Duolingo English Test vs. TOEFL: Which One Is Better for You?
When choosing a language proficiency test, you’ll likely come across Duolingo English Test (DET) and TOEFL. Both are widely accepted, but which one is right for you? If you’re looking for a faster, cheaper, and more convenient test that evaluates real-world language skills, the Duolingo English Test is the clear winner. Let’s compare both tests based on cost, speed, accessibility, test experience, and effectiveness.
1️⃣ Cost Comparison: DET Is Way More Affordable 💰
One of the biggest factors when choosing a test is cost. Here’s a direct comparison:
| Test | Price |
|---|---|
| Duolingo English Test (DET) | $70 |
| TOEFL | $200+ |
📌 Why This Matters:
- TOEFL can cost over $200, making it a financial burden for many students.
- Duolingo English Test is just $70, making it a budget-friendly option.
- If you’re applying to multiple universities, DET allows unlimited score sharing at no extra cost, while TOEFL charges for additional score reports.
2️⃣ Speed of Results: Get Your DET Score in Just 2 Days ⏳
Waiting for test results can be stressful, especially when deadlines are approaching. Here’s how long it takes to get your scores:
| Test | Time to Get Results |
|---|---|
| Duolingo English Test (DET) | 48 hours (or less!) |
| TOEFL | 4 to 8 days (sometimes longer) |
📌 Why This Matters:
- TOEFL results can take over a week, delaying university applications.
- DET results arrive in just 48 hours—some students even receive them in 24 hours.
✔️ Winner: Duolingo—Faster results mean less stress and quicker application processing.
3️⃣ Test Environment & Accessibility: DET Is More Convenient 🏠
Where do you take the test? That’s a big difference between DET and TOEFL.
| Test | Where You Take It |
|---|---|
| Duolingo English Test (DET) | Online, from home |
| TOEFL | At a test center |
📌 Why This Matters:
- Duolingo can be taken at home—you only need a computer with a camera and a quiet space.
- TOEFL requires travel to a test center, where you must go through security checks, leave personal items outside, and sit through a 3-hour-long exam.
- TOEFL test centers can be noisy, making concentration difficult, especially when other test-takers are speaking nearby.
✔️ Winner: Duolingo—No travel, strict check-ins, or long waits—just log in and take the test comfortably from home.
Best Strategies & Tips for DET Speaking Questions
4️⃣ Test Experience: DET Is More Engaging & Less Stressful 🎮
Taking a 3-hour TOEFL test in a crowded test center versus taking DET from your own home—which sounds better?
📌 How Duolingo Feels Different:
✅ Gamified & interactive—it feels more like a challenge than a traditional test.
✅ Short & efficient—it takes less than an hour to complete (TOEFL takes 3+ hours).
✅ Real-life communication skills—DET assesses natural language use, rather than relying on memorized test responses.
📌 What TOEFL Feels Like:
❌ Test center pressure—rigid seating, distractions from other test-takers.
❌ Long & tiring—a 3-hour test with multiple sections.
❌ Overwhelming study material—TOEFL prep requires thick books and multiple study guides.
✔️ Winner: Duolingo—A shorter, interactive test that assesses practical language skills instead of memorization.
5️⃣ Real-World Language Skills: DET Feels More Natural 🌎
Language learning isn’t about memorization—it’s about communication. The Duolingo English Test reflects this.
📌 How DET Tests Real-World Skills:
✅ Speaking prompts feel like real conversations—more natural and engaging.
✅ Writing responses focus on everyday scenarios, not just academic essays.
✅ Listening & reading tasks mimic real interactions, rather than robotic test passages.
📌 How TOEFL Tests Feel More Outdated:
❌ Speaking tasks can feel rehearsed—memorizing “perfect” responses doesn’t help in real life.
❌ Reading passages are often dense and technical, making comprehension harder.
❌ Listening sections use complex academic lectures, which don’t reflect everyday conversations.
The Necessity of Practice for the Duolingo English Test
Final Verdict: DET Wins in Every Category 🏆
| Category | Duolingo English Test (DET) | TOEFL |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | ✅ $70 (cheaper & unlimited score reports) | ❌ $200+ (expensive & extra score fees) |
| Speed of Results | ✅ 2 days or less | ❌ 4-8 days |
| Test Location | ✅ Take it at home | ❌ Must travel to a test center |
| Test Length | ✅ ~1 hour | ❌ ~3 hours |
| Experience | ✅ Interactive, gamified | ❌ Long, stressful |
| Real-World Skills | ✅ Practical language use | ❌ Academic-focused |
📌 Why Duolingo Is the Better Choice:
✅ More affordable
✅ Faster results
✅ No need to travel
✅ Shorter and less stressful
✅ More interactive & engaging
✅ Better real-world language assessment
🎯 Bottom Line: If you want a test that is affordable, fast, convenient, and actually useful for real-world communication, Duolingo is the clear choice. 🚀
🔹 Planning to take the Duolingo English Test? Start preparing today with DETStudy.com for practice questions, expert tips, and AI scoring!
