Duolingo English Test vs IELTS Online. Which At-Home English Test Is Better in 2026?

Duolingo English Test and IELTS Online at a glance

The Duolingo English Test (DET) and IELTS Online are the two main at-home English proficiency tests for university admission. They serve the same purpose but differ significantly in cost, format, and acceptance. The comparison table below shows how they stack up.

How much does each test cost?

The Duolingo English Test costs $70 per attempt. That is the full price. There are no additional fees for sending your score to unlimited universities.

IELTS Online runs $200 or more depending on your country. You get 5 free score reports. Each additional report costs $20.

Retakes follow the same pricing. $70 for the DET each time. $200+ for IELTS Online each time.

Third-party platforms sometimes sell DET voucher codes at a discount. Arno (arno.digital) and Mr. Luke's platform both offer vouchers that reduce the $70 price. Some vouchers also include faster 12-hour results at no added cost. Before you pay full price, check whether discount codes are available.

If you apply to multiple universities, the DET saves money on score reports. IELTS Online can add up quickly if you are sending scores to more than five institutions.

$70

per attempt

Most affordable option

$200 – $250

per attempt

Higher investment

How long is each test and what does it cover?

The DET takes about 1 hour total. The 5-minute setup checks your ID, microphone, and camera. The 45-minute adaptive section measures your skills in real time. The 10-minute video interview records you responding to open-ended prompts.

The adaptive format means questions get harder or easier based on your answers. You do not waste time on questions that are too easy or too hard for your level.

IELTS Online takes 2 hours 50 minutes in four fixed sections.

Listening runs 30 minutes with recordings you hear once.

Reading runs 60 minutes with three texts and various question types.

Writing runs 60 minutes with two tasks. Task 1 is usually a graph or letter. Task 2 is an essay responding to an argument.

Speaking runs 11 to 14 minutes via a live video call with a certified IELTS examiner. The examiner assesses you in real time, not from a recording reviewed later.

IELTS Online uses fixed difficulty for all test takers. The questions do not adjust based on your performance.

If you prefer a short test that adapts to your level, the DET wins. If you prefer fixed sections and a live human examiner for speaking, IELTS Online gives you that.

What score do you need for university admission?

The DET uses a 10 to 160 scale in 5-point increments. IELTS uses a 1 to 9 band scale averaged across four skills. TOEFL iBT scores range from 0 to 120. All three tests align with the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR), making it possible to convert scores directly.

The table below shows the official DET to IELTS and TOEFL score conversion with CEFR levels, based on Duolingo's published concordance study.

Most undergraduate programs require DET 105 to 120 or IELTS 6.0 to 6.5. Graduate programs often ask for DET 120+ or IELTS 6.5 to 7.5. Top-tier universities in the US and UK typically require DET 130+ or IELTS 7.0+.

Always check your target university minimum score on their admissions page. Do not assume a general guideline applies to your specific program.

Where is each test accepted?

IELTS Online is accepted by over 12,000 institutions worldwide. The IELTS brand has been established for decades and has the broadest acceptance of any English proficiency test.

The DET is accepted by over 5,700 institutions and the list grows every year. Major schools accepting the DET include Yale, Columbia, NYU, University of Michigan, and UCLA in the United States. Imperial College London, University of Birmingham, and University of Bristol in the UK. University of Toronto, University of British Columbia, and McGill University in Canada. University of Sydney, Australian National University, and Monash University in Australia.

If your target university accepts both, the DET saves you time and money. If you have not finalized your university list or are applying to a wide range of schools, IELTS Online covers more ground.

Always confirm with your target university's admissions office before booking. Acceptance policies change and some schools only accept IELTS, not the DET.

Which countries have restricted access?

IELTS Online is not available in Mainland China, Iran, Sudan, or Syria. If you live in one of these countries, you cannot take IELTS Online and will need a different test.

The DET has no country restrictions. It is available everywhere with an internet connection and a compatible computer. This makes it the practical choice for students in countries where IELTS Online is not offered.

Ireland is the exception. It accepts the DET for student visas at score 55 for foundation courses and 75 for higher education. That puts it among a handful of home-based tests with official visa recognition.

Which test should you choose?

• Choose DET if your target university accepts DET scores, you want to save money ($70 vs $200+), you need results fast (48 hours), or you prefer a shorter test (1 hour)
• Choose IELTS Online if you need the widest acceptance (12,000+ institutions), your programme requires an IELTS score, or you prefer a live speaking examiner

Still not sure? Start with the DET. It costs about a third of IELTS Online and delivers results in 48 hours. If your target university turns out to require IELTS, you will still have time to prep for it after getting your DET result.

Use the table below to match your situation to the right test.

How Linguistic Academy helps you get the score you need

Most test-takers spend weeks on practice tests and vocabulary drills. Even after all that, they might still fall short.

At Linguistic Academy, an experienced professional works with you during your real test. You get the score you need without weeks of prep.

You tell us your target exam, score, and deadline. We assess your case and confirm within 24 hours. We handle the equipment and technical setup. On test day, we prepare your system and support you throughout. Your certified score gets sent to your university.

We have done this over 1,000 times across 30 countries with a 99.9% success rate. If your deadline is close, you probably do not have weeks to waste.

How the exam help process works