The answer depends a lot on the person taking the test, since some general tasks are easier for some people than academic ones.
The reading and writing sections between academic and general are slightly different. The grading schemes for listening and speaking exams are the same. Test takers feel academic reading is difficult because of the range of vocabulary used in the text compared to general reading. However, to get band 7 in the IELTS academic reading, one must get 30 answers correct, but in the IELTS general reading, one should get 34 answers right.
For university admission, you need a score of 6.5 bands, but for emigration based on your profession, you need a score between 7 and 8 bands. So, both have their own pros and cons.