Choosing between the Duolingo English Test and PTE Academic? They’re the two most popular alternatives to IELTS/TOEFL — but they differ wildly on price, format, and where they’re accepted. Pick wrong and you could waste both money and an application cycle.
This 2026 comparison breaks down DET vs PTE across every dimension that matters: fees, test format, scoring, acceptance, visas, and which one is genuinely easier for your situation.
Duolingo vs PTE: Head-to-Head
| Dimension | Duolingo English Test | PTE Academic |
|---|---|---|
| Fee (US) | $70 single; $118 bundle; +$40 fast results | ~$200–230 (country-variable) |
| Duration | ~60 minutes | ~2–2.5 hours |
| Where | At home, 24/7, remote-proctored | Pearson test center (limited online option) |
| Score scale | 10–160 (5-pt increments) | 10–90 (Global Scale of English) |
| Subscores | Literacy, Comprehension, Conversation, Production (+ individual skills) | Communicative + enabling skills |
| Acceptance | 5,500+ institutions, 110+ countries | 3,500–4,000+ institutions |
| Results | 48 hours (12h with add-on) | Typically 48 hours |
| Score sends | Unlimited, free | Free unlimited digital sharing |
| Retakes | Max 3 per 30 days | Must wait for results first |
| Validity | 2 years | 2 years |
Visa Acceptance: The Deciding Factor
| Destination | DET | PTE |
|---|---|---|
| USA | Widely accepted by universities | Accepted by many universities |
| UK | Accepted by 60+ universities (CAS route); not a SELT | PTE Academic UKVI approved for visas |
| Australia | Very limited for visas | Accepted for student + PR visas |
| Canada | Many universities accept; IRCC status disputed — verify | Accepted by IRCC for SDS |
| Ireland | Accepted by universities | Accepted |
Application-Season Cost Math
Applying to 8–10 universities? DET’s bundle + free score sends make it a fraction of the cost:
- DET: $118 two-test bundle (retake insurance) + $0 score sends = ~$118 total
- PTE: ~$200–230 per attempt, retakes cost full price again = ~$200–460 total
Which Is Easier? An Honest Decision Tree
- DET is easier if: you type fast, prefer short tests, get anxious in test centers, like adaptive tests, and want results with minimal prep overhead
- PTE is easier if: you prefer predictable templates (PTE’s famous “template culture”), want a human-free fully-computerized speaking section, or struggle with DET’s strict at-home proctoring rules
- Stamina matters: 60 minutes (DET) vs 2+ hours (PTE) is a real difference — shorter isn’t just convenient, it’s less error-prone
FAQs
Is Duolingo easier than PTE?
For most test-takers, yes — it’s shorter, cheaper, taken at home, and the adaptive format means you’re never stuck grinding through questions far above or below your level. But “easier” doesn’t help if your target university or visa doesn’t accept it.
Does Australia accept the Duolingo English Test for student visas?
Effectively no for visa purposes — PTE Academic is the safe choice for Australia (student and PR visas).
Which is cheaper, DET or PTE?
DET by a wide margin: $70 vs ~$200+, and DET includes unlimited free score reports.
Can I take PTE at home?
PTE Academic Online exists but has limited acceptance — most test-takers go to a Pearson test center. DET is fully at-home by design.
Do universities prefer PTE over Duolingo?
No general preference — universities that accept both treat them equally against their published cutoffs. Check each institution’s accepted-tests list.
Also see: Duolingo vs TOEFL 2026, Duolingo vs IELTS vs TOEFL, and the DET fees guide.
