ResumeMD vs Zety
Both tools help you build a resume, but they differ in pricing transparency, download policies, and flexibility. Here's an honest comparison.
- • Want free PDF exports without paywall
- • Value privacy (no account required)
- • Need Markdown support + AI tailoring
- • Budget-conscious ($9/mo vs $25.95 per 4 weeks)
- • Prefer guided wizard-style builder
- • Want AI and pre-written content suggestions
- • You don't mind paying for formatted downloads
Feature Comparison
| Feature | ResumeMD | Zety |
|---|---|---|
| Free PDF Export | ||
| No Account Required | ||
| ATS-Friendly Templates | ||
| AI-Powered Job Tailoring | Yes (Pro) | |
| AI Content Suggestions | Yes (Pro) | |
| Number of Templates | 32 | 18 |
| Design Customization | Colors, fonts, margins | Colors, fonts |
| Privacy (Local-First) | ||
| Multi-Format Export | PDF free; DOCX, HTML, TXT with Pro | TXT free; PDF, DOCX paid |
| Real-Time Preview | ||
| Resume Analytics | Yes (ATS score with Pro) | |
| LinkedIn Import | ||
| Cover Letter Builder | Yes (Pro) | |
| Markdown Support | ||
| Learning Curve | Low | Low |
| Pricing (Pro) | $9/mo, $24/quarter, or $89/yr | $1.95 trial, then $25.95 per 4 weeks; $71.40/yr annual |
| Best For | Open format, no paywall | Guided step-by-step building |
Competitor pricing and features verified August 2026.
Download Freedom
ResumeMD WinsResumeMD: Export your resume as a PDF completely free—no strings attached. No account required, no paywall, no surprise charges, free forever. Pro ($9/mo) adds DOCX, HTML, and plain-text formats.
Zety: You can build and preview a resume for free, but the only free download is an unformatted plain-text (.txt) file. Formatted PDF or DOCX downloads require a paid plan — a limit many users discover only when they reach the download step.
Bottom line: If you want to build and download a resume without surprises, ResumeMD's free PDF export is the transparent choice.
Privacy & Transparency
ResumeMD WinsResumeMD: No account required. Your resume data stays in your browser's local storage by default. Nothing is uploaded to any server unless you explicitly opt into cloud sync. Start building immediately—no email, no registration.
Zety: Requires account creation with email verification before you can use the builder. Your resume data is stored on Zety's servers. No local-first or offline option available.
Bottom line: ResumeMD's local-first approach means your personal data stays on your device. Zety requires you to hand over your information before you can even start.
Value for Money
ResumeMD WinsResumeMD: The free tier is fully functional — 32 templates, unlimited PDF exports, resume analytics, LinkedIn import, and cloud sync with a free account. Pro at $9/month ($24/quarter or $89/year) adds unlimited resumes, DOCX, HTML, and plain-text export, full analytics with the ATS score, AI job tailoring, and version history. You get real value at every tier.
Zety: A $1.95 14-day trial auto-renews at $25.95 every 4 weeks — because it bills per 4 weeks rather than monthly, that is 13 charges a year, or $337.35 if left running. The annual plan is $71.40, which is cheaper than ResumeMD's $89/year. The free tier's only export is an unformatted plain-text file, so any formatted download requires payment.
Bottom line: ResumeMD Pro's monthly price is about a third of Zety's recurring rate, and the free tier already exports a usable PDF. Zety's annual plan is the cheaper annual option — but its free tier never produces a formatted download.
Content Assistance
TieZety: Offers AI writing suggestions and pre-written phrases tailored to specific job titles. The guided wizard walks you through each section step by step, which is helpful for first-time resume writers.
ResumeMD: Features AI-powered job tailoring (Pro) that analyzes a job description and tailors your resume to it. Markdown support means you can paste output from ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, or any AI and it's instantly formatted. More flexible, but less hand-holding.
Bottom line: Both offer solid content help. Zety's wizard is better for beginners who want guidance. ResumeMD's AI tailoring and Markdown flexibility are better for power users.
Pricing Comparison
ResumeMD
Zety
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Zety actually free?
You can build a resume for free, and the free tier lets you download it as a plain-text (.txt) file — but not a formatted one. PDF and DOCX downloads require a paid plan, which many users discover only at the download step.
Which has better value?
ResumeMD Pro is $9/month, $24/quarter, or $89/year, and the free tier already exports unlimited PDFs. Zety's $1.95 14-day trial auto-renews at $25.95 every 4 weeks — 13 charges a year, or $337.35 — though its $71.40 annual plan is cheaper than ResumeMD's $89. The free tiers differ more than the paid ones: ResumeMD's free PDF export has no paywall, while Zety's free download is plain text only.
Will my resume pass ATS?
No builder can promise a resume passes any specific ATS. Both ResumeMD and Zety produce output with clean formatting and standard section headers that parses cleanly in applicant tracking systems. The difference is that ResumeMD's PDF export is free, while Zety's formatted downloads require a paid plan.
Can I use AI-generated content?
ResumeMD natively supports Markdown, so output from ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, or any AI can be pasted directly and it's instantly formatted; built-in AI job tailoring comes with Pro. Zety has its own AI writing suggestions and pre-written phrases inside its wizard, but doesn't accept Markdown or external AI output natively.
Which is more transparent about pricing?
ResumeMD clearly shows what's free vs Pro on its pricing page. The free tier covers all 32 templates and unlimited PDF exports — DOCX, HTML, and plain text are Pro. Zety has been criticized for revealing only at download time that formatted files require payment, and its $1.95 trial auto-renews at $25.95 every 4 weeks unless cancelled.
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