The short answer
Choose IELTS Online Tests if you want a big free library of IELTS tests, free live lessons and only occasional marking, including a human examiner for US$19.99 a task. Choose BandLadder if you will write and speak most days and want every attempt scored for one pass price, plus apps and PTE on the same platform.
IELTS Online Tests details were read on ieltsonlinetests.com on 10 October 2026 and may have changed since; check IELTS Online Tests directly for current features and prices. IELTS Online Tests is a trademark of its owner. BandLadder is not affiliated with IELTS Online Tests.
Checked 10 October 2026
BandLadder vs IELTS Online Tests at a glance
| BandLadder | IELTS Online Tests | |
|---|---|---|
| Exams covered | IELTS Academic, IELTS General Training, PTE Academic, PTE Core | IELTS |
| Pricing | 7-day to 90-day passes, priced in your local currency; one-time, no automatic renewal | Tests are free; marking is paid per evaluation: AI writing US$4.99 (shown as discounted), AI speaking US$9.99, examiner writing or speaking US$19.99 |
| Free tier | 1 full-length IELTS mock, 2 speaking and 2 writing AI evaluations a day that do not expire; no card | Free tests in all four skills (log in to take them) and free live lessons |
| Scoring | AI scoring of writing and speaking on the four IELTS criteria, in minutes, unlimited on a pass; no human marking | AI writing score in minutes with corrections and a one-band-higher rewrite; AI speaking score; examiner writing feedback guaranteed within 48 hours (their team does not work weekends) |
| Human marking | None | Current or experienced former examiners, US$19.99 per writing or speaking evaluation; writing questions come from their library of 120+ tasks |
| Practice library | Full-length, sectional and timed IELTS mocks; 1,325 Reading drills (preview free, attempt with a free account) and 1,413 Speaking drills with recorded examiner audio | Monthly mock tests in a free exam library; their site claims 100M+ test attempts |
| Mobile apps | iOS and Android apps with the same practice and scoring | No app mentioned on their site |
| Refunds | See our cancellations and refunds page | Their AI evaluation pages state no refunds after purchase |
| Who runs it | BandLadder, independent of the IELTS partners | InterGreat Education Group, London; the site describes it as a platinum partner of the British Council and IDP |
Choose BandLadder if…
- →You plan to write and speak most days and would rather pay once for a pass than per evaluation.
- →You want to answer speaking questions out loud to an examiner's voice and be scored.
- →You want free daily AI evaluations before you pay anything.
- →You want an app, or might move to PTE.
Choose IELTS Online Tests if…
- →You mainly want free reading and listening tests and only need marking now and then.
- →You want a human examiner to mark a particular essay or speaking recording.
- →You like joining free live lessons.
See the difference yourself
Take a free mock test with AI scoring, no commitment.
Try a free IELTS mock →Frequently asked questions
Are IELTS Online Tests free?+
The tests are free to take once you log in. Writing and speaking evaluations are paid per attempt: US$4.99 for AI writing, US$9.99 for AI speaking and US$19.99 for an examiner, per their services page on 10 October 2026.
Which is cheaper, IELTS Online Tests or BandLadder?+
For one or two marked essays, IELTS Online Tests can be cheaper. If you want many attempts scored, a 7-day BandLadder pass includes unlimited AI scoring of writing and speaking for its whole period.
Does BandLadder offer human examiner marking?+
No. BandLadder scores writing and speaking with AI. If you want a human examiner's opinion on a specific essay, IELTS Online Tests sells that at US$19.99.
Who runs IELTS Online Tests?+
InterGreat Education Group, headquartered in London, according to the site. BandLadder is independent and is not affiliated with IELTS Online Tests, the British Council, IDP or Cambridge.
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