Choosing between IELTS and TOEFL is not a small decision. Your score sits on a university application, a work visa, or an immigration file – and the wrong choice can cost you months of extra preparation and a few hundred dollars in exam fees. Both tests measure the same thing in theory: whether you can study, work, and live in an English-speaking environment. In practice, they look different, score differently, and favour different types of learners.
This guide cuts straight to what matters. Below you will find the format, the scoring, the prices, where each test is accepted, and a clear recommendation for which one you should actually sit based on your goals.
Quick Overview: IELTS vs TOEFL at a Glance
Before we go deep, here is the essential picture in one table.
| Feature | IELTS | TOEFL iBT |
|---|---|---|
| Full name | International English Language Testing System | Test of English as a Foreign Language |
| Accepted by | 11,000+ organisations in 140+ countries | 12,500+ institutions in 160+ countries |
| Format | Paper or computer-based | Computer-based (internet) |
| Total duration | ~2 hours 45 minutes | ~2 hours |
| Scoring | Band 0-9 | Scaled 0-120 |
| Sections | Listening, Reading, Writing, Speaking | Listening, Reading, Writing, Speaking |
| Speaking format | Face-to-face with an examiner | Recorded answers into a microphone |
| English variety | Mostly British, some mixed accents | Predominantly American |
| Validity | 2 years | 2 years |
| Results | 3-13 days | 4-8 days |
Both tests check the same four skills, but the way they test them is where things diverge.
Section-by-Section Format Breakdown
Understanding how each test asks you questions matters more than the surface-level comparison. The same skill – for example, listening – can feel radically different depending on the task type.
Listening
- IELTS Listening: 30 minutes, 40 questions, four recordings. You hear conversations and monologues in a mix of British, Australian, and other English accents. Question types include gap-filling, short answer, and matching. You write your answers as you listen.
- TOEFL Listening: About 35 minutes. You listen to lectures and campus-style conversations (mostly American accents), then answer multiple-choice questions. You can take notes, but you answer only after each recording ends.
Reading
- IELTS Reading: 60 minutes, three passages, 40 questions. Topics are academic but broad – history, science, social issues. Question types vary widely: True/False/Not Given, matching headings, sentence completion.
- TOEFL Reading: About 35 minutes, two passages, roughly 20 questions. Texts are university-style academic. Questions are almost entirely multiple-choice.
Writing
- IELTS Writing: 60 minutes, two tasks. Task 1 is a 150-word report (Academic) or letter (General). Task 2 is a 250-word essay. Hand-written on paper or typed on computer. If you are weighing up the paper vs computer decision, our guide on computer-based IELTS writing and typing walks through the trade-offs.
- TOEFL Writing: Two tasks. An integrated task (read a passage, listen to a lecture, write a response) and an “Academic Discussion” task where you respond to a prompt in about 10 minutes. Everything is typed.
Speaking
This is where the two tests feel most different.
- IELTS Speaking: 11-14 minutes, face-to-face with a human examiner. Three parts: introduction questions, a short monologue from a cue card, and a discussion.
- TOEFL Speaking: About 16 minutes. Four tasks recorded into a microphone. No human in the room. Your responses are later graded by a combination of AI and human raters.
If the idea of talking to a live examiner makes you nervous, TOEFL removes that pressure. If you perform better in conversation than in a recording booth, IELTS plays to your strengths.
Scoring: Band Scores vs Scaled Scores
The scoring systems look completely different, but they roughly align. Here is a rough equivalence table so you can compare the two.
| IELTS Band | TOEFL iBT Score | Level |
|---|---|---|
| 9.0 | 118-120 | Expert |
| 8.0-8.5 | 110-117 | Very good |
| 7.0-7.5 | 94-109 | Good |
| 6.5 | 79-93 | Competent |
| 6.0 | 60-78 | Adequate |
| 5.5 | 46-59 | Modest |
| 5.0 | 35-45 | Limited |
| 4.0-4.5 | 32-34 | Basic |
IELTS reports each of the four skills as a band score from 0 to 9, plus an overall band. TOEFL gives you a 0-30 score for each of the four sections, added together for a total out of 120.
A few typical benchmarks:
- Undergraduate admission (average university): IELTS 6.0-6.5 / TOEFL 75-90
- Top universities (Oxbridge, Ivy League): IELTS 7.0-7.5 / TOEFL 100-110
- UK skilled worker visa: IELTS 4.0 (UKVI) or equivalent
- Australian skilled migration: IELTS 6.0+ per skill is a common floor
Always check the exact requirement of the institution you are applying to – these are general ranges.
Price Comparison
Test fees vary significantly by country. Below are approximate 2025 prices.
| Test | Typical Price (USD) | Typical Price (GBP) |
|---|---|---|
| IELTS Academic / General | $245 - $260 | £195 - £215 |
| IELTS for UKVI | $275 - $290 | £220 - £240 |
| TOEFL iBT | $185 - $245 | £150 - £200 |
| TOEFL Home Edition | $185 - $220 | £150 - £180 |
TOEFL is usually the cheaper option, sometimes by $50-$70. If budget is a significant factor and both tests are accepted where you are applying, this matters. Just remember that retaking either test costs the full fee again, so investing in solid preparation is always cheaper than a resit.
Where Each Test Is Accepted
Acceptance is the single most important factor in your decision. A cheaper test that your target university does not accept is a waste of money.
| Region / Purpose | IELTS | TOEFL |
|---|---|---|
| UK universities | Widely accepted | Widely accepted |
| US universities | Accepted but TOEFL is traditional | Gold standard |
| Canadian universities and immigration | Preferred | Accepted |
| Australian universities and immigration | Preferred / required | Accepted for study, limited for visas |
| New Zealand | Preferred | Accepted |
| European universities | Widely accepted | Widely accepted |
| UK visa (UKVI) | IELTS for UKVI required | Not accepted for most UK visas |
| Australian PR / skilled migration | Accepted | Accepted |
| Canadian PR (Express Entry) | Accepted (IELTS General) | Not accepted |
The headline: for US-focused applications, TOEFL is the safest choice. For UK, Australia, Canada, and immigration pathways in general, IELTS is the safer choice. If you are unsure, IELTS is more universally accepted.
Which One Is Harder?
Neither test is objectively harder – but one will almost certainly be harder for you. Your background, preferences, and study habits decide.
IELTS is usually easier if you:
- Prefer British English or are used to a mix of accents
- Feel more confident in a face-to-face conversation than a recorded monologue
- Want the option of a paper-based test
- Like varied question types (matching, short answer, True/False/Not Given)
- Are a strong writer who can hand-write under time pressure
TOEFL is usually easier if you:
- Are more comfortable with American English
- Prefer typing to handwriting
- Perform better with multiple-choice questions than open-ended ones
- Want to avoid a live speaking examiner
- Are used to working on a computer for long stretches
- Can take structured notes while listening to long lectures
One genuine gotcha: TOEFL requires you to sit at a computer for around two hours, sometimes with other test-takers speaking into microphones in the same room. If that environment would distract you, IELTS might feel less stressful.
Which One Should You Actually Take?
Here is a straightforward decision guide. Find your situation and go with the recommendation.
| Your situation | Recommended test |
|---|---|
| Applying to US universities only | TOEFL |
| Applying to UK, Australian, Canadian universities | IELTS |
| Applying to a mix of countries | IELTS (more flexible) |
| UK work or study visa (UKVI) | IELTS for UKVI (only option) |
| Canadian PR / Express Entry | IELTS General Training |
| Australian skilled migration | IELTS General Training |
| You hate speaking to strangers face-to-face | TOEFL |
| You type slowly or prefer paper | IELTS (paper-based) |
| Tight budget, flexible on destination | TOEFL |
| You want faster results and familiar British English | IELTS |
A practical note: if you are targeting a competitive score (IELTS 7.5+ or TOEFL 105+), both tests demand serious preparation. The section that trips up the most candidates is usually writing, and the reason is simple – exam writing is a very different skill from everyday writing. Our breakdown of why writing prep is different is worth a read before you start studying in earnest, regardless of which test you pick.
Final Verdict
Both tests are credible measures of English proficiency. The right choice depends almost entirely on two factors: where you are applying and how you perform under different test conditions.
- Choose IELTS if you need global flexibility, you are applying to the UK, Australia, Canada, or you need a test for immigration. It is also the stronger pick if you prefer speaking with a human and want paper-based options.
- Choose TOEFL if your applications are US-focused, you are comfortable with computers and American English, and you would rather speak into a microphone than sit across from an examiner.
Whichever test you pick, what actually determines your score is preparation, not natural talent. Aim to understand the marking criteria, drill the question types that appear on exam day, and rehearse under timed conditions. When test day comes, small things – arriving early, knowing the format cold, managing your nerves – make a bigger difference than most candidates realise. Our guide on IELTS exam day tips covers the habits that high-scorers rely on, and most of them transfer directly to TOEFL as well.
Make the call, commit to one test, and focus your preparation. Splitting your attention between both is the fastest way to score poorly on both.