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Top 8 Online Resume Builders Reviewed

The resume building process is often described as a painful experience. The most common way to craft a resume is by using one of Microsoft Word templates, however a lot of users find themselfs realizing that their resume doesn’t represent them, these resume templates are often too plain to help you stand out in job applications. In adition, Word resume templates that are nicely designed take a lot of time to edit, and changing the most insignificant can mess the whole template up, turning this simple task into a nightmare. Because guess what? Microsoft Word isn’t really meant to make sofisticated designs simple to edit.

And that’s why online resume builders were invented, being the first one that we learned of visualcv, that started back in 2008, and since then many followed. An online resume builder is a web app that allows you to build resumes on your internet browser. You can see it in more detail here.

Now a days, there is quite a large amount of online resume builders our there, and each of them has something unique to offer, so it’s very hard to pick one, and say this is the best online resume builder available. Your desition will probably be based on factors such as:

• Their pricing
• The variety and style of their resume templates
• Other features

Taking this factors into account we’ve reviewed what we consider to be the top 9 resume builders available in the market today.

EnhanCV

EnhanCV is a resume builder boasting superb UI/UX design. The tool is extremely user friendly, and is exceptionally easy to navigate. The tool allows you to pick a provided template, followed by user customisation in which the colors, sections, font and general layout can be personalized. The user has access to drag and drop PDF builder features, allowing them to showcase their skills, level of attained education and previous job experiences on their resume. EnhanCV stands out in comparison to its competitors due to its attractive and refreshing design.

Its aesthetic appeal clearly flows through into the quality of its resume builder.

The software boasts a free 7 day trial period in which users can choose to create their resume from the 2 provided trial templates. The trial period can be upgraded, providing the user with access to extra features such as 530 pre-written resume examples, 5 extra templates and grammar assistance tools.

Once completed, the resume can be downloaded in either a PDF or TXT format. It is important to note that the user will not be automatically billed in the event that they fail to unsubscribe from the service. The free features will simply be unavailable once the trail period has ended.

EnhanCV has a tiered payment system where the customer can choose between paying a flat rate of $19.99 for a month, $14.99 dollars per month for 3 months or $10.99 per month for 6 months.

Pros:

• An ‘analyse content’ feature is provided, which performs thorough spelling and grammar checks on the resume.
• EnhanCV is extremely user friendly and elegant.
• The Program is able to generate a professional looking resume after the user has answered a few questions.

Cons:

• The user is unable to edit paragraphs and spacing due to the ‘drag and drop’ builder function.
• The program fails to include phrase examples, making it harder for the user to create the resume in comparison to some competitors.
• Users are unable to remove the branding on the resume when using the Freemium version.
• The Freemium version is fairly limited.

Visual CV

Visual CV is a resume builder that provides sample content for its users, in the form of 9 detailed and niche specific pre-written resumes. The Program offers 20 free templates, each boasting a modern feel, accompanied with an intuitive interface. One of Visual CV’s strongest features allows users to import pre-written resumes which can be subsequently customized with the provided tools.

The Program also provides a cloud-based saving mechanism which can let users resume their resume editing at any computer connected to the internet. Once completed, users may download the resume from Visual CV’s PDF builder, or export the CV directly as a DOCX file.

The order of the relevant information as well as the font can be adjusted on this Program’s CV builder. This leads to a higher degree of resume personalization for the user. Users have access to a preview option which will allow them to constantly track changes made to their resumes.

It is important to note that the Freemium downloads are clearly watermarked. The Program has 2 payment methods where the customer can pay $13 a month for 4 months or $20 a month. Users are provided with a 30 day free Premium trial period. This grants them access to the Premium features that are on offer. It is important to note that users will not be billed in the event that they refuse to subscribe to the service, post-trial completion.

Pros:

• Visual CV provides for a variety of ways to export the users resume, taking the form of PDF downloads, DOCX file downloads and direct user emails.
• Users are able to directly import and customize their pre-written resumes.
• The cloud-based saving mechanism allows users to work on their resumes at any computer connected to the internet.
• Visual CV provides a wide selection of appealing resume templates and pre-written content.

Cons:

• Visual CV lacks a built-in spelling and grammar checker, which could lead to the creation of substandard resumes.
• The Free account only allows the user to work on one resume at a time.
• Users are unable to remove the branding on the resume when using the free version.
• The Program fails to offer paragraph and line spacing options, which reduces the user’s ability to personalize their resumes.

Resume.com

Resume.com is a good resume builder that is completely free-to-use. This provides the Program with a distinct comparative advantage in terms of its pricing model alone. The Program is extremely functional and easy to use with the templates being separated into 4 categories, namely: education, experience, personality and skill.

Users have access to 12 free templates and well over 200 pre-written and niche specific resumes. The Program guides users on a step-by-step basis, when filling out the various aspects of their resume.

The Program provides users with the ability to change the order and spacing of the informational segments, while simultaneously being to adjust the font and color for added personalization.

Once the resume has been completed users are able to download the completed document from the Program’s PDF builder, or convert the resume directly to a TXT document.

Pros:

• Resume.com does not offer Premium or tiered packages for users as the Program is completely free to use.
• Users can access their saved resumes from any computer that has an internet connection. Previous resume access is directly provided through the Program’s dashboard.
• Users have a wide variety of resume templates and pre-written content to choose from.
• The Program doesn’t brand the downloaded resumes of the users.

Cons:

• The Program isn’t visually appealing and is clearly slanted towards functionality. This can be viewed in a negative light after taking personal preferences into account.
• It is important to note that users don’t have the ability to upload and edit their own resumes, which does hinder the functionality of the Program.
• Its resume templates are very standard, and fail to provide visualy appealing resume templates
• The pre-written and niche specific resumes are riddled with grammatical errors, which is unprofessional and sloppy.

Kick Resume.com

Kickresume is a resume builder that offers 4 free templates and 34 Premium templates. Its strongest feature is undoubtedly its wide and professional array of resume templates as well as pre-written examples.

Kickresume also provides a function that allows its users to turn their resumes into unique and personalized websites. Users have access to over 1500 niche specific resumes as well as 20 000 pre-written phrases included in the Premium version. These features can be tailored to suit the exact specifications of the user.

There is a Freemium version available to users, which provides users with a limited number of templates as well as pre-written resumes. These pre-written Freemium resumes are of a significantly lower quality in comparison to the Premium selection. Users are provided with the opportunity to link their resumes directly from the site to their LinkedIn profiles.

Kickresume provides a free Premium trial for students and teachers for a period of 6 months. Upon completion of the trial users can choose between various pricing models in the form of a tiered payment system. Users can pay either $19 per month, $12 per month for 3 months or $8 per month for 12 months, and will be granted Premium access upon billing verification.

Pros:

• The Freemium version provides user with a wide selection of templates and niche specific resume examples.
• Kickresume does contain a built-in grammar and spell checker, that almost always improves the quality of the user’s resume.
• Unlike many of their counterparts, Kickresume does not brand Freemium resumes that have been downloaded by the user.

Cons:

• The resume website builder has a great UX design for those who are tech savy, however this turns into a poor UX design for those who struggle to utilize technology.
• Users have to pay for the resumes grammar and spellchecker separately, which does take away from an otherwise impressive Program.

Resume Genius

Resume Genius is a Program that allows users to immediately create their own personalized resumes. Users have the ability to create their resume through the Program’s PDF builder or DOCX file converter. Upon resume completion, only premium users can download their resumes in the above-mentioned PDF and DOCX formats.

Resume Genius is a clean and appealing Program but its strongest point is undoubtedly its ‘ask an expert’ feature. This feature is included in the Program’s Premium package, providing the user with the option to have their resumes proofread and refined by a certified resume professional. This is an extremely strong feature that differentiates Resume Genius from its competitors.

The Program encourages users to respond to various prompts that appear on any of the 17 provided resume templates. These prompts serve to highlight unique aspects of the user, such as their relevant work experience or attained level of education. These prompts include guides relating to formatting hints as well as various pre-written phrases that the user can choose to include.

However, it is important to note that Resume Genius does not have any Freemium features on its website, charging $0.95 for the first 14 days. Users who fail to cancel their trial subscriptions are charged $39.95 per month after the 14-day trial period has expired, on an auto-renewal basis.

Pros:

• Resume Genius provides a constant stream of feedback to its users, helping optimize their formatting, grammar and spelling.
• The ‘Ask an Expert’ feature is extremely beneficial for the Program’s users, helping differentiate Resume Genius from its competitors.

Cons:

• The worst feature provided by Resume Genius is the fact that all of the fields contained within the prompts have to be filled out. Failure to do so results in the user being unable to complete and download their resume. This is an extremely annoying feature, that significantly reduces the UX.
• The Program’s sectional review and editing function was overly time-consuming and will most definitely leave its users feeling confused and frustrated.
• Resume Genius is fairly expensive when compared to its competitors.

Resume.io

Resume.io is primarily focused on building competitive and professional looking resumes.

The Program’s strongest feature is its UI/UX design. Resume.io is extremely user friendly and easy to use, in comparison to its competitors, boasting a highly proficient CV editing function.

However, it should be noted that the limited text customization options do reduce the UX of an otherwise brilliant Program.

The Program has a wide selection of available tools with the Freemium version, allowing users to utilize a resume builder in the creation of their resumes. Upon completion free users can't download their resume in PDF, only in the form of a TXT file. The Freemium version of the Program also provides users with an extensive array of over 250 pre-written resume examples that are applicable to a wide variety of niches. Freemium users have access to 1 template whereas Premium users have access to 11 original templates, as well as the 250 pre-written resume examples.

Users have the option of paying for a 7-day Premium trial valued at $2.95. Users who fail to cancel their subscriptions, are charged $24.95 per month, after the 7-day trial period has expired, on an auto-renewal basis. Resume.io also offers a tiered billing plan for the Premium version of the Program, in the form of a 6 Month plan valued at $44.95 and a 12 month plan valued at $74.95

Pros:

• Resume.io users are provided with a wide array of pre-written template CVs that are niche specific and extremely beneficial.
• Users are provided with an efficient resume editing function.
• The Program boasts a sleek and sophisticated UI/UX design that is user friendly and easy to navigate.
• Users are provided with a function that allows them to constantly review their CV while creating the document.

Cons:

• Free users are unable to download their resume in the form of a PDF document from the Program’s PDF builder.
• Resume.io does not provide a wide variety of CV templates, in comparison to their competitors.
• The limited text customization options constrain the Program.

Resumonk

Resumonk is an extremely straightforward and reliable resume builder. The Freemium version provides users with 4 free templates in comparison to the Premium version, offering 17. The program’s strongest feature is undoubtedly the fact that it is an exceptionally mobile browser-friendly, making it a highly accessible Program for individuals who don’t have access to a computer.

The Freemium version does not require a subscription, allowing users to create their own personalized resume, while utilizing the Program’s user friendly and simple software. It’s important to note that Freemium users of Resumonk are unable to download their completed document from the provided PDF builder. However, Freemium users are provided with the option of downloading their CV in the form of a DOCX file, while having access to a reduced number of resume editing tools.

Both the Freemium as well as the Premium versions of the program allow for a reasonable degree of section modification and editing. This translates into the creation of reasonably personalized resume documents. Users can pay for Resumonk’s Premium services in the form of a flat $29 a year fee or a once off payment of $99. The Program’s Premium features allow users to remove the Resumonk branding that appears on the downloaded PDF or DOCX file, as well as providing a greater variety of color and font options.

Pros:

• Resumonk has a built-in spell checker which ultimately translates into a more professional and polished resume.
• The Program is exceptionally mobile-browser friendly.
• Resumonk offers a variety of pre-written phrases to users when they create their resume.
• Resumonk is user friendly and simple to use.

Cons:

• The Program isn’t visually appealing and is clearly slanted towards basic functionality.
• The Freemium version lacks in its provision of basic features, due to the limited amount of font and color options on offer.

LiveCareer

LiveCareer is one of the more established resume building services on the market. Users have access to over 30 unique resume templates and over 1000 pre-written and niche specific resume samples. The Program does not offer a Freemium service and users are required to pay in order to complete and download their resumes.

LiveCareer’s strongest feature is that users have the ability to upload their own existing resumes in a wide variety of formats such as, PDF, DOCX and ODT. LiveCareer has got a built in PDF resume builder and upon resume completion, users can download their completed document in PDF, DOCX, RTF, TXT and HTML formats.

The software allows users to insert an unlimited amount pre-written phrases, which can be subsequently edited with a wide variety of available tools. The Resume-Check tool is extremely helpful, providing users with constant assistance, alongside a spelling and grammar checker. This ultimately ensures that users create high quality and professional looking resumes.

LiveCareer does not have any Freemium features on its website, charging $2.95 for the first 14 days. Users who fail to cancel their trial subscriptions are charged $23.95 per month after the 14-day trial period has expired, on an auto-renewal basis.

Pros:

• Users are able to upload and download their documents in a wide variety of formats.
• LiveCareer offers many professional resume templates as well as niche specific resume examples.
• The Resume-Check tool is extremely beneficial, helping guide users throughout the resume building process.

Cons:

• Users have to pay before they’re able to download their completed resume.
• The automatic billing can catch many users off guard.
• The Program’s dashboard seemed overly complicated, which is indicative of a poor UX design.
• It takes some time to upload pre-written resumes onto the Program, which can be incredibly frustrating.

Novoresume

Novoresume is a beautiful and sleek resume builder that offers 100s of pre-designed and niche specific resume examples. Its strongest feature is the aesthetic appeal of the resumes, which have been carefully designed by graphic designers.

The Program offers a Freemium version, boasting 8 unique resume templates available to the user.

Novoresume is extremely useful for beginners, as it constantly guides users through the resume building process through the use of its content optimizer tool.

It’s important to note that Free users are unable to extend their resume beyond a clear one page limit, in comparison to Premium users who can create a 3 page resume document. Premium users have access to superior customization tools as well as specialized formatting options.

Novoresume boasts an onboard PDF builder, allowing users to download their completed resumes in the form of a PDF file.

Unlike its competitors, Novoresume does not utilize a subscription based billing service. There is no auto-renewal payment mechanism once the Premium service period has lapsed. Novoresume uses a tired payment system for its Premium package, where users can pay $16.00 per month, $29.99 for 3 months or $89.99 for 12 months.

Pros:

• Novoresume appears extremely clean and polished, with its aesthetic appeal clearly flowing into the quality of its resumes.
• The Program’s Resume management tool provides for a fantastic UX, which has been carefully crafted to guide beginners through the resume creation process.
• Novoresume provides a great amount of customization tools in comparison to its competitors.

Cons:

• The Program does not allow its Free users to extend their resumes over a page in length. This restriction felt fairly arbitrary and reduced the quality of the resume builder.
• Novoresume does not offer a wide variety of resume templates to its users.

FAQs about an Online Resume Builder