TOEFL vs Duolingo at a glance
Both tests measure academic English for admissions, but they are built differently. The TOEFL is the long-established standard from ETS. The Duolingo English Test is a newer, computer-adaptive test taken online. Here is how they compare on the things that actually decide it.
Fees, timings, and acceptance counts change, so treat these as 2026 guidance and confirm the current numbers on the official ETS TOEFL page and the official Duolingo English Test page.
Acceptance is the deciding factor
This is the part that settles most decisions, so handle it first. The TOEFL is accepted by more than 12,000 universities and programs worldwide, which in practice means almost anywhere you apply. The Duolingo English Test is accepted by a large and growing list of institutions, but it is still smaller, and some competitive programs either do not accept it or cap the score they will consider. A cheaper, faster test is no help if your dream program will not read it.
So before you book anything, open the admissions or English-requirement page for each program on your list and check two things: whether they accept the Duolingo English Test at all, and what minimum score they want. If even one program you care about is TOEFL-only, the safe move is to take the TOEFL and be done with it.
TOEFL to Duolingo score conversion
Because the two tests use different scales, it helps to see roughly how they line up. Duolingo publishes an official comparison between its 10 to 160 scale and the TOEFL iBT total. These are the anchor points most people ask about:
For any score in between, or to convert the other way, use our TOEFL to Duolingo score converter. If you also need the CEFR level or the 2026 1 to 6 band for a TOEFL score, the score calculator handles that.
Is the Duolingo test easier than the TOEFL?
It is shorter and feels less intimidating, but easier is the wrong word. The Duolingo English Test is adaptive, so it gets harder as you answer well, and it packs speaking, writing, reading, and listening skills into rapid mixed tasks with tight timers. The TOEFL gives you longer, more predictable tasks, which many people find easier to prepare for precisely because the format does not move.
The honest difference is what each test demands of you. The Duolingo test rewards quick thinking across constantly changing question types. The TOEFL rewards sustained academic performance, especially in the two sections where scores are actually won or lost. In our own data from 13,758 evaluated TOEFL practice attempts, Speaking or Writing was the weakest section for 98% of test-takers, while Reading and Listening were far more manageable. Whichever test you choose, that is where your preparation time should go. We break the pattern down in is the TOEFL hard.
Which one should you take?
Take the TOEFL if:
- Any program on your list does not clearly accept the Duolingo English Test, or is TOEFL-only.
- You are applying broadly and want one result that works everywhere.
- You prefer a fixed, predictable format you can drill in advance.
- You are targeting competitive or graduate programs that tend to be conservative about newer tests.
Take the Duolingo English Test if:
- Every school you are applying to accepts it, with a minimum score you can hit.
- Budget and speed matter, and you want results back in a couple of days.
- You cannot easily reach a test centre and prefer to test from home.
- You are comfortable with fast, adaptive, mixed question types.
How to prepare, whichever you choose
The skills overlap heavily, so preparation is not wasted if you switch. The fastest way to find your real level is a full, timed TOEFL mock, because it gives you honest per-section bands and shows you exactly where the productive sections cost you points. That diagnosis carries over to the Duolingo test too, since Speaking and Writing are the hard part on both.
- Sit a free full-length TOEFL mock to get your real per-section band, no signup to start.
- Weight your prep toward Speaking and Writing, the sections that decide scores.
- Check how your target score maps across scales with the Duolingo converter and the score calculator.
- Deciding between more than two tests? See TOEFL vs IELTS as well.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Duolingo English Test accepted like the TOEFL?
Not quite. The TOEFL is accepted by more than 12,000 institutions worldwide, while the Duolingo English Test is accepted by a growing list of over 5,500. Always confirm on each program's admissions page, since some competitive programs are TOEFL-only.
Is Duolingo cheaper than the TOEFL?
Yes. The Duolingo English Test costs around 65 US dollars, while the TOEFL usually costs between 190 and 255 US dollars depending on your country. Duolingo is also shorter and faster to get results.
What is a TOEFL 100 in Duolingo?
A TOEFL iBT total of 100 falls in the 98 to 103 range, which the official Duolingo comparison aligns with a Duolingo score of about 130 on the 10 to 160 scale. Use our converter for any other score.
Which is easier, TOEFL or Duolingo?
Neither is simply easier. Duolingo is shorter but adaptive and fast-paced across mixed tasks. The TOEFL is longer but more predictable, which many find easier to prepare for. Both are hardest in Speaking and Writing.
Can I take both tests?
Yes, and some applicants do when their target schools vary. Since the skills overlap, preparing for one helps with the other. If in doubt about acceptance, the TOEFL is the safer single choice.