Check the download before you write
The most common surprise with resume builders: you spend an hour on your resume, then the download asks for a subscription, or the free option is a plain text file without the design. Before you start, look for these points on the pricing page:
- PDF download. Is it included on the free plan, and how many times?
- Watermark or branding. Does the free PDF carry the builder's logo?
- Number of resumes. One saved resume is enough for a start, but not for tailoring a resume to each job.
- Trials. A free trial that turns into a paid plan is not a free plan.
Every builder in this list states on its own page that a download is free, or is open source software you can run without paying.
Free limits compared
| Builder | Free plan, as the page states it |
|---|---|
| FlowCV | 1 resume, 1 cover letter, all templates, unlimited watermark-free PDF downloads |
| Kickresume | 4 basic resume templates, 4 matching cover letter templates, unlimited downloads |
| Huntr | Unlimited base resumes, 2 job tailored resumes, all templates, free PDF export |
| Rezi | 1 resume, 3 PDF downloads |
| Standard Resume | LinkedIn import, PDF downloads, web resume sharing; removing its branding is a Pro feature |
| Resume.com | Free download in PDF and plain text |
| Reactive Resume | Open source with no paid tier; PDF, Word, Markdown or JSON export |
Open source and private options
If you do not want to create an account or hand your work history to a company, these options keep the data with you:
- OpenResume says it runs only in your browser, needs no sign up and no data leaves your browser.
- Reactive Resume is under the MIT license and says it has no tracking, no ads and no paid tier. You can also run it on your own server.
- RenderCV turns a YAML text file into a typeset PDF. It needs Python 3.12 or newer.
- Overleaf is an online LaTeX editor; its free plan has unlimited projects and ready-to-use templates.
Prefer a file you edit yourself
A builder is not the only way. A Word template gives you full control over every line and works with any word processor:
- Our free resume template comes in three clean one-page designs as an editable Word file on US Letter or A4, with no signup and no watermark.
- The matching free cover letter template uses the same three designs.
- Microsoft offers free resume templates as Word files that open in Word for the web.
Before you send it
- Keep the summary and bullet points short. Our word counter and character counter help you hit length limits in online application forms.
- Run the text through the readability checker to find long sentences.
- Comparing offers in different pay periods? The salary converter turns an hourly wage into a yearly, monthly and weekly salary, and back.
- Open the downloaded PDF once and check that nothing is cut off and no watermark was added.
We opened each builder's official page on the date in the table and wrote down only what it says. "Not stated" means the page does not say it.
Frequently asked questions
Is there a resume builder with a free PDF download?
Yes. FlowCV says its free plan includes unlimited watermark-free PDF downloads, Huntr lists free PDF export and Resume.com says the download is free in PDF and plain text. Rezi allows 3 PDF downloads on its free plan.
Can I make a resume without signing up?
OpenResume says it runs only in your browser and needs no sign up. Reactive Resume is open source and can run on your own computer or server. A Word template, like the free resume template on this site, also needs no account.
Do free resume builders add a watermark?
Some do. FlowCV says its free PDFs have no watermarks or branding. Standard Resume lists removing its branding as a Pro feature. Kickresume, Huntr, Rezi and Resume.com do not mention watermarks on the pages we checked, so check your first download.
How many resumes can I keep for free?
It varies. FlowCV and Rezi allow 1 resume on the free plan. Kickresume lists unlimited resumes and cover letters, and Huntr lists unlimited base resumes plus 2 job tailored resumes. Reactive Resume says it has no paid tier.
Which free builders also make cover letters?
FlowCV includes 1 cover letter on its free plan, Kickresume has 4 matching cover letter templates and Reactive Resume writes resumes and cover letters. Our free cover letter template matches the designs of our resume template.