ResumeMD vs Kickresume
Both offer AI-powered resume building, but with very different approaches. Here's an honest look at how they compare.
- • You want truly free PDF exports
- • You value privacy (no account needed)
- • You want AI job tailoring
- • You prefer Markdown/text-based editing
- • You want a personal website builder too
- • You prefer guided form-based editing
- • You want all branding tools in one place
- • You don't mind creating an account
Feature Comparison
| Feature | ResumeMD | Kickresume |
|---|---|---|
| Free PDF Export | ||
| No Account Required | ||
| ATS-Friendly Templates | ||
| Number of Templates | 32 | 35+ |
| AI Content Generation | ||
| AI Job Tailoring | ||
| Markdown Support | ||
| Multi-Format Export | PDF, DOCX, HTML, TXT | PDF (free), DOCX (paid) |
| Website Builder | ||
| Cover Letter Builder | ||
| Privacy (Local-First) | ||
| Design Customization | Colors, fonts, margins | Colors, sections |
| Resume Analytics | ||
| LinkedIn Import | ||
| Real-Time Preview | ||
| Best For | Tech, AI workflows, privacy-conscious | All-in-one personal branding |
Pricing & Free Tier
ResumeMD WinsResumeMD: All 32 templates, unlimited PDF/DOCX/HTML exports, resume analytics — completely free, forever. No signup, no watermarks, no hidden paywalls. Pro ($9/month) adds AI features and cloud sync.
Kickresume: Free tier is limited — only basic templates and you may encounter restrictions on PDF exports. Premium starts at $19/month for full template access and AI features.
Bottom line: ResumeMD's free tier is genuinely generous. Kickresume's free tier feels like a trial designed to push you to paid.
AI Features
ResumeMD WinsResumeMD: AI job tailoring (paste a job description, get optimized suggestions), AI content generation, and native Markdown support means AI tool output pastes directly. The free tier works seamlessly with external AI tools.
Kickresume: AI content generation for bullet points and summaries. No job-specific tailoring feature. Form-based editing means you can't easily paste AI-generated structured content.
Bottom line: ResumeMD's AI job tailoring is a unique advantage. Both have content generation, but ResumeMD's Markdown approach integrates better with external AI tools.
Personal Website Builder
Kickresume WinsKickresume: Includes a personal website builder that creates a portfolio site from your resume data. Good for job seekers who want an online presence without building a website from scratch.
ResumeMD: Offers public profile pages and embeddable resume widgets, but not a full personal website builder. Focuses on doing resumes exceptionally well rather than being an all-in-one platform.
Bottom line: If you need a personal website, Kickresume bundles it in. If you just need an excellent resume, ResumeMD is more focused.
Editing Experience
ResumeMD WinsResumeMD: Split-pane editor with Markdown on the left and live preview on the right. Full control over structure and formatting. Slash commands, keyboard shortcuts, and toolbar for quick formatting.
Kickresume: Form-based editor with predefined sections. Easier for beginners but less flexible. You fill in fields rather than writing freely, which limits how you structure your content.
Bottom line: ResumeMD gives power users full control. Kickresume is more guided but more restrictive.
Pricing Comparison
ResumeMD
Kickresume
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Kickresume really free?
Kickresume has a free tier, but it's limited. You may encounter restrictions on template access and PDF exports. ResumeMD's free tier includes all 32 templates and unlimited exports with no restrictions.
Which has better AI features?
Both have AI content generation. ResumeMD additionally offers AI job tailoring (optimize your resume for a specific job description) and native AI workflow support through Markdown.
Do I need a personal website?
For most job seekers, a well-crafted resume is sufficient. If you want an online portfolio, Kickresume bundles a basic one. ResumeMD offers public profile pages that serve a similar purpose.