 on the updated scale), as well as those that accept a TOEFL score of 80 (now equivalent to a 4).

What Will I See on Score Reports After January 21?
To ease the transition for both institutions and students, ETS will be providing three scores on every score report for the next two years: (1) CEFR level; (2) 1 – 6 overall and section scores; and (3) a comparable 0 – 120 overall score.

Score Comparison Tables

To aid your institution’s efforts to set appropriate score thresholds and train your staff – as well as inform students – ETS has offered four comparative charts below, including:

A comparison of the 1 – 6 scale (across both total and section scores) with the corresponding CEFR levels. ETS recommends that you begin with this chart as you set your score requirements.
A comparison of the 1 – 6 scale with the 0 – 120 scale for tests taken before January 21, 2026, the date on which we will launch the 1 – 6 scale. This will be relevant for two years, although you will receive fewer scores under this scale as time passes.
A score-by-score comparison across the 1 – 6 and 0 – 30 section score scales for Reading, Listening, Writing, and Speaking.
A comparison of the 1 – 6 scale (across both total and section scores) with the comparable IELTS scores.

CEFR	Total	Reading	Listening	Writing	Speaking
C2	6	6	6	6	6
C1	5.5	5.5	5.5	5.5	5.5
C1	5	5	5	5	5
B2	4.5	4.5	4.5	4.5	4.5
B2	4	4	4	4	4
B1	3.5	3.5	3.5	3.5	3.5
B1	3	3	3	3	3
A2	2.5	2.5	2.5	2.5	2.5
A2	2	2	2	2	2
A1	1.5	1.5	1.5	1.5	1.5
A1	1	1	1	1	1

Reading (0-30 v. 1-6)		Listening (0-30 v. 1-6)		Writing (0-30 v. 1-6)		Speaking (0-30 v. 1-6)
30	6	30	6	30	6	30	6
29	6	29	6	29	6	29	6
28	5.5	28	6	28	5.5	28	6
27	5.5	27	5.5	27	5.5	27	5.5
26	5	26	5.5	26	5	26	5
25	5	25	5	25	5	25	5
24	5	24	5	24	5	24	4.5
23	4.5	23	5	23	4.5	23	4.5
22	4.5	22	5	22	4.5	22	4
21	4	21	4.5	21	4.5	21	4
20	4	20	4.5	20	4	20	4
19	4	19	4	19	4	19	3.5
18	4	18	4	18	4	18	3.5
17	3.5	17	4	17	4	17	3
16	3.5	16	3.5	16	3.5	16	3
15	3.5	15	3.5	15	3.5	15	2.5
14	3.5	14	3.5	14	3	14	2.5
13	3.5	13	3.5	13	3	13	2.5
12	3.5	12	3	12	2.5	12	2
11	3	11	3	11	2.5	11	2
10	3	10	3	10	2	10	2
9	3	9	3	9	2	9	1.5
8	3	8	2.5	8	2	8	1.5
7	3	7	2.5	7	2	7	1.5
6	3	6	2.5	6	1.5	6	1.5
5	2.5	5	2	5	1.5	5	1.5
4	2.5	4	2	4	1.5	4	1
3	2	3	1.5	3	1.5	3	1
2	1.5	2	1.5	2	1	2	1
1	1	1	1	1	1	1	1
0	1	0	1	0	1	0	1

IELTS (1-9)	TOEFL Reading (1-6)	TOEFL Listening (1-6)	TOEFL Writing (1-6)	TOEFL Speaking (1-6)	TOEFL Total (1-6)
9	6	6	6	6	6
8.5	5.5	6	6	6	6
8	5.5	5.5	6	6	6
7.5	5	5	5.5	5	5.5
7	4.5	5	5	4.5	5
6.5	4	4.5	4.5	4	4.5
6	3.5	3.5	4	3.5	4
5.5	3.5	3	3	3	3.5
5	3	2.5	2	2.5	2.5
4.5	2.5	1.5	1.5	2	2
4	1	1	1	1.5	1.5

Note: Total scores in the table are based on the average of the sections scores, rounded up to the next highest half band, to minimize false positive classifications. Total scores awarded to test takers can be obtained with different section score combinations.

IELTS vs TOEFL Side by Side Comparison

Comparing IELTS and TOEFL shows clear differences that can influence your choice. While both tests evaluate English proficiency, they cater to different needs and preferences. Understanding these differences can help you decide which test is the best fit for your academic or professional goals. So, let's read some more further information regarding these two exams on what is unique about them.

Feature	TOEFL iBT	IELTS Academic
Administered by	ETS	British Council / IDP / Cambridge
Purpose	Academic and General Training (for immigration/work)	Primarily for academic purposes
Total test time	~1 hour 30 minutes	~2 hours 45 minutes
Sections	Reading, Listening, Speaking, Writing	Listening, Reading, Writing, Speaking
Scoring scale	1–6 (half-point increments)	0–9 (whole and half bands)
Competitive score	5.0+	6.5–7.0+
CEFR-aligned?	Yes	Yes
Speaking format	Recorded via microphone	Face-to-face with examiner
Test format	Computer only	Paper or computer
Adaptive?	Yes (Reading and Listening)	No
US registration fee	$270	$280 to $340
Score availability	Within 3 days	3–5 days (computer) / 13 days (paper)
Score validity	2 years	2 years
One-skill retake?	No	Yes
Versions	iBT and Essentials	Academic and General Training
Global Acceptance	Recognized in over 150 countries	Widely accepted, especially in the USA
Accent Variability	Variety of English accents (British, Australian, etc.)	Primarily American English
Frequency of Exams	Up to 48 times a year	More than 50 test dates per year
Exam Mode	Computer-delivered and Paper-based	Internet-based Test (iBT) and Home Edition
Eligibility	No specific eligibility criteria	No specific eligibility criteria

As you can see, these tests differ in almost every dimension. Let’s dig into the details.

Pro tip: The TOEFL’s 90-minute test time is a significant advantage if test fatigue is a concern for you. That’s nearly half the time of the IELTS. On the other hand, some test-takers appreciate the IELTS’s more relaxed pacing and the fact that speaking may be scheduled on a separate day, giving you one less thing to worry about during the main test.

TOEFL Scoring (Post-January 2026)
As of January 21, 2026, the TOEFL iBT uses a 1–6 band scale with half-point increments. Your overall score is the average of your four section scores (Reading, Listening, Speaking, Writing), rounded to the nearest half point.
The new scale aligns directly with CEFR proficiency levels:

6.0 = Mastery (C2)
5.0–5.5 = Advanced (C1)
4.0–4.5 = Upper Intermediate (B2)
3.0–3.5 = Intermediate (B1)

A score of 5.0 or higher is generally competitive for most graduate programs and top universities.

Note: The TOEFL originally used a 0–120 scale. For the next two years, that old scoring system will still be included on your test results, along with the new 1–6 scale.

IELTS Scoring
The IELTS uses a 0–9 band scale with whole and half band scores. Your overall band score is the average of your four section scores, rounded to the nearest half band (0.25 rounds up to the next half; 0.75 rounds up to the next whole number).

Here’s how the bands break down:

8.5–9.0 = Expert user (C2)
7.0–8.0 = Good to very good user (C1)
5.5–6.5 = Competent user (B2)
4.0–5.0 = Modest user (B1)

A score of 6.5–7.0 or higher is competitive for most university programs.

Pro tip: Both tests now align with CEFR levels, which makes comparing scores easier than ever.

Test Structure: Section-by-Section Comparison

Both the TOEFL and the IELTS assess four skills—Reading, Listening, Speaking, and Writing—but the format, timing, and task types differ significantly. Here’s how each section compares.

Reading

Feature	TOEFL	IELTS Academic
Duration	~30 min	60 min
Content	Academic + everyday texts	Academic passages only
Adaptive?	Yes	No
Number of questions	Up to 50	40
Question types	Multiple choice, fill-in, Complete the Words	Multiple choice, matching, True/False/Not Given, fill-in

The TOEFL’s Reading section is adaptive—it adjusts difficulty based on your performance, which can affect the number of items you see. You’ll encounter a mix of academic and daily-life texts, including short passages, emails, and announcements. IELTS Academic Reading gives you three long academic passages and 60 minutes to answer 40 questions. The passages are longer and more traditional, drawn from books, journals, and magazines.

Pro tip: Ask yourself: Do you prefer many shorter reading tasks with varied formats, or three longer passages with more time to work through them? Your answer may point you toward the right test.

Listening

Feature	TOEFL	IELTS
Duration	~29 min	~30 min (+ 10 min transfer time for paper)
Content	Academic lectures + conversations	Academic + social/everyday conversations
Adaptive?	Yes	No
Number of questions	Up to 47	40 (4 parts, 10 questions each)
Replay audio?	No	No
Accents	Mixed (British, Australian, American, and others)	Mixed (British, Australian, American, and others)

Both tests play audio only once—no replays. The TOEFL’s Listening section is adaptive and focuses on academic lectures and campus conversations delivered in a variety of accents.
IELTS Listening covers a wider range of contexts—from everyday social situations to academic discussions—and also features a variety of accents, including British, Australian, and others. If you’re testing on paper, you get 10 extra minutes to transfer your answers to the answer sheet.

Speaking
This is the single biggest experiential difference between the two tests.

Feature	TOEFL	IELTS
Duration	~8 min	11–14 min
Format	Recorded responses via microphone	Face-to-face interview with examiner
Parts	Listen & Repeat, Interview tasks	Introduction, Long Turn, Discussion
Human interaction?	No	Yes
Online variant	Same format	Video call with examiner

On the TOEFL, you speak into a microphone and your responses are recorded—there’s no human interaction. You’ll complete Listen & Repeat tasks and Interview questions about your opinions and experiences. The entire section takes about 8 minutes.
On the IELTS, you sit across from a human examiner (or connect via video call for the online version) for 11–14 minutes. The interview has three parts: a warm-up with general questions, a prepared talk on a given topic (with 1 minute of prep time), and an in-depth discussion related to that topic.

Pro tip: If speaking to a camera or microphone makes you anxious, the IELTS’s conversational format may feel more natural. If you tend to get nervous talking to strangers, the TOEFL’s recording format may work better for you.

Writing

Feature	TOEFL	IELTS Academic
Duration	~23 min	60 min
Tasks	Build a Sentence, Write an Email, Academic Discussion	Describe data/chart (Task 1), Essay (Task 2)
Typed or handwritten?	Typed (computer)	Typed (computer) or handwritten (paper)
Word count	Varies by task	150+ (Task 1), 250+ (Task 2)

The TOEFL’s Writing section is shorter. It features Build a Sentence questions, which heavily test your grammar, along with two short writing tasks: Write an Email (exactly what it sounds like) and an Academic Discussion task (you take a position in a brief argument). Everything is typed on a computer.

IELTS Academic Writing gives you a full 60 minutes for two tasks. Task 1 asks you to describe a graph, chart, or diagram in at least 150 words—a specific skill that requires practice. Task 2 is a traditional essay of at least 250 words. Task 2 is weighted more heavily than Task 1. If you’re testing on paper, you write by hand.

Pro tip: Ask yourself: Are you a fast, confident typist who can compose organized responses under tight time pressure? The TOEFL’s shorter writing section may play to your strengths. If you prefer more time to develop longer, more detailed written responses, the IELTS gives you that breathing room.

TOEFL vs IELTS: Which Is Harder?

This is one of the most common questions students ask—and the honest answer is that neither test is universally harder. They present different challenges, and the one that feels harder depends on your personal strengths and preferences.

What Makes the TOEFL Challenging

Adaptive testing — The Reading and Listening sections adjust difficulty to your performance, which can feel disorienting if you’re not used to it.
Computer-recorded speaking — There’s no human interaction. You speak into a microphone with strict time limits per task, which some test-takers find unnatural.
Shorter overall time — At ~90 minutes, the TOEFL gives you less time total, which means less margin for pacing errors.
New task types — The January 2026 format introduced task types that may be unfamiliar, even to people who’ve studied with older TOEFL materials.

What Makes the IELTS Challenging

Face-to-face speaking — The interview format means spontaneous follow-up questions you can’t predict. Some test-takers find this stressful.
60-minute Reading section — Three long academic passages require sustained concentration over a full hour.
Writing Task 1 — Describing data from a graph or chart is a specific skill unlike everyday writing. It requires practice.
Longer test time — At ~2 hours 45 minutes, fatigue can be a real factor, especially for the later sections.

Which Test Is Generally More Challenging by Skill?

Skill	Tends to Be More Challenging On...	Why
Reading	IELTS	Longer passages, 60-minute section, no adaptivity
Listening	Similar	Both play audio once; IELTS has more accent variety
Speaking	Depends on you	TOEFL: no human cues; IELTS: spontaneous follow-ups
Writing	IELTS	Longer section, specific Task 1 format (graphs/charts)
Overall stamina	IELTS	~2h 45min vs ~1 hour 30 minutes

Pro tip: The best way to find out which test is harder for you is to try both. Take a free practice test for each and compare how you feel during and after. That firsthand experience is worth more than any generalized comparison chart.

Which Test for Your Destination?

Destination / Purpose	Recommended Test	Notes
US graduate school	TOEFL or either	TOEFL is most widely accepted; most US schools also take IELTS
UK university	IELTS or either	IELTS traditionally dominant; many UK schools also accept TOEFL
UK visa (UKVI)	IELTS only	TOEFL is not accepted for UK visa applications (GOV.UK)
Australian university	Either	Both widely accepted
Canadian university	Either	Both accepted by most institutions
Canadian permanent residency	Either	Both IELTS General Training and TOEFL are accepted by IRCC
Australian immigration	Either	Both accepted by the Department of Home Affairs
New Zealand immigration	Either	Both accepted by Immigration New Zealand

Pro tip: If you’re applying to multiple countries or programs, check all of their requirements before choosing a test. One test that works everywhere is more efficient than taking two.

Cost Comparison

If you take the exam in the United States, the TOEFL is less expensive than the IELTS Acadmeic. However, for either exam, fees vary greatly by country and test center.

Fee Type	TOEFL (US)	IELTS (US)
Registration	$270	$280 to $340
Rescheduling	$69	~25% of your registration fee (~$70–85)
Extra score reports	$29 each (4 free with registration)	A small processing fee (5 free with registration)
One-skill retake	N/A	~$195 (varies)
Express registration	$49 (within 7 days)	N/A

TOEFL fees vary significantly by country—from $173 in India to $475 in Switzerland.

Note: The price of either exam highly varies by country. However, the price difference shouldn’t be your primary decision factor. Choose the test you’re most likely to score well on—retaking a cheaper test still costs more than passing a pricier test the first time.

How to Prepare for the TOEFL vs IELTS

Your preparation strategy should reflect the test you choose. Here are the key differences in how to study.

Preparing for the TOEFL

Familiarize yourself with the new 2026 format — The test changed significantly in January 2026. Make sure your prep materials reflect the current format, including the adaptive Reading and Listening sections and the new task types.
Practice computer-based testing — Everything on the TOEFL is delivered on screen, including the speaking section. Practice typing essays and speaking into a microphone.
Build comfort with adaptive testing — Reading and Listening adjust difficulty based on your performance. Taking timed practice sections will help you build confidence.
Use official materials — ETS provides free practice tests and sample questions that mirror the actual test.

Preparing for the IELTS

Practice the face-to-face speaking format — Find a study partner, tutor, or practice in front of a mirror. The IELTS speaking interview includes spontaneous follow-up questions, so you need to be comfortable thinking on your feet.
Practice describing charts and graphs — IELTS Academic Writing Task 1 is a unique task type that requires specific practice. You’ll need to describe data clearly and accurately in at least 150 words.
Build stamina for the longer test — At nearly 3 hours, the IELTS demands sustained focus. Take full-length practice tests under timed conditions.
Use official materials — The British Council also provides a free practice test as well as sample questions.

How Long Should You Study?

Study timelines vary based on your current English level and target score. Generally, 1–3 months is a typical preparation window for intermediate English speakers. Start with a diagnostic or practice test to assess your baseline level.

Countries that Accept IELTS vs TOEFL

IELTS is widely accepted in over 140 countries, including key English-speaking nations and various other regions. It is recognized for both academic and immigration purposes, making it a popular choice among international students and professionals.

IELTS Acceptance
Number of Countries: Over 140

Top 10 Countries:

United Kingdom
Australia
Canada
New Zealand
United States
Ireland
South Africa
Singapore
Germany
Netherlands

TOEFL is accepted in over 150 countries, primarily focusing on academic institutions. It is especially prevalent in the United States and Canada but is also recognized globally, making it suitable for students aiming to study in English-speaking countries.

TOEFL Acceptance
Number of Countries: Over 150

Top 10 Countries:

United States
Canada
Australia
United Kingdom
New Zealand
Germany
China
Japan
South Korea
India.

References

ETS Official
British Council
Magoosh
Educations.com
Aceglobal

Good Luck!

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IELTS vs TOEFL Which one is better?

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