Crafting a professional resume shouldn’t cost you money. These resume builders help you create ATS-friendly resumes that land interviews, with options ranging from completely free to freemium models.
1. Applyre Resume Builder
Applyre uses AI to analyze job descriptions in real-time and automatically optimize your resume with the right keywords and formatting. The platform eliminates ATS filtering issues by tailoring each resume to specific job postings in under 60 seconds.
Pricing: Free
Free features: AI-powered resume builder, job description analysis, and ATS optimization
Best for: Job seekers who want automated resume customization for each application.
2. Resume Genius
Resume Genius provides AI-powered suggestions that fill in work experience bullet points automatically, saving you time and highlighting your strengths effectively.
Pricing: Freemium - $2.95 trial fee for download, or $7.95/month for unlimited resumes
Free features: Access to builder and templates; paid for downloads
Best for: Job seekers who want AI assistance with content writing
2. Canva
Canva stands out with an unmatched variety of visually striking templates. However the PDFs are images and cannot be parsed. Not recommended for job applications.
Pricing: Freemium - Free tier available; Pro from $12.99/month
Free features: Basic templates, editing tools, and downloads
Best for: Creative professionals who want design flexibility
4. Novorésumé
Novorésumé delivers resume creation with templates. The interface requires no software downloads or lengthy tutorials.
Pricing: Freemium - Basic features free; premium starts at $19/month
Free features: Limited template access and one resume download
Best for: Quick resume updates with minimal learning curve
5. Resume.co
Resume.co offers template configurations with preset layouts. The AI assistant helps you craft compelling headers and work summaries.
Pricing: Freemium
6. Kickresume
Kickresume combines AI writing tools with resume templates. The AI generates entire sections based on job titles you provide.
Pricing: Freemium - Unlimited free resumes with basic features; premium at $19/month
Best for: Users who want AI-generated content suggestions
7. Zety
Zety provides 18 ATS-friendly templates with pre-written content tailored to specific industries and positions. The builder suggests keywords and entire phrases optimized for applicant tracking systems.
Pricing: Freemium - Free TXT downloads; paid plans for PDF/DOC
Free features: Full builder access and TXT file downloads only
Best for: Applicants targeting specific roles with ATS optimization
What to Look For
The best free resume builders share these traits: ATS-friendly formatting, professional templates, easy customization, and mobile accessibility. Most offer text file downloads for free, with PDF downloads requiring payment.
Start with your top two choices and test them both. The right builder depends on your industry, experience level, and comfort with self-directed writing.
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