Both tests prove English proficiency to universities worldwide — but they differ in format, scoring, cost, and which countries prefer which. This guide covers every difference so you can pick the right test the first time.
Which is right for you? Answer 4 questions below to get a personalized recommendation.
Last updated: 2026 · 18 min read
Every major difference between IELTS Academic and TOEFL iBT at a glance.
| Feature | TOEFL iBT | IELTS Academic |
|---|---|---|
| Provider | ETS (Educational Testing Service) | British Council / IDP / Cambridge |
| Score scale | 0–120 (0–30 per section) | 0–9.0 band (0.5 increments) |
| Test duration | ~2 hours | ~2 hours 45 minutes |
| Test fee (approx.) | ~$220 USD | ~$250 USD |
| Sections | Reading, Listening, Speaking, Writing | Reading, Listening, Speaking, Writing |
| Speaking format | Recorded responses on computer | Face-to-face with human examiner |
| Writing tasks | Integrated summary + Academic Discussion Post | Graph/chart description + Argumentative essay |
| Delivery format | Computer-based (center or home edition) | Computer or paper-based (center only) |
| Accent variety | Primarily North American English | British, Australian, American, Canadian |
| Score validity | 2 years | 2 years |
| Result turnaround | 4–8 business days | 3–13 days (computer: 3–5 days) |
| At-home option | Yes — TOEFL iBT Home Edition | No official at-home option |
| One Skill Retake | No | Yes — IELTS One Skill Retake available |
| Accepted by | 12,000+ institutions in 160+ countries | 11,000+ institutions in 140+ countries |
| US universities | Widely accepted; many US schools prefer TOEFL | Accepted; slightly less common in the US |
| UK/Australia | Accepted; IELTS slightly more common | Preferred by most UK, AU, NZ institutions |
| Immigration use | Accepted by some; IELTS more common for visas | Widely accepted for immigration and visas |
Work through these questions. Each answer narrows the recommendation.
| Country | Purpose | Acceptance | Edge |
|---|---|---|---|
| United States | University admission | Both widely accepted | TOEFL |
| United Kingdom | University admission | Both accepted | IELTS |
| Australia | University admission / student visa | Both accepted | IELTS |
| Canada | University admission | Both accepted | Tie |
| New Zealand | University admission / visa | Both accepted | IELTS |
| Germany | Graduate study | Both accepted | IELTS |
| Netherlands | Graduate study | Both accepted | Tie |
| US/UK Immigration | Visa / residency | IELTS strongly preferred | IELTS |
| Singapore | University admission | Both accepted | Tie |
| Ireland | University admission | Both accepted | IELTS |
Official equivalency based on ETS and IELTS published concordance data. Use this to translate requirements when a university lists one test but you have the other.
| IELTS Band | TOEFL iBT Score | Level Description |
|---|---|---|
| 9.0 | 118–120 | Expert user |
| 8.5 | 115–117 | Near-expert user |
| 8.0 | 110–114 | Very good user |
| 7.5 | 102–109 | Good user |
| 7.0 | 94–101 | Good user (minor inaccuracies) |
| 6.5 | 79–93 | Competent user |
| 6.0 | 60–78 | Modest user |
| 5.5 | 46–59 | Limited user |
| 5.0 | 35–45 | Intermittent user |
Neither is objectively harder — difficulty depends on the test-taker. TOEFL's integrated tasks (combining reading + listening + speaking/writing) are considered challenging by many. IELTS Writing Task 1 (graph description) is unfamiliar for students not used to that format. IELTS Speaking is a live conversation, which some find more natural and others find more stressful. Take a practice test for both to see which plays to your strengths.
Virtually all US universities accept both. Historically, TOEFL was the preferred standard in the US, and many admissions officers are more familiar with the 0–120 scale. However, IELTS has grown significantly in US acceptance and you are not disadvantaged by submitting either score. Always verify acceptance on the specific program's admissions page.
Most UK universities accept both, but IELTS is the historical standard in the UK and many visa requirements (UK Student visa / Tier 4) specify IELTS or UKVI IELTS. If you are also applying for a UK student visa, IELTS Academic or IELTS UKVI is often required — TOEFL is generally not accepted for UK visa purposes.
IELTS introduced the One Skill Retake option that allows test-takers to retake just one of the four skills (Reading, Writing, Listening, or Speaking) within 60 days of their original test, instead of retaking the entire exam. This is a significant advantage over TOEFL, which requires a full retake. The feature is available at most IELTS test centers.
Yes — ETS and IELTS have published official equivalency tables. Broadly: TOEFL 100 ≈ IELTS 7.0, TOEFL 110 ≈ IELTS 7.5–8.0, TOEFL 90 ≈ IELTS 6.5. Universities that accept both typically have a conversion chart on their admissions pages.
Costs vary by country and test center. In the United States, TOEFL is typically around $220 and IELTS around $250. In some countries IELTS may be cheaper or vice versa. Check current fees on ets.org (TOEFL) and ielts.org (IELTS) for your specific location.
Yes — TOEFL iBT Home Edition allows you to take the exam from home with a live remote proctor. The test is identical to the test-center version. IELTS does not currently have an at-home option (except some computer-based centers); it must be taken at an official test center.
IELTS is generally better for immigration purposes. Many countries' immigration authorities (UK Visas and Immigration, Australian Home Affairs, Canadian IRCC) specifically require IELTS or accept IELTS as the primary English proficiency evidence. TOEFL is less commonly accepted for visa and immigration applications, though this varies by country.
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