In a competitive job market, an attractive and comprehensive resume that showcases your skills can make all the difference between scoring an interview or getting shut out. In the past, creating a resume usually meant getting on your computer and opening a program like Microsoft Word.

Now, there are many excellent resume-building apps that can help you create resumes, cover letters, and more. Here are our picks for the eight best inexpensive or free resume-builder apps.

Some of the apps included here have iOS and Android versions, while others are exclusive to one platform. Many have online resume-building functionality, as well.

Best for Importing Work History: VisualCV Resume Builder

VisualCV Resume Builder is a highly customizable app with more than 1 million active users across multiple platforms. VisualCV Resume Builder makes it easy to build your resume with a selection of built-in templates.

  • Built-in templates.

  • Easy sharing options.

  • Runs on multiple devices.

  • Lots of customizations.

  • Few templates are free.

  • Some templates include the jobseeker’s photo.

  • Must upgrade to the Pro version for important features.

Import and modify an existing resume or CV in either Word or PDF format from Dropbox or another supported repository, or start from scratch with the app’s Basic or Visual Editor. With Basic, enter category-specific information, such as work experience and education, and VisualCV populates your chosen template. With the Visual Editor, fill in each section on-the-fly in the template. Integrate the app with your LinkedIn profile to import existing resume information with a few taps.

Easily modify colors, font sizes, and margins. Use the preview feature to see how your resume will look when you share it. Share your completed resume quickly and easily, and create a custom URL where your resume will reside. Make this free web page public and indexable by search engines, or go private to share only with select people.

A stats dashboard details your resume’s number of views and downloads. You can track metrics for up to six resumes or CVs for no charge.

Download and use the app for free, or upgrade to the Pro version for $12 (quarterly) or $18 (billed monthly) per month, and gain additional templates, features, and a personal domain name.

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Best for Simplicity: Resume Star

Rather than struggle with fitting your employment and education history along with other relevant details into a template, Resume Star provides an easy-to-use interface that prompts you for this information, broken down into categories. View your updated resume at any point during the process.

  • Quick sign-up process.

  • See example resumes and cover letters.

  • Simple wizard walkthrough.

  • Saves without a watermark.

  • Limited formatting customizability.

While the resume formatting is limited to one template, several samples are included from various lines of work if you need some inspiration for the wording.

Create your resume in PDF format and then email it from the app. If you use the browser-based version, download it to your computer. Write customized cover letters tailored toward as many companies as you wish.

Resume Star has a unique monetization model. Its developers say, “Score that interview, or pay us nothing.” Download and use the full-featured app for free, then pay a suggested fee when you land a job. The suggested fee varies depending on the app platform you use as well as your new salary.

Best for a Polished Resume Look: Resume Builder

One of the more polished apps to make the list, Resume Builder offers ten clean-looking resume templates. It also provides a streamlined interface that prompts you to enter your relevant information by category. Quickly add a photo of yourself from your device’s library or the camera. Build variations on your resume customized to different job prospects.

  • Premade templates.

  • Instant previews.

  • Cover letter support.

  • Offline use.

  • Isn’t free.

  • Works on iOS only.

The iOS-only app lets you customize a cover letter with your handwritten signature and includes it with your completed resume with the push of a button. It is integrated with Apple Mail, Dropbox, Evernote, Box, Google Drive, and more. Resume Builder typically costs $4.99 but is on sale occasionally for $2.99 in the App Store.

Best iOS-Only App: Resume Builder CV Resume Maker

Resume Builder CV Resume Maker lets you modify standard resume sections, such as objective and work experience, and also allows you to add custom sections. Choose from a variety of templates, though most aren’t free. Pay $3.99 or $4.99 to unlock other templates and features, including the ability to create a targeted cover letter to accompany your resume. Paying for an upgrade also removes ads.

  • Free app.

  • Preview any time.

  • Easy to use.

  • iOS only.

  • Limited templates.

  • Some editing isn’t free.

  • Lots of ads.

Resume Builder CV Resume Maker includes three fonts in its free version (Arial, Calibri, and Georgia). It lets you expand or decrease the horizontal and vertical margins using sliding toolbars. Once complete, the app composes an email with your PDF-formatted resume attached to the Apple Mail client.

Best Free Android-Only App: My Resume Builder, CV Free Jobs

Exclusive to Android, the free My Resume Builder has amassed a user base with over 5 million downloads. This easy-to-use app is updated often and serves more than 130 resume and CV templates. Store different variations of your resume for different prospective employers, and work on your resume in offline mode.

  • Wizard walkthrough.

  • Exports to PDF.

  • Back up files online.

  • Works on Android only.

  • Not very user friendly.

  • Low-quality previews.

  • Shows ads.

My Resume Builder is free. However, there are ads, though the ads are unobtrusive. You end up with a professional-looking PDF file to distribute wherever you choose. The app supports the ability to include your custom signature and photo, adding a personal touch to your completed documents.

Best for Resume Collaboration: Apple Pages

Apple Pages is part of the iWork suite. It’s a free word processor app for the iPad and iPhone, and it’s adept at resume creation. With six predefined templates that are somewhat customizable, Pages lets you send your completed resume in several formats, including PDF, Word, RTF, and ePub.

  • Lots of export options.

  • Attractive interface.

  • Updates often.

  • Collaboration options.

  • No Android app.

  • Huge file size.

  • Limited template selection.

This app lets you collaborate with other users on your document, making it easy to get feedback and assistance from friends and colleagues while finalizing your resume for distribution.

If you aren’t satisfied with the default templates, paid apps are available from third-party developers that offer dozens more. One such offering is Templates for Pages, which is $24.99, and contains almost 3,000 templates for all document types, including resumes.

Best for User Friendliness: CV Writer: Professional Resume Designer & Builder

The CV Writer app, known as Resume Builder App Free in the Google Play store, includes 16 resume templates and a built-in spell-check feature. It also allows you to choose from dozens of fonts, unlike many of its competitors. Create a cover letter and get useful interview tips and suggestions on resume content.

  • Good assortment of templates.

  • Both Android and iOS versions

  • Cover letter option.

  • Very user-friendly app.

  • Must update to the Pro version for full functionality.

Print and email your resume from your mobile device and save it to Google Drive, iCloud, Dropbox, and OneDrive.

Download and use the app for free, but you’ll need to upgrade to the $7.99 Pro version to unlock more features.

Best Option You Probably Already Use: Word Online and Google Docs

If you’re looking for a solution you already likely use, take a look at Google Docs and Microsoft’s web-based Word Online.

  • Free, web-based apps.

  • Collaborate and share files.

  • Always stored online.

  • Includes templates.

  • Not made specifically for resume creation.

  • No resume building walkthroughs.

While these free, browser-based web solutions weren’t created specifically to build resumes, both have accessible resume templates that are easy to use and customize. Since you may be familiar with these interfaces, creating a resume in a freeform style is likely easy and intuitive.

Both Word and Google Docs have handy mobile apps so you can build your resume while you’re on-the-go.

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