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DELF/DALF vs LanguageCert: Full Comparison

Honest comparison, updated 2026

Quick answer. DELF is France's official French-language certification with lifetime validity, while LanguageCert is a UK-regulated English (and Greek) certification body, so these two rarely compete directly except as general models of accredited language testing.

DELF/DALF vs LanguageCert at a glance

Feature DELF/DALF LanguageCert
Price€70-€300 per level£80-£150 per exam
LanguagesFrench onlyEnglish (ESOL), Greek
AI adaptiveNoNo
CertificateOfficially recognised by French government, lifetime validityOfqual-regulated, accepted for UK Skilled Worker visa (SELT)
CEFR levelsA1 to C2 (DELF A1-B2, DALF C1-C2)A1 to C2
Test duration1-4 hours65-120 minutes
Best forOfficial French credential, university in France, immigrationUK visa applications (SELT), Ofqual-regulated certification

Price and format

DELF/DALF costs €70-€300 per level and takes 1-4 hours. LanguageCert costs £80-£150 per exam and takes 65-120 minutes. Neither is inherently better on price alone since each serves a somewhat different primary purpose.

Recognition and best use case

DELF/DALF is best known for official french credential, university in france, immigration. LanguageCert is best known for uk visa applications (selt), ofqual-regulated certification. If you need French specifically, DELF is the standard choice regardless of LanguageCert's existence, since LanguageCert doesn't currently certify French. This comparison mainly helps clarify which official body covers which language.

Weaknesses to know about

DELF/DALF's main drawback: french only, expensive, requires exam centre. LanguageCert's main drawback: english only, requires exam centre, expensive.

Is there a cheaper alternative to both DELF/DALF and LanguageCert

If neither exam's formal accreditation is a strict requirement for your situation, an independent CEFR-aligned test like Examinizer offers a faster and considerably cheaper option. It costs €8 for a verified certificate with a QR code, compared to €70-€300 per level for DELF/DALF or £80-£150 per exam for LanguageCert, and gives an instant result rather than days or weeks of waiting.

This works well for employer screening, CVs, LinkedIn profiles, and personal tracking, though it does not replace either exam where a specific accreditation is legally required, such as most visa applications or university admissions that name DELF/DALF or LanguageCert directly.

Compare with Examinizer →

See the full DELF/DALF vs Examinizer breakdown

Common questions about DELF/DALF vs LanguageCert

No, LanguageCert currently certifies English (ESOL) and Greek, not French. For French certification, DELF and DALF remain the standard official options.

No, DELF certifies French, not English, so it doesn't apply to UK English-language visa requirements where LanguageCert (as a SELT provider) is relevant.

Both are well recognized within their respective language and purpose: DELF for French language and culture worldwide, LanguageCert specifically for UK visa and Ofqual-regulated English certification.

DELF and DALF certificates have lifetime validity once earned. LanguageCert results are typically considered valid for two years for most application purposes, similar to IELTS.