Creating a resume sounds easy until you start it. You start out thinking, “I just need to list my jobs,” and end up three hours deep Googling resume templates, formatting tips, and whether or not you should still include an objective statement or your date of birth.
If you’re reading this, you’re probably already asking yourself the right question: what’s the best tool for creating a resume in 2025?
The good news is that there are options. Actually, a lot of them. But not all resume builders are created equal. Some are beautiful but lack real optimization. Others get you through Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) but leave you looking like a corporate robot. A few are free and fast, but limited. And then there are the tools that actually combine smarts, speed, and strategy.
I tried five of the most talked-about tools out there this year and broke down the pros and cons of each so you can choose the one that fits your needs.
1. Zety: Good for Templates and Quick Start
Zety has been a well-known name in the resume game for years. It’s often one of the first platforms people come across when searching for resume builders online. And for good reason—it offers a clean, guided process that helps even resume rookies produce something presentable.
Pros:
- User-friendly: Zety’s interface is simple and intuitive. You don’t need design experience or resume expertise to get started.
- Good selection of templates: Whether you’re looking for something classic or modern, there are several layout styles to choose from.
- Step-by-step guidance: Zety prompts you with suggestions for each section, which is helpful if you’re stuck trying to write bullet points.
Cons:
- It’s not free: You can build your resume, but you’ll need to pay to download it. This feels a little misleading to some users.
- Lacks deep customization: The templates are a bit rigid, and your ability to move sections around is limited.
- No job-matching intelligence: Zety focuses on format and writing help, but doesn’t align your resume with specific job listings or give ATS feedback.
Verdict:
Zety is a solid starting point if you need a resume quickly and want some hand-holding along the way. But it’s better suited for general resumes than job-specific applications.
2. Canva: Beautiful Resumes With a Design Edge
Canva wasn’t made for resumes, but it’s become one of the most popular platforms for job seekers who want their resume to stand out visually. If you care a lot about aesthetics—or work in a creative field—this one’s worth exploring.
Pros:
- Endless design flexibility: You can choose from hundreds of resume templates and customize everything from fonts to color schemes.
- Great for creatives: Designers, marketers, and visual professionals can create resumes that reflect their personal brand.
- Free version available: You don’t have to upgrade to make a solid resume, though premium assets come with Canva Pro.
Cons:
- No writing guidance: Canva is all design. If you’re unsure what to say or how to say it, you’re on your own.
- Not ATS-friendly: Many of Canva’s resumes have multiple columns, icons, or images that don’t translate well to applicant tracking systems.
- Overdesign risk: Some resumes end up looking like Instagram posters instead of professional job applications.
Verdict:
Canva is ideal for industries where visual flair matters more than ATS optimization—think portfolio jobs, design, or certain marketing roles. But for traditional roles or big companies, be cautious about formatting.
3. Novoresume: Polished and Feature-Rich
Novoresume has carved out a nice space for itself by combining professional-looking designs with resume-writing tools. It positions itself as a high-end resume builder for ambitious job seekers—and for the most part, it delivers.
Pros:
- Sleek interface: The builder is intuitive, and the resumes look sharp.
- Helpful content suggestions: You’ll get writing tips and section prompts that help you build your resume faster.
- One-page resume optimization: Novoresume has a smart feature that helps you keep everything concise without losing impact.
Cons:
- Limited free use: You’ll need a subscription to unlock most of the useful features and templates.
- Less flexibility in layout: Like Zety, Novoresume has some limits on how much you can rearrange sections.
- No smart job-matching: It doesn’t personalize your resume to each job posting or suggest resume changes based on role.
Verdict:
Novoresume is great for someone who wants a polished resume and is willing to pay for premium access. It feels like a nice balance between form and function, but may not be smart enough for today’s AI-driven job market.
4. Teal: Good for Job Organization, Less for Resume Building
Teal has gained popularity among job seekers who want more than just a resume builder. It markets itself as a “job search tracker,” and the resume tool is just one part of the ecosystem.
Pros:
- Job tracking dashboard: Teal helps you manage applications, track progress, and stay organized.
- Basic resume customization: You can create different resume versions for different jobs.
- Chrome extension for job saves: Makes it easy to collect listings from LinkedIn and other platforms.
Cons:
- Limited design options: The resume builder is more functional than stylish.
- Light on AI: The resume-writing suggestions are minimal compared to other platforms.
- No deep ATS analysis: While you can tailor resumes, there’s no feedback on ATS optimization.
Verdict:
Teal is a great tool for staying on top of a job search, especially if you like having everything in one place. But the resume builder feels secondary to the broader features. If your main goal is crafting a standout resume, you may need more support than Teal offers.
5. LightResume: Smart, Fast, and Built for Interviews
Now let’s talk about LightResume, part of the Lightforth platform.
If you haven’t heard of it yet, Lightforth is an AI-powered toolkit that’s been getting a lot of love for helping job seekers actually land interviews and not only just build pretty resumes. LightResume is the resume engine behind that mission.
Unlike many other tools, LightResume wasn’t built for design or templates first. It was built to help real people get noticed by real companies and that makes a big difference in how it works.
Pros:
- Job-matching intelligence: LightResume doesn’t just ask for your work history. It scans job descriptions, then adapts your resume to highlight the exact skills recruiters are scanning for.
- ATS optimized: Every resume built with LightResume is designed to beat the filters most companies use. You won’t get disqualified for having columns, logos, or strange formatting.
- Real-time feedback: The AI suggests better phrasing, power verbs, and ways to quantify your achievements—so you don’t waste hours wondering if your resume is “good enough.”
- Fast and personalized: You can create multiple versions of your resume based on different job types in minutes.
- Seamless integration with Auto-Apply and Interview Prep: If you’re using Lightforth’s other tools, LightResume feeds right into them, making your entire job search experience smoother.
Cons:
- Less flashy visually: The focus here is clarity and compatibility, not design-heavy resumes. Creative professionals may want to pair it with a portfolio.
- Currently geared toward serious job seekers: If you’re just casually browsing or not ready to apply, it might feel like overkill.
Verdict:
LightResume is the tool you use when you’re serious about getting interviews. It strips away the guesswork and positions you as a competitive, professional candidate—especially in industries that use ATS and expect a clean, well-structured resume. It’s also ideal for career changers, job returners, or anyone trying to reframe experience in a way that gets noticed.
So, What’s the Best Resume Tool in 2025?
It depends on what you need.
- Want something beautiful for a creative job? Try Canva.
- Need fast structure and suggestions? Zety and Novoresume are solid choices.
- Want to organize your job search with your resume? Teal could work.
- But if you want to build a smart, tailored, interview-ready resume that actually gets through filters and leads to results? LightResume is where you should start.
In a market flooded with generic applications and “good enough” templates, LightResume focuses on impact. It’s built for people who don’t just want to apply—they want to get hired.
Just Before You Make Your Choice
Always remember that 2025 is not the year to wing your resume. Recruiters are flooded with applicants. Companies are using increasingly sophisticated systems to filter candidates. If your resume doesn’t hit the right marks—both visually and structurally—it’s likely to be ignored, no matter how talented you are.
The right resume tool can make the difference between landing interviews and getting ghosted. And with smart platforms like LightResume, the process doesn’t have to be slow, confusing, or frustrating.
If you’re ready to finally get traction in your job search, start by giving your resume the upgrade it deserves. Use LightResume today!
