IELTS & TOEFL APPS
Choosing an IELTS or TOEFL app:
a checklist.
In short: A good IELTS or TOEFL prep app should build a daily plan from your exam, target score and test date; cover every section and question type of your specific test; explain why each option is right or wrong; include recorded listening audio; bring your mistakes back with spaced review; and be honest that it is practice, not an official test. Trestle (iPhone and iPad) is built around exactly these points for IELTS, TOEFL iBT and TOEFL ITP.
Updated 26 October 2026 · Trestle editorial team, Qoodly
Key takeaways
- A plan from your test date beats a random question bank.
- Explanations for every option are how you stop repeating mistakes.
- Use official practice tests from ETS or the IELTS partners alongside any app.
The checklist
| Look for | Why it matters | In Trestle |
|---|---|---|
| A plan from your test date and target | Turns "I should study" into a next step every day | Yes: exam, goal, timeline and daily study time shape the plan |
| Your exact exam and question types | IELTS, TOEFL iBT and TOEFL ITP test different things | Separate IELTS, TOEFL iBT and TOEFL ITP plans |
| Explanations for every option | You learn why the distractor looked right | Yes, for every answer |
| Recorded listening | Real voices, accents and speed | Hundreds of recorded questions with slower replay and transcripts |
| Spaced review | Mistakes come back until they stick | Yes |
| Enough practice | You need volume for every question type | Thousands of exam-style questions |
| No distractions | Ads and sign-ups break short sessions | No ads, no account, works offline |
| Honest claims | No app is an official test or a score guarantee | Independent practice; not affiliated with ETS or the IELTS partners |
What an app can’t replace
- Official practice tests for full, timed rehearsal.
- Human feedback on long writing and on speaking with a person.
- Your own consistency: short daily sessions are what move scores.
About Trestle
Trestle is an iPhone and iPad app by Qoodly for IELTS, TOEFL iBT and TOEFL ITP preparation. You choose your exam, target, test date and daily study time; Trestle builds a personal daily plan with exam-style questions prepared by experts after analysing the sample questions ETS and the IELTS partners publish, an explanation for every answer option, recorded listening, vocabulary widgets and spaced review. The interface is available in English, Turkish and Japanese. Free to download; Trestle Plus is a subscription or one-time lifetime purchase.
Questions
What is the best app for IELTS preparation?
The best app is one that plans your study from your test date, covers every IELTS question type, explains every answer and reviews your mistakes. Trestle (iPhone and iPad) is built around these points; use it with official IELTS practice tests and feedback on your writing and speaking.
What is the best app for TOEFL preparation?
Look for coverage of the updated 2026 task types, vocabulary and grammar practice, recorded listening and explanations. Trestle has a dedicated TOEFL iBT plan and a separate TOEFL ITP plan.
Is there a free IELTS or TOEFL app?
Trestle is free to download; the full practice library and daily plan need Trestle Plus. ETS and the IELTS partners also publish free official sample tests.
Can an app guarantee my score?
No app can guarantee a score or simulate the official test exactly. An app helps you practise consistently and learn from mistakes.
Sources
Formats and scores can change. Confirm the details for your test date with the test maker before you book.
Trestle is independent practice by Qoodly. It is not affiliated with, endorsed or approved by ETS or the IELTS partners. TOEFL, TOEFL iBT and TOEFL ITP are registered trademarks of ETS. IELTS is a registered trademark of the British Council, IDP Education and Cambridge University Press & Assessment.