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:
- Pricing
- 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:
Novorésumé
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:
Pricing
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
Pros:
- 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
Cons
- Going over one page of your resume and some other premium options cost extra
CVMaker
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.
Pricing
- Freemium: available
- Premium: $16/year
Premium Features
- Premium themes
- Special sections
- Rich text editing
# of Resume Templates Available
- Free Templates Available: 8
- Paid Templates Available: 0
Cover Letter Builder
Unavailable.
Verdict
Pros
- Simple to use and get into
- Easy to upload/edit resumes
Cons
- 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
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.
Pricing
- 7 days free trial
- Pro Semi-Annual: $ 10.99/m
- Pro Quarterly: $14.99/m
- Pro Monthly: $19.99/m
Premium Features
- Up to 10 resumes and cover letters
- Remove branding on your resume
- Instant tips to fix mistakes
- Pro sections, colors, and backgrounds
# of Resume Templates Available
- Free Templates Available: 2
- Paid Templates Available: 2
Cover Letter Builder
Available only for the premium version.
Verdict
Pros
- Easy to start
- Solid resume design and layout regardless of the profession
- Memorable design and a lot of room for adding and arranging sections
Negative
- Feels limited with the freemium options
- Some important resume sections require premium
VisualCV
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.
Pricing
- Freemium: available
- Premium: $12 per month
Premium Features
- Extra resume templates
- Remove branding on your resume
# of Resume Templates Available
- Free templates available: 3
- Paid templates available: 15
Cover Letter Builder
Available only for the premium version.
Verdict
Pros
- 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
Cons
- Only 3 free templates available
- Need the premium option to hide website resume branding
- Freemium resume templates look very similar to each other
CakeResume
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.
Pricing
- Freemium: available
- Advanced: $7.95/m
- Pro: $15.95/m
Premium Features
- 20+ resume snippets (call-to-action, quotes, video slides, and more)
- Remove branding on your resume
- Resume tracking via Google Analytics
# of Resume Templates Available
- Free templates available: 1
- Paid templates available: 0
Cover Letter Builder
Unavailable.
Verdict
Pros
- 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
Cons
- 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
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.
Pricing
- Freemium: available
- Pro profile: $20/m
- Lifetime access: $ 149
Premium Features
- Certain sections (e.g. skills and achievements) require premium
- Extra templates
- Remove branding on your resume
# of Resume Templates Available
- Free templates available: 2
- Premium templates available: 11
Cover Letter Builder
Available only for the premium version.
Verdict
Pros
- Stunning design choices and fancy templates
- Templates available for different industries
- Easy to create and modify despite all the visuals
Cons
- Most templates are design-heavy and might be better only for certain jobs
- Can be expensive compared to other resume builders
SlashCV
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.
Pricing
- Freemium: available
- Premium (to host your own resume online on their site): $4.99/year
Premium Features
- Host your resume online
- Paid PDF templates
- Remove watermark
# of Resume Templates Available
- Free templates available: over 50
- Premium templates available: 0
Cover Letter Builder
Unavailable
Verdict
Pros:
- 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
Cons:
- 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.
Pricing
- Freemium: available
- 14 day trial: $ 1.95, then $24.95/m
- Annual: $5.95/m, $71.40/year
- Resume writing and cover letter services cost extra
Premium Features
- Download and save your resume in multiple formats
- Cover letter builder
- Scan your resume for common mistakes
# of Resume Templates Available
- Free templates available: 12
- Premium templates available: 30+
Cover Letter Builder
Available only for the premium version.
Verdict
Pros:
- 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
Conns
- 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
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:
- Templates
- Font size
- Font size
- Spacing
With the cover letter, you also get a lot of options, based on your industry and career expertise.
Pricing
- Free
Premium Features
- Not Available
# of Resume Templates Available
- Free templates available: 24
Cover Letter Builder
Available
Verdict
Pros:
- Completely free to use
- The resume builder is functional and extremely easy to follow
- 200+ cover letter examples and samples, depending on the industry
Cons:
- 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
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.
That’s right.
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.
Pricing
- Freemium: available
- Premium: $8/m
- Grammar Correction: $29 per resume
Premium Features
- 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
# of Resume Templates Available
- Free templates available: 4
- Premium templates available: 30+
Cover Letter Builder
- 2 templates available for the free version
- 20+ templates for the premium option
Verdict
Pros
- 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
Cons
- 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
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:
Pricing
- Free
# of Resume Templates Available
- Templates available: 6
Cover Letter Builder
Unavailable.
Pros:
- 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.)
Pros:
- Still in beta
- Using an infographic resume might really backfire on your (it’s not standard)
Resumonk
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.
Pricing
- Freemium: available
- Premium plan: $29/year
- Forever plan (one-time payment): $89
Premium Features
- Remove branding on your resume
- Cover letter
- Additional fonts and color options
- Custom URL to host your resume online
- Track analytics for your resume
# of Resume Templates Available
- Freemium templates available: 4
- Premium templates available: 17
Cover Letter Builder
Available only for the premium version.
Verdict
Pros:
- Easy to jump into creating and modifying your resume
- Can download as PDF or host online (if premium)
Cons:
- 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.
Pricing
- 14 day access: $ 1.95, then $39.95/m
- Annual payment: $95.40/year
Premium Features
- Unlimited resumes, cover letters, and downloads
- Resume critique and feedback from an expert
- Track your resume analytics
# of Resume Templates Available
- Freemium templates available: 0
- Paid templates available: 17
Cover Letter Builder
Available only for the premium version.
Verdict
Pros
- 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
Cons:
- 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
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.
Pricing
- 14 day trial: $ 1.95, then $39.90/m
- Premium plan: $39.90/m
Premium Features
- Access to all format downloads (PDF, MS Word, Plain text)
- Multiple versions of resume and cover letter
- Cover letter
- Salary calculator
# of Resume Templates Available
- Free templates available: 1
- Premium templates available: 15
Cover Letter Builder
Available only for the premium version.
Verdict
Pros:
- Can freely rearrange resume sections
- Pre-written text available for resume and cover letter, depending on the job role
Cons:
- 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.
Pricing
- Free
# of Resume Templates Available
- Free templates available: 6
- Premium templates available: 0
Cover Letter Builder
Unavailable
Verdict
Pros:
- 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
Cons:
- 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:
