Duolingo vs TOEFL – Which English Test Should You Choose in 2025?

📚 Duolingo vs TOEFL: Quick Overview

Feature	Duolingo	TOEFL
Test Format	Online (from home)	Online or test center
Duration	1 hour	2.5–3 hours
Cost	$59	$195
Results Time	48 hours	4–8 days
Accepted By	4000+ institutions	11,500+ institutions
Scoring	10–160	0–120
Speaking Section	AI + Video Interview	Recorded responses
Retake Policy	Every 2 days	Every 3 days

🎯 Who Should Take Duolingo?

• 📍 Students from Pakistan, India, or developing countries needing low-cost options
• 🧑‍💻 Those with stable internet and good devices at home
• ⏳ Students needing fast results for deadlines
• 🌐 Applying to universities that clearly accept Duolingo (check their websites)

🎯 Who Should Take TOEFL?

• 📌 Students applying to US, Germany, or top-ranked universities globally
• 🛂 Those applying for visas that require TOEFL (e.g., US F1 visa)
• 🎓 Students aiming for Ivy League, MIT, Stanford, etc.
• 🏫 Institutions that do NOT accept Duolingo

📈 Difficulty Level: Duolingo vs TOEFL

✅ Duolingo is generally easier and more beginner-friendly.

❗ TOEFL has longer passages, academic vocabulary, and more formal structure.

🧠 Both test all four skills: Reading, Writing, Listening, and Speaking — but TOEFL feels more like a real university exam.

🕐 Test Duration & Stress

• Duolingo: Short and adaptive — stress-free for most students
• TOEFL: Long and fixed — may feel exhausting

💵 Cost Comparison

• 🎫 Duolingo: $59 (PKR ~16,500)
• 🎫 TOEFL: $195 (PKR ~55,000)

💡 Duolingo is ideal if you're budget-conscious or need multiple attempts.

🌍 University Acceptance

• 🧾 TOEFL is accepted by almost every major university worldwide
• ✅ Duolingo is accepted by many — but not all — universities
• 📌 Always check the official university website before deciding

📌 When Duolingo Is Not Enough

• ❌ UK student visa (Tier 4) – needs SELT like IELTS UKVI
• ❌ Canada SDS visa – requires IELTS Academic
• ❌ Some competitive programs – still prefer TOEFL or IELTS

🔗 Related Resources

• Score Converter Tool (Duolingo ↔ TOEFL ↔ IELTS)
• Free Practice Questions for Duolingo
• TOEFL Preparation Guide for Beginners

💬 Final Verdict

Choose Duolingo if you want:

• 💸 Low-cost, fast English test
• ⌛ Quick admission processing
• 🏠 At-home convenience

Choose TOEFL if you want:

• 🌍 Higher university/visa acceptance
• 🎓 Apply to top global universities
• 🧾 A safe, long-term option

💼 Need Help Choosing or Booking a Test?

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