In a competitive job market, having a polished resume and compelling cover letter is essential. The good news? You don’t have to start from scratch. A growing number of resume and cover letter builder tools can help you create professional, ATS-friendly documents in minutes.
But with so many options available, which tool is the right fit for you?
We’ve tested the top-rated platforms in 2025 and compared them based on features, pricing, ease of use, design options, and ATS compatibility.
What Makes a Resume Builder Worth It?
Before diving into the top 5, here’s what we looked for:
✅ ATS Compatibility
✅ Modern, customizable templates
✅ Built-in cover letter support
✅ Ease of use for non-tech users
✅ Value for money
🥇 Top 5 Resume & Cover Letter Builder Tools (2025)
| Tool | Best For | ATS-Friendly | Free Version | Cover Letter Builder | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zety | Guided resume creation | ✅ Yes | ✅ Limited | ✅ Built-in | $2.70/trial |
| Novoresume | Polished design + UX | ✅ Yes | ✅ Limited | ✅ Strong builder | $16/mo |
| Canva | Creative industries | ⚠️ Limited | ✅ Yes | ❌ Manual only | Free / Pro $12.99/mo |
| Kickresume | Students & entry-level | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | ✅ Strong templates | Free / $5/mo |
| Resume.io | Fast & intuitive building | ✅ Yes | ✅ Limited | ✅ Guided builder | $2.95/week |
1. Zety – Best All-Rounder
Zety is one of the most popular resume builders online, and for good reason. It walks you through every section with suggestions and samples. You can choose from a variety of ATS-compliant templates and generate matching cover letters.
Pros:
- Built-in spell checker and suggestions
- Instant export to PDF or Word
- Matching cover letter templates
Cons:
- Not truly free (downloads require payment)
- Somewhat limited customization
🔗 Industry Note: According to SHRM, 98% of Fortune 500 companies now use applicant tracking systems (ATS). Zety’s templates are optimized for such platforms.
2. Novoresume – Sleek and Modern Design
Novoresume offers beautifully designed, modern templates that still pass ATS filters. It’s one of the few tools that integrates resume tips tailored to your industry and career stage.
Pros:
- Covers all career levels (including executive)
- In-document tips while editing
- Visual appeal with customization options
Cons:
- Limited free downloads
- Premium templates locked behind paywall
🔗 Related: How to Create a Job-Winning Resume in 2025
3. Canva – Best for Designers & Creatives
Canva may not be the first platform that comes to mind for resumes, but it’s ideal for design-focused professionals. It offers tons of visually striking templates and complete layout control.
Pros:
- Fully customizable drag-and-drop editor
- Free forever plan
- Tons of modern designs
Cons:
- Not all templates are ATS-compatible
- Cover letter has to be created manually
💡 Tip: Use Canva for creative resumes (design, media, marketing) and export them in PDF for emailing directly to hiring managers — not for automated uploads.
4. Kickresume – Great for Students & Entry-Level Jobs
Kickresume combines fun, sleek templates with guided tools ideal for beginners. It includes a grammar checker and an AI resume writer.
Pros:
- Free version with decent options
- AI writing assistant
- Unique personal website feature
Cons:
- Slightly clunky UI
- Not suited for senior professionals
📌 Students and recent grads love Kickresume’s built-in examples and templates designed by recruiters.
5. Resume.io – Best for Speed & Simplicity
Resume.io is a no-fuss tool that lets you build a complete resume and cover letter in under 10 minutes. It’s built for speed and offers mobile access for job hunting on the go.
Pros:
- Beginner-friendly interface
- Download in multiple formats
- Excellent cover letter builder
Cons:
- Limited creative control
- Subscription-based pricing
Final Thoughts: Which Should You Choose?
If you’re…
- A first-time job seeker → Try Kickresume or Zety
- A creative professional → Go with Canva
- Short on time → Use Resume.io
- Design-conscious + experienced → Choose Novoresume
Want a shortcut? Try one of our free, ATS-ready resume templates designed for 2025.
Pro Tip: Pair Your Resume with a Strong Cover Letter
Even the best resume needs a cover letter to support it. Use tools like Zety, Resume.io, or Kickresume to generate one automatically — or check out our post:
“How to Write a Cover Letter That Doesn’t Sound Like Everyone Else’s”
