The makers of the test certainly seem to agree. The IELTS assumes that getting 30 out of 40 in general training reading is as hard as getting 23 out of 40 in academic reading. This is why 30/40 general training and 23/40 academic are both band 6.
However, do not assume that IELTS Listening or Speaking will be easier in general training. These two sections are the exact same format and the exact same difficulty level, no matter if you’re sitting for the IELTS academic or general test.
Ultimately these tests really are 70% similar, and you won’t have a choice as to which format you sit for. So it’s probably better to figure out how hard the IELTS will be for you, regardless of the version you sit for.
When there are two similar English skill exams, like the IELTS academic or general test, it’s always hard to say whether one is easier. After all, different students find certain things easier or harder.
With that being said, the answer to the question above is… the General Training IELTS is probably easier than the Academic IELTS. Nearly every IELTS student I’ve talked to feels that it is less challenging. Writing a short letter is easier than summarizing a complicated graph or table! If you decide to pursue the General Training version, you can get started with Magoosh’s IELTS lessons here.