The language providers proving a natural choice
Getting ready for the TOEFL doesn’t have to feel overwhelming. With the right support and steady, manageable steps, improvement is very possible. We’ve explored three well-known providers to help you see what fits your style best: Magoosh, ETS (Official TOEFL), and Udemy. Each offers different resources, levels of guidance, and ways to prepare, so you can choose based on what feels right for you.
Magoosh
Magoosh offers an online TOEFL prep service designed to be flexible, clear, and effective. Their resources include over 420 practice questions, more than 120 video lessons, and up to 6 full-length mock tests. Students get study schedules, explanation videos, and the option to submit graded writing assignments depending on their plan.
The platform works well on desktop and mobile, so you can study from almost anywhere. Support is available via email when you get stuck, and there are free trial or refund options so you can test whether it suits your learning style without too much risk.
ETS (Official TOEFL)
ETS is the organisation that creates the TOEFL, so their offerings carry the benefit of being “official.” Their prep options include the Official TOEFL iBT Prep Course, which is self-paced and includes in-depth work across the four skills (Reading, Listening, Speaking, Writing). It features pre- and post-tests, and feedback or scoring aligned with ETS’s own scoring methods.
Other usages from ETS include free resources such as sample tests, the “TestReady” portal (practice tests, guides, progress tracking), rubrics for speaking and writing, and past test questions. These help you get a feel for the test format, understand scoring, and know what ETS expects.
Udemy
Udemy’s TOEFL courses are more like marketplace offerings: many instructors, varied styles, and the chance to pick what aligns with your budget and schedule. A standout Udemy course is the TOEFL iBT (100+) Complete Preparation Course by Keino Campbell. It offers strategy lessons, live-class portions, speaking role-plays, writing assignments, quizzes, and timed practice for reading and listening.
The pros include high ratings, large numbers of students, plenty of video content, and often lifetime access or long access to materials. On the other side, the quality of courses can vary (depending on the instructor), and you might need to piece together some extra speaking or feedback opportunities yourself.
What the Students Say — Up-Close and Personal
Magoosh
Students frequently mention clarity and confidence as big gains. One learner reported that after using Magoosh, they felt much more comfortable with the test format and reduced panic because they could “predict many types of questions in advance.” Another said that they had failed the TOEFL before but succeeded after using Magoosh, attributing the success to the clear explanations, abundance of practice questions, and helpful video content.
ETS
Learners often appreciate ETS’s official materials for being the most representative of the real test. Users of the ETS Official Prep Course praise the alignment with the actual TOEFL in terms of rubrics and scoring. Some review free elements like sample tests and prize-pack content that help them feel more prepared on test day. Occasionally, users point out that some feedback (especially on speaking or writing, unless you pay for the “PLUS” versions) may be less detailed.
Udemy
Students in Udemy courses tend to value the wealth of content, especially in popular courses, and believe that the strategies and volume of practice help raise scores significantly. One review said the course elevates scores by 10-20 points, especially for reading and listening. Some learners do warn that not every Udemy course is equal: instructor quality matters, and sometimes speaking or interactive practice is less than what might be offered by other providers.
Pros & Considerations: Picking the One for You
When deciding what’s right, you’ll want to think through what you need most: structure, authenticity, feedback, and flexibility.
Magoosh tends to balance structure and flexibility well. Its mock tests, lesson videos, practice question bank, and scoring guarantee make it a strong all-rounder. If you like following a plan but also keeping control over when and how you work, it could be a great fit. The potential drawback is that unless you have a higher-level plan, feedback on speaking or writing might be limited, and real-time interaction is minimal.
ETS offers you access to the most authentic materials with direct links to how the test is created, scored, and what it expects. If accuracy and official alignment matter most, ETS is hard to beat. However, cost can be higher, and some of the more helpful feedback or “PLUS” features may be locked behind paid tiers. Also, as official prep, sometimes the interface or user experience can be more basic compared to newer prep platforms.
Udemy is excellent if you want many instructor options, video-led learning, and courses that often come with long access and low cost (especially when on sale). You might need to select carefully, checking recent reviews and whether the instructor gives feedback or speaking opportunities. There’s often less uniformity; you may also need to combine a Udemy course with other resources (ETS sample tests, speaking practice) to round out your preparation.
In conclusion
Preparing effectively for the TOEFL means more than memorising vocabulary or practising one section alone. Confidence comes from knowing the test format, practising all four skills (reading, listening, speaking, writing), getting good feedback, and steadily improving.
All three providers—Magoosh, ETS, and Udemy—offer viable routes to better scores, but differ in what they emphasise. Magoosh gives you structured resources and consistent practice, ETS gives you official, authoritative preparation, and Udemy gives you variety and cost-flexible options.
Based on student feedback, what is especially helpful is having realistic, practice mock tests; having explanation and scoring that’s close to what the real exam uses; getting feedback especially on speaking and writing; and pacing your study so you don’t burn out.
We recommend starting by assessing what your weak spots are (perhaps via a diagnostic test), what your time and budget allow, and what kind of feedback and interaction you learn best from. Whichever course you choose, combine it with consistent self-study, timed practice, and plenty of exposure to English in real or semi-real situations—and you’ll be in a strong position to reach your TOEFL target.
References
Udemy “TOEFL iBT (100+) Complete Preparation Course” by Keino Campbell info Udemy
Magoosh Official TOEFL Prep & Practice Features Description schools.magoosh.com
Magoosh Pricing, Guarantees, Study Schedules toefl.magoosh.com+1
ETS Official TOEFL iBT Prep Course and “Prep Course PLUS” details ETS+1
ETS Free and Self-Paced Official Resources (TestReady, sample tests, etc.) ETS+2ETS+2
Language Supermercado. The TOEFL Course Series 2025. Edition 01
