The short version
Magoosh is one of the most established names in TOEFL prep, and its biggest real advantage is official ETS-licensed questions — practice material licensed directly from the test maker, delivered as a self-paced video-lesson course. That's a genuine strength, not a marketing line. If you learn best from structured lessons and want ETS-authored questions specifically, Magoosh is a reasonable pick.
Where people start looking for alternatives is usually one of two things: they want faster feedback on Speaking and Writing than a course-plus-self-grading model gives them, or they want a prep tool built natively around the 2026 TOEFL redesign — the new adaptive Reading/Listening, the 1–6 band scale, and task types like Listen and Repeat, Build a Sentence, and the Interview section — rather than a course that added 2026 coverage on top of an existing curriculum.
Where Magoosh genuinely wins
- Official ETS-licensed content. Magoosh's core question bank comes with that license, which is a meaningfully different claim than "aligned with the rubric."
- Structured, lesson-first curriculum. If you want a video course that walks you through strategy topic by topic, that's Magoosh's format, not ours.
- Established track record and refund/guarantee terms. Magoosh has been in TOEFL prep for over a decade; check their site for current guarantee terms, which have historically included a score-improvement guarantee.
Where TOEFL Exam Prep is built differently
- Native to the 2026 redesign. Every task type — Listen and Repeat, Build a Sentence, Complete the Words, Email, Interview, Academic Discussion — was built for the new format from the start, not retrofitted onto pre-2026 material.
- AI grading in seconds, not a course you self-assess. Speaking and Writing are graded automatically against the published ETS rubrics as soon as you submit, so you're not waiting on a lesson to tell you if your answer was good.
- Practice that targets your actual weak spots. After every attempt, we look at which task types you're scoring worst on and keep fresh, appropriately-leveled sets ready for exactly those — Magoosh's lesson sequence is the same for every student regardless of where you personally lose points.
- A free instant score estimate with no signup wall to start. You can see roughly where you'd land before committing to anything.
- Lower entry price. Plans start well under Magoosh's ~$130 course price, with unlimited practice and grading on every tier.
Side-by-side
| TOEFL Exam Prep | Magoosh | |
|---|---|---|
| Built for the 2026 redesign | ✓Native, every new task type | ✓Updated for Jan 2026 launch |
| Official ETS-licensed questions | ✗Aligned with published rubrics, not licensed | ✓Licensed directly from ETS |
| Speaking & Writing feedback speed | ✓AI-graded in seconds | ~Self-assess against lesson guidance |
| Format | ✓Practice-first, adaptive drills | ✓Video-lesson course |
| Free entry point | ✓Free score estimate, no signup to start | ✗Paid course, no free tier |
| Starting price | From $49/mo, unlimited | ~$130 (check current pricing) |
Who should pick which
- Pick Magoosh if: you specifically want ETS-licensed practice questions and prefer learning through a structured video curriculum over drill-and-feedback practice.
- Pick TOEFL Exam Prep if: you want instant AI grading on Speaking and Writing so you can iterate quickly, and you want a tool built from the ground up for the 2026 task types rather than a course carrying over an older structure.
Both are legitimate approaches to the same exam. If you're unsure, the free score estimate below takes a couple of minutes and doesn't require picking a tool first.
FAQ
Is Magoosh updated for the 2026 TOEFL format?
Yes — Magoosh has published updated material covering the redesigned format that launched January 21, 2026.
Does Magoosh grade Speaking and Writing with AI?
Magoosh's model is primarily a lesson-based course with practice questions; check their current site for the specifics of how Speaking and Writing feedback is delivered, since this can change over time.
Is TOEFL Exam Prep cheaper than Magoosh?
Yes, at current list pricing — plans start at $49/mo versus Magoosh's roughly $130 course price — but pricing changes, so check both current sites before deciding.