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

For immigration purposes, IELTS is the dominant test. Canada, Australia, the United Kingdom, and New Zealand all prefer or require IELTS General Training for visa and permanent residency applications. In Canada, IELTS GT is accepted for Express Entry, Provincial Nominee Programs, and the Atlantic Immigration Program. In Australia, IELTS is accepted for all skilled migration visa subclasses.

TOEFL is not accepted for immigration in most countries. Canada does not accept TOEFL for Express Entry. The UK requires IELTS for UKVI specifically — TOEFL is not accepted for UK immigration. Australia accepts TOEFL for some visa subclasses, but IELTS remains the most widely used and universally accepted option.

If your primary goal is immigration, IELTS General Training is almost always the safest choice. It is accepted by every major English-speaking immigration authority, and your scores map directly to CLB levels used in Canadian points systems and Australian skills assessments.

For university admissions, both IELTS Academic and TOEFL iBT are widely accepted. Over 12,000 institutions in 140+ countries accept IELTS, while TOEFL is accepted by 12,000+ institutions in 160+ countries. In practice, most universities worldwide accept both tests, so your choice should come down to which format suits your strengths.

That said, regional preferences exist. UK, Australian, and European universities have traditionally leaned toward IELTS. US universities historically preferred TOEFL, though IELTS acceptance in the US has grown significantly — all Ivy League universities and over 3,400 US institutions now accept IELTS. Always check your target university's specific requirements, as some programmes set different minimum scores for each test.

Neither test is objectively easier — but one may be significantly easier for you depending on your English background and strengths. IELTS tends to favour test takers who are comfortable with face-to-face conversation, British/Australian English accents, and handwriting (if taking the paper-based test). The Speaking section is a live interview, which many candidates find more natural than speaking into a microphone.

TOEFL tends to favour test takers who are strong typists, comfortable with North American English accents, and prefer a fully computer-based experience. The integrated tasks in TOEFL Writing and Speaking (where you read a passage, listen to a lecture, then respond) reward academic note-taking skills.

If you are unsure, take a practice test of each and compare your scores. Many students find they score 0.5-1.0 bands higher on one test simply because the format suits their learning style better.

IELTS costs approximately $250 USD in most countries, though prices vary by test centre and region ($230-$270 is the typical range). IELTS for UKVI (required for UK immigration) costs more — approximately $280-$320. Additional services like priority results or remarking carry separate fees.

TOEFL iBT costs approximately $200-$300 USD depending on your country. Score reports sent to institutions beyond the first four incur extra charges ($20 each). Late registration adds $40. Overall, the total cost of each test is comparable, but TOEFL may be slightly cheaper in some regions while IELTS may be cheaper in others. Compare prices at your local test centres before booking.