Kickresume Review: Rate My CV vs Kickresume AI Resume Builder (2026)
A free ATS resume scanner vs an AI-powered resume builder. Which tool actually gets your resume past the filters?
$0 vs $24/mo
Price difference
Kickresume is an AI resume builder that helps job seekers create professional resumes using templates, AI writing tools, and a built-in resume checker. The platform offers 40+ resume templates with customizable typography and design options, an AI resume writer powered by GPT-4 that generates bullet points from your job title, and a cover letter builder that tailors content to each job description. With a mobile app for iPhone and Android, Kickresume positions itself as an all-in-one career toolbox for the modern job search.
But Kickresume is fundamentally a resume creation tool. It helps you build a resume from scratch — it does not analyze how well your existing resume matches a specific job posting. That is where Rate My CV comes in.
Rate My CV is a free ATS resume scanner. Instead of creating resumes, it reads your existing document and compares it against any job description you paste in. In 30 seconds, you see which keywords are missing, how your formatting scores for applicant tracking system compatibility, and exactly what to fix. No account, no subscription, no download paywall.
The distinction matters because these tools solve different problems in the resume creation process. Kickresume answers the question "How do I build a professional resume?" Rate My CV answers the question "Will this resume actually get past the ATS and reach a recruiter?" Many job seekers need both — and the smartest workflow uses them together.
Feature-by-feature comparison
Feature
Rate My CV
Kickresume
Primary function
ATS resume scanner — analyzes and scores existing resumes
AI resume builder — creates resumes from templates
ATS scoring against job descriptions
Free — matches your resume to any specific job posting
✓
Resume checker scores against general best practices (not job-specific)
Keyword gap analysis
Shows exactly which keywords from the job description are missing
✓
No keyword matching against specific job postings
AI resume writing
$7 one-time — full DOCX rewrite using STAR method
AI resume writer generates bullet points from job titles (GPT-4 powered)
Resume builder / editor
Coming soon
Full builder with 40+ resume templates and customizable design
✓
Cover letter builder
Free cover letter generator
AI cover letter builder tailors content to job descriptions (paid plan)
ATS checker
Free — detailed analysis against real job postings
✓
Built-in resume checker with ATS score (general, not job-specific)
Resume templates
N/A (scanner tool)
40+ templates including 4 free basic resume templates
✓
Free plan
Unlimited scans, no account required
✓
4 basic templates, PDF export, limited AI features
No subscription. No premium plan. No recurring charges.
Kickresume
Free tier4 basic templates, PDF export, limited features
Paid$24/month or $8/month annual ($96/year)
Free plan is more generous than most competitors. AI features require premium.
The honest verdict
Kickresume is a solid AI resume builder with real strengths. The AI writing features powered by GPT-4 genuinely save time — generating bullet points from a job title is faster than writing from scratch, and the content quality is above average for AI resume tools. The template design is professional, the free plan is more generous than most competitors, and the mobile app adds convenience for job seekers who need to make quick edits.
For job seekers starting from nothing — no existing resume, no idea how to structure one — Kickresume provides a guided resume creation process that produces a professional document quickly. At $8 per month on the annual plan, the cost is reasonable for an active job search.
But Kickresume has a blind spot that matters: it builds resumes in a vacuum. The AI generates content based on job titles and general best practices. The checker scores your resume against internal benchmarks. Neither feature compares your finished resume against the specific job you are applying to — the job description with its own unique set of required skills, preferred tools, and industry-specific language.
That gap is where most qualified candidates get filtered out by ATS software. Your resume might be well-written and beautifully formatted, but if it does not contain the exact keywords the employer programmed into their applicant tracking system, it never reaches a human recruiter.
Rate My CV fills that gap for free. After building your resume in Kickresume or any builder, upload it to Rate My CV with the job description. In 30 seconds you see your keyword match score and exactly what to add. The builder creates a strong foundation. The scanner makes sure it matches each specific opportunity.
Kickresume offers a free plan that includes 4 basic resume templates with PDF export. The free tier is more generous than many resume builders — you can download a usable resume without paying. However, AI writing tools, the full template library (40+ templates), the ATS resume checker, and the cover letter builder all require the premium plan starting at $8 per month on the annual plan.
Is Kickresume worth paying for?
If you need to create a resume from scratch and want AI-powered writing assistance, the annual plan at $8 per month is reasonable value. The AI resume writer saves significant time, and the templates are professional. If you already have a resume and primarily need ATS optimization against specific job descriptions, Rate My CV does that for free.
Are Kickresume templates ATS-friendly?
Most of Kickresume's standard templates are designed to be ATS-compatible with clean layouts and proper formatting. Some creative templates with columns or graphics may cause parsing issues with certain applicant tracking systems. Stick to simpler templates for maximum ATS compatibility, and scan the result through Rate My CV to verify.
How does Kickresume compare to other resume builders like Zety or Resume Genius?
Kickresume's strongest advantage is its AI writing capability — the GPT-4 powered resume writer generates higher-quality bullet points than most competitors. Zety offers more content suggestions and a larger template library but has a more aggressive subscription model. All are builders, not scanners — none compare your resume against specific job descriptions. Use Rate My CV alongside any builder for that.
Is Kickresume better than ChatGPT for writing a resume?
Kickresume uses GPT-4 from OpenAI under the hood, so the underlying AI is similar. The advantage of Kickresume is the structured resume format — it handles layout, design, typography, and section organization automatically. ChatGPT gives you raw text that you need to format yourself. For ATS keyword optimization against specific job postings, neither tool does this — use Rate My CV.
Can I download my resume from Kickresume in different formats?
Yes. Even the free plan allows PDF export, which is a significant advantage over competitors like Zety. Premium plans add Word document export. Both PDF and Word formats are accepted by virtually all employers and applicant tracking systems.
What do user reviews say about Kickresume?
Customer reviews across Trustpilot, G2, and the App Store are generally positive, with users praising the template quality, AI writing tools, and ease of use. The most common criticisms involve the pricing structure and occasional limitations in AI-generated content that requires manual editing.
Who should use Kickresume?
Kickresume is best suited for job seekers who need to create a resume from scratch and want AI writing assistance, students building their first professional resume, and anyone who values modern template design. If you already have a resume and primarily need to optimize it for specific job applications, Rate My CV's free scanner is the more appropriate tool.