IELTS vs TOEFL : Which English Test Should You Take in 2026?

You need an English test score for your university or visa application, and you’ve narrowed it down to the two global giants: IELTS and TOEFL. Now you’re stuck. Which one should you take? Which one is easier? Which one is more widely accepted?

Searching for answers can leave you more confused than when you started. Some say TOEFL is better for the US, while others swear by IELTS for its “human” touch.

Let’s clear up the confusion.

While both are excellent and widely respected tests, they are fundamentally different experiences. The right choice depends entirely on your personal skills, your comfort level with technology, and how you best perform under pressure.

This is not just a comparison chart. This is a deep dive into the real differences between IELTS and TOEFL. We’ll break down every section, look at the scoring, and give you a simple checklist to help you choose the perfect test for you.

What are The Differences Between IELTS and TOEFL

IELTS vs TOEFL : Three Philosophical Differences

Before we break down each section, it helps to understand the core “personality” of each test.

Human Interaction vs. Computer Interaction

This is the biggest difference. The IELTS Speaking test is a real, live conversation with a person. The TOEFL Speaking test is an entirely computer-based experience where you speak into a microphone in response to prompts. Your preference here is a major deciding factor.

Global English vs. American English

IELTS is a truly international test. In the Listening section, you will hear a variety of accents from the UK, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, and the US. TOEFL, on the other hand, almost exclusively uses a standard North American accent.

Variety of Tasks vs. Multiple Choice

IELTS tests your skills using a wide array of question types, including filling in gaps, matching headings, and writing short answers. TOEFL relies heavily on multiple-choice questions in its Listening and Reading sections.

IELTS vs TOEFL : Section-by-Section Comparison

Let’s get into the details of what you’ll actually experience on test day.

The Speaking Test: A Conversation or a Monologue?

This is the most important difference for most test-takers.

• IELTS Speaking (11-14 minutes):
  
  You will sit in a quiet room with a friendly, certified examiner. The test is a one-on-one conversation that flows through three parts. It feels natural and allows you to ask for clarification if you don’t understand a question.
  • Pros: Feels like a real conversation. Less pressure if you dislike talking to a computer. You can read the examiner’s body language.
  • Cons: Can be nerve-wracking for shy people. You can’t re-record an answer if you make a mistake.
• TOEFL Speaking (approx. 17 minutes):
  
  You will be in a room with other test-takers, wearing headphones with a microphone. The computer will present you with four tasks. You will be given a short time to prepare and then a short time to speak your answer, which is recorded. Some tasks are “integrated,” meaning you first have to read a short passage or listen to a lecture.
  • Pros: Good for people who feel more pressure talking to a real person. You are focused only on the prompt.
  • Cons: Can feel unnatural and impersonal. Background noise from other test-takers speaking can be very distracting.

The Writing Test: Analyzing Data vs. Summarizing a Lecture

Both tests require two writing tasks, but they are very different.

• IELTS Writing (60 minutes):
  
  • Task 1: In the Academic test, you get a graph, chart, or diagram and must write a 150-word report summarizing the main features. In the General Training test, you write a letter.
  • Task 2: You write a 250-word essay based on a given topic or argument.
    
• TOEFL Writing (50 minutes):
  
  • Integrated Task: You will first read a short academic passage and then listen to a short lecture on the same topic. You must then write a 150-225 word response summarizing the lecture and explaining how it relates to the reading passage.
  • Academic Discussion Task: You write a 250-word essay in response to a question.

The Key Difference: IELTS Task 1 tests your ability to analyze visual data. The TOEFL Integrated task tests your ability to take notes and connect information from both reading and listening.

The Reading Test: Different Question Styles

• IELTS Reading (60 minutes):
  You will read three passages and answer 40 questions. The key feature is the huge variety of question types: multiple choice, matching headings, True/False/Not Given, sentence completion, short-answer questions, and more. You have to be flexible and ready for anything.
  
• TOEFL Reading (54-72 minutes):
  You will read three or four academic passages and answer questions. The questions are almost entirely multiple-choice, with one “summary” style question at the end of each passage.

The Listening Test: Taking Notes vs. Answering Questions

• IELTS Listening (30 minutes):
  You listen to four recordings and answer the questions as you listen. The questions follow the order of the audio. You will hear a variety of global accents.
• TOEFL Listening (41-57 minutes):
  You will listen to lectures and conversations. The key difference is that you take notes while you listen and only see the multiple-choice questions after the recording is finished. This tests your memory and note-taking skills more heavily. The accents are North American.

The Practical Questions: Scoring, Acceptance, and Difficulty

How Do the Scores Compare between IELTS and TOEFL?

IELTS uses a 9-band scale, while TOEFL is scored out of 120. Institutions have their own conversion charts, but here is a general guide:

Who Accepts Which Test?

The good news is that today, most institutions accept both IELTS and TOEFL.

• Over 12,000 organizations accept IELTS.
• Over 12,500 organizations accept TOEFL.

Traditionally, IELTS was preferred in the UK, Australia, and New Zealand, while TOEFL was the standard in the USA. However, this is no longer strictly true. Over 3,400 US institutions (including all Ivy League universities) accept IELTS.

Always check the official website of the university or immigration department you are applying to. They will tell you exactly which tests they accept and the minimum scores required.

IELTS vs TOEFL : Which Test is Easier?

There is no easy answer, because it depends entirely on you. One person’s strength is another’s weakness.

The IELTS test might be easier for you if:

• ✅ You are more comfortable in a real conversation with a person than speaking to a computer.
• ✅ You are good at understanding a variety of English accents.
• ✅ You prefer a wider variety of question types over just multiple choice.
• ✅ You are better at describing visual data (for the Academic test).

The TOEFL test might be easier for you if:

• ✅ You are a fast and accurate typist (as the whole test is on a computer).
• ✅ You prefer the anonymity of speaking into a microphone.
• ✅ You are excellent at multiple-choice questions.
• ✅ You have strong note-taking skills for the Listening and Integrated Writing tasks.

Ultimately, the best test for you depends on how you like to take exams, how comfortable you are with computers, and what your academic or career plans are. Both IELTS and TOEFL are trusted worldwide, and either one can help you prove your English skills and move forward with your international goals.