Tools
Best AI Resume Builders in 2026: Honest Reviews
I've tested every major AI resume builder so you don't have to waste $30 on something that spits out generic garbage. Here's what actually works.
The Quick Answer
If you're in a rush: Teal for free users, Rezi if you're willing to pay. Skip the rest unless you have specific needs.
What I Tested
I ran the same work history through 8 different AI resume builders and compared:
- • Output quality (did it sound human?)
- • ATS optimization (keyword matching)
- • Customization options
- • Price vs value
The Rankings
Teal — Best Free Option
Price: Free tier actually useful, $29/mo for premium
Teal does something smart: it pulls job descriptions and matches your resume to them. The AI suggestions are specific, not generic “improved communication skills” nonsense.
What works:
- • Job tracking + resume building in one tool
- • AI tailors resume to specific job postings
- • Chrome extension grabs job details automatically
What doesn't:
- • Premium features locked behind paywall
- • Templates are limited on free tier
Rezi — Best for ATS Optimization
Price: $29/mo or $129 lifetime
Rezi obsesses over ATS compatibility. It scores your resume and tells you exactly what to fix. The AI writer is decent but the real value is the optimization feedback.
What works:
- • Real-time ATS score
- • Specific fix suggestions
- • LinkedIn import works well
What doesn't:
- • Interface feels dated
- • AI writing can be robotic if you don't edit
Kickresume — Best Templates
Price: Free tier, $19/mo premium
If you want something that looks good without design skills, Kickresume has the best templates. AI writing is average but the visual output is solid.
Resume.io — Good All-Rounder
Price: $2.95 for 7-day trial, $24.95/mo
Clean interface, decent AI, fair templates. Nothing exceptional but nothing broken. Good if you want simple.
Zety — Overpriced
Price: $2.70/2 weeks, then $24.70/mo
Zety's AI is fine but the pricing is aggressive and they make downloading hard. Feels like a dark pattern. Skip unless you find a deal.
What About ChatGPT?
You can absolutely use ChatGPT to write your resume. It's free and flexible. The downside: no ATS optimization, no formatting, you do all the work.
My approach:
Use ChatGPT for the writing, then paste into Teal for ATS optimization. Best of both worlds.
The Bottom Line
Don't overthink it. Your resume content matters more than the tool. Pick Teal (free) or Rezi (paid), spend 2 hours on it, and move on to actually applying.
The best resume builder is the one you actually use.
Related Guides
Make sure the rest of your application is solid: