Posted On24 Nov 2024
Updated On24 Nov 2024
Top 10 Best Resume Builders of 2024-2025 - Explore Features, Pricing, and the Pros & Cons
Are you trying to get a new job? How are you going to impress an employer? In most cases, hiring managers form first impressions through the candidate’s resume. Even if someone you know is willing to hire you, they will say: “Send me your resume, and I’ll see what I can do for you.”
A great resume sets you apart from other candidates. It captures the recruiter’s attention and increases your chances of getting an interview. But creating a polished resume from scratch is not easy. If you’re not sure about formatting and you don’t understand ATS requirements, it’s actually quite difficult.
That’s the point when you should start exploring resume building sites. They guide you through each step of the resume writing process. They give you customizable templates through a user-friendly interface, and tips on how to optimize the content. If you’re willing to do some of the work yourself, then you don’t have to hire a professional resume writer. You can try the best resume generator and see what results you can get out of it.
The real question is: what’s the best resume builder to use? We’re here to help you make a choice. We tested dozens of resume builder sites to come down to a list of options you can trust. We’ll give you a top list of the 10 Best Resume Builders, with details that make each one a good choice.
But let’s start with the basics first.
What Are Resume Building Websites?
Many job applicants confuse these builders with resume websites that connect you with professional resume writers to get your content written from scratch. These are not writing services. A resume builder is a tool that helps you create a professional resume. In the traditional way, you would start with a blank document and wonder what details to include, what order you should maintain, and how you should format the content. A top resume builder will simplify the process by guiding you through the structure. It will make it easier for you to highlight your skills, experience, and achievements.
These resume sites will usually offer pre-designed templates and step-by-step prompts. Through a structured process, they enable you to create your job application even if you have little to no experience in resume writing.
These are the most important advantages of resume builders:
They are easy to use. Resume builders have been designed for simplicity. You can fill in pre-set fields for contact info, work history, education, and skills. There’s no guesswork involved, so the process of resume writing becomes almost stress-free.
The best online resume builder will give you a variety of stylish templates. You can customize them to suit your industry and career level. The end result will be clean, well-organized, and visually appealing.
With the best resume maker, you can create an ATS-optimized resume. All you need to do is choose an ATS-friendly template that uses the right format, structure, and keywords to pass through these automated systems.
If you’re not sure where to start writing a resume from scratch, a resume builder will save you a lot of time. It gives you prepared content suggestions and examples tailored to different job roles.
As always, we have to be transparent. So let’s discuss the disadvantages of resume builders, too:
The level of customization can be limited. If you want to have a very unique resume in terms of format, customizing the fonts, layout, and sections outside of the tool’s parameters can be hard.
The templates are designed to appeal to a wide audience. Yes, they are convenient. However, using a template may also result in a generic-looking resume that doesn’t stand out. If you’re applying for a creative role, such as graphic design or marketing, a standard template won’t be enough.
Relying too much on pre-written content will make your resume sound impersonal. This is a huge disadvantage. Hiring managers can easily recognize resumes that were created with automated tools. You can overcome this disadvantage only if you use the suggestions as an inspiration. We don’t recommend fully relying on a template. Adjust the content as much as possible to add some of your own personality to it! Even the best CV builder can’t convey your individual style through pre-written content.
10 Best Resume Builder Websites in 2024
After trying the most popular websites of this type, ResumeGenius came out as the best resume builder of 2024. It’s designed to work for job hunters of all experience levels and all industries. It gives you a simple resume creation process through a simple step-by-step guide. We preferred this tool because it lets you craft a resume in under 15 minutes, even if you have no idea what you’re doing. For those who are in a hurry to create a simple job application document, it works. Its user-friendly interface and ATS-friendly templates are strong advantages over similar tools.
Pricing and Standout Features
You can use the tool for free, but you’ll need to subscribe if you want to download your resume. 14-day full access costs $2.90. If you want monthly access, you can choose it for only $6.40. It’s easy to cancel the subscription right after downloading the resume if you don’t want it renewed.
In addition to the step-by-step builder, you can also use an AI tool to write your resume. In that case, you don’t have to write any content. But keep in mind that AI tools result in generic resumes, no matter which one you use. They cannot replicate your unique style of expression. So we recommend using these free tools for inspiration and adding your own twist to the content.
Client Feedback
User reviews praise this tool for its simplicity and effectiveness. The tailored suggestions are personalized in accordance with the user’s industry and career level. The subscription cost for downloading a properly formatted document is low, which is a huge plus. You can create several resumes and download them all without any additional payments.
We found the tool extremely easy to use. Once you provide your input, AI technology will suggest bullet points to fill in content for you. It’s easy to edit and revise those points to make them more relevant to your specific situation.
Pros of ResumeGenius.com
Extremely easy to use
High-quality templates with ATS compatibility
AI content suggestions make the process even simpler and faster
It’s easy to edit the AI-generated content to make the resume more personal
Low subscription cost
Cons of ResumeGenius.com
You have to cancel the subscription if you don’t want it renewed
With its flexible pricing model, LiveCareer is suitable for those who want to use a resume builder one time or in the long term. There’s a free option for creating and previewing resumes, so you can replicate the result for free if you don’t want to download it directly. LiveCareer is popular for its simplicity of use. You choose the type of document you want, the software guides you through the steps, and you’re done.
Pricing and Standout Features
LiveCareer may be the best free resume builder if you don’t want to download the document. You can use it to get inspired and create your own resume from scratch. But if you want to download a document in a proper format, you’ll need to choose one of the three subscription plans. You can get 14-day access for $2.95 or a monthly membership for $5.95. Both these plans are affordable, and you can use them to create multiple resumes.
Client Feedback
LiveCareer is appreciated for its ease of use. There are multiple templates to choose from, and that’s the strongest feature that users mention when reviewing the website.
In our experience, the templates were outstanding, although their number was limited. We appreciate the low price, but the home page misleads you to believe that it’s a free resume builder. In reality, you have to pay a small price to download your resume.
Pros of LiveCareer.com
One of the best resume sites to use for inspiration
Easy-to-use interface
Good templates
Cons of LiveCareer.com
Limited number of templates
You still have to pay for a download, but that’s not stated on the home page
Canva is designed to help you create a variety of designs for free, including resumes. It gives you a great variety of professionally designed templates. They can all be fully customized to suit your style and career needs. Canva is ideal for creative job hunters since it lets them adjust colors, fonts, and layouts to come down to a more unique design. You can also add icons or graphics to make your resume stand out, although that’s not the most ATS-friendly strategy.
Pricing and Standout Features
Canva is a free graphic design platform. The basic features, including access to hundreds of resume templates, don’t require any payments. If you want to get something more, you can opt for Canva Pro. It will unlock premium templates, features, and customization options for a monthly subscription of $15. If you just created your profile, you’re eligible for a trial period of 30 days. You can use the premium features and download your resume for free before that trial expires.
Client Feedback
Most users love Canva because it gives them a lot for free. But it does require some practice. If you’re completely new to graphic design, it will take a while for you to adjust the elements and create your resume.
In our experience, the templates are also very generic. Almost everyone uses the free ones, so employers are used to seeing them. We recommend opting for Pro membership and customizing the template as much as possible if you want an application that stands out.
Pros of Canva.com
Professional resume templates for free
Time-efficient and simple resume building process, especially if you have some experience
All features can be customized
Cons of Canva.com
You don’t get step-by-step guidelines for the content
There’s no AI-generated content that would offer greater personalization
It takes a bit of practice to customize the design
Zety is a user-friendly resume builder developed by hiring professionals. It offers 18 customizable templates that are free to adapt. You’ll get industry-specific tips on how to tailor the content for your resume. In addition to resumes, Zety can also help you build a CV and cover letter. Its career blog is outstanding!
Pricing and Standout Features
You can download a template for free in MS Word. You can edit it there, but the formatting won’t be perfect. If you want a perfect file in PDF, you’ll need to subscribe. The 14-day trial here is very affordable: $1.95. After 14 days, the plan will be auto-renewed at $25.95, billed every 4 weeks. If you don’t need it that long, don’t forget to unsubscribe.
You can get extra features on the same subscription: resume checker, CV maker, cover letter maker, and more.
Client Feedback
Zety has an intuitive design, which is immediately recognized by its users. The tool offers detailed guidelines and professional tips from recruiters. The customization options are extensive, so the overall effect is usually well-appreciated by users.
Our experience with Zety was positive. We appreciated its industry-specific content, especially when it comes to the resume summaries. But the templates are all similar (and generic) in style, so you have to edit them in detail.
Pros of Zety.com
Intuitive interface with suggestions provided by recruiters
Great career blog
High-quality templates
Cons of Zety.com
Limited number of templates
Downloading a well-formatted document requires a subscription
You probably know about Indeed.com; it’s one of the most popular job boards on the Internet. But did you know that it also gives you a resume builder? It’s meant to help you create a resume that you’ll use on the platform. But you can also download it to use however you need it.
Pricing and Standout Features
Indeed gives you an entirely free resume-building tool. Its features are not impressive, though. You get a few templates, which are all optimized for readability and ATS compatibility. The same website also offers cover letter templates, which can inspire you to write your own letter, too.
Client Feedback
Indeed almost has a spotless reputation among job seekers. It’s simple enough to use for entry-level candidates. If you’re on a budget and you don’t want to spend anything, it’s probably the best website for a resume. Based on the feedback we collected online, users would appreciate more design options. They also mention the lack of personalized optimization tools as a disadvantage.
We’ll have to agree with that. But for a free tool, Indeed offers more than enough. You’ll just have to make a greater effort to customize your resume further.
Pros of Indeed.com
Completely free to use
You can use the resume to apply for jobs on Indeed.com, but you can also download it and use it for other online job applications
Easy to use even for first-time job applicants
You’ll get basic expert advice
Cons of Indeed.com
Only a few templates work with the free resume builder
Basic customization options
No AI content suggestions
JobScan will optimize your resume with specific job descriptions. It uses Applicant Tracking System standards to evaluate your resume and offer suggestions for improvement. If you want to write your own resume but don’t know how to use keywords and improve the format, it’s the right tool for you. It’s especially popular among job hunters who are focused on passing ATS filters.
Pricing and Standout Features
The tool is free forever. In the free plan, you will get two resume scans on signup and two resume scans on a monthly level. You’ll also get 2 ATS and recruiter findings. The free plan includes a job tracker, job board, resume manager, and Google Chrome extension. The JobScan learning center is free forever, too.
If you’re in the middle of a more complex job application process, those features might not be enough. In that case, you can try the monthly membership for $49.95, which is billed every month. To save some money in the long run, you can opt for Quarterly membership for $89.95. These plans feature unlimited resume scams, unlimited keyword comparisons, and unlimited ATS and recruiter findings.
The paid membership includes extra features: AI cover letter generator, AI bullet point generator, Linked optimizer, AI keyword synonym detector, ATS Revealed eBook, resume manager, and more. The price is a bit high, but it gives you access to an extensive set of features.
Client Feedback
Most users find the free plan useful for building a first-time resume. They appreciate JobScan for its ease of use and effectiveness in improving their job searching process. This tool helps them meet ATS requirements in the easiest way possible. However, the templates require some heavy editing for the resume to look unique.
Our experience was positive, but we would appreciate improved customer support. Although we paid for a plan, we had to wait for two days to get a response via email.
Pros of JobScan.co
ATS-aligned reports
Easy-to-use resume builder
Paid plans also offer LinkedIn and cover letter optimization
Excellent educational resources for beginners
Cons of JobScan.co
The free version has limited functionality
Subscription is expensive after the trial period
Customer support is only available via email and it lacks prompt response
MyPerfectResume has established a great reputation as a service that offers resume writing assistance of professional writers. However, it also offers a resume builder on its website. We tried it, and it’s comparable to the most popular free builders, such as the one offered by Indeed. You can use it to build a resume from scratch or import an existing resume to speed up the process even further.
The tool will guide you through each step of the process to create a resume. It’s suitable for candidates in different industries. The template covers the most essential sections, such as work experience, education, and skills.
Pricing and Standout Features
Although it’s promoted as a free online resume builder on the website, you’re still required to pay a fee for a download. The tool is essentially free. It gives you a template to edit, and you don’t have to pay anything to access it. But if you want to download it and use it for a job application, the website requires an upgrade.
You can get monthly access for $7.95 or 14-day full access for $2.95. The full access includes unlimited edits and downloads in different formats. You get a resume and a cover letter builder. The ResumeCheck feature is great; it instantly checks your resume for issues that need improvement. If you’re not happy with the results, you can ask for a refund during the first 14 days of use.
Client Feedback
In general MyPerfectResume is a decent platform for one-time use. It saves time with the resume writing process. Many users appreciate the helpful suggestions and ease of customization. However, they don’t appreciate the fact that it’s advertised as a free tool when it requires a subscription, after all.
We paid for the 14-day trial period and got decent results. The selection of templates is quite limited when compared to the tools we listed above. But the price is affordable, and the tool gets the job done.
Pros of MyPerfectResume.com
Clear template with simple customization options
The ResumeCheck feature offers suggestions for improvements
You can get a refund if you’re not satisfied
Very fast results
Cons of MyPerfectResume.com
Limited selection of templates
You’re required to pay for a subscription if you want to download your resume
The customization options are not as impressive as some competitors
This tool is focused on visual appeal. If you want your resume to stand out, especially if you’re in a creative industry, it’s a good option. The tool uses AI to generate suggestions. You can use your existing resume as a starting point or create one from scratch.
Pricing and Standout Features
There’s a free plan that doesn’t require a subscription. It gives you access to 150 resumes and cover letters you can use for inspiration. You also get access to all templates, enriched with real-time content suggestions. The free plan includes an AI assistant and an ATS check.
If you want more features, you’ll need to invest in a Pro Plan. A monthly membership will cost you $24.99. In the long run, you can save with a quarterly plan (16.66 per month) and a semi-annual plan ($13.33 per month).
Client Feedback
This website’s reputation is good. Users appreciate the full library of templates, but they don’t like that they have to pay for it. The designs, fonts, and colors are great. They make the resumes unique in appearance, but the final result is still aligned with ATS.
What we liked the most about EnhanCV was the virtual assistant, who guided us through the process. She makes the resume creation process look more accessible. As the website’s name suggests, this is possibly the best CV maker. If you need to create a CV instead of a resume, we highly recommend it.
Pros of EnhanCV.com
Templates with excellent design
AI-driven content suggestions
ATS check feature
Intuitive interface
Cons of EnhanCV.com
The Pro Plan is not cheap
The text improvement feature tends to miss out on some grammar issues
This is another resume building tool that offers suggestions through bullet points. It’s our preferred format for writing beginner resumes. It’s efficient and well-organized. ResumeNerd offers an AI scoring feature, which you can use to improve the content and design in a way potential employers would appreciate. The number of templates on the site is limited, so we would love to see some upgrades in that aspect.
Pricing and Standout Features
We didn’t appreciate the fact that it’s hard to find clear prices on the website. It makes you believe the tool is free, but it’s not. It’s affordable, though: $2.75 for 14-day access. The four-week plan costs $24.75. We found the trial period enough to create a few resumes. If you don’t need to use it any longer, don’t forget to unsubscribe!
Client Feedback
ResumeNerd scores 3.9 on Trustpilot, which is pretty decent. Most users are happy with the customer support, and we had the same experience. The representatives are easy to reach, and they are very helpful. However, many users mention that the pricing structure should be clearer. They forget to unsubscribe on time, resulting in unwanted charges on their accounts.
Our experience was positive, although we would also appreciate clear pricing right from the start. We also felt like the template options were limited, and they lean towards more conservative styles. This is not the right resume building tool for job applicants in creative industries.
Pros of ResumeNerd.com
Good writing tips provided in a user-friendly way
Great customization options
Integrated spell checker
AI scoring feature that helps you improve the result
Cons of ResumeNerd.com
Limited template options
Confusing pricing structure
Most other tools from our list are US-based, so they offer American-style resumes. Novoresume is based in Denmark. It might be suitable for those searching for a job in Europe, but it also offers traditional US resumes. You can also get a CV and cover letter there. The pricing is clear, and there’s a free version of the tool. Let’s clarify from the start: if you aim for a premium package, Novoresume is not the cheapest tool you’ll find.
Pricing and Standout Features
There’s an unlimited free plan, which is perfect for students. It gives you a single version of a resume that’s up to one page long. You can’t create a cover letter with this option, and the number of predefined layouts is very limited.
The paid version lets you create multiple versions of a resume, which can be up to ten pages long. You can also use it to create a CV and a matching cover letter. But it costs $19.99 per month, 39.99 for quarterly membership, or $99.99 for a year.
Client Feedback
The polished look of its templates is the greatest reason why users find Novoresume useful. It’s great for creating CVs, but you have to pay for that feature. Many users feel more confident in their job application process thanks to the professional appearance they get with this tool. However, the free feature is very limited, so they felt like they were forced to pay to see greater functionality.
We found the tool great for European-based job searchers. It offers an easily customizable result. The paid version is highly useful, but the free one doesn’t give you enough features unless you’re a complete beginner.
Pros of Novoresume.com
Guided resume creation with a slight learning curve
Polished end result
AI-powered suggestions for content writing
Excellent features with the premium plans
Cons of Novoresume.com
Very limited free version
Lacks advanced features, such as analytics and suggestions for ATS adaptability
How to Choose the Best Resume Websites for Your Needs
We gave you ten options, and each of them works for different candidates. What’s the right one for you? Consider these tips before making a choice:
If you’re applying for a job in finance, law, healthcare, and other traditional sectors, we recommend using builders with ATS optimization features, such as ResumeGenius.
Creative fields need tools with visual and design-focused templates, such as Canva or EnhanCV.
Technical roles need analytics and keyword optimization. ResumeGenius and JobScan would be good tools for that.
Your career level also makes a difference. If you’re an entry-level job seeker, you can use Zety or another platform with pre-written suggestions. But mid-career professionals and senior executives need more customization.
Your budget is definitely an important factor to consider. If you’re after free tools, Canva and Indeed are the options to consider. Affordable alternatives with improved functionality include LiveCareer and ResumeGenius.
Here’s our best recommendation: test multiple free versions before you pay for a download. You can see what the resume looks like with all builders, so check other options before proceeding with a payment.
