Both test English language proficiency required for studying abroad. Their format, scoring, and focus differ. IELTS has 4 sections; TOEFL has 3. IELTS scores in .5 band increments. TOEFL uses wider scoring ranges.
Format
IELTS emphasizes communication skills for life in English environments. TOEFL focuses more on academic English. IELTS Speaking and Writing reflect conversational abilities. TOEFL Writing and Reading reflect classroom skills.
Key Areas of Assessment
IELTS Listening involves social situations like conversations, whereas the listening section of TOEFL is comparatively formal. IELTS Reading features more authentic texts, while TOEFL Reading uses complex texts.