Neither is easier. They are different games, so pick the one that fits you:
- IELTS: face-to-face speaking with a human examiner, paper or computer, 2 hours 45 minutes. Scored in half-bands. - TOEFL iBT: everything on computer, including speaking into a microphone. 0-120 scale, plus a new 1-6 band scale since January 2026. - Score math: IELTS 6.5 = TOEFL 79-93 = PTE 58-64 = Duolingo 120-125. - Pick IELTS if you speak better to people than to screens. Pick TOEFL if you type fast and hate handwriting. - US universities lean TOEFL out of habit; the UK, Australia, and Canada take both happily. Sources: IELTS, TOEFL The "easier" test is the one matching your strengths. Take one full practice test of each before committing $200+ to the wrong format.
Pick your English proficiency exam by acceptance first; the 'easier' test is the one your target schools take.