ETS
Depends
Confidence: Medium
If your target program requires the GRE or TOEFL, ETS is effectively your only vendor . you don't get to choose.
New check
Comparison
ETS vs Duolingo English Test
ETS and Duolingo English Test both land on Depends.
Duolingo English Test
Depends
Confidence: Medium
Buy it if your target universities accept DET and you have a quiet room, stable internet, and a second camera ready.
| Compare | ||
|---|---|---|
| Verdict | Depends | Depends |
| Best for | Applicants whose programs require GRE/TOEFL | Applicants to universities that accept DET |
| Who it's not for | Anyone whose schools accept IELTS, PTE, or Duolingo | Applicants whose programs require IELTS or TOEFL only |
| Privacy | No known public vulnerabilities found in the sources reviewed.⁹ | No known public vulnerabilities found in the sources reviewed. |
| Support quality | Trustpilot 1.1/5; recurring service complaints | Multiple reports of slow, frustrating dispute resolution |
| Public sentiment | Sentiment is strongly negative . Trustpilot rates 1.1/5 'Bad', with complaints about fees, proctoring terminations, and support.¹ | Test takers like the low price and home convenience but often report AI proctoring false flags, mid-test glitches, and painful review disputes.14 |
| Biggest gotcha | $220 per GRE attempt; retakes get expensive fast³ | Invalidated tests are not refunded . one user lost $118 across attempts13 |
Pick ETS when
- Applicants whose programs require GRE/TOEFL
- Schools needing standardized score benchmarks
- Employers screening English skills via TOEIC
When ETS is not a fit
- Anyone whose schools accept IELTS, PTE, or Duolingo
- Test-optional applicants . skip the $220 fee
- At-home test-takers wary of proctoring terminations
- Price-sensitive test-takers who may need retakes
Pick Duolingo English Test when
- Applicants to universities that accept DET
- Budget-conscious test takers
- People needing at-home, on-demand testing
- Retakers improving scores cheaply
When Duolingo English Test is not a fit
- Applicants whose programs require IELTS or TOEFL only
- Anyone without a quiet, private, well-lit room
- People on unstable internet or old hardware
- Test takers who can't risk losing the fee
Sources
- Educational Testing Service Reviews . Trustpilottrustpilot.comreview
review
review
- Write ETS a review . Reddit r/GREreddit.comreview
review
- GRE General Test Feesets.orgofficial
- ETS Productsets.orgofficial
security
official
news
- Trustpilot reviews of englishtest.duolingo.comtrustpilot.comreview