resume builder reviews 2022

Best resume builder of 2024

Use the best resume builders to enhance visibility on job search engines and employee finder services

Best overall

Best for features, best for ease-of-use, best job finder, best for infographics, best ai-powered, best affordable, best for speed, best for style, best for versatility, best for phrases, best for recruiters.

• How we test

The best resume builders make it simple and easy to set up and manage a CV to help you get that dream job and progress your career.

1. Best overall 2. Best for features 3. Best for ease-of-use 4. Best job finder 5. Best for infographics 6. Best AI-powered 7. Best affordable 8. Best for speed 9. Best for style 10. Best for versatility 11. Best for phrases 12. Best for recruiters 13. Best free 14. FAQs 15. How we test

If you’re on the hunt for a new career, you simply can't skip making an effort with every part of the application process, and that means getting your resume right. And to truly stand out, you need to create one with an eye-catching design alongside the relevant information.

The best resume builders transform your resume to create a bold, eye-catching document, and you might not even have to spend any money. Some of the best use free templates with a proven success rate – templates that have helped people land their dream positions.

There are loads of options if you do want to spend some cash, too. Loads of the best resume builders will go above and beyond the best free alternatives if you hand over a bit of money.

Whether you need a free resume builder or a paid option, we’ve got you covered – we’ve compared various resume builders to arrive at the best ones for you. We looked at the variety of templates they offered, the quality of design, the website/app interface, and the pricing plans. We also assessed how swift and hassle-free the entire resume-building process was.

We've also rounded up the best online learning platforms .

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The best resume builders of 2024 in full:

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1. Resume.com

Reasons to buy, reasons to avoid.

 It’s no surprise that Resume.com is where many people start looking when they want to buy a new resume – after all, that name is a pretty good sign of this site’s key strength.

True to form, the site has loads of fantastic templates that you can use, and the huge popularity of this site means that they’re proven to work – as vast numbers of people have already used these templates to secure interviews and new positions. Resume.com has also spoken to thousands of employees and employers to find out what people are looking for in a candidate, and its templates are based on that evidence.

The company behind Resume.com also owns Indeed.com , which is one of the web’s biggest recruitment websites. That means Resume.com has loads of data available for creating its resume builder and CV templates. That also means it’s easy to share your CV to Indeed.com when it’s finished, so you’ll be able to apply for jobs in no time.

Resume.com is free to use, and its templates cater to dozens of different jobs and industries, so it’s easy to start. Once it’s finished, you can easily download it to your PC or laptop . This may not be the only resume builder on the market, but you shouldn’t ignore Resume.com.

• ^ Back to the top

2. ResumeGenius

A site with a name like ResumeGenius must step up if it’s going to live up to its moniker, and this resume builder does the job in terms of quality and features.

ResumeGenius starts the process by deploying dozens of different CV templates. There are plenty of good-looking resumes available here, although they do veer towards the conventional – you’ll find plenty of traditional resumes but few graphics-heavy modern options.

You can fill out your resume with more than 50,000 pre-written bullet points. They cover all industries and mean you can sound as professional as possible. You can download your resume as a Word document or PDF, and the site also has a cover letter builder and tools that can help you with resignation letters, thank-you notes, and letters of recommendation.

This site doesn’t have the in-depth options of many others, but it’s a free tool that can quickly produce a professional resume – and that makes it worth using.

3. CakeResume

CakeResume uses an intuitive and straightforward drag-and-drop interface to make resume creation easier, even for users who may not be particularly savvy when using technology.

The interface allows you to customize your layout, elements, and information quickly, and CakeResume pairs this intelligent user experience with a range of attractive and impressive templates. You can download your resume at any point in the creation process, which is handy for checking your progress or getting feedback from others.

You can download your finished resume as a PDF for free, but you’re only allowed to create one basic resume using the free service. With the Advanced plan, you can use more than twenty premium resume designs as often as you want, and you can remove the CakeResume branding from your finished CV. The Pro option allows you to track your resume using Google Analytics and share the finished product using a custom domain name.

CakeResume is fast, easy to use, and has loads of attractive and straightforward resume templates. Still, it’s only worth considering if you’re willing to buy one of the paid options – the free tier is minimal.

4. Reed.co.uk

Reed.co.uk is a UK-focused site that offers a resume creation tool as part of its wider set of employment features, like job listings, skills modules, and career advice articles.

You start to create a resume when you register your account, and the site takes you through a simple four-step process to create a basic resume. You add your personal information, work experience, and qualifications alongside a personal statement, and then your basic resume will be available for download as a Word document. You can also make it visible on Reed.co.uk’s wider website so it’s easy for employers to view.

You can download Reed’s Word template to do it all yourself if you’d prefer, and your resume and profile are linked – so you can add more experience, qualifications, and information alongside information about your skills and job hunting journey. It’s a free service, and it’s a welcome addition to this popular job site, but be aware that you don’t get to use sophisticated templates or advanced design elements here.

Every hiring manager on the planet has seen enough resumes to last them a lifetime, and so a site like ResumUP is an excellent idea if you want your CV to stand out from the crowd.

This site does something a little different – it takes a far more visual approach than most resume building services. You can use this site to create an infographic instead of a typical CV, or you can design your resume as an interactive, graphical website.

That’s perfect if you want to show off your forward-thinking approach and design skills and ideal if you want your resume to be viewable on all sorts of devices. You can opt for a vertical ribbon design or switch to a more conventional layout if you’d like to compare different styles.

You can import existing data from other social networks, like LinkedIn , to quickly create a resume, and you can also create ATS or JSON resumes designed to be read by computers or developers. ResumUP can create cover letters in the same style as a functional resume.

You can use ResumUP for free if you’re happy to create a basic text resume, but you’ll have to pay to get access to broader design options. The Winning Resume package allows you to use and download a single resume template. In contrast, the Profile Pro option enables unlimited resume creation, customized URLs, and the ability to use the site’s career planner, skills tracking, and social networking features.

6. Novoresume

Novoresume deploys dozens of different resume templates to help you find the perfect job. They’re all created in conjunction with experienced recruiters, and they’re applicable to loads of different career paths and industries.

You can choose to start with a traditional template, a professional design that includes a photograph or a creative template, and you’ll find other templates that offer a simple, modern, and professional range of designs.

Those templates are a suitable place to start, and Novoresume aims to go further with its extra features. You can use cover letter templates alongside the resume templates. This site has an AI -powered analysis service that suggests resume improvements as you tweak the layout and enter your information.

It’s an intuitive and effective site with straightforward features, and you can use the Basic tier to create a free resume.

The Premium option allows you to use a broader range of fonts and colors, add special sections and graphics to your resume, create more resumes and deploy distinctive styles and templates. That’s all welcome, but this is one of the better sites if you want to create a free resume – it’s not particularly restrictive.

7. ResumeHelp

ResumeHelp is the perfect resume builder to use if you’re not particularly confident with written English, or if it’s not your first language.

This site allows you to create a resume with confidence by inserting pre-written bullet points that emphasize your strengths without focusing on potentially tricky linguistic errors. There are thousands of points that can work in all sorts of resumes, so you won’t be short of things to say, and you’ll also receive help from extra tips as you build your resume.

The site has fifteen different templates available. The designs focus on more traditional, conventional layouts, so this site is ideal if you want to put together a classic, familiar resume. You can customize all the information as you go through the process, upload an old resume to kickstart your new document, and it’s free to download the document after you’re finished.

The upgrade plans are cheap, too: you can buy two weeks of access or a month of access and that plan means you can create more resumes, use more templates, and build cover letters too.

CVmaker is one of the easiest resume builders to use, so it’s an ideal choice if you want to put together a resume quickly and without any fuss.

Creating a resume on CVmaker is simple. The site uses a step-by-step process to gather information about your work experience, education, interests, and references. When that’s done you can switch the design between a selection of different styles and download the document for your use in job applications. You can also add your own sections to the resume, which is a feature that isn’t available on some other sites.

CVmaker is a simple tool, though, especially in its free guise – at this point it’s fine for building a basic resume, but that’s it. If you upgrade to the site’s premium tier you can add more custom sections, use better templates and take advantage of an advanced text editor. It only requires a one-off payment, so it’s one of the cheapest paid resume builder options available.

9. VisualCV

VisualCV is one of the most powerful and versatile resume-building websites around. The process begins with loads of attractive and modern templates that offer more color and visual pop than most other resume building tools, and once you’ve chosen the right look, you’re able to customize each resume to properly suit your needs.

This site goes far beyond resume building. You can use advanced resume tracking to see when your document has been viewed or downloaded, and you can access free guides, blog posts, and articles if you need some extra help. You can import data from LinkedIn to make CV building easier and consult cover letter templates too.

VisualCV allows you to easily share your resume with family and friends for quick feedback, and it has more privacy options than most resume builders, so your information is more secure.

This site’s free package allows you to create one resume using a single template and then download it, but it will have VisualCV branding that can’t be removed. The Pro option gives you more templates and the ability to create an unlimited number of resumes.

10. Resume.io

Resume.io is one of the broadest resume sites on the internet, with a massive range of features that offer impressive quality in every department.

As with any other resume builder, you can quickly use an attractive template to produce a rock-solid CV using Resume.io. This site also benefits from thousands of pre-written phrases alongside automatic spell checking and the ability to export your file in any format you choose.

Elsewhere, this site deploys cover letter templates too. You can also generate automatic summaries for your documents, access recruitment tips, and track any applications that have used the documents you create on the site.

If you use Resume.io for free, you can create a resume and cover letter and share links to those files with prospective employers, but you can only download the resume as a basic text file. If you buy its professional plan, you can create an unlimited number of resumes and cover letters using the site’s full library of tools. That’s the option we’d recommend.

11. KickResume

KickResume places a big emphasis on easy resume creation, and it includes loads of different tools that will simplify the process and help you avoid common pitfalls.

This site serves up more than fifty professional templates that cover traditional and modern design alongside many key jobs and industries. The site has more than 20,000 pre-written phrases that can be slotted into your resume – perfect if you want to include professional language in a quick and straightforward fashion.

You can view resumes that have helped candidates land jobs at companies like Facebook, NASA, and Google . KickResume has in-built proofreading alongside a cover letter builder.

It’s free to create four resumes using KickResume, and you can have a basic website and get access to the full library of pre-written phrases too – this is one of the more generous options for free resume creation. But if you upgrade to the Pro plan, you’ll get more templates, full customization options and AI resume review alongside priority support.  

Zety prides itself on its speed and ease of use, and there's certainly lots to like here: users can build a comprehensive and attractive resume with more than 20 templates, and you can upload your existing CV or add new information to get a document produced within minutes.

The site's resume generation tool delivers context-sensitive tips from professional recruiters as you create your document, and once it's done you can tweak the file with extensive editing options.

Zety has a cover letter builder alongside its resume tools, and users can also access resume and cover letter templates. The site also explains which resume formats are best-suited to different industries and employment situations, and Zety's extensive blog has in-depth articles about resumes, cover letters, and loads of other employment topics.

It's free to build a resume on Zety, but you'll have to pay if you want to download that file in different formats and access the site's full range of features. Happily, it's affordable.

Indeed is one of the largest and most reliable job boards on the web. It offers job listings, great options for employers, and impressive salary data and career advice – and, alongside all of that, it’s got a great resume builder.

Once you’ve registered and verified your account you’ll be ready to get started, and Indeed’s resume builder is pleasingly straightforward. There are eight clean, modern templates to use, and users can deploy a small selection of different accent colors and fonts to personalize the document. It’s easy to type in your personal details, education history and previous employment, and Indeed suggests relevant skills that you can add to the document with a single click.

Once you’ve added those and any extra professional certifications, the basic resume is finished, and you’re given a preview of the document alongside the option to add sections for languages, website links, awards, community achievements and more.

You can make the document public or private – if you choose the former, it can help you apply for jobs on Indeed.com – and you can also download the resume as a PDF file if you’d like to use it for applications elsewhere. And, if you don’t want to use Indeed’s full resume builder, you can use a wizard to create a basic document with a step-by-step process.

It’s extremely easy to edit your resume and add information after you’ve been through the initial creation process, and a personalized link is also available if you want to share the document with other people online. And, if you pay extra, Indeed.com also offers resume reviews.

Indeed.com’s resume builder is basic compared to many of the others mentioned here – you don’t get as many editing and layout options as other sites. That’s not necessarily a bad thing, though, because it means that Indeed.com can quickly and easily create an effective resume that contains all the information that recruiters need – and, as an added bonus, it’s completely free.

Also check out the best freelancer websites .

Resume builder FAQs

What is a resume builder.

Resume builders are online apps that offer interactive templates and forms for swiftly building a seamless resume. While some resume builders need you to fill out all the information manually, some provide relevant pre-written phrases and allow you to import data. 

You'll find various free and paid resume builders online. 

How to choose the best resume builders for you?

To determine the best resume builder for yourself, start with considering whether you want a free or paid option and all the areas you need support with — design, content, or review. If you have your content ready and just need a tool to set up a cohesive and attractive resume, go with a resume builder that offers lovely templates and allows you to import data. 

If you need help with the content, check out builders that offer context-relevant insights and pre-written phrases. For those who want further assistance in reviewing the quality of their resume, you’ll want to opt for a builder that has a review or consultation service.

Best resume builders: How did we test?

We tested many resume builders to select the best resume builders. We looked at their pricing plans — whether they were free, subscription-based, or if they had one-time payment options. We evaluated the variety of templates they had, the quality of their designs, the level of customizability they offered, and if there were data-importing options.

We considered whether they offered pre-written phrases and context-relevant tips, if there was a review service, and how straightforward the interface and resume-building process was. We also analyzed their customer service to check how prompt, helpful, and customer-oriented they were.

Read more on how we test, rate, and review products on TechRadar .

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Désiré has been musing and writing about technology during a career spanning four decades. He dabbled in website builders and web hosting when DHTML and frames were in vogue and started narrating about the impact of technology on society just before the start of the Y2K hysteria at the turn of the last millennium.

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What makes a great resume?

What’s a resume builder, the 16 best resume builders, choosing a resume builder: 5 tips, prepare for your dream job.

A resume is often a potential employer’s first impression of you. But unlike a face-to-face meet and greet, this document has to hype you up almost immediately.

On average, recruiters spend seven seconds deciding whether a resume goes in the “Yes” or “No” pile. The perfect resume quickly tells a hiring manager what they need to know to make this decision.

An excellent way to ensure your resume catches a recruiter's attention is with an effective design that isn’t too crowded. If you’re not a graphic design whiz, a resume-building platform is the best way to create this document fast. 

Here’s more about the qualities of a great resume and some of the best resume builders so you can choose the right one for you.

A great resume summarizes your skills, education, and experience. It’s a straightforward document that’s easy to follow and gives readers a good first impression of your background. 

A cluttered resume reflects poorly on important traits such as attention to detail , organizational skills , and communication skills . That may cost you an interview, and it also increases the chance that applicant tracking systems (ATS) can’t understand or analyze your resume effectively. 

When you upload a resume, most companies use an ATS to filter applicants based on details like specific soft or hard skills or keywords like “communicative” or “ ambitious .” If this document isn’t clear, concise, and organized, the tracker might dismiss your qualified application. 

Hiring managers also often sort through hundreds of candidates, so being as clear and concise as possible is essential. A resume differs from a curriculum vitae (CV) , which is a detailed explanation of your career and academic history. Instead, a resume should focus on the highlights most relevant to the job you’re applying for. Keep this in mind when prioritizing clarity and consistency. 

Certain qualities are worth including to make a resume stand out. Your resume should also be up-to-date, descriptive, and specific. You may have to demonstrate those skill proficiencies or career accomplishments in an interview , so always include accurate information.

An online resume builder is an interactive platform that allows you to build from resume templates. Most online resume makers offer several customization options and professional templates to guide you through the writing process and follow key dos and don’ts .

Depending on the platform’s interactive features, pricing ranges from free resume templates for basic documents to paid services for more customizable features. Before you choose one, decide what you’re looking for and what you want to prioritize. If you’re a graphic designer looking to show off your creativity, more detailed or colorful templates might be a key selling point for you.

Job seekers have a variety of resume builders at their disposal. Here are six of our favorites, with pros and cons to help you decide which is best for you:

Zety offers 18 professional resume templates highlighting different color palettes, types of resumes such as chronological and functional resumes , and bar graphs and infographics to give your skills a visual element.

The platform is excellent for people without an existing resume or who want to start from scratch. The site walks you through the entire process, prompting you to include essential information in every section with tips to write more effectively. There are also cover letter and CV templates so you can finish every document in the same place.

Pros: Zety has intuitive ease of use, with plenty of helpful tips to write compelling job descriptions and optimize your skills and experience.

Cons: Zety’s free plan only allows you to download your resume in a TXT file and charges for different file types. Some templates also use graphics or colors incompatible with ATS.

2. My Perfect Resume

My Perfect Resume is excellent for more experienced resume writers. While it offers dozens of resume formats with different styles, you can also start from scratch with a blank template or edit an existing resume. There’s also a feature that suggests ATS-optimized language for work experience and skills to help you get through automated resume-reading programs. And if you’re stuck, you can work with one of My Perfect Resume’s experts to perfect your writing.

Pros: It’s easy to use and has a responsive chat feature to walk you through the process. The platform also has additional resume sections like certifications, social media, or public speaking experiences that benefit entry-level workers with less background.

Cons: The free version lets you download your resume in a TXT file. To download a DOCX or PDF, you must sign up for a 14-day trial.

Canva has a free resume builder feature with hundreds of templates from graphic designers with a flair for the creative. Although this platform is meant for people in any industry, it's ideal for those looking to express themselves through visual design.

Pros: It’s infinitely customizable with an expansive library of fonts, text sizes, and colors, and includes photo editing capabilities to crop and add filters. Canva also allows you to edit and save multiple versions to build new resumes for different jobs.

Cons: Canva doesn’t offer the option to upload your resume, so you must start from scratch. Many fonts and templates also aren’t ATS-friendly.

4. Resume.io

Resume.io offers 18 classic resume templates emphasizing clean and simple design. Job seekers going after more senior positions or in more corporate or formal industries, like law, accounting, or engineering, might find Resume.io to be a great option.

Pros: The platform is easy to use, intuitive, and has hundreds of examples to give you ideas for your resume. It also suggests action verbs and phrases that vary based on your job title and includes a built-in grammar checker.

Cons: You can’t modify the templates. The free version of Resume.io allows you to download your resume in a TXT file. To download a DOCX or PDF, you have to sign up for a seven-day trial.

5. LiveCareer

LiveCareer has a selection of around 30 resume templates that professional job recruiters have screened and approved. The platform's templates emphasize clean organization and straightforward design, and you can customize the colors to make them a little more personal.

LiveCareer is designed for social media sites, and you can upload your resume directly to your LinkedIn profile .

Pros: This resume builder software allows you to import your own resume to edit directly, so you don't have to re-enter all your information to use the platform's tools.

Cons : LiveCareer requires you to sign up for a trial package to download your document.

6. Resume Genius

Resume Genius is a free resume builder with a selection of conventional-looking templates. The platform is easy to use and ideal for job seekers applying for more senior, corporate, or specialized positions.

Pros: Resume Genius has 50,000 pre-written bullet points for every industry, making it easier to sell your skills — like active listening or trustworthy leadership — when you lack inspiration . You can also download DOCX or PDF files.

Cons: Resume Genius has limited visual components.

7. Resume.com

Resume.com has several straightforward templates, all of which are free. The platform is user-friendly, with resume examples from various industries and job levels to guide your design. 

Pros: The platform partners with Indeed, which is one of the top job sites in the world . You can access both services with a single account, allowing you to upload your resume to Indeed’s website easily.

Cons: While the platform boasts specialized templates for different job markets, free templates have a basic design and little variation. For creatives, the basic layouts may not stand out from other candidates.

8. Kick Resume

Kick Resume stands out from other resume builder sites for its AI-powered system that helps you string together the right words. The platform simplifies the process by providing a first draft, letting you quickly create a competitive resume. 

Pros: It has more than 400 job-specific resume and cover letter examples from human resource and design experts. A resume checker service, designed by recruiters, compares your resume to successful job seekers’. 

Cons: The platform's most advanced features require a monthly membership. 

Jobscan is a job-hunting service that doubles as a resume builder focused on optimizing your resume and cover letters to past ATS. It shows you exactly how searchable and accessible your resume is, giving unique insight into how recruiters might react.

Pros: This resume checker lets you analyze your resume against your target job application and how it’ll perform on an ATS. 

Cons: JobScan isn’t a comprehensive resume builder. It’s best for optimizing your existing resume. Be sure to take word suggestions with a grain of salt to avoid creating a resume full of relevant keywords but lacking cohesive writing. 

10. CakeResume

Cake Resume stands out from other resume builders for its free online portfolio builder , ideal for creatives who need eye-catching design across materials. The platform has an extensive library of career advice articles and step-by-step tutorials to perfect your writing, like how to build a 3D artist portfolio, write a career objective , or include teamwork skills . 

Pros: The resume builder is highly customizable without sacrificing usability. 

Cons: The free plan only includes a single resume. Active job seekers will need to sign up for a quarterly subscription to tailor resumes to different job postings. 

11. Adobe Express

You might know Adobe for its creative design platforms like Photoshop, Illustrator, and Lightroom. But Adobe Express’ resume builder allows you to add the same eye for design without being an expert in traditional design programs. 

Pros: The resume builder has a wide selection of fonts, colors, and templates to capture your personal brand within a one-page resume.

Cons: Job seekers in less creative industries may find the service overwhelming and unnecessary. 

12. NovoRésumé

NovoRésumé’s customizable templates are excellent for resume writing novices or non-tech-savvy job seekers who want to create unique, design-forward resumes. Despite its many customization options, the platform is intuitive. 

Pros: Customizations like resume icons, spacing, and color create dynamic resumes that can still get through an ATS. Live feedback walks you through a step-by-step process to help you avoid writer’s block. 

Cons: Novo Résumé only offers a downloadable PDF. Double-check the hiring manager’s preferences (like a Microsoft Word format) to ensure compatibility.

13. VisualCV

VisualCV is the world’s top resume and CV builder , with more than 4 million users. It’s a straightforward, user-friendly platform with ready-made templates and analytic tools to help you craft a competitive resume. 

Pros: The platform allows you to build your own resume or CV from scratch or import an existing one to edit. You can also share it on social media quickly and manage several resumes for different job applications. 

Cons: The best features, like building several resumes and accessing analytics, are only available with a premium account.

14. Do You Buzz

Do You Buzz is an excellent choice for resume-writing beginners. It breaks the writing process down into clear section-by-section instructions. With a $4.90 monthly premium subscription, you can join live video workshops to get the best out of your resume. 

Pros: The live resume writing service helps you make the most out of the platform. 

Cons: Do You Buzz offers 15 templates, meaning there’s little variation in style and design.

It makes sense that Indeed, the world’s largest job site, has its own resume builder . If you use Indeed for job searching, this is a convenient way to upload your resume to your existing account. 

Pros: The platform is free and easy to use with simple formatting. 

Cons: There are just sight templates with no options to customize different sections. For example, the education section doesn’t allow you to differentiate between types of degrees like a BS or BA.

16. Resume Now

Resume Now has over 900 real resume examples reviewed by professional resume writers. Once you find the industry-relevant option that inspires you, the platform customizes it to your needs.

Pros: Thousands of pre-written phrases help you find the right words to catch a hiring manager’s eye. Extra features like corrections from a human resume reviewer can help you craft the perfect resume. 

Cons: What is and isn’t included in free and paid plans may confuse some users, according to reviews .  

The right resume for you depends on what types of jobs you’re applying for and what you want to highlight — whether skills, experiences, or professional accomplishments. Consider the following when picking a platform:

• Price: If you’re looking for a free online resume builder, pay careful attention to the fine print. Many free services only offer downloads in file types that recruiters don't want — like plain TXT files. Check the pricing for other options before spending hours designing a resume.
• Functionality: A great resume fits the job you’re applying for. Choose a platform that allows you to easily edit and download various resumes. 
• Design: A digital designer will likely want a different template than a recent law graduate. Based on your industry or the company you’re applying to, decide whether you want a clean and straightforward resume design or a template with more visual embellishments. Choose a site with templates most suitable to those needs.
• Consistency: Most resume-building services provide cover letter builders and CV templates. If your job search requires all three, choose a platform where the aesthetic is consistent for each document.
• Customization : If you’re an entry-level job seeker, look for resume builders that allow you to customize different sections like certifications, honors and awards , or professional skills to bolster your resume.

You’ve got the experience, demeanor, and skills necessary to handle the job. The best resume builders can help you deliver this information effectively. Tailor this document to company values and the job description, using a more visually creative or basic resume design when applicable. This will help your resume stand out from the crowd, increasing your chances of getting an interview. That means you’re one step closer to applying for — and hopefully starting — your dream job.

Ace your job search

Explore effective job search techniques, interview strategies, and ways to overcome job-related challenges. Our coaches specialize in helping you land your dream job.

Elizabeth Perry, ACC

Elizabeth Perry is a Coach Community Manager at BetterUp. She uses strategic engagement strategies to cultivate a learning community across a global network of Coaches through in-person and virtual experiences, technology-enabled platforms, and strategic coaching industry partnerships. With over 3 years of coaching experience and a certification in transformative leadership and life coaching from Sofia University, Elizabeth leverages transpersonal psychology expertise to help coaches and clients gain awareness of their behavioral and thought patterns, discover their purpose and passions, and elevate their potential. She is a lifelong student of psychology, personal growth, and human potential as well as an ICF-certified ACC transpersonal life and leadership Coach.

How to create a resume with ChatGPT

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15 Best Online Resume Builders in 2024

Crafting a well-structured and detailed resume piece-by-piece can be hard.

If you’re using Microsoft Word, it takes time to get everything right and then editing a single section of the resume usually messes everything up.

That’s no good.

Luckily, you can just use a resume builder.

With a solid resume builder, you don’t have to invest your sweat , blood , and tears into crafting your resume. All you have to do is sign up, and the software does all the resume formatting for you.

And on top of that, you’ll be using a tried-and-tested resume template. This guarantees that you’ll present yourself in the best way possible.

But there are a ton of online resume builders out there - so, which one do you use?

In this guide, we’re going to be covering 15 of the best online resume builders on the market and give our thoughts on each.

15 Online Resume Builders Reviewed

Most resume builders have something unique to offer.

It’s hard to pick the perfect one , because well, perfection doesn’t really exist.

That’s right.

The resume builder you choose will most likely depend on what you’re looking for.

This is why we’re going to be covering some of the online resume builders by the following criteria:

• Premium features
• # of resume templates available
• Cover letter builder availability
• Pros and cons

Now, let’s dive into the huge world of online resume builders, starting with:

Yes, that’s us.

Are we biased?

Maybe a little.

But hear us out - Novorésumé is awesome.

Creating a professional resume and cover letter has never been so easy. 

Our templates were designed to represent your skills and work experience in the best way possible. 

Using one of Novorésumé’s flexible resume templates , you can adjust , edit , and customize your resume based on the position or company you’re applying to.

Applying for a job in the creative industry?

Maybe you want to be a marketer or work in advertising.

Pick one of the more creative templates and stand out from the rest of the candidates!

Or, on the other hand, maybe you’re applying for a job in finance .

In that case, you can try one of our more traditional resume templates.

Whatever type of job you’re applying for, Novorésumé has the right template for you.

And speaking of resume templates, our templates are ATS-friendly (resume screening software that HR managers love to use). Meaning, if you have the right experience listed, you’re sure to get past the automatic software screening process.

Don't trust us? Check out what people have to say on Trustpilot :

Not sure how to build a resume?

To put the icing on the cake, our resume builder also comes with a smart content optimizer that will analyze your progress and give you quality suggestions on how to improve each section.

That’s a lot of features.

So, how much does it cost? 

Let’s take a look:

Unlike other online resume builders, Novorésumé is very transparent about which of its services are included in the free version. When editing your resume, the premium features are marked with a star. If you choose one of these, a box will pop up to inform you that you’ll have to upgrade to premium in order to download your resume. This is extremely useful and helps you easily decide if upgrading is worth the cost.

• Freemium : available
• 1 Month Premium: $ 19.99
• 3 Months Premium: $39.99
• 12 Months Premium: $99.99

Unlike other similar companies, Novorésumé’s pricing isn’t subscription based. That means that after the month you paid for is over, you won’t be auto-charged for another month.

Premium Features

• Up to 3 pages of a resume/CV
• Cover letter builder
• Custom layout
• Multiple resume versions
• Specialized sections, and more

# Of Resume Templates Available

• Free Templates Available: 8
• Paid Templates Available: 0

Cover Letter Builder

Available only for the premium version

• A lot of professional templates to get you started
• Creative resume templates that are guaranteed to stand out
• Plenty of features and choices with the free version (that you’d have to pay for with other resume builders)
• ATS-friendly resume templates that won’t get lost in the software screening process
• Live smart feedback to improve your resume in case you missed something
• A lot of free resources and guides on how to polish your resume
• Transparent pricing model and no automatic renewal
• Going over one page of your resume and some other premium options cost extra

CVMaker is a barebones approach to resume making and allows you to create resumes effortlessly with a super simple interface.

Though most of their templates are minimalistic by nature, you can still customize the sections and the design on your own.

CVMaker includes up to 37 languages and you can create a printable resume in a matter of minutes.

The customization of the tool doesn’t have a lot going for it, but you can always add a custom section on your own.

Once done, you can then import your resume into a PDF, HTML, and TXT documents.

• Freemium: available
• Premium: $16/year
• Premium themes
• Special sections
• Rich text editing

# of Resume Templates Available

Unavailable.

• Simple to use and get into
• Easy to upload/edit resumes
• Minimalistic approach to an online text-based resume maker
• Not a lot of customization with the templates within the sections and design
• No resources or tips on how to make your resume better

Enhancv gives you a total of 4 different resume builder templates you can choose from based on your field and job experience.

The tool is fairly simple to use.

You pick from a number of templates and then customize the design based on sections , fonts , colors , layout , and more.

There is little to no learning curve with the tool as you can start creating a resume immediately once you log in.

Once you have a draft resume, you can get instant feedback on your resume through the app’s content analyzer tool.

The final result is that you end up with a professional, yet personal resume with a memorable design.

• 7 days free trial
• Pro Semi-Annual: $ 10.99/m
• Pro Quarterly: $14.99/m
• Pro Monthly: $19.99/m
• Up to 10 resumes and cover letters
• Remove branding on your resume
• Instant tips to fix mistakes
• Pro sections, colors, and backgrounds
• Free Templates Available: 2
• Paid Templates Available: 2

Available only for the premium version.

• Easy to start
• Solid resume design and layout regardless of the profession
• Memorable design and a lot of room for adding and arranging sections
• Feels limited with the freemium options
• Some important resume sections require premium

VisualCV is an online resume builder that you can use to create PDFs resumes for just about any industry.

They have the option to upload your current resume to improve it, and a resources section with all the tips and tricks you’ll need on using VisualCV.

The site has plenty of resume templates depending on your background. Whether you’re a recent graduate , CEO , a freelancer , or anything in between, each of their template has something unique about them.

Whether it be the design, layout, or the structure, you can find one that speaks to you and also manage multiple resumes - depending on where you’re applying.

The website also has all the usual features like exporting and importing your CV, but what really helps them stand out is their resume analytics option.

What this means is that you can share your resume through their website, and keep track of who views or downloads your resume, to avoid getting lost in the hiring process.

• Premium: $12 per month
• Extra resume templates
• Free templates available: 3
• Paid templates available: 15
• Analytics to track your resume performance is a fresh and welcome tool
• Allows you to manage multiple resume versions
• Can get feedback from VisualCV partners or share with friends
• Can edit most resume sections with the free plan
• Only 3 free templates available
• Need the premium option to hide website resume branding
• Freemium resume templates look very similar to each other

CakeResume is an extremely easy-to-use resume builder that starts you off with a generic template that you can then customize by using the site’s drag-and-drop feature.

How does that work?

Essentially, you choose a number of sections you’d like to add to your resume from the sidebar and add them as you please.

This way, you’re in charge of your resume and can build your own layout , based on how you want it to look like.

There are no unnecessary fluff sections and the UI is intuitive so everyone can start building out their layout in a matter of seconds.

If there’s a perfect resume structure that you have in your head and want to get it down on paper, this drag-and-drop approach can help you do that and differentiate yourself from other candidates.

Other than that, the website also has a number of different user-made resume samples, which you can use to discover what good resumes in your field look like.

• Advanced: $7.95/m
• Pro: $15.95/m
• 20+ resume snippets (call-to-action, quotes, video slides, and more)
• Resume tracking via Google Analytics
• Free templates available: 1
• Paid templates available: 0 
• Can edit and customize your resume the way you want to through the drag-and-drop feature
• Can browse through user-made resume templates for inspiration
• A lot of options to edit your resume and make it unique
• Some of the user-made resume samples can be unreliable as a reference. After all, you can never really know how skilled the person is at crafting a resume.
• Can be hard to construct your resume with the drag-and-drop if you don’t know what you’re doing

ResumUP is another interesting take on the online resume builder as it focuses heavily on the visual side of resumes.

More specifically, the website focuses on turning your resume into an infographic .

They have a number of different types of templates and designs, but for the most part, they’re all on the heavy design side .

So, depending on where you’re applying this might be the way to go for you.

For example, if you’re applying to a social media and graphic design job where you’d be making a lot of visual content - turning your resume into an actual infographic can be a quick and easy way to stand out.

The site doesn’t offer a lot of different templates, but from the ones that they do, they’re guaranteed to attract attention.

• Pro profile: $20/m
• Lifetime access: $ 149
• Certain sections (e.g. skills and achievements) require premium
• Extra templates
• Free templates available: 2
• Premium templates available: 11
• Stunning design choices and fancy templates
• Templates available for different industries
• Easy to create and modify despite all the visuals
• Most templates are design-heavy and might be better only for certain jobs
• Can be expensive compared to other resume builders

SlashCV is a really fast way to start creating a resume online as it doesn’t even require you to log in.

To get started, you can simply jump into the builder and already get a sense of what your overall resume will look like.

You can start off by picking one of the available templates.

Or if you’re feeling creative, you can create your own layout using the drag and drop builder.

Unfortunately, the website doesn’t offer a whole lot of customization beyond that. You can’t change the font, background, colors, etc.

As far as basic resume builder sites go - SlashCV is easy to set up and get it going.

• Premium (to host your own resume online on their site): $4.99/year
• Host your resume online
• Paid PDF templates
• Remove watermark
• Free templates available: over 50
• Premium templates available: 0

Unavailable

• Fast, doesn’t require to log in and offers most sections you’ll need in a resume
• Also has the option to add custom sections 
• Can host your resume online as a PDF
• Not a lot of features beyond basic ones
• A lot of the templates look the same and there is little option to change the color schemes or make any other major edits

MyPerfectResume 

MyPerfectResume starts onboarding you by first asking your field , title , level of expertise , and then allows you to pick from a template based on your answers.

After that, you can either create a new resume or upload your current one to edit on their website.

When it comes to filling in your resume sections , the website holds your hand every step of the way, giving you tips on what to mention. So, it can be very useful for someone that’s a beginner creating their first resume.

They even offer a professional service of having a certified resume writer create a personalized resume and cover letter for you in just 3 days.

• 14 day trial: $ 1.95, then $24.95/m
• Annual: $5.95/m, $71.40/year
• Resume writing and cover letter services cost extra
• Download and save your resume in multiple formats
• Scan your resume for common mistakes
• Free templates available: 12
• Premium templates available: 30+
• Easy to follow and set up as it includes tips and guides each step of the way
• Noticeable color schemes and design layouts that make a difference
• Simple, yet powerful templates to get you started - great for beginners
• Forced to fill in your resume sections step-by-step, without the ability to see how the end-result looks until you’re done with it
• Need to sign up for a subscription to download or print your resume
• A lot of templates but you can’t change the layout

Resume.com is an easy to use and straightforward online resume builder.

Starting from the dashboard, you get the option to select a resume or a cover letter template and start filling in the blanks.

The step-by-step process is fairly simple to follow as the website onboarding you asks for all the traditional information like your name, contact information, and so on.

Alternatively, you can upload your current resume to edit on their website or choose a sample resume to start with.

If you select to create one, the site walks you through the process of creating a resume by asking you questions on each section. Once you’re down, it creates a resume based on your answers.

From there, you can edit and rearrange sections as you wish, and also change the following styling options:

With the cover letter , you also get a lot of options, based on your industry and career expertise .

• Not Available
• Free templates available : 24
• Completely free to use
• The resume builder is functional and extremely easy to follow
• 200+ cover letter examples and samples, depending on the industry
• Though there’s a lot of resume templates to choose from, a lot of them look very similar and common. Meaning, it’s going to be very unlikely for your resume to stand out

KickResume helps you get noticed and hired faster.

They offer all the usual stuff - resume templates, cover letters, different designs and layouts , and also the ability to turn your resume into a living, breathing, website .

Through KickResume, you can turn your resume into a personalized, one-click website.

This way, you can take your resume online, include more sections about you and let your future employers learn more about you by simply Googling your name.

• Premium: $8/m
• Grammar Correction: $29 per resume
• Unlimited number of resumes and cover letters
• 20,000+ pre-written phrases you can use in your resume
• Real resume examples
• Email and live chat support
• Free templates available: 4
• 2 templates available for the free version
• 20+ templates for the premium option
• A lot of strong features, resume and cover letter templates available for the freemium version
• Pre-written phrases to help you out in case you’re not sure how to phrase your achievements
• Grammar correction proofreading services available, if needed
• Most templates are creative and sometimes too vibrant - can be a bad thing depending on where you’re applying
• Can be hard to turn your resume into a website, if you don’t know what you’re doing

Vizualize is another heavy visuals-based approach at an online resume builder.

You have two ways to create a resume with Vizualize:

• Export your LinkedIn profile and creative a Vizualize resume automatically
• Sign-up with your email and input your information manually

Then, the software automatically turns your resume into a timeline spaced over a certain timeframe. 

It’s important to note that you should only ever take this approach if you’re sure it’s relevant to your job.

For example, if you’re applying for any company with ATS, you probably won’t pass with this.

Instead, you should only ever use this if you know for a fact that the HR will read your resume manually.

And even then, you should really be sure that they’ll appreciate an infographic resume.

For now, Visualize is still in beta, so here’s what that includes:

• Templates available: 6
• Easy to set up and convert your LinkedIn profile into an infographic
• A lot of options to change the resume styles (colors, font background, etc.)
• Still in beta
• Using an infographic resume might really backfire on your (it’s not standard)

Resumonk is a very straightforward approach to creating beautiful and professional resumes online.

The website has a number of different templates, depending on the occasion, that help you stand out from other candidates to get the call back for the interview.

You can move the sections around as you see fit and modify quite a bit, even with the free plan .

Resumonk doesn’t require you to sign up, and you can start messing with the layout to get a feel of the tool within seconds.

Though, to gain control of some of the more powerful features and options - you really need the premium plan.

• Premium plan: $29/year
• Forever plan (one-time payment): $89
• Cover letter
• Additional fonts and color options
• Custom URL to host your resume online
• Track analytics for your resume
• Freemium templates available: 4
• Premium templates available: 17
• Easy to jump into creating and modifying your resume
• Can download as PDF or host online (if premium)
• Clunky interface
• Need premium for a lot of basic features (e.g. changing colors, removing branding logo, etc.)

ResumeGenius

ResumeGenius is a clean online resume builder that wastes no time in letting you customize your resume.

You start by choosing a resume template ( Word or PDF ), then answer a few questions about your background (work experience, education, etc.). 

The builder is a bit misleading though - they make you fill in everything on your resume, and in the end, they hit you with a paywall - $1.95 for a 14 day period.

If you’re going for this option, make sure to cancel your subscription, or they’re going to start charging you $39.95 at the end of the first 14 days! 

Regardless of your work experience, the software was designed to generate a complete resume for every kind of job seeker.

Throughout the process of creating a resume, the website helps you format it in detail and gives you tips and tricks along the way..

For each section of your resume, ResumeGenius helps you think of what you should write where and how to format it accordingly.

Finally, if needed, they also have a “ask an expert” option for the pro plan, in which a professional resume expert will go over your resume, and review it for accuracy and clarity.

• 14 day access: $ 1.95, then $39.95/m
• Annual payment: $95.40/year
• Unlimited resumes, cover letters, and downloads
• Resume critique and feedback from an expert
• Track your resume analytics
• Freemium templates available: 0
• Paid templates available: 17
• Straightforward, easy to work with resume builder
• Resume templates look and feel unique, and there are a lot of options depending on where you’re applying
• No freemium option
• Expensive compared to other options (after the 14 day access)
• Can’t edit certain resume layout details (e.g.month formatting), and this can lead to inconsistency

Resume-now uses a tried-and-tested resume templates to help you land your dream job twice as fast.

You can choose between regular templates, or pick ones created for specific fields and industries.

You choose a template and fill in the information about your background manually, but beyond that - you’re on your own.

This resume builder doesn’t come with a content optimizer, so if you’re new to resumes, it might be a bit hard.

• 14 day trial: $ 1.95, then $39.90/m
• Premium plan: $39.90/m
• Access to all format downloads (PDF, MS Word, Plain text)
• Multiple versions of resume and cover letter
• Salary calculator
• Premium templates available: 15
• Can freely rearrange resume sections
• Pre-written text available for resume and cover letter, depending on the job role
• Not a lot of resources and tips as you create the resume
• Expensive compared to other options after the trial
• Assumes you already know how to structure and format resume details

GotResumeBuilder

GotResumeBuilder is a free online resume builder that has a little bit of everything for everyone.

At first, it looks like an extremely straightforward resume builder, with each resume section set up as tabs which you can modify as you move through the resume.

But once you get into the details of the resume builder, you can see where exactly it shines.

Once you start filling out your resume sections, the site starts giving you suggestions based on the keywords used.

If you’re not sure what to write, this is an extremely intuitive way to phrase your job descriptions.

Other than that, you can also manage multiple resumes , organize and rearrange your resume sections, and manage multiple formats .

With each section, you also get a real-time guide and hints on what to include and how.

For a free online resume builder, you’re getting a lot of features and options.

• Free templates available: 6
• A lot of detailed tips and how-tos for each section for a free resume builder
• Can download resume as PDF, Word, ODT, Text, or email it from site
• Extremely intuitive and simple - ideal for students and entry-level jobs
• Very basic templates
• Little customization in terms of color and design
• Not a lot of features for advanced job seekers with experience

Key Takeaways

There are a lot of online resume builders out there.

Realistically, all of them can get the job done. Whichever one you end up using, you’ll end up with a functional resume at the end of the day.

Picking the right resume builder and the right resume template, though, can have a huge impact on whether you get hired or not.

So, to help you pick, consider the following points:

• Is it affordable ? 
• Does it have a fitting design and all the features you need (e.g cover letter, template customization, etc.)?
• Does it come with a content analyzer to help you fill in your resume?
• Does the resume builder come with a range of different template options?
• Is the resume template you’re going for the right one for your field?

If you’re not sure and need further guidance on how to build your resume, be sure to check out our career blog for more practical and actionable advice 

Suggested readings:

• How to Write a Resume & Land That Job [21+ Examples]
• What to Put on a Resume [7+ Job-Winning Sections]
• How to Write a Cover Letter & Get the Job [5+ Real-Life Examples]

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10 Best Free Resume Builders

By Biron Clark

Published: February 15, 2024

Resume/CV | Reviews

Biron Clark

Writer & Career Coach

There are quite a few free online resume sites, but some are MUCH better than others.

Some also appear to be free but will make you pay at the very end or you won’t be able to download your newly-created resume.

So in this article, I’m going to review the 10 best resume sites that offer completely free resume builders.

These are the websites that offer the best resume templates, best building software and user experience, and don’t charge you to download a printable resume.

Top 10 Free Online Resume Builders

1. cultivated culture.

Cultivated Culture provides free tools and information to job seekers. It’s run by Austin Belcak, who’s spent his recent career developing formulas for crafting effective resumes, writing engaging cover letters, and landing high-paying jobs at some of the world’s top companies.

His free resume builder includes eight resume templates that are ATS friendly , full design customization, and expert advice throughout the process to help you craft the perfect resume.

The tool is user-friendly and makes writing a resume simple. Here’s how it works:

• Choose your resume template.
• Select a color scheme.
• Create your resume. You’ll be able to add information to the various sections of your resume , including personal information, experience, education, and skills . You can remove and add sections as needed.
• Once you’re happy with your resume click “Finalize.” Here you’ll be able to adjust the font size, line spacing, and margins.
• Download your resume as a PDF or Word file, or save it to your Google Drive.

You can use this tool to build an unlimited number of resumes.

Cultivated Culture also offers two other free tools that will help you develop a more professional resume. They have a scanner that offers suggestions and keywords based on your desired role and also provides a feature to help you write more effective bullet points.

2. NovoResume

NovoResume is an online resume builder that offers eight free templates to choose from, a content optimizer, pre-written resume samples, a cover letter builder, and templates for your cover letter.

After you choose one of their resume template options you’re taken straight into their resume builder. You have to sign up for a free account before continuing, but this just takes a moment.

The free version of NovoResume allows you to build one single-page resume. Click on any of the resume sections to edit and customize it however you like. You can also change the font, template, design, or layout throughout the process if you’re not happy with the way it’s looking. 

If you want a little more flexibility you can upgrade to the premium resume builder, which lets you create unlimited resumes and gives you access to additional fonts, templates, and various customization options.

3. LiveCareer

LiveCareer offers a free resume builder designed by certified resume writers. They also offer example resumes, templates, a cover letter builder, cover letter templates, and everything else you need to build an eye-catching resume.

The first thing you’ll notice about their resume builder is the number of templates they offer. There are over 30 templates to choose from, which gives you the freedom to create a resume that suits you. They’ll also recommend templates for you, based on your level of experience and the job title you’re applying for.

Once you choose one of their templates you have the choice of starting from scratch or uploading your current resume for LiveCareer to reformat. 

When creating a new resume, the resume builder will walk you through each section one at a time and ask you to provide the required information. During the resume-building process, LiveCareer will suggest bullet points that are related to the job titles you list in your work experience.

They’ll even provide a pre-written summary for you based on all the information you provide (although you also have the option to write your own summary if you like).

After you’re done you can download your resume to your computer in a PDF, Word document, or plain text. 

With LiveCareer’s free resume builder, you can make multiple resumes and download them in plain text format. However, if you want unlimited downloads in Word or PDF you’ll need to upgrade to one of their premium options. While there isn’t a free 30-day trial, for just $2.95 you can try it for 14 days. However, after 14 days, the plan auto-renews at $23.95, billed every 4 weeks, unless you cancel it .

Zety offers all the tools you need to build a resume that will catch an employer’s attention. In addition to their online resume builder, they give you access to over 20 resume templates, writing tips, pre-written examples, a cover letter builder, templates for your cover letters, and more. 

Once you select one of their resume templates, you can choose to start a resume from scratch or build off of an existing document (Zety will reformat it for you).

You’ll find Zety and LiveCareer’s resume builders are virtually identical (they seem to be built on the same platform), and they have all the same features and download options. Zety also has the same payment structure, where to download multiple resumes or gain access to their more advanced tool options, you’ll need to purchase a premium subscription.

5. USA Jobs

USA Jobs provides the best resume builder software when applying for government jobs.

Their online resume builder is geared toward the exact application process and requirements of the typical government role.

(And those requirements are quite overwhelming if you haven’t applied to many government jobs in the past, so it’s fantastic that their software helps.)

You’ll need to set up an account with USA Jobs to get started, but it’s well worth it.

After joining, follow these steps to start creating a resume for government jobs:

• Sign into your account.
• Go to your Documents.
• Click “Upload” if you want to edit an existing resume or “Build Resume” if you want to create a new one.

From here, you can add text to the various sections of your resume (work experience, previous job title, education, references, etc.). There’s also a section where you can add additional information, like job training, languages, and affiliations. Once you finish your resume you’ll be able to access it in your documents list and can use it to apply to various government positions.

The big difference between USA Jobs’s resume builder and other similar tools is the amount of information it asks you to include. For example, federal government recruiters review, audit, and score a wide variety of information, and this builder ensures you don’t omit anything that the recruiters require for you to be considered.

I found out about this tool through a colleague on LinkedIn, and here’s how they explained it:

So, if you’re applying to any government jobs, this is THE resume builder to use .

6. My Perfect Resume

My Perfect Resume offers free resume builder software and over 30 proven resume templates to help you get started. They also provide a resume optimizer, cover letter builder, cover letter templates, and several different customization options to help you land your dream job.

This resume builder uses the same platform as LiveCareer and Zety. You start by indicating how long you’ve been working and based on that My Perfect Resume will recommend a few templates for you. Then they’ll walk you through each section so you can fill in the correct information. They’ll offer suggestions along the way and will even write your bullets for you if you wish.

Once you’ve completed the process you can download your resume as a PDF, Word document, or plain text file. To enjoy unlimited downloads in Word or PDF, you’ll need to upgrade to a paid account. There is no free trial, but a 14-day full access for $2.95. After two weeks, the subscription auto-renews at $23.95 billed every 4 weeks, unless you cancel it.

7. Resume.com

Resume.com is a completely free resume builder. They also offer information on how to write an effective cover letter, career advice for job seekers, and more.

Their resume builder is simple to use:

• Enter the type of job you want to apply for.
• Choose a resume template. Resume.com offers 15 different templates.
• Click on each section of the template to edit it. Tips are provided for each section to help you craft the perfect resume.
• When you’re finished, you can choose to print or download your resume as a PDF or text file.

In addition to resume building, Resume.com partnered with Indeed. You’ll use a single account for both platforms. By creating a resume, you agree to create a public resume on Indeed and to receive job opportunities from employers. However, you can change this at any point.

JobScan is known mainly for its flagship software that allows you to match your resume up to the job description before applying (also known as tailoring a resume ).

However, they recently launched a free resume builder that’s among one of the best we’ve seen. It features great resume templates and design options, and it also offers writing guides, cover letter templates, and more.

I’d certainly put this among the free best resume-making sites available right now.

Once you begin, their resume builder gives you the option of building a resume from scratch or editing an existing file. You can even download your LinkedIn profile as a PDF and parse it as an “existing resume.”

If you choose to create a new resume you’ll start by picking one of the three resume templates they have to offer. Then you’ll simply fill in the required information for each section of the resume. Additionally, unlike other resume builders, Jobscan offers 15 Google Docs resume templates, designed by their team.

JobScan provides labeled fields for all the details you need to provide for every section, and a number of these fields are required to ensure you don’t miss anything.

If you already have a resume you’re reasonably happy with you can upload it to the resume builder and JobScan will reformat it and fill in your information based on what’s provided in your resume.

Once you’re done building your professional resume you’ll have the option to scan it based on the job you’re applying for.

JobScan will give your resume a grade ( match rate score) that’s judged on several factors, including skills match, education match, ATS tips, keywords, word count, and more. Based on these results, you’ll be able to build a resume that’s perfectly suited to the job you’re applying for.

9. Kickresume

Kickresume is one of the best resume builders I was able to find while researching. You’ll have to create an account before using it, however, this process only takes a moment.

Once you’re inside the resume builder you have the option of starting a resume from scratch, importing your resume from your LinkedIn profile, using one of their example resumes, or creating a new resume with AI.

Click on the different sections and fill in the fields to make your resume. You can also add and remove sections to personalize the document.

Click “Customization” along the left-hand side to change the colors, format, font, and template. There’s also an option to have it proofread by a professional, although there is a charge for this service.

When you’re happy with your resume, click “Download” to export it as a PDF file or Word doc, email it to yourself, or save it to Dropbox.

Kickresume also has a premium option. The free option should be good enough for most, as it allows you to build unlimited resumes and gives you access to plenty of resume examples and pre-written phrases for you to use.

But if you want access to all the resume templates and tools you might want to consider the premium option. You can choose a monthly, quarterly, or yearly plan. While they don’t have a free trial they do offer a 14-day money-back guarantee.

Indeed is known mostly as a job search tool to find employment opportunities in your local area. However, the company also offers a free resume builder to help job seekers perfect their resume before applying for postings.

Once you choose one of their eight different templates you’re taken to the resume builder where you can edit the document. You can switch templates at any time, adjust the color scheme, and add or remove sections. Once you’re satisfied with what you created about can download your resume as a PDF file.

While there are better resume builders out there, if you’re looking for a quick and easy way to create a resume, this one is a good choice.

Caution: Before Using ANY Online Resume Builder

There’s one more piece of information you should know before acting on ANY of the online resume builder reviews above.

In my experience, too many job seekers focus on an eye-catching resume design when applying for jobs or emailing recruiters , but they don’t put enough focus on writing great content and information that will appeal to the reader. So no matter which of these top 10 resume builders you choose, focus mostly on the text and information you add, not the design.

In fact, I still recommend a single-column layout.

And the truth is, if I were creating my own resume today, I’d use a regular Word template, not any online software or tool.

I discussed this with a colleague on LinkedIn here:

Microsoft Office has good templates available , and Hloom is another good site for templates.

I can understand if you don’t want to tinker with resume formatting , spacing, etc., and everything that comes with creating it in a Word doc, but that’s what I’d personally do.

Just keep this in mind when choosing any drag-and-drop software above; you should always pick a design that lets you focus on the content and info because that’s what employers want to see. Don’t choose a format that doesn’t give much space to describe your recent work, accomplishments, etc.

Because the FIRST place I look as a recruiter is your work history, under your one or two most recent roles.

I’d also never recommend a resume layout that doesn’t begin with your employment history on the top half of page 1.

Employment experience is often the first thing hiring managers look for (unless you’re an entry-level job seeker), and you should never make them scroll far down the page (or look on page 2) to find it.

Conclusion: Choosing the Best Online Resume Site for You

There isn’t one single best resume builder for all people in all industries, but the 10 choices above provide good, basic options that are user-friendly and will impress hiring managers.

I recommend visiting a few of the sites above and seeing which builder and templates look best to you. Each site offers different features/options, so you’ll want to get a sense of which one feels best to you before creating and downloading a resume.

And if you read my “Caution” statement above and decide to build your own resume in a document rather than in an online app, I have many free resources to help you here.

About the Author

Read more articles by Biron Clark

More Resume Tips & Guides

Crafting the perfect resume for teens (template & expert advice), how artificial intelligence (ai) is changing resume writing, 22 resume bullet point examples that get interviews, are resume writers worth it, finding a job after self employment: tips for resumes, interviews and more, career change interview tips, resume tips and more, how much does a resume writer cost (average price and ranges), walk me through your resume: answer examples, applying for jobs out of state this resume tip can help, how long should a resume be.

• Services & Software

Article updated on April 17, 2024 at 5:00 PM PDT

Best Resume Writing Services for 2024

Whether you need to build a new resume from scratch or want some professional advice, we’ve curated the best websites, apps and services to make you stand out.

Our Experts

• She received the Renau Writing Scholarship in 2016 from the University of Louisville's communication department.

• Apple software beta tester, "Helps make our computers and phones work!" - Zach's grandparents

CNET’s expert staff reviews and rates dozens of new products and services each month, building on more than a quarter century of expertise.

Writing a resume can often feel like a tedious and time-consuming process. It can also feel a little intimidating if this is your first official resume or if you’ve been away from the job market for a while. When writing, you’ll have to figure out the right formatting, pick the best terms to describe your experience and try to strike just the right tone. Since having an up-to-date resume is always a good idea, we’ve researched to find the best resume writing services to help ease the pressure.

Some of what you'll need to include in your resume will depend on the industry you want to work in. While it can vary, employers will likely look at your education, work history and skills. We’ve combed through dozens of resume services looking at the most helpful features across a variety of needs. We looked especially closely at the number of custom templates, the amount of guidance the service offered, the ease of navigation and the robustness of the service's privacy policy. Each of these templates and professional writing services will help you create a complete resume that best reflects your skills and experience at an affordable price.

What’s the best resume builder website?

The best resume template and builder should give you a variety of options to customize your resume. Resume.com has many options and customization features that make it a useful tool for almost any candidate applying to any job. You can upload and edit an existing resume, customize an available template from its collection or let the service guide you through creating one from scratch. Resume.com also offers helpful guidance throughout your resume creation process, making sure you include and optimize all your content. Once you’re happy with your resume, you can download it for free in multiple formats.

Depending on where you’re at in the job application process, you might need more guidance than a template. These professional writing services will pair you with experienced writers and coaches to help you craft and perfect resumes, LinkedIn profiles, cover letters and more. These services include more personalized coaching and features, but they tend to be more expensive. We’ve collected a range of options for your budget and needs. Because your resume likely includes your contact information and some personal information, we've also included information about each service's privacy policy.

Best resume templates and builders of 2024

A well-constructed resume can help you stand out during a job search.

• Can create new resume or customize templates
• Many free features, guidance while writing
• Integrated with Indeed job search site
• Difficulty unsubscribing from paid services

Best free resume builder

Resume.com is a free resume writer offering dozens of templates for creating your resume or cover letter, as well as job boards and career advice. You have the option to upload and edit an existing resume, create a new one, or customize one of the sample resumes offered on the site. It's intuitive and easy to use, and it creates a professional-looking final product.

When starting from scratch, you'll go section by section, entering your education, employment history, hobbies and interests, professional skills, languages and references. Resume.com provides question prompts and tips for guidance, as well as career-specific examples you can add if you're struggling to find the right words. You can also choose to forgo any of these sections, rearrange sections and add custom ones depending on what you need. As you update and save each section, you can see how it will appear on the page on your resume preview to the right. You can also change the template, font style and size, or spacing at any time and see it update in real-time in the preview. 

Once you're done, you can download your new resume (in PDF, DocX, RTF or TXT format), create a custom URL or print it out. You also have the option to upload it to Indeed, a job search site that partners with Resume.com . The account you make will work with both Indeed and Resume.com . On the privacy side, the site does collect user information. If you want to delete your account, simply click your profile icon and then Account . Clicking Close My Account deletes your account and your data. If you didn't make an account, you can still choose Delete Guest Data . You can also request your data, and the company will send you an email with what it has collected. 

On the review site Trustpilot , Resume.com only has 32 reviews, but of those, 63% of them awarded the site four or five stars. Some negative reviews speak of difficulty unsubscribing from paid services, so read carefully as you use the free aspects of this service. 

• Guided help writing work experience descriptions
• Cover letter and CV help
• Easy to change layout and color styles
• Must pay to download resume

Best option for your first resume

Resume genius.

The website Resume Genius says you can "make a professional resume in 12 minutes." We tested it out and indeed had a solid first draft of an easy resume completed in about 10 minutes. Resume Genius takes you step-by-step through the process, prompting you with questions about your education and work experience to help you fill out the applicable sections. Resume Genius is particularly helpful because you can search for a job and see prewritten text for the description that you can add or edit. When finished, you can easily toggle between different templates to see what looks best for the final product. You also have the option to directly share your resume with Indeed or Resume Library. 

The site can also help you build cover letters and curriculum vitae. After you input all your information, you can choose different layout styles and colors. It's easy to move through, but you have to do it in order and fill in all the information before continuing. Resume Genius also offers examples of resumes, CVs and cover letters for specific jobs, as well as recommended jobs near you. You can download the resume you create for $3 (which starts a 14-day trial for Resume Genius Pro), or $8 (which kicks off a monthly subscription plan). If you fail to cancel your trial before the 14 days are up, you'll be billed $25 every four weeks ($95 annually), according to the site. 

On Trustpilot at the time of this publication, the site has 4.8 out of 5 stars based on more than 38,000 reviews. Note that if you register on the site, Resume Genius does collect personally identifiable information and may share it with third parties for advertising and other purposes, according to its privacy policy. The account deletion process is buried in the Terms of Service . According to Resume Genius, complete data erasure can take up to 30 days, but they may retain "certain information in accordance with privacy laws."

• Easy to customize
• Free downloads
• Optional paid extra assistance with Indeed professionals
• Unclear how to delete personal information

Easiest resume builder to use

Indeed resume builder.

It's free to create a resume or post your current resume on Indeed. If you're building a new one, you can choose between eight templates. The resume sections are highlighted and when you click, each section expands specific text fields. You can swap templates at any time without losing your work, as well. There are also options for toggling sections on and off, in addition to rearranging them. When you're finished, you can download a free PDF of your work history.

Indeed Resume Builder also offers optional professional advice for your new resume. After you download the resume you created, you'll get a prompt and can click Get Resume Help From a Real Person. Fill out a short questionnaire about what type of help you want and upload your resume (it's OK if you haven't built one). This service usually costs $89 unless you've applied to at least 10 jobs using your Indeed resume. According to Indeed, if you haven't received an interview request within 60 days of receiving your new resume, you can request a one-time rewrite. 

For $19, you can take a quiz and get feedback from a professional to get you started. You can also use Indeed's automated instant report system for free. The system returns quick tips to improve your resume. 

Indeed's privacy policy says that it does collect and share user data with third-party providers to connect job seekers with employers and improve services. According to Indeed's privacy policy, you can request an account or personal data deletion and request that your data not be shared while your account is active. CNET reached out to Indeed for more information and we'll update when we hear back.

• Guides resume creation
• Free resume downloads
• Paid tier offers interview advice and cover letter builder
• Have to pay for additional downloads

Most affordable paid resume builder

Cv engineer.

CV Engineer is an easy-to-use smartphone app that creates a professional-looking resume. With 16 templates to choose from, you can tap to enter information into all of the usual sections and add custom ones. When you tap on each section, you can tap through the bottom toolbar to get advice on what type of information to add, as well as view resume examples to show you how the section could look. 

CV Engineer lets you send or download your first completed resume for free, but upgrading to CV Engineer Pro for a one-time payment of $6 gives you access to unlimited downloads. A Scan My CV feature is also included, which can detect common mistakes and suggest improvements, such as places where you can add more information. The Pro version also offers interview advice and a cover letter builder. 

You can download CV Engineer from the Apple App Store and Google Play Store . CV Engineer does collect personal information and can share it with Google Play Services and Firebase Analytics, according to its privacy policy. The app is free to download and ad-free.

• Strong privacy policy
• Example resumes available
• Only one layout available
• Little guidance during creation

Best free iOS resume builder

Resume star 2: pro cv designer.

Resume Star 2 isn't the most visually stunning resume design app for iOS, but it gets the job done. To use, tap each section of the resume, fill in your information and it will fill in a traditional template (you only get one layout). The app offers some example resumes you can start with and edit as needed, including job-specific ones for a: cashier, dental hygienist, receptionist, waitress, mechanic and senior manager.

You can add or delete any sections you like without needing to hit save every time you add information, and you can see your resume update as you go. The autosave feature makes it easy to toggle quickly between the different sections as well. At the end, you'll have a basic resume ready to go. The app's interface doesn't offer as much guidance about how to write your resume or what types of information to include. If you need extra help, tap the information icon in the bottom left and choose the Resume Writing Guide. This will open up a crash course on resume writing in your mobile browser. It also includes a job search feature. 

The app collects payment via donations after you use the service -- you don’t have to pay if you don’t want to. The app connects to iCloud, and you can export your resume as a PDF to any location on your device(s). If you are happy with the service, you can choose the $6 "helped a bit" tier, a standard donation of $10, or the "really helped me" tier for $25. 

Resume Star 2 has a 4.8 out of 5 rating, and more than 1,800 ratings in the App Store . The first version, Resume Star: Pro CV Maker, which is the same except for the iCloud connection, had a 4.9-star rating and more than 16,000 reviews. The site does not collect personally identifiable information without user consent, which seems to make it one of the more secure options available.

• 42 templates to choose from
• Easily customizable
• Little to no guidance during creation

Best free Android resume writing service

Resume builder app.

Intelligent CV's Resume Builder App offers 42 resume templates and allows you to change font colors. Each resume section appears on a list, and you can move through sections in whichever order you choose, save and go on to another. You also have the option to add, delete or rearrange sections such as education, experience and skills. There’s a Help icon in each section for a little bit of extra guidance. Once you're finished, you can download your document for free as a PDF, which you can then save on your device or send via email or text. 

On the downside, the app is ad-supported and ads for other resume creators do pop up, which can get confusing. The app also offers less guidance than some of the other services, which means it's not a great option if you're new to resumes.

Resume Builder App has one of the strongest privacy policies of the bunch. The app does not collect personally identifiable information , though third-party services (including Google Play services and analytics firms) may collect information. The app has 4.7 out of 5 stars and more than 361,000 Google Play Store ratings and is free to download.

• Easy-to-use interface
• Inclusive premium package

Best range of professional tools

VisualCV has an easy-to-use interface that lets you build your resume in the way that works best for you. After signing up, you can upload an existing resume, begin with a prewritten sample or start entirely from scratch. You can use the basic editor to input information in a list form, the visual editor to edit directly on the resume and preview mode to see changes made on either version in real time. Revision history is also available. 

The free basic edition allows you to select from over a dozen professional templates to create, edit and download one resume as a PDF. You can also create one free cover letter and apply to jobs through its job search feature.

To download or share additional resumes, you’ll need to buy VisualCV Pro for $15 a month. Upgrading unlocks more templates, unlimited creations, downloading, career tracking and the ability to build a personal resume website. The website URL goes through VisualCV but can be shared online. 

In terms of privacy, VisualCV's policy says that it does not sell, trade, rent or license personal information to third parties. As of publication, VisualCV has 4 out of 5 stars on Trustpilot but only 131 reviews.

Best professional resume writing services of 2024

Depending on where you’re at in the job application process, you might need more guidance than a template. These professional writing services will pair you with experienced writers and coaches to help you craft and perfect resumes, LinkedIn profiles, cover letters and more. 

As these services include more personalized coaching and features, they tend to be more expensive. We’ve collected a range of options depending on your budget and needs. Best professional resume writing services of 2024.

• Resume writing and career coaching
• Builds your resume from the ground up
• Quick turnaround
• More expensive options

A premium option for a tailored resume

Resumespice.

Suppose you're totally lost and are willing to invest several hundred dollars into your job search. In that case, ResumeSpice is a resume writing and career coach service created by recruiters that connects you with a "resume expert" to build your CV from scratch. 

Once you choose, you'll fill out a short questionnaire and schedule a phone consultation with a resume expert to discuss your experience, job search and career goals. The expert will take that information and turn around a personalized resume draft within two business days. You can review the draft and request any changes, and you'll get the final version in PDF and Word formats. 

An entry-level resume costs $479, a professional resume costs $589 and an executive resume costs $699. In addition to these packages, you can also add a cover letter, LinkedIn profile, interview coaching or other services to help you be more competitive in the job market.

• 60 day interview guarantee
• Industry-specific advice
• Variety of packages
• Limited non-resume add-ons

A 60-day interview guarantee

Resumewriters.com.

ResumeWriters.com offers a guarantee: If you don't get a job interview with a potential employer within two months of getting your new resume, they'll rewrite it for free. The service claims that in the 20 years and tens of thousands of resumes completed under this guarantee, it averages fewer than five requests for rewrites per year. 

To use the resume writing service, submit your current resume or career information on the site, and an experienced resume writer will contact you to assess your materials and plan out what you need. You'll get a first draft back within 72 hours and can work with the writer on revisions until you're satisfied with the result. 

ResumeWriters offers student, professional, executive and career-change resume services, as well as CV services for those conducting their job search in fields specific to the military, IT and research. The resume services cost $170 for students and $200 for the professional level, with a cover letter, one-on-one consultation and LinkedIn profile. The career change level ($250) is a comprehensive package that includes everything plus a post-interview follow-up letter, and the highest tier is the executive package that guarantees applicants its most experienced writers for $300.

• ATS screening
• Unlimited revisions
• Longer turnaround time (3-7 business days)

A fast pass through HR screening software

Zipjob’s professional resume writers optimize your resume to get through the applicant tracking system (ATS) software used by the majority of employers to automatically scan and sort resumes. An expert writes your resume and scans it through the ATS to ensure it will make it through to the hiring manager's desk. 

To use the service, upload your resume or fill out a form to start from scratch. You'll be matched with a professional resume writer who will work with you to improve it and will then scan the final product to make sure it passes through the screening algorithms. Depending on which package you choose, your resume will be ready in three to seven days. 

You can choose from three packages: Launch (resume writing and unlimited revisions for $139), Fast Track (adds a cover letter and a 60-day interview guarantee for $189) or Premium (adds a top resume writer, LinkedIn profile optimization, future resume updates and expedited delivery for $299).

• Career coaching
• Industry-specific feedback
• Ability to customize packages
• Longer turnaround time (3-5 business days)

An executive resume solution

Find my profession.

Find My Profession offers professional resume writing services as well as career coaching. Every resume gets reviewed by two different consultants. 

You'll find packages that include entry-level, professional, C-level and executive resume writer services, as well as IT, engineering and federal options. In each, you can choose a base, premium or VIP package depending on your needs. For example, the professional resume package starts at $595 for a resume compatible with automated systems. You can also add help with a cover letter for an additional $119 or a LinkedIn profile for $399. 

You'll get the first draft of your resume within three to five business days after you consult with a writer. Or, upgrade to a priority service for another $149 to get it within 48 hours.

How we tested resume sites and services

When we evaluated the different resume templates and builders, we looked at how each site or app allowed you to create new resumes, browse templates or upload and edit existing resumes. We also looked at how easy or hard it would be to customize different templates and sections, how much guidance was available, how user-friendly it was to navigate, plus reading and understanding each company’s privacy policies.

Some of our picks are free, some enlist the help of professional writers and some require a subscription or one-time payment. When it comes to premium or paid services, we evaluated how inclusive its packages were compared to basic or free versions. In many cases for the professional writing services, these paid tiers included more guidance and additional job search support like a cover letter and LinkedIn editing, suggested jobs to apply to and interview coaching.

Factors to consider when choosing a resume writing service

This was a key factor when compiling this list. Whether you’re looking for a free service to boost your current resume or interested in professional editing services, there’s something for everyone’s price range.

Ease of use

When looking at each website, we looked at how easy it was to navigate, browse templates and add, edit or remove different sections. We also considered whether you can download and share your resume for free and in what format.

Customization options

Customization options were essential, as everyone’s resume is going to look different. Having easy user control over your resume helps you create a resume that meets your industry’s standards and showcases your professional experiences.

Privacy policies

Privacy policies were the final important factor to consider, as many of these are websites and apps that can collect and store your personal information. All of the services and websites included on this list have decent privacy settings, and we noted which ones have exceptionally clear use cases and account deletion policies.

Resume writing FAQs

What is a resume builder.

A resume builder is a company that has a website or app that helps you create and customize your resume. You can use pre-existing templates or create your own from scratch.

What is a resume writing service?

A resume writing service is a company that pairs you with a coach or writer to work with you to create, perfect and tailor your resume, cover letters and other job application materials. These tend to be more inclusive packages and therefore more expensive than simple resume template websites.

What is the best resume format to use?

The best format for your resume is going to depend on the job you are applying to, along with your work experience. Resume templates can help you format and include all the necessary information like your education, work experience, skills and contact information.

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12 Best Resume Builders For 2024 (All Industries)

17 min read

Are you wondering where to start when writing a resume for today’s competitive job market? Don’t worry. You’re not alone. With the job market so competitive, today’s applicants need a resume that will help them stand out, get noticed, and earn them those ever-important interviews.

While searching the internet for templates, you’ll probably come across countless resume builder services. Many of these have beautiful, eye-catching resume templates that will make you wonder if your plain resume is the reason you’re getting ghosted by recruiters. (Hint: it’s probably not your format, but read on for more details.)

The ZipJob career expert team of former recruiters and professional resume writers has compiled a list of 12 online resume builders, exploring every service to give you the ultimate rundown of which to use. This post includes examples of the templates from each resume builder’s website, along with an expert’s opinion of the final resumes that come out of them.

As a premier resume writing service, ZipJob has been helping job seekers create job-winning resumes since 2016. Our network of 100+ professional resume writers are experts in all industries including IT, Business, and Marketing/Sales.

The 12 best resume builders

Here is our list of the best resume builders for US job seekers in 2023. You can either use the list to navigate down to each service or read through all 12 reviews to help you make the right selection. It’s up to you and how you personally want to approach this aspect of your job search.

Resume Genius

My perfect resume.

Resume Coach

Standard Resume

Best resume builder reviews.

Resume.io is a resume builder tool that boasts being able to create a job-winning resume within minutes. It’s a quick, user-friendly tool that will help even the most junior job seekers build that perfect resume. Once you’ve entered your information, it’s easy to view it on various templates. However, one drawback is that you can’t format the templates to suit your particular style. Some optional features can be toggled off in the editing process, such as skills rating and reference sections. A recent addition is an AI pre-written phrases option, designed so you can incorporate pre-generated key words and phrases. While this might give you some inspiration along the way, it’s not recommended to rely on using AI to write your resume , as it’s not original content that will be generated, and it certainly won’t have that creative, human touch.

There are copious amounts of template options, but if you’re applying for jobs in the US, be sure to find a template that makes good use of white space. Decorative resume formats with multiple columns might look appealing, but they will severely cut down the space you need to add in keyword-optimized content. Also, including information like your full address or headshot on your resume will limit your real estate even further. However, the selection and ease of use make this tool the top of the bunch of best resume builders in 2023.

Is Resume.io free?

You can download one resume and one cover letter as a TXT document (no formatting or design) for free. To download your resume as a .doc or PDF, you have to fork out $2.95 for a 7-day trial, $44.95 for six months of access, or $74.95 for a full year. These all include unlimited resumes and cover letters, all premium templates and colors, and unlimited PDF downloads, for the time period you’ve purchased. There’s also a 7-day money back guarantee. If you opt for the 7-day trial and don’t cancel, you’ll be charged $19.95 every 4 weeks in an auto-renew process.

For more information, visit Resume.io .

Zety is one of the more popular resume builders out there, as it’s been helping people fix their careers since 2016. Within the resume builder tool, Zety has a library of over 20 templates for “creative,” “professional,” “modern,” and “simple” resumes, with loads of free samples to boot, so you can compare your efforts to those of others.

If you want to opt for a simple resume template, this tool is a good starting point. However, be forewarned, as many of the Zety templates have columns, oddly shaped bullet points, star or bar ratings for skill assessments, and other design flaws that could easily confuse an ATS scan . And you don’t want to be doing that at this stage! Furthermore, the templates are not searchable depending on the industry, though there are corresponding resources on the Zety website.

Is Zety free?

No. After building your resume, you must pay to download it. Zety is a subscription-based service starting at $2.70 for a two-week full access trial, or $5.95 per month with an annual payment. You could try out the free resume making, which features a 14-day trial without any feature restrictions.

To find out more, click on the Zety website .

Related read: Are Resume Writing Services Worth It?

Resume Genius , which is operated by Resume Companion, has over 500 free-to-download resume templates and cover letters to choose from, in a range of colors and styles. Each template can be instantly downloaded in either Word or for Google Docs. One great feature is that you can choose a template based on your goals and background, such as “career changer” or “job hopper.”

The Classic, Professional, and Chicago templates are all great formats for online resumes. There are other basic and simple designs you can choose from, but avoid those “creative” resumes that are filled with graphics, icons, and other elements that are not ATS-friendly.

The Resume Genius builder also prompts you for a lot of information that just shouldn’t be included on your resume for jobs in the US, such as graduation dates (unless you’re a very recent graduate), your full address, and detailed information on references.

Is Resume Genius free?

Yes… to a point. It’s free if all you do is use the resume builder to make a resume and then download it just as a text file. Costing $2.95 for a 14-day trial period, you need to sign up for an account, and you can download your new resume through the resume builder which is formatted either as a PDF or a Word document.

Check it out at Resume Genius .

LiveCareer is another one of the best resume builders. You start the process by selecting how long you’ve been in the workforce. LiveCareer will then suggest templates for you from their library of over 30 options. A standout feature of the LiveCareer resume builder is the access to a 700,000+ resume bank that will help you shape your content.

The resumes have a range of styles, so if you pick a minimal template you should be able to pass those ATS scans . It’s wise to steer clear of any column-based formats for online submissions.

Please note: by using this service, your information will join their resume database. Your contact information will be removed, but names and dates of employment are accessible to anyone with internet access.

Is LiveCareer free?

With limitations, you can use this service for free, downloading your resume as a TXT file. You can also gain access for 14 days for $1.95 or enroll in a subscription of $7.95 per month.

Visit LiveCareer to find out more.

Professional resume writers know how to organize your resume so it will appeal to hiring managers. Check out our guide to the best resume writing services and find your perfect fit.

My Perfect Resume offers a few different templates for an inexpensive price. First, you can either upload an existing resume from PDF, DOC, DOCX, TXT, HTM, or RTF formats, or you can start from scratch. The transfer feature isn’t perfect, so be sure to review every bit of information for clarity and accuracy. There are also over 800 resume examples, ranging from nursing roles to resumes for Accounting Managers and Customer Service Representatives.

This is one of the best resume builders for creating a list of experience and skills, especially because it has prompts for bullet points that professionals with your job title might use. There are also hints that remind you to add any metrics or numbers, which will always appeal to Hiring Managers. However, the resume turned out to be several pages long and was not that easy to format.

Is My Perfect Resume free?

No. You have to pay $2.95 to download or print your new resume, and then it costs $24.95 every four weeks after the 14-day trial.

Visit My Perfect Resume for further information.

Kickresume offers a resume, a personal website, and a cover letter builder. You can customize your personal information, work experience, and education section, or rename the sections with your own headings. There’s also a comparison feature where you can check your resume against other successful resumes in the website’s database and see how it compares.

The Kickresume builder has many features that aren’t seen as best practice for today’s online resume submission process, but those features can largely be turned off. As long as you don’t include skills ratings, section icons, or the optional information, such as your date of birth and nationality, the free options are not that bad. It would be preferable, however, if there was an option to download the resume as a .doc instead of a PDF.

Is Kickresume free?

Yes, there is a free option which offers 4 basic resume templates, 4 matching cover letter templates, a basic website template, unlimited downloads, and access to roughly 1,500 resume examples.

For a more detailed subscription, prices start at $19 a month, or you can get a yearly subscription for $60, which works out at paying $5 a month.

If you like the sound of this resume builder, visit Kickresume .

Resume-Now has several clean, basic interfaces. The company has been in business since 2005, and has updated the 40 or so templates available to remain current within today’s recruitment sector.

The resume templates from Resume-Now are mostly basic, clean, and organized: all aspects that a Hiring Manager is likely to take note of and appreciate. The designs are simple but allow for pops of color.

Is Resume-Now free?

Yes, but very limited. This resume builder has one free resume template and a library of additional templates for a price. You can buy 14 days of access for $2.95 or pay a monthly subscription of $9.95.

Visit Resume-Now to find out more.

Novorésumé has 8 templates that you can edit and customize, with a great degree of formatting flexibility. The templates have been designed by taking feedback from hiring experts into account. All options include color, clear section headings, and opportunities to create that perfect resume.

If you do pay for the resume builder tool, the resumes are well-suited for posting online. You can click through the many templates to find one that displays your information well. This builder tool has many excellent tips for job seekers, such as including your city and state in the contact details section (but not the full address), and how to compile a short and engaging professional summary.

Given the PDF-only download option, the graphic elements are appropriate. If an ATS is sophisticated enough to parse a PDF, you don’t have to worry about the icons next to your contact info or the bubbles around your skills. Another choice is to create your resume as a sharable link, making the most of the hyperlink options that Novorésumé has.

Is Novoresume free?

Novorésumé is free with premium options. Its pricing is notably not subscription-based, so it doesn’t auto-renew, which is very handy for those of you who only need a short amount of time to build a resume. Prices start at $16 a month, then it's $29.99 for three months, and $89.99 for 12 months of access. The basic (free) plan gives you access to 8 one-page predefined layouts and one resume download as a PDF.

The premium access option gives you two or three page resumes, multiple downloads, cover letter templates, and additional formatting options.

Our hiring experts prefer a two-page resume , which is only available with a premium subscription from Novorésumé.

Novorésumé recommends, and our experts agree, that a resume should be tailored for each job application. With the PDF-only download option for free users, tailoring your resume is not possible without paying.

Visit Novoresume for more detail.

ResumeCoach

ResumeCoach doesn’t have an upload option, but claims it takes users an average of just 12 minutes to build a new resume, which is great if you’re in a real hurry. The builder includes tips for job seekers that are either UK or US based, so US job seekers need to be vigilant about not including extraneous information that is common on UK CVs. ResumeCoach doesn’t offer formatting edits before download; there is no option to rename headers or break up lines of text.

There are about 20 templates to choose from, but even the simplest options had too much white space which cuts down on keyword opportunities. Columns and graphics on a resume are not only confusing for ATS scans, but are not welcome by the majority of Hiring Managers.

Is ResumeCoach free?

Yes, with limits. You can download your resume as a PDF or a TXT document for free. To get all the features of ResumeCoach, you can either pay $0.95 for 14 days of basic access, $1.95 for premium access, or $95.40 for annual access.

If you want to find out more about this, visit ResumeCoach .

Resume.com has helped over 6 million people create resumes. It has 24 templates to choose from, ranging from stylized to bare bones. Some templates are labeled for “digital” use, while others are suitable for printing and distributing. You can search the many resume samples by job title to inspire you as you create your own resume.

You can choose to download your resume in multiple formats. We suggest sending your resume in a Microsoft .doc file versus a PDF for easy editing and online submissions. While most of these templates follow the organized and minimalist look that Hiring Managers are looking for in 2023, we don’t recommend you use the Notepad or Dot Matrix templates, which both look very dated.

Is Resume.com free?

Yes. This is one of the absolutely free resume builders on our list. You can build, edit, and download your resume for no cost. There are no limits on the number of downloads, revisions, or versions of your resume that you can have with Resume.com.

Visit Resume.com

Resumonk offers flexible layouts that display your work experience and skills on recruiter-friendly resumes, with a choice of 20 templates. The company is based in India, but US job seekers can remove information to make these templates work for other job targets. Brush up on the difference between a CV and a resume, just in case.

Our experts like the fact that your resume can have as much or as little information as you want. This service also has cover letter templates to correspond with each resume template--this is great when submitting that cohesive job application as you want all of your documents to complement each other.

Is Resumemonk free?

You can download your Resumonk resume as a PDF without paying, having had a choice of 5 resume templates, as well as import a full LinkedIn profile. It’s worth noting, however, that with the free plan, your resume will have Resumonk branding in the footer.

To remove the branding, you need to upgrade your account to a premium subscription of $29 a year or $89 for forever access. A paid plan will also give you access to all resume templates (compared to the 5 available without a charge), creating multiple versions of your resume, and customizing your Resumonk personal link.

If this sounds like the plan for you, go to Resumemonk .

Standard Resume's hallmark offering is a LinkedIn profile upload feature. You only have to enter your full LinkedIn URL, give it a few minutes to work, and voila! It uses the information you make available to the public, so be prepared to either make your LinkedIn profile public, or cut and copy your information.  There are 12 Hiring Manager approved templates to choose from.

The resume document is simple and likely to perform as well as any PDF going through an ATS scan, based on its design. It has a single-column format, standard headings, and includes the right information. The watermark isn’t ideal on the free version, nor is the fact that the resume is several pages long and contact information is at the very bottom.

It’s nice that Standard Resume allows you to include work experience in a summary and/or with bullet points. This is a great feature, especially for job seekers with unusual jobs who require some explanation in addition to their accomplishments.

Is Standard Resume free?

Yes, but limited. The free option is web only, so you can import from LinkedIn, and it includes resume editing, a PDF preview, and web resume sharing. The pro option costs $19 a month, and is web and PDF. With pro, you can have duplicate versions of your resume, which is useful when tracking your edits, and tailoring your resume to different positions. There are also more formatting options, the support of a dedicated team, and the company’s branding is nowhere to be seen.

Visit Standard Resume for more information.

What do I need to know before using an online resume builder?

A resume builder can be a useful tool for creating a resume if you’re starting from scratch or if you haven’t updated your resume in many years.

Below are some tips on how to get the most out of the best resume builders around.

You still need to do the work

A resume builder tool cannot write your resume for you. Some builders will suggest bullet points or skills for you, but you still need to use your own judgment to determine whether that content is valuable or not. If the suggestion is so generic that anyone in your field could use it, it’s not going to help you or your resume at all!

Your resume has two audiences

Your resume needs to appeal to both a human audience and a computer scan, the Applicant Tracking Software (ATS). At ZipJob, we focus on helping people create resumes that will appeal to both audiences, but cater to the ATS scan first.

Resume builders, on the other hand, tend to focus on the visual elements first--which isn’t the most effective strategy. In fact, some elements of popular creative resumes will get your resume automatically rejected by the ATS scan. When using a resume builder, you need to balance design with content.

Research the resume builder before you commit

If you’re reading this list, you’re probably following this tip already! There are dozens of resume builders available today, all with slightly different features and strengths. Look at multiple resume builders, their reviews, and the experts’ opinions before getting started.

Many resume builder sites are free to use but charge for downloads. The most common complaint when it comes to resume builders is, “I’ve just spent hours building my resume, and now I have to enter my credit card to download it?” To avoid this frustration, make sure you know what to expect in terms of payment before you start.

Resume builder tools are great for organizing your information and learning more about what is standard on resumes, but the tools have many shortcomings as well. Many templates are not designed for ATS success. Since resumes differ from country to country, it’s important to recognize if a tool is prompting you to add information that is inappropriate. Resume builders can be a great jumping-off point for job searching success, but you still need to know what information should be on your resume, and how to get the resume to pass an ATS scan.

There are so many best resume builders out there. It can be confusing. Cut through all the noise by building your resume, and then sending it through our free ATS-friendly review tool .

Recommended reading:

How Long Does it Take to Hear Back From a Job Application in 2023?

7 Resume Headers and Sections You Need (+ Examples)

Professional References and The 4 Best People to Use

Elizabeth Openshaw, Editor & Content Writer, Elizabeth Openshaw, Editor & Content Writer

Elizabeth Openshaw is an Elite CV Consultant with over 12 years of experience based in Brighton, UK, with an English degree and an addiction to Wordle! She is a former Journalist of 17 years with the claim to fame that she interviewed three times Grand Slam winner and former World No.1 tennis player, Andy Murray, when he was just 14 years old. You can connect with her at Elizabeth Openshaw | LinkedIn .

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Top 10 Resume Builders of 2024: We Tried Them All so You Don’t Have to

Hi! I’ve just used 10 different resume builders to create 10 different versions of my resume. Why?

Choosing the right resume builder for you and your CV can be a struggle. I wanted to test each of them so you don’t have to waste your precious time.

Speaking of which, let’s do this fast: I'm Martin, I'm the lead career writer at Kickresume , and these are the ten most popular resume builders I could find. I have looked at both free and paid resume builders so I could tell you what makes each of them great. Here we go!

What is a resume builder?

Resume builder is a tool that makes your life and job search much easier. You don't have to spend hours writing your own resume in programs that you're not too familiar with. Instead, you can use one of the resume builders that will do the work for you! You can choose from pre-existing visually attractive templates that will captivate your future employer immediately. There are free and paid resume websites that offer this service, depending on what you are looking for. Now, let’s find the perfect one for you!

1. Kickresume

Yes, I work for Kickresume . Because of that, I don't want to review Kickresume myself.

Instead, I’m going to show you what other people had to say about Kickresume.

“Quite honestly one of the best and most useful products I have come across. The resume templates are amazing! Too good :). I created a new version and within 3 days, I had interviews with GitLab, Salesforce, Heroku, Red Hat, and IBM!” — Brandon Stephan

“This is one of the best companies ever. They charge around 700 percent less for a resume rewrite over Monster, Indeed, etc… $4 a month, I am one happy customer.” — Cody Noyes (Although, technically, it’s not really a rewrite. We prefer to call it “proofreading”.)

“Honestly, I don’t review things, ever. But this site is next level. I actually have been raving to my friends about it. So simple, so intuitive, so well designed, tons of options, zero messing around with spacing and alignment. Made the best resume I’ve ever had, took me half an hour. Just info in, gorgeous resume out. Worth the price hands down.” — Keith Allan

You can also have a look at other free services that we offer, such as tips for job searching that can be found in other articles at our blog . Here, you can also find plenty of resume examples, and many other helpful tools! 

If you're not convinced yet, what follows is what our direct competitors had to say about the pros and cons of Kickresume. We’re in the same market. We fight over the same customer. Yet, they had to admit this (thank you guys):

What others liked about Kickresume:

“[Large] number of templates ” (Source: Zety )

"AI resume writer" (Source: Rezi.com )

“Website maker” (Source: Zety )

“A lot of strong features, resume and cover letter templates available for the freemium version.” (Source: Novoresume )

“Pre-written phrases to help you out in case you’re not sure how to phrase your achievements.” (Source: Novoresume )

“Grammar correction proofreading services available, if needed.” (Source: Novoresume )

What they didn’t like about Kickresume:

• “Very basic pre-written content.”(Source: Zety )
• “Limited options when making a free resume.” (Source: Zety )
• “Most templates are creative and sometimes too vibrant — can be a bad thing depending on where you’re applying.” (Source: Novoresume )

With Kickresume, you can choose free resume tools, as well as premium ones, for which you have to pay.

Kickresume’s Pricing

• Free: get unlimited free downloads, 4 customizable resume (and cover letter) templates, 1 website template
• 6 Months Free Premium for students and teachers
• 1 Month Premium: $19 per month
• 12 Months Premium: $5 per month  (billed $60 every year)

Also, there's a bonus for you! If you choose the yearly subscription, up to 5 of your friends get a month of Kickresume Premium for free!

Kickresume’s Templates

• 4 free templates
• 40 premium templates

To begin with, for all of the Zety’s resume templates, you have to pay. In return, this is what you get:

What I liked about this resume builder:

• Impressive auto-suggestion feature which comes handy when writing the section about work experience and skills.
• Very good guides and resume content (and it’s available to anyone without having to sign up for it).
• Clean templates that are well-constructed, simple, and no-nonsense.
• Resume score. Once you’re done, Zety will score your resume and tell you how you can make it better. (But from my experience, this is a bit hit or miss.)

What I didn’t like about this resume builder:

• Clunky copy&paste. The rich text editor started acting up on me when I tried to copy-paste my information into it.
• Confusing UI. It’s easy to get lost in the interface sometimes.
• Not-so-smart editor. The editor was sometimes trying to be too clever but ended up being stupid (e.g. forced capitalization in “University Of Amsterdam”).
• No page breaks. In the preview, the resume page seems to continue indefinitely, not giving you a proper idea of what it is going to look like when printing it out.
• Unsuitable for creatives. All templates have a very similar, conservative, and rather a dry vibe. That doesn’t have to be a bad thing. On the other hand, if you’re looking to create a resume that’s a bit more “out there”, you should probably look elsewhere.
• Poor customization options. In most cases, you can only change the color of some parts of your resume.
• Little misleading. Zety allows you to create a whole resume for free but in the end, you cannot download it unless you pay.  

Zety’s Pricing

• 14-Day Full Access Trial: $2.70 (you have to cancel, otherwise it will auto-renew and you’ll be billed $23.70 every 4 weeks )
• 12 Months Full Access: $5.95 per month ( $71.40 paid upfront )

Zety’s Templates

• 0 free templates
• 13 paid templates. They say they offer “20+ best resume templates”. I couldn’t find more than 13.
• All templates customizable

Finally, you should know that I didn’t pay for their Full Access. Because of that, there may be some features that I didn't mention.

Also, here's a more in-depth comparison of Kickresume vs Zety .

3. VisualCV

Onto the next one!

• Live preview. You can edit your resume directly in the live preview if you want.
• Rich text copy/paste works flawlessly and there are no hiccups.
• Varied templates. A nice, varied collection of templates.
• Customization options. Templates are customizable. I was even able to change paragraph margins, which is quite rare.
• Clear webpage information. All the information was easy to find.
• Sometimes, the template construction was confusing. It wasn’t always clear what some of the buttons do. Because of that, I accidentally deleted my content twice. But that could just be me.

VisualCV Pricing

• Pro Quarterly: $15/month (billed $45 for 3 months)
• Pro Monthly: $24/month

VisualCV Templates

• 1 free template and cover letter
• 20+ PRO templates

4. ResumeGenius

Another paid resume maker website!

• I liked how it encourages you to mention your extracurricular activities, GPA, and awards when filling in the Education section.
• MS Word download. Some people may like the option to download their resume in the MS Word format and not in PDF
• 1 on 1 help. They offer “1 on 1 help from an experienced career consultant”. That’s something that no other resume builder offers. On the other hand, I'm not sure how expensive it is.
• Step-by-step editor. Instead of allowing me to enter all my information at once, it required me to fill it in step-by-step. This has quickly become time-consuming, as I had to go through every single possible section, whether I wanted to include it or not. And it made me do it every time I wanted to make changes to my resume.
• Preview possible only at the end. I was able to see a preview of my resume only AFTER I had given them all my information. I hated this.
• Couldn't leave any fields blank. Why can’t I leave the “State/Province” field blank? It just wouldn’t let me. Not every country is divided into states or provinces. Also, it required me to enter my home address even though I wanted to leave that field blank. Fortunately, it didn’t check if the address was real. 
• No rich text formatting. Okay, I’m going to say it one more time and more clearly: I honestly really hated this editor. It’s clunky and doesn’t support rich text editing. I guess Resume Genius was not that genius after all.

Resume Genius Pricing

• 14-Day Trial Plan: $2.95 (you have to cancel, otherwise it will auto-renew and you’ll be billed $24.95 every 30 days )
• 1 Month Plan: $7.95 per month (billed annualy at $95.40)
• 12 Months Plan: $95.40

Resume Genius Templates

• 17 Pro Resume Templates

5. Resume.com

What I liked about this completely free resume builder website:

• Classic look. Classic templates that make great use of basic typography.
• Emphasis on content. The templates put more emphasis on how your information is organized, instead of being visually stunning. The templates are organized into four categories: Experience, Education, Skill, and Personality, depending on which one you want to emphasize.
• It's completely free. 
• Color of the interface. Oh man, that purple-ish color. I almost got a headache just looking at it. But who knows, could be your cup of tea.
• Broken copy&paste. The text editor started acting up when I tried to copy/paste.
• No page break. The preview screen doesn’t show you what your resume is going to look like after printing.
• Step-by-step editor. Yet another resume builder with a step-by-step editor. I would prefer to be able to edit all parts of my resume on a single screen.
• Not visually appealing. The resume templates are not what you’d expect them to be. They don’t have much to offer in terms of visuals
• Lack of support and guidance.

Resume.com Pricing

Resume.com templates.

• 12 free resume templates

6. Resume.io

What I liked about this paid resume builder:

• UI navigation. The progress bar at the top of the page allows you to see exactly where you are and what you need to do before you can download your resume.
• Live preview. You can see the changes you make to your resume in real-time. Almost no other resume builder has that.
• Excellent editor. It suffered from none of the problems other resume builders did.
• High level of polish. UI and its high level of polish
• Forces you to sign up from the get-go. It doesn’t let you create a resume without signing up first. On the other hand, it allows you to save any changes you make to your resume.
• Limited customization options. The resume builder only lets you change the color of a template and font size.
• A small number of templates. Only has 12 and, as I've already mentioned, you can't even customize these.

Resume.io Pricing

• 7-Day Trial: 4.70$ (if you don't cancel before the 7 days, you will automatically be enrolled in a monthly premium subscription and billed $24.95 every 4 weeks )
• 6 Months Full Access: $44.95 (one-time payment, no need to cancel)
• 12 Months Full Access: $74.95  (one-time payment, no need to cancel)
• Free Plan: Only 1 resume and cover letter, download only in TXT format

Resume.io Templates

• 1 free template
• 18 premium resume templates

7. myPerfectresume.com

What I like about this paid resume builder:

• Template recommendations. They recommended me specific templates based on my years of experience. Also, the templates were organized into categories, such as “traditional”, “modern”, and “creative”.
• PDF import. You can import your resume from a PDF file. It’s not perfect but it works quite well.
• Nicer templates than Zety. Although it’s the same resume builder as Zety, in my opinion, this one had nicer resume templates.
• Almost identical to Zety. There are minor differences but none of them justify separate branding.
• The same editor as Zety. Since it’s the same rich text editor, it’s no wonder that it started acting up as soon as I tried to copy/paste my information. 
• It's Zety with different templates. I’m not going to include any more upsides or downsides since it’s the same thing as Zety, apart from the templates.

myPerfectresume Pricing

Despite everything, the pricing is slighly different from Zety’s!

• 3 Months Full Access: $5.95
• Yearly Access: $71.40

myPerfectresume Templates

• 31 premium templates (which is more than you get from Zety)

What I liked about this (completely free) resume builder:

• Design-driven. Canva is not exactly a resume builder. Instead, it's a graphic design software that designs stuff when you don’t want to pay for a graphic designer. It's really pretty.
• It’s free. That is unless you decide to pay for a premium subscription. Still, all resume-related features are free. 
• Super large number of templates. I tried to count the number of resume templates. I couldn’t. There are too many.
• Limitless customization. Canva is great if you already know what you’re doing and only seek to give your already perfect resume a nice visual boost.

What I don’t like about this resume builder:

• It's not a resume builder per se. Sure, it can be used to create nice resumes or cover letters. Still, if you decide to use it, you’d be missing out on many career-specific features like proofreading, career-oriented customer support, pre-written phrases for your resume, guides, etc.
• Is it ATS-ready? Would a resume created with Canva pass through an applicant tracking system (ATS)? I can’t be sure.
• No career tools or resume-specific features.
• No rich text copy-paste. When I tried to copy and paste my information, it didn’t preserve my formatting.
• Overwhelming and easy to make a mistake. It’s VERY easy to make your resume look bad if you’re not careful. In fact, sometimes I wished I had fewer customization options.
• More difficult to navigate in comparison to other resume tools.

Canva’s Pricing

• Free: All resume-related features you may need are free

Canva’s Resume Templates

• Too many to count.

9. Novoresume

What I liked about this (mostly) free resume builder:

• Live preview. I could edit my resume directly from the live preview screen.
• Holds your hand. If this was my first time writing a resume, I would have appreciated Novoresume’s advice. If you’re a beginner, they can be very helpful.
• Built-in feedback. I loved Novoresume’s “Content Optimizer”. It analyzed my resume and suggested possible improvements.
• Resume management. Novoresume also allowed me to save individual parts of my newly created resume in case I’d like to create versions customized for specific employers. Actually, Novoresume had the best resume management tools out of all resume builders in this test.
• Labeled premium features. All premium features were clearly labeled and I was able to avoid using them since I wanted to create a free resume.
• Customization options. There's a lot of them!
• Sometimes too "helpful". The editor was trying to help me by structuring the work experience section. Unfortunately, that was more of a hindrance than a help.
• No rich text copy-paste. Yet again, the rich text copy and paste didn’t work.
• Character limit in certain sections. It wouldn’t let me enter as much text as I wanted where I wanted.
• A small number of resume templates. Although I have to say, this is to some extent mitigated by your ability to customize each of them.

Novoresume’s Pricing

• 1 Month: $19.99
• 3 Months: $39.99
• 12 Months: $99.99
• Free Plan: 1 (one-page) resume, no cover letter available, pre-defined layouts

Novoresume’s Templates

• 8 free templates
• You pay for additional customization options.

10. CakeResume

And finally, the last resume tool website! Despite its name, CakeResume is not really a resume builder. Instead, it will help you create an online career profile similar to LinkedIn.

• The personal profile. First, you create a “profile” where you enter all your information. Once you’ve done that, you don’t have to do it ever again. It’s somewhat similar to what Novoresume.
• The editor. CakeResume’s editor is, well, satisfying. You begin with a blank page onto which you drag and drop various resume snippets.
• Online resume. You can either download your resume as a PDF file or get a shareable link.
• No rich text copy-paste. At this point, I consider that the norm.
• Missing keyboard shortcuts.  Every time I wanted to make a part of the text bold, I had to click on an icon at the top of the screen.
• Basic in terms of visuals. CakeResume’s default template works well, but if you’d like to make your resume a bit more visually appealing, you may want to look elsewhere.

CakeResume Pricing

• Free: 1 resume limit
• Advanced Features: $10 per month, billed quarterly at $30 (Remove CakeResume branding, 20+ additional snippets, unlimited number of resumes)
• PRO Features: $15 per month, billed quarterly at $45  (track your resume via Google Analytics)

CakeResume Templates

• 1 Basic Template
• You can subscribe to get additional “snippets” to customize your resume.

And there you have it! The best 10 resume builders of 2024. You're welcome and good luck with your own CV!

A resume builder can help you create a professional and polished resume with little effort. It also helps you format your resume to make sure it looks professional and organized, by choosing the right font, spacing, margins, layout, or color scheme.

A resume builder is an online tool that helps users create a professional-looking resume in minutes, usually with the help of customizable templates and intuitive design tools.

Some resume builder tools offer a free version (e.g. they have a limited number of free downloads or templates), however, you usually have to pay to be able to use additional features that require a paid subscription. 

Kickresume lets you  create an unlimited number of resumes for free  as long as you stick to our free customization options. All paid customization options are clearly labeled inside the Kickresume resume builder tool so you can easily avoid using them if you want to download your resume for free.

The best resume builder depends on your needs. Popular resume builder sites include Kickresume, Resume Genius, and Zety. 

Resume builders typically do not provide content writing help. However, Kickresume’s  AI Resume Builder  is able to generate a whole resume based on a provided job title. All you have to do is enter your job title, click “Use AI Writer” and the AI will generate a number of bullet points for your work experience subsection. 

Martin Poduška

Martin is a resume expert and career advice writer at Kickresume. In his five years at Kickresume, he has written hundreds of in-depth, painstakingly researched resume advice articles and, as chief editor, he has also edited and revised every single article on this website. Tens of thousands of job seekers read Martin’s resume advice every month. He holds a degree in English from the University of St Andrews and a degree in Comparative Literature from the University of Amsterdam .

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The 17 Best Free Resume Builders We've Ever Discovered

Published: April 25, 2024

According to GetFive, only 30% of resumes are approved by applicant tracking systems (ATS). Once the resumes are approved, a hiring manager will only spend an average of six seconds reading each resume.

If those stats stress you out, I hear you. Writing a great resume that gets you noticed is tough — that’s why I’m here to encourage you to try a resume builder.

In this post, I've compiled a list of the best free resume builders that will help you create a personalized professional resume that passes ATS, stands out to the hiring manager, and helps you land your next job interview.

Why use a resume builder?

Writing a polished resume is second nature for some job applicants. But for others (and maybe most of us), creating a strong resume can be a struggle.

If you're one of the many people who need a little extra support, here are a few ways I think a resume builder can help out.

Resume builders offer templates, clean designs, and tips that speed up resume writing. They also make the process less stressful.

Offers Writing Tips

It takes a lot of work to promote yourself. And even if you enjoy self-promotion, writing isn't a skill everyone has. A resume builder can help you use the best words and phrases to show your experience and knowledge.

Improves Design

Each industry has different expectations for what a great resume looks like. If you're not familiar with design skills or tools, resume builders offer free templates to make your resume look as good as it sounds.

Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS)

Recruiters often use ATS systems to scan resumes. And a good resume builder will help with formatting to make sure that your resume is easy for these systems to read.

Best Free Resume Builders

• Zety: Best for Expert Resume Creation Tips
• Resume Genius: Best for Easy and Fast Resume Creation
• Wepik: Best for Customizing Pre-Made Resumes
• My Perfect Resume: Best for Guided Resume Creation Help
• Standard Resume: Best for Active LinkedIn Users
• Kickresume: Best for Quick and AI-Assisted Resume Creation
• Canva: Best for Design Creativity and Expression
• Pixpa: Best for Creating Online Resume Websites
• Indeed: Best for In-Platform Job Seekers
• Resume.com: Best for Minimalist Resume Creation
• Novoresume: Best for ATS-Friendly Resume Building
• VisualCV: Best for Multimedia Resumes
• CakeResume: Best for Resumes With an Online Portfolio
• Resume Now: Best for Time-Saving Resume Creation
• ResumeNerd: Best for Resume Writing Help
• Jofibo: Best for Comprehensive Guides
• Hloom: Best for Resume Templates

We’ve discovered the best free resume builders on the market. These resume builders are great for all jobseekers, from entry-level to executive level.

Each free resume builder has a simple interface, customization options, and templates that help you create the perfect resume for your next job.

Featured Resource : HubSpot Resume Templates

12 Free Customizable Resume Templates

Fill out this form to access your free professionally-designed templates, available on:

• Microsoft Word
• Google Docs
• Microsoft PowerPoint
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You're all set!

Click this link to access this resource at any time.

2. Resume Genius : Best for Easy and Fast Resume Creation

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