7 Best AI Tools for Resume Writing (2026)
The average corporate job posting receives 250+ applications, and most companies use Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) to filter out 75% of resumes before a human ever sees them. Writing a resume that passes ATS filters and impresses hiring managers is a skill most people only practice a few times per decade, which is why AI resume tools have exploded in popularity.
These tools go beyond spell-checking. They analyze job descriptions, suggest bullet points based on your experience, optimize keyword density for ATS, and format your resume in templates proven to convert. This guide compares the seven best options based on ATS optimization, customization, ease of use, and pricing.
If you want to learn how to use AI tools effectively across your entire job search, AI Academy offers structured lessons that go well beyond the basics.
Quick Comparison
| Tool | Best For | ATS Optimization | Job Tailoring | Pricing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Teal | Job-specific tailoring | Strong | Yes, per job | Free / $9/week |
| Kickresume | Design + content | Moderate | Limited | Free / $19/mo |
| Rezi | ATS-first resumes | Strongest | Yes | Free / $29/mo |
| Resume.io | Quick resume creation | Good | Limited | $2.95/week |
| ChatGPT | Flexible rewriting | Manual | Yes, with prompting | Free / $20/mo |
| Jobscan | ATS scoring and keywords | Strongest scoring | Yes | Free / $49.95/mo |
| Enhancv | Career changers | Good | Yes | Free / $19.99/mo |
Teal
Teal is a full job search platform with resume building as its core feature. What sets it apart is the job-specific tailoring workflow: paste a job description, and Teal highlights which keywords are missing from your resume and suggests where to add them. It also tracks your applications, saving the job posting alongside each tailored resume version.
Key features:
- Side-by-side job description analysis with keyword matching
- AI-generated bullet points based on your experience and the target role
- Resume score showing ATS compatibility per job posting
- Job tracker that stores postings, resume versions, and application status
- Chrome extension to save jobs directly from LinkedIn and job boards
- Cover letter generator matched to each application
Free tier includes basic resume building and job tracking. Pro plan at $9/week (billed monthly at ~$36) unlocks unlimited AI rewrites, tailoring, and cover letters.
Pros:
- Best job-specific tailoring workflow of any tool tested
- Application tracker keeps everything organized
- AI suggestions are specific and actionable, not generic filler
Cons:
- Template selection is limited compared to design-focused tools
- Pro pricing adds up if your job search extends past a few weeks
- Some advanced features require a learning curve
Active job seekers applying to 10+ positions who need to tailor each resume to the specific posting. If you want deeper guidance on this process, our guide on how to use AI to tailor your resume walks through the step-by-step workflow.
Kickresume
Kickresume combines strong AI writing with the best template library of any resume tool. It offers 35+ ATS-friendly templates designed by typographers, and the AI writer generates bullet points from your job title and industry. The result is a resume that looks polished and reads well.
Key features:
- 35+ professionally designed ATS-friendly templates
- AI writer generates bullet points from job title and skills
- Website builder creates a personal portfolio site from your resume
- Cover letter and LinkedIn summary generators
- PDF and DOCX export with consistent formatting
- Auto-fill from LinkedIn profile import
Free tier includes one resume with limited templates. Premium at $19/month (or $5/month billed annually) unlocks all templates, AI features, and unlimited exports.
Pros:
- Best-looking templates of any resume builder
- AI content generation is fast and produces good starting points
- Website builder is a useful bonus for creative professionals
Cons:
- AI tailoring per job description is less developed than Teal
- ATS optimization is adequate but not as thorough as Rezi or Jobscan
- Free tier is very limited
Professionals in design, marketing, or creative fields who need a resume that stands out visually while still passing ATS filters.
Rezi
Rezi was built ATS-first. Every feature, from the editor to the AI writer to the templates, is designed to maximize your chances of passing automated screening. It scores your resume against ATS criteria in real time as you edit, flagging issues like missing keywords, incorrect formatting, and sections that parsers struggle with.
Key features:
- Real-time ATS score with specific fix recommendations
- AI bullet point generator trained on 500,000+ successful resumes
- Keyword optimization against specific job descriptions
- ATS-safe formatting that avoids tables, columns, and graphics that break parsers
- Interview preparation tool that generates likely questions per role
- Federal resume builder for USAJOBS applications
Free tier includes one resume with basic AI features. Pro plan at $29/month unlocks unlimited resumes, AI rewrites, and all templates.
Pros:
- Most thorough ATS optimization of any tool tested
- Real-time scoring makes it easy to iterate quickly
- Federal resume builder is rare and valuable for government job seekers
Cons:
- Templates prioritize ATS compatibility over visual design
- Pro pricing is higher than competitors
- Interface can feel cluttered with all the optimization suggestions
Job seekers applying to large companies and government positions where ATS filtering is aggressive. Rezi is also the best choice if you've been applying without responses, as it helps diagnose why your resume might be getting filtered out. For more on beating ATS systems, see our guide on how to get your resume past AI.
Resume.io
Resume.io is the fastest path from blank page to finished resume. The guided builder walks you through each section with pre-written suggestions, and the AI fills in bullet points based on your job title. You can have a complete, formatted resume in under 15 minutes.
Key features:
- Step-by-step guided builder with section-by-section prompts
- AI-generated bullet points based on role and industry
- 20+ templates with automatic formatting
- Multi-language support (20+ languages)
- ATS compatibility checker
- Cover letter builder included
7-day trial at $2.95. Monthly plan at $10.95. Annual plan at $44.95/year.
Pros:
- Fastest resume creation of any tool tested
- Clean, intuitive interface with no learning curve
- Good balance of design and ATS compatibility
Cons:
- AI tailoring per job posting is limited
- Fewer customization options than Teal or Rezi
- Trial pricing can catch users off guard if not canceled
People who need a professional resume quickly and don't want to spend hours learning a new platform. Students, career starters, and anyone updating a resume for the first time in years.
For a more hands-on approach to mastering AI tools like these, AI Academy walks you through real workflows step by step.
ChatGPT
ChatGPT isn't a resume builder, but it's the most flexible tool for rewriting bullet points, optimizing language, and strategizing your resume content. You can paste a job description and your current resume, then ask it to identify gaps, rewrite weak bullet points, and suggest quantifiable achievements.
Key features:
- Rewrite bullet points with stronger action verbs and metrics
- Analyze job descriptions to identify priority keywords
- Suggest achievements and quantifiable results based on your role
- Draft cover letters, LinkedIn summaries, and follow-up emails
- Role-play as a hiring manager to critique your resume
- Generate multiple versions for different target roles
Free tier works for basic resume editing. Plus plan at $20/month unlocks longer conversations, file uploads, and GPT-4o.
Pros:
- Most flexible and adaptable of any tool on this list
- Excellent at rewriting weak bullet points into strong ones
- Can handle any resume-adjacent task (cover letters, LinkedIn, interview prep)
Cons:
- No templates, formatting, or ATS scoring
- Requires you to format the final resume separately
- Output quality depends heavily on your prompts
People who already have a resume and need help improving the content, not the format. Pair ChatGPT with a formatting tool like Resume.io or Kickresume for the best of both worlds. For a complete walkthrough, check our guide on how to use ChatGPT for resume writing.
Jobscan
Jobscan is the gold standard for ATS analysis. Upload your resume and paste a job description, and Jobscan scores your match rate, identifies missing keywords, and shows you exactly what to change. It's less of a resume builder and more of a resume optimizer.
Key features:
- Match rate scoring against specific job descriptions
- Hard and soft skill keyword analysis with priority ranking
- ATS format checker that flags compatibility issues
- LinkedIn profile optimization tool
- Power Edit feature for inline AI-assisted rewrites
- Recruiter insights showing what hiring managers prioritize
Free tier includes 5 scans per month. Premium at $49.95/month (or $16.58/month billed quarterly) unlocks unlimited scans and all features.
Pros:
- Most detailed ATS analysis available
- Keyword priority ranking shows what matters most per job
- LinkedIn optimization is a valuable addition
Cons:
- Expensive compared to full resume builders
- Not a complete resume creation tool, you need a draft first
- Free tier is very limited at 5 scans
Job seekers who already have a solid resume and want to optimize it for specific postings. Jobscan works best as a complement to a resume builder, not a replacement.
Enhancv
Enhancv shines when your experience doesn't directly match your target role. Its AI analyzes transferable skills, suggests how to reframe your background for a new industry, and offers section types (like "My Time" and "Strengths") that let you highlight relevant qualities beyond job history.
Key features:
- Transferable skills analysis for career changers
- Content analyzer with recruiter-perspective feedback
- Custom sections beyond standard work experience
- AI bullet point writer with industry-specific suggestions
- Resume and cover letter in matching design
- Built-in resume checker with ATS compatibility score
Free tier includes one resume. Pro plan at $19.99/month (or $11.99/month annually) unlocks unlimited resumes, AI features, and all templates.
Pros:
- Best tool for positioning non-traditional backgrounds
- Custom sections add flexibility missing from other builders
- Content analyzer provides genuinely useful feedback
Cons:
- Less focused on keyword optimization than Rezi or Jobscan
- Template library is smaller than Kickresume
- Some premium features are only available on annual plans
Career changers, people re-entering the workforce, and anyone whose experience doesn't map neatly to their target role.
How to Choose the Right AI Resume Tool
If you need to tailor resumes per job: Teal is the clear winner. Its side-by-side job description analysis and per-application tracking make it the best workflow for active job seekers applying to many positions.
If ATS is your main concern: Pair Rezi (for ATS-first formatting) with Jobscan (for keyword analysis). This combination gives you the most thorough ATS optimization available.
If you need a great-looking resume fast: Kickresume for design-focused roles, Resume.io for speed.
If you want maximum flexibility: ChatGPT handles any resume task but requires a separate formatting tool. It's the best option if you want to deeply customize your approach.
If you're switching careers: Enhancv's transferable skills analysis and custom sections give career changers the most support.
Budget pick: Teal's free tier and ChatGPT's free tier together cover most needs for job seekers who can invest time instead of money.
FAQ
Do AI resume tools actually help you get hired?
AI resume tools improve your chances at the ATS screening stage, which is where most applications fail. Studies show that resumes optimized for ATS keywords are 3-5x more likely to reach a human reviewer. The tools won't guarantee interviews, but they remove the most common technical reason resumes get rejected: missing keywords and incompatible formatting.
Are ATS-optimized resumes less visually appealing?
Not necessarily. Modern ATS systems handle most standard formatting, including bold text, bullet points, and section headers. The main things to avoid are multi-column layouts, text boxes, headers/footers, and embedded images. Tools like Kickresume and Enhancv offer templates that look professional while remaining ATS-compatible.
Should I use a different resume for every job application?
Yes, and this is where AI tools add the most value. Each job posting emphasizes different skills and keywords, and ATS systems score your resume against those specific requirements. Teal and Jobscan make per-job tailoring fast by highlighting exactly which keywords each posting prioritizes. At minimum, adjust your summary, top skills, and 3-5 bullet points per application.
Can hiring managers tell if I used AI to write my resume?
Hiring managers can detect generic AI writing, specifically vague bullet points filled with buzzwords but lacking specific accomplishments. The fix is using AI to generate a first draft, then adding your real numbers, projects, and achievements. A bullet point like "Increased quarterly revenue by 23% through implementing automated lead scoring" reads as human. "Leveraged innovative strategies to drive transformative business outcomes" reads as AI.
Is it worth paying for an AI resume tool?
For active job seekers, yes. If you're applying to 10+ positions over a few weeks, even a $30/month tool pays for itself if it helps you land one additional interview. For people who only update their resume occasionally, ChatGPT's free tier combined with a free resume template is sufficient. The paid tools save the most time when you need to tailor resumes repeatedly and quickly.
Knowing which tools to use is only part of the equation — AI Academy teaches the practical skills behind getting real results from AI, whether for resumes or any other professional task.
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