TOEFL just had its biggest overhaul in years — new 1.0–6.0 band scores, a shorter 67–90 minute format, and results in 72 hours. Meanwhile the Duolingo English Test keeps getting cheaper and more accepted. The 2026 comparison looks very different from the old guides.
Here’s Duolingo vs TOEFL in 2026: fees, format, the new TOEFL band scale with DET score conversions, acceptance, and which test fits your plans.
Duolingo vs TOEFL: Head-to-Head (2026)
| Dimension | Duolingo English Test | TOEFL iBT (2026 format) |
|---|---|---|
| Fee (US) | $70 / $118 bundle / +$40 fast | $255 (varies by country) |
| Duration | ~60 min | 67–90 min (down from ~2h) |
| Score scale | 10–160 | 1.0–6.0 bands (new Jan 2026; 0–120 shown during transition) |
| Format | Fully adaptive, all sections | Adaptive Reading & Listening only; new tasks: “Listen and Repeat”, “Write an Email” |
| Where | Home, 24/7 | Test center OR Home Edition |
| Results | 48 hours | 72 hours (was 4–8 days) |
| Score sends | Unlimited, free | 4 free, then $29 per report |
| Acceptance | 5,500+ institutions, 110+ countries | 11,000–13,000+ institutions, 160+ countries |
| Validity | 2 years | 2 years |
Score Conversion: DET ↔ New TOEFL Bands
Universities are transitioning to TOEFL’s band scale through January 2028. Here’s how DET scores map:
| DET (10–160) | TOEFL band (new) | TOEFL (old 0–120) | CEFR |
|---|---|---|---|
| 150–160 | 6.0 | 114–120 | C1–C2 |
| 130–145 | 5.0–5.5 | 95–113 | B2–C1 |
| 120–129 | 4.5 | 83–94 | B2 |
| 110–115 | 4.0 | 72–82 | B2 |
| 100–105 | 3.5 | 60–71 | B1–B2 |
Application-Season Cost: 8 Universities
| Cost item | DET | TOEFL iBT |
|---|---|---|
| Test fee | $70 | $255 |
| Score reports (8) | $0 | ~$116 (4 extra × $29) |
| Total | $70 | ~$371 |
TOEFL extras to budget: reschedule $69, late registration $40, express scoring $129, section review $80/section.
At-Home Showdown: DET vs TOEFL Home Edition
Both can now be taken at home — but the experience differs:
- DET: secondary camera (phone at your side) required, no headphones, ears visible, strict room scan — invalidation rules are tighter
- TOEFL Home Edition: human proctor via ProctorU-style monitoring, ~45% of global TOEFL volume now
- Failure cost: a voided DET costs $70 and a retake slot; a voided TOEFL costs $255
Which Should You Take?
- Take DET if: your universities accept it, budget matters, you want the fastest path, and you’re comfortable with strict at-home proctoring
- Take TOEFL if: any target school doesn’t list DET, you’re applying across many countries, or your visa route needs the most universally recognized test
- Consider both if: deadlines are tight — DET’s 48-hour results can cover early deadlines while TOEFL covers the rest
FAQs
What changed in TOEFL 2026?
The January 2026 overhaul: new 1.0–6.0 band scores (replacing 0–120), 67–90 minute duration, results in 72 hours, adaptive Reading/Listening, new “Listen and Repeat” and “Write an Email” tasks, and a new section order (Reading → Listening → Writing → Speaking).
Is Duolingo accepted everywhere TOEFL is?
No — TOEFL is accepted at 11,000+ institutions vs DET’s 5,500+. Always check each university’s accepted-tests list.
Which is cheaper?
DET, massively: $70 vs $255, and DET includes unlimited free score reports while TOEFL charges $29 per extra report.
What DET score equals TOEFL 100?
Roughly DET 130–135, which maps to TOEFL band ~5.0–5.5 (old scale ~95–105). Treat conversions as estimates — universities set their own equivalencies.
Can I take TOEFL at home?
Yes — the TOEFL Home Edition is available in most countries and now accounts for about 45% of global test volume.
Also see: Duolingo vs PTE 2026, Duolingo vs IELTS vs TOEFL, and the DET fees guide.
