PrepEx vs ETS TOEFL TestReady (2026 Format)
A fair side-by-side comparison focused on student outcomes: official material quality, feedback depth, speaking practice format, and practical fit by study profile.
Written by Kate Feng
HKIS English Teacher (20+ years) and TOEFL Content Developer at PrepEx
How this comparison is kept fair
- Same scoring lens for both platforms: authenticity, practice depth, feedback quality, and section coverage.
- No claim that one platform is universally better for every student type.
- Pricing and feature ranges are treated as directional because vendors can change packaging.
- All recommendations are tied to learner goals, timeline, and weak sections.
PrepEx vs ETS TestReady at a glance
This matrix is written for TOEFL 2026 prep decisions. It focuses on what matters for score growth in real study cycles.
| Decision factor | PrepEx | ETS TOEFL TestReady |
|---|---|---|
| Official ETS-authored items | No. Third-party platform. | Yes. Official test-maker ecosystem. |
| TOEFL 2026 task-type practice | Built around broad 2026 task coverage. | Coverage depends on ETS release cycles and package scope. |
| Speaking practice style | Conversational AI coach with repetition loops. | Structured practice and official-style calibration. |
| Feedback loop speed | Fast iteration for daily drills. | Strong when you need benchmark checks against official framing. |
| Best fit timeline | Consistent weekly practice over many sessions. | Pre-exam calibration and official style familiarization. |
| Pricing pattern | Subscription-style plan with free tier options. | Free plus paid options; packaging varies by product tier. |
| Recommended use case | Improve weak sections with frequent reps and actionable feedback. | Validate readiness using official material context. |
Note: product packaging can change. Verify current pricing and feature scope on each official pricing page before purchase.
PrepEx
PrepEx is strongest for students who improve by doing many practice reps with immediate feedback, especially in Speaking and Writing.
Where PrepEx is strong
- Conversational speaking practice with Petra AI coach.
- Consistent feedback loops for section-by-section drills.
- Designed around newer TOEFL 2026 style task practice.
- Useful when you need more repetitions without booking tutor hours.
Where PrepEx is weaker
- Not an official ETS-owned product.
- Students who only trust test-maker material may still want TestReady.
- Some learners prefer traditional non-AI study workflows.
ETS TOEFL TestReady
TestReady is strongest when your top need is official ETS context and direct calibration with test-maker framing.
Where TestReady is strong
- Official ETS ecosystem and brand trust.
- Strong for realism checks before exam day.
- Clear value when you want official-style question framing.
Where TestReady is weaker
- May provide less conversational speaking repetition than dedicated AI coach tools.
- Can be less flexible for high-volume daily drilling workflows.
- Feature depth and package limits vary by tier.
ETS and TOEFL are trademarks of ETS. PrepEx is not endorsed by ETS.
Which students should choose which
Profile: Official-first test taker
You mostly want official ETS material and confidence in authenticity.
Best start: ETS TestReady
Profile: Speaking is your bottleneck
You need frequent speaking reps with fast correction loops.
Best start: PrepEx
Profile: Final month before exam
You need both skill improvement and official-style calibration.
Best start: Hybrid approach (PrepEx + TestReady)
Profile: Budget-sensitive but consistent
You can commit daily but need to manage cost tightly.
Best start: Use free tiers first, then pay only where progress stalls
When using both gives the best outcome
For many students, this two-tool workflow is the most efficient:
- Mon-Fri: run skill drills and speaking practice loops on PrepEx.
- Weekend: run official-style checkpoints in ETS TestReady.
- Every 2 weeks: compare weak-section trends and rebalance study time.
The goal is simple: build skill fast, then calibrate against official framing.
Final verdict
There is no universal winner. ETS TestReady is a strong choice for official-material confidence. PrepEx is a strong choice for high-frequency AI-supported practice and speaking repetition.
Choose the platform that matches your bottleneck, not the loudest marketing claim. If budget allows, a hybrid workflow often produces the most stable score gains.
FAQ
Is ETS TOEFL TestReady better because it is official?
It is better for students who prioritize official ETS-authored material above everything else. It is not automatically better for every learning style.
Can I use both PrepEx and ETS TestReady together?
Yes. Many students use PrepEx for daily skill-building and ETS TestReady for official-format calibration.
Which is better for TOEFL 2026 speaking preparation?
For repetitive speaking drills and conversational coaching, PrepEx is usually stronger. For official-style benchmark checks, TestReady is valuable.
Do both platforms have free options?
Both generally offer some free access, but free scope can change. Always verify current plans on each product's pricing page.
How should I make the final decision this week?
Choose based on your immediate bottleneck: authenticity confidence (choose TestReady), or repetitive practice and feedback loops (choose PrepEx).
Related TOEFL 2026 resources
Best TOEFL Prep in 2026
General prep framework by student type and timeline.
Best AI TOEFL Tools in 2026
Broader market comparison across 5 platforms.
Can You Use ChatGPT for TOEFL?
What general AI can do vs dedicated TOEFL tools.
TOEFL 2026 Ready Checklist
Audit your prep stack before exam month.
PrepEx vs Magoosh
Video-course approach vs daily practice loops.
PrepEx vs Kaplan
Traditional prep format vs execution-first workflow.
PrepEx vs TestGlider
Mock-test-heavy prep vs section-loop practice.
PrepEx vs BestMyTest
Tutor-style learning path vs daily execution workflow.
PrepEx vs Barron's
Book-first self-study versus platform-driven improvement.
Best TOEFL Speaking Practice
Where to focus for fastest speaking score gains.
PrepEx Pricing
Review current plans and free access options.
About the author
Kate Feng
TOEFL Content Developer at PrepEx
Kate is an English educator with more than 20 years of teaching experience at Hong Kong International School (HKIS). She specializes in TOEFL preparation, academic writing, and scoring-rubric alignment for practical student improvement.