Exam Comparison

IELTS vs Duolingo English Test

IELTS vs Duolingo English Test — a complete comparison for 2026

Quick verdict

The Duolingo English Test (DET) emerged as a major alternative to IELTS during the pandemic and has maintained its popularity. It is shorter (1 hour), cheaper (~$65), and can be taken from home.

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The Duolingo English Test (DET) emerged as a major alternative to IELTS during the pandemic and has maintained its popularity. It is shorter (1 hour), cheaper (~$65), and can be taken from home. However, it is not accepted for immigration and has narrower acceptance for academic purposes. IELTS remains the gold standard for both immigration and academic admission.

Side-by-Side Comparison

FeatureIELTSDuolingo English Test
Test formatPaper or computer at test centerOnline from home
Duration2 hours 45 minutesAbout 1 hour
Cost~$250 USD~$65 USD
Scoring scaleBand 1-910-160
Results time3-13 days2 days
Immigration acceptedYes (AU, CA, NZ, UK)No
University acceptance11,000+ institutions5,000+ institutions
Speaking formatFace-to-face examinerVideo interview (AI + human review)
Retake waiting periodNone (computer)21 days
Test locationAuthorized test centerAny computer with webcam

Score Conversion Table

IELTSDuolingo English TestCEFR
8.5-9.0145-160C2
7.5-8.0125-140C1
6.5-7.0105-120B2
5.5-6.085-100B1-B2
4.5-5.065-80B1

Score conversions are approximate. Check your institution for official equivalency tables.

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Which Should You Choose?

You need the score for immigration

IELTS

DET is not accepted for any immigration program

Budget is tight

Duolingo

DET costs ~$65 vs ~$250 for IELTS — significantly cheaper

No test center nearby

Duolingo

DET can be taken from home on any computer

Applying to competitive programs

IELTS

IELTS is universally accepted; some programs still do not accept DET

You need results quickly and cheaply

Duolingo

DET gives results in 2 days and costs a fraction of IELTS

Professional registration required

IELTS

No professional body accepts DET for registration

IELTS Pros & Cons

Universal acceptance for academic and immigration purposes
Established reputation trusted by institutions worldwide
Human-scored Speaking and Writing
Accepted by all professional registration bodies
One Skill Retake available
Expensive (~$250)
Must travel to a test center
Longer test (2 hours 45 minutes)
Results take 3-13 days

Duolingo English Test Pros & Cons

Very affordable (~$65)
Take from home — no travel required
Short test (about 1 hour)
Fast results (2 days)
Adaptive format adjusts to your level
Not accepted for immigration
Narrower institutional acceptance (5,000 vs 11,000+)
Not accepted by professional registration bodies
21-day waiting period between attempts
Requires stable internet and quiet room at home
Relatively new — some institutions view it with skepticism

Frequently Asked Questions

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Last updated: 2026-03

IELTS is a registered trademark of University of Cambridge ESOL, the British Council, and IDP Education Australia. This website is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or connected to any of these organizations. Scoring tables shown are approximate and may vary by test version.