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IELTSvsDuolingo
IELTS vs Duolingo: Which Should You Take?
Duolingo is far cheaper, shorter and taken at home — great if your university accepts it. IELTS has the widest acceptance including visas/PR.
▶ Try a free IELTS mock test⚡ Quick answer: Duolingo is far cheaper, shorter and taken at home — great if your university accepts it. IELTS has the widest acceptance including visas/PR. Both are accepted by many of the same universities, so the best test is the one that fits your destination, your strengths and your timeline — compare them below.
IELTS vs Duolingo at a glance
| IELTS | Duolingo | |
|---|---|---|
| Scoring | Band 0–9 | 10–160 |
| Cost | Higher (~US$200+) | Much cheaper (~US$65) |
| Length | ~2h 45m, at a centre | ~1 hour, at home |
| Results | 3–13 days | ~2 days |
| Acceptance | Universal | Thousands of universities, growing |
Choose IELTS if…
- Your university, student visa or permanent-residence pathway requires it — IELTS is accepted virtually everywhere, while the Duolingo English Test is not yet accepted by every institution or immigration system.
- You're applying for a student visa or migration, where Duolingo often isn't accepted.
- You want a result recognised by essentially every university worldwide.
Choose Duolingo if…
- Your chosen universities explicitly accept the Duolingo English Test — always confirm this first.
- You want a much cheaper test (around US$65) taken at home in about an hour.
- You want results in roughly 2 days without booking a test centre.
- You're early in your search and want a low-cost way to gauge your level.
Cost, results & validity
The Duolingo English Test (around US$65, about 1 hour, taken at home) is far cheaper and faster than IELTS (around US$200+, about 2h 45m, at a test centre). But IELTS is accepted for visas and permanent residence and by virtually every university — confirm Duolingo is accepted before relying on it.
Prices vary by country and change over time — always confirm the current fee and accepted test on the official test and university websites.
Frequently asked questions
- Is IELTS easier than Duolingo?
- Neither is universally easier — it depends on your strengths. Duolingo is far cheaper, shorter and taken at home — great if your university accepts it. IELTS has the widest acceptance including visas/PR.
- Which is more accepted, IELTS or Duolingo?
- Duolingo is far cheaper, shorter and taken at home — great if your university accepts it. IELTS has the widest acceptance including visas/PR.
- How much do IELTS and Duolingo cost, and how long are scores valid?
- The Duolingo English Test (around US$65, about 1 hour, taken at home) is far cheaper and faster than IELTS (around US$200+, about 2h 45m, at a test centre). But IELTS is accepted for visas and permanent residence and by virtually every university — confirm Duolingo is accepted before relying on it.
- Can I prepare for both IELTS and Duolingo for free?
- Yes — LandingPrep has free full-length mock tests, strategy lessons and a band/score checker for both IELTS and Duolingo, so you can try each format before you pay for the real test.