Home › Language tests › TOEFL vs IELTS

TOEFL vs IELTS: Which Test Should You Take?

Choose the test your destination accepts. For university admission, many universities accept both TOEFL and IELTS, so pick the format you are more comfortable with. For visas and migration, IELTS is accepted more widely: UK visas need a SELT such as IELTS for UKVI, and according to IRCC, TOEFL is not accepted for Express Entry.

Last updated: 28 September 2026 · Written by the PrepEve team

What are the key differences between TOEFL and IELTS?

They are run by different organisations, they are built for slightly different uses, and they feel different on test day. Neither is easier for everyone.

For how IELTS bands work, see IELTS band scores explained. For TOEFL basics, see our TOEFL iBT guide.

Should you choose TOEFL or IELTS?

Start with what your university, employer or visa accepts. Only when both are accepted should personal preference decide.

Choose TOEFL if…

• Every university on your list accepts TOEFL, and you only need the test for admission.
• You prefer speaking into a microphone to talking with an examiner.
• You are comfortable typing and with an all-computer test.
• You are strong at academic lectures and note-taking.

Choose IELTS if…

• You need the score for a visa or migration as well as, or instead of, study.
• You are applying for a UK visa that needs a SELT — IELTS for UKVI is one approved option.
• You are applying for Canada PR through Express Entry — IELTS General Training is approved; TOEFL is not.
• You prefer a spoken conversation with a real examiner.
• You want the option of a paper-based test.

There is no universal winner. A student going only to US universities may find TOEFL simpler. A student who might later apply for a work visa or PR often saves a second test fee by choosing IELTS.

Which is better for university admission?

For study, both are widely accepted. US universities commonly accept both TOEFL and IELTS, and so do many universities in the UK, Canada, Australia and Europe.

Check each program page. Some list a minimum total and a minimum per section or skill. Some departments accept only one test. If all your universities accept both, choose the one where your practice scores are stronger.

Which is better for visas and PR?

For migration, IELTS is usually the safer choice, because TOEFL is mainly used for admission.

• UK: according to UK Visas and Immigration, visa applicants who need to prove English usually need a Secure English Language Test (SELT) from an approved provider. IELTS for UKVI is one of them. Read our UK English language requirements guide.
• Canada: according to IRCC, Express Entry accepts IELTS General Training, CELPIP-General and PTE Core for English. TOEFL is not on IRCC's approved list. See Canada PR language requirements.
• Australia: according to the Department of Home Affairs, skilled visas accept several English tests, including IELTS and PTE Academic. Check the current list before you book.

PrepEve provides language coaching, not immigration advice.

Which test format will suit you better?

Think about how you perform under pressure. The biggest practical difference is Speaking.

• Speaking: IELTS is a live conversation with an examiner, who can follow up. TOEFL has you speak to a computer against a timer. Some people freeze with a person; others freeze talking to a screen.
• Writing: TOEFL is typed. IELTS can be handwritten (paper) or typed (computer). If your typing is slow, that matters.
• Content: TOEFL is built around university life. IELTS Academic is academic too, while General Training uses everyday and workplace texts.

The best check: take one official practice test of each, timed, and compare how it felt as well as the score.

Frequently asked questions