IELTS Free Resources: Best Websites and Apps for 2026

Quick Answer: The best free IELTS resources for 2026 include British Council's Road to IELTS (free version), IELTS Liz, IELTS Advantage, BBC Learning English, and apps like IELTS Prep by British Council, Magoosh IELTS Vocabulary, and Duolingo. These cover all four skills and offer practice tests, tips, and vocabulary building – all without costing a cent.

Table of Contents

Why Use Free Resources?

Best Free Websites for IELTS

Best Free Apps for IELTS

How to Maximize Free Resources

Band Score Comparison Table

Why Use Free Resources?

IELTS preparation can be expensive – official mock tests, coaching classes, and premium apps add up quickly. But you don't need to spend a fortune to get a high band score. Free resources, when used strategically, provide everything you need: practice questions, sample answers, vocabulary lists, and expert advice.

In 2026, the quality of free IELTS materials has never been better. Many official bodies (British Council, IDP) now offer substantial free content, while independent educators like IELTS Liz and IELTS Advantage provide detailed tutorials. The key is knowing which resources are reliable and how to combine them effectively.

Best Free Websites for IELTS

1. British Council – Road to IELTS (Free Version)

The official British Council preparation platform offers a free edition with 10 practice tests, video tutorials, and skill-building exercises. It's the closest you can get to the real exam without paying. The listening and reading tests are particularly accurate.

2. IELTS Liz

Liz’s website is a goldmine of free content. She provides:

Detailed writing task 1 and 2 lessons with sample answers

Speaking topic cards and model answers

Listening practice with transcripts

Vocabulary lists for common topics

Her explanations are clear and exam-focused. No registration required.

3. IELTS Advantage

Created by Chris Pell, a former IELTS examiner, this site offers in-depth articles on writing, speaking, and reading strategies. The free resources include:

Band 9 sample essays with commentary

Video lessons on complex grammar

Common mistake breakdowns

4. BBC Learning English

While not IELTS-specific, BBC Learning English is excellent for improving listening and pronunciation. The “6 Minute English” series covers academic topics similar to IELTS, and the “News Review” episodes build vocabulary for current affairs.

5. IELTS Online Tests

This site provides hundreds of free full-length practice tests for all four skills. You can simulate exam conditions and get instant scores for listening and reading. The writing tasks are human-graded only in the paid version, but the free tests are still valuable for timing and format practice.

Best Free Apps for IELTS

1. IELTS Prep App – British Council

This official app is completely free. It offers:

Practice tests for Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking

Interactive grammar and vocabulary exercises

Tips from examiners

Progress tracking

The speaking section includes sample responses for different band scores.

2. Magoosh IELTS Vocabulary Builder

Magoosh’s free vocabulary app uses flashcards and quizzes to teach 600+ high-frequency IELTS words. It’s ideal for building academic vocabulary quickly. The app works offline and uses spaced repetition to boost retention.

3. Duolingo (for English foundation)

Duolingo is not IELTS-specific, but it’s great for improving general English grammar and vocabulary. Use it if your current level is below Band 6. Focus on the “English for Academic Purposes” path if available.

4. IELTS Word Power – British Council

Another official app, this one focuses solely on vocabulary. It includes 1000+ words organized by topic (environment, education, technology, etc.) with definitions, example sentences, and quizzes.

5. Quizlet

Search for user-made IELTS flashcard sets. Many high-scoring students share their own vocabulary lists. Look for sets like “IELTS Writing Task 2 Vocabulary” or “IELTS Speaking Part 1 Topics.”

How to Maximize Free Resources

To get the most out of free materials, follow a structured approach:

Diagnose your weakness – Take a free full test from IELTS Online Tests to see your current band.

Focus on one skill per week – Use IELTS Liz for writing, British Council app for listening, etc.

Combine resources – For example, read a BBC article, then use the vocabulary in a writing task from IELTS Advantage.

Track your progress – Keep a log of practice test scores and review mistakes.

Use official resources first – British Council and IDP materials are closest to the real exam. Avoid unofficial sources with inaccurate question types.

Band Score Comparison Table

Band	What You Need from Free Resources
6	Basic grammar and vocabulary practice (Duolingo, Quizlet), simple listening exercises (BBC 6 Minute English), and one or two full practice tests.
7	Skill-specific lessons (IELTS Liz for writing), vocabulary building (Magoosh), regular full tests with time management, and speaking topic practice.
8	Advanced strategies (IELTS Advantage), high-level vocabulary and collocations, detailed error analysis, and multiple full tests under exam conditions.
9	Band 9 sample answers and examiner commentaries, sophisticated language use, perfect time management, and consistent use of official British Council materials.

Sample Answers

Band 7: “I mainly use the British Council IELTS Prep app because it has free practice tests and tips. I also watch IELTS Liz videos for writing. These resources help me improve my score without paying anything.” Band 8: “My favourite free resource is IELTS Advantage’s blog. Chris Pell explains how to structure essays for a high score. I also use the Magoosh vocabulary app every day. Combined with BBC news articles for reading, I get a well-rounded preparation.” Band 9: “I rely on the official Road to IELTS free version for authentic practice tests. For writing, I analyse Band 9 samples from IELTS Liz and IELTS Advantage, focusing on coherence and lexical resource. I also use the British Council Word Power app to learn topic-specific collocations. These free tools, used systematically, are sufficient to achieve Band 9.”

Common Mistakes

❌Using too many resources without a plan – Jumping between websites and apps wastes time. Stick to 3-4 high-quality sources and use them consistently.

❌Ignoring official materials – Unofficial practice tests may have different difficulty levels or question formats. Always prioritize British Council and IDP content.

❌Not reviewing mistakes – Doing dozens of practice tests without analyzing errors leads to no improvement. Spend equal time reviewing as you do testing.

Top Tips

💡 Create a weekly schedule – Dedicate specific days to each skill. Example: Monday – Listening (BBC 6 Minute English + British Council app test), Tuesday – Writing (IELTS Liz lesson + one task), etc.

💡 Use the Pomodoro technique – Study in 25-minute focused blocks with 5-minute breaks. This helps maintain concentration, especially when using free online resources.

💡 Join free online communities – Reddit (r/IELTS), Facebook groups, or Discord servers where students share free resources and give feedback. You can get your writing and speaking checked for free by peers.

Resources

Check out IELTS Active for practice tests and study materials. (Note: This is a placeholder – in a real blog you would link to your own site or a recommended partner.)

FAQ

Q: Are free IELTS resources enough to get Band 7+? A: Yes, many students achieve Band 7 or higher using only free materials. The key is consistent practice and careful error analysis. Official free resources from British Council and IDP are particularly reliable. Q: Which free website is best for writing task 2? A: IELTS Liz and IELTS Advantage both offer detailed lessons and sample essays. Liz’s site has more topic-specific examples, while Advantage focuses on structure and examiner expectations. Q: Can I practice speaking for free? A: Yes. Use the British Council IELTS Prep app for sample speaking questions and model answers. Record yourself, then compare with the model. You can also find speaking partners on free platforms like Reddit or iTalki (community language exchange). Q: Are free practice tests accurate? A: Only official ones from British Council, IDP, or Cambridge are 100% accurate. Third-party free tests may be easier or harder. Use them for skill practice but not for predicting your final band score.

Key Takeaways

✅The best free IELTS resources for 2026 include British Council’s Road to IELTS, IELTS Liz, IELTS Advantage, BBC Learning English, and apps like Magoosh and Duolingo.

✅Combine official materials with independent educator content for a balanced preparation.

✅Avoid common mistakes like using too many resources or ignoring error review.

✅With discipline and a structured plan, free resources are sufficient to achieve Band 7–9.

Related Posts:

[IELTS Writing Task 2: Free Sample Essays and Tips]

[How to Improve IELTS Listening Score Using Free Materials]