IELTS
Depends
Confidence: Medium
Buy IELTS only if your target university, employer, or immigration program specifically requires it . it is a paid exam, not software.
New check
Comparison
IELTS vs Duolingo English Test
IELTS 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 | IELTS | Duolingo English Test |
|---|---|---|
| Verdict | Depends | Depends |
| Best for | UK/Australia/Canada visa applicants | Applicants to universities that accept DET |
| Who it's not for | Anyone whose school accepts cheaper tests like Duolingo or PTE | Applicants whose programs require IELTS or TOEFL only |
| Privacy | Strict test-security regime and score-confidentiality pledges; one 2025 technical-error incident reported.⁵ | No known public vulnerabilities found in the sources reviewed. |
| Support quality | Formal complaint channels exist; users report poor service | Multiple reports of slow, frustrating dispute resolution |
| Public sentiment | Test-takers describe high stakes and stress, with complaints clustering on cost, customer service, score changes, and bans, while free prep is widely used.³ | Test takers like the low price and home convenience but often report AI proctoring false flags, mid-test glitches, and painful review disputes.13 |
| Biggest gotcha | A Nov 2025 technical error changed some scores months after release.⁵ | Invalidated tests are not refunded . one user lost $118 across attempts12 |
Pick IELTS when
- UK/Australia/Canada visa applicants
- University applicants where IELTS is required
- Migration candidates needing accepted proof
- Self-studiers using free official materials
When IELTS is not a fit
- Anyone whose school accepts cheaper tests like Duolingo or PTE
- Casual learners just wanting to gauge their English level
- People needing certified results within days
- Buyers expecting SaaS-style support . it is an exam, not software
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
official
- Free IELTS Practice and Mock Tests (British Council)takeielts.britishcouncil.orgofficial
- IELTS Official Reviews on Trustpilottrustpilot.comreview
review
- IELTS candidates see scores changed months later (VnExpress)e.vnexpress.netnews
- IELTS Test Fees 2026: Prices in the USA, UK and Worldwideyourdreamschool.comreview
news
- Trustpilot reviews of englishtest.duolingo.comtrustpilot.comreview
- Duolingo Statistics 2026sqmagazine.co.uknews