Which resume builder is better for technical roles?

Neither Zety nor Resume Genius specializes in technical fields. Both offer generic templates that work for any industry. Software engineers should consider tools that understand code repositories, technical metrics, and engineering terminology. SWEResume provides AI trained specifically on how to describe technical achievements in ways that resonate with both technical and non-technical hiring managers.

How do I cancel Zety or Resume Genius?

You must contact customer support to cancel either service. Plan ahead because this process takes time. Mark day 10 on your calendar to assess whether the subscription justifies the monthly cost. Resume Genius gives you a watermarked preview without paying, so you can test quality before the trial starts.

Do Zety and Resume Genius pass ATS screening?

Yes, both export PDFs with selectable text that parses correctly in Workday, Greenhouse, Lever, and other major systems. The templates use clean, single-column layouts without graphics that confuse parsers. The bigger question is whether your content passes screening, not the formatting.

What is the real monthly cost difference?

Resume Genius costs $23.85 every 4 weeks, while Zety charges $24.70. The annual difference is about $11. Both trials cost roughly $1.95-2.95 for 14 days. The real cost comes from forgetting to cancel. If you only need one resume, use the trial and cancel immediately after downloading.

Can I use either tool without paying?

Resume Genius lets you build and download a watermarked version without entering payment info. This preview shows you exactly what you get before committing. Zety blocks all downloads until you pay. Neither offers a genuinely free professional resume.

Will these resumes work for competitive tech roles?

The templates look professional and work for any company. The limitation is content quality. Both tools suggest generic bullet points that lack the specific technical depth top companies expect. You will need to rewrite most AI suggestions to include your actual technical stack, performance improvements, and project outcomes.

Zety vs Resume Genius: Which Resume Builder is Right for You?

Quick Verdict

Both Zety and Resume Genius are solid choices for general job seekers who want professional resumes quickly. Zety offers more design flexibility with its drag-and-drop editor. Resume Genius provides better step-by-step guidance for beginners. Both produce ATS-friendly PDFs and have extensive template libraries. However, their AI writing features are basic and their subscription models require attention to cancellation terms.

Choose Zety if you want creative control over your layout. Choose Resume Genius if you prefer guided assistance through the writing process. Both work well for most industries, though neither specializes in technical roles.

Zety vs Resume Genius: Side-by-Side

Feature	Zety	Resume Genius
Starting Price	$1.95 for 14-day trial Auto-renews at $24.70/mo	Free download with watermark $2.95 for 14-day trial
Template Count	20+ professional templates	20+ professional templates
AI Writing	Basic suggestions	Basic suggestions
ATS Compatibility	Good	Good
Technical Skills	Generic lists only	Generic lists only
Engineering Focus	None	None
Export Formats	PDF, DOCX, TXT	PDF, DOCX, TXT
Customer Support	Email only	Email only
Cancellation	Must contact support	Must contact support

Last updated: February 2026. Pricing and features subject to change.

Zety Review

Zety

Visit zety.com

Zety has established itself as one of the most popular resume builders available. With over 20 professional templates and an intuitive drag-and-drop interface, it serves job seekers across virtually every industry. The platform emphasizes speed and ease of use without sacrificing quality.

+Strengths: The interface is clean and responsive. Templates look polished and professional. The editor gives you real control over section placement and formatting. Strong selection of matching cover letter templates.

+ATS Compatibility: PDF exports are fully text-selectable and parse reliably across major applicant tracking systems including Workday, Greenhouse, and Lever.

+AI Writing: Offers basic content suggestions to help overcome writer's block. While not highly sophisticated, it provides a useful starting point for bullet points.

~Pricing Model: The 14-day trial at $1.95 converts to a monthly subscription at $24.70. You must contact support to cancel, so set a reminder if you only need one resume.

Best for: Job seekers who want creative control over their resume layout and appreciate a polished, modern interface.

Resume Genius Review

Resume Genius

Visit resumegenius.com

Resume Genius takes an educational approach to resume building. The platform guides users through each section with contextual tips and an extensive library of pre-written bullet points. This hand-holding approach makes it particularly valuable for those new to resume writing.

+Strengths: Step-by-step guidance explains what to include in each section. The pre-written bullet library covers dozens of industries and roles. Excellent for career changers translating experience to new fields.

+Free Preview: You can build and download a watermarked version at no cost. This lets you evaluate the final output before any financial commitment.

+ATS Compatibility: Clean, single-column templates that parse reliably through applicant tracking systems. No hidden formatting issues.

~Pricing Model: The 14-day trial costs $2.95 and renews at $23.85/month. Like Zety, cancellation requires contacting support.

Best for: First-time resume writers, career changers, and anyone who appreciates guided assistance through the writing process.

Key Differences

While both tools produce quality results, they approach resume building differently. Here are the practical differences that matter:

Editor Flexibility vs Guided Flow

Zety gives you a flexible canvas where you can rearrange sections freely. This appeals to users who know exactly what they want. Resume Genius follows a linear, step-by-step wizard that ensures you do not miss any important sections. This helps beginners but may feel restrictive to experienced users.

AI Writing Assistance

Both offer AI-powered suggestions, but the implementation differs. Zety focuses on completing your thoughts within existing sections. Resume Genius provides extensive pre-written bullet libraries organized by job type. Neither produces highly sophisticated output, but both help overcome blank-page syndrome.

Pricing and Cancellation

Both tools use a trial-to-subscription model. Zety charges $1.95 for 14 days then $24.70/month. Resume Genius charges $2.95 for 14 days then $23.85/month. The key difference: Resume Genius lets you preview watermarked downloads before paying. Both require contacting support to cancel, so set a calendar reminder if you only need one resume.

Pricing Breakdown

Understanding the pricing model helps you make an informed decision. Both tools offer low-cost trials that convert to monthly subscriptions:

Cost Type	Zety	Resume Genius
14-Day Trial	$1.95	$2.95
Monthly Subscription	$24.70	$23.85
Annual Cost	$296.40	$286.20
Cancellation Method	Contact support required	Contact support required

The trial periods offer full access to all features, making them ideal if you need just one resume. The monthly subscriptions only make sense if you are actively job searching across multiple roles or updating your resume frequently.

Important: Both services require contacting customer support to cancel. Mark day 10 on your calendar of your trial to evaluate whether you need another month. Cancel promptly after downloading your resume to avoid the $24+ monthly charge.

Resume Genius offers one advantage here: you can download a watermarked preview without entering payment details. This lets you verify the output quality before committing to the trial.

Who Each Tool Serves Best

Both Zety and Resume Genius excel for general professional roles across industries like marketing, sales, administration, and management. However, their one-size-fits-all approach creates limitations for specialized fields.

Best Use Cases

These tools work particularly well for:

Career changers entering new industries
Recent graduates with limited experience
General business and administrative roles
Customer service and retail management positions
Anyone needing a professional resume quickly without design skills

Where They Fall Short

The generic nature of these tools becomes apparent in specialized fields:

Technical roles requiring specific terminology and metrics
Creative positions needing portfolio integration
Executive roles requiring strategic narrative crafting
Academic and research positions with publication requirements

For specialized fields, purpose-built tools often deliver better results. SWEResume.app focuses specifically on technical roles, using AI trained to understand engineering achievements and the specific metrics that recruiters at top tech companies look for.

The key insight: generic tools work for generic roles. When your field requires specific expertise, documentation, or terminology, look for tools built with that context in mind.

Final Verdict

Which Should You Choose?

Choose Zety if: You want design flexibility and a polished interface. The drag-and-drop editor gives you control over your layout. Ideal if you know what sections you want and where they should go.

Choose Resume Genius if: You are writing your first resume or changing careers. The step-by-step guidance ensures you include all necessary information. The free watermarked preview lets you test before paying.

Consider alternatives if: You work in a specialized field like software engineering, data science, or academic research. Generic tools may not capture the specific terminology, metrics, or achievements your industry expects.

Our Recommendation: For most general job seekers, Resume Genius offers slightly better value due to its free preview option. You can verify the output quality before entering payment details. Zety is the better choice if you prioritize design control.

Both tools deliver professional results for standard roles. Add a calendar event two days before your trial ends to decide whether to continue. Either tool works well for general job seekers who remember to cancel on time. If you work in a technical field, consider specialized tools like SWEResume.app that understand the specific requirements of engineering resumes and the metrics that technical recruiters prioritize.

Zety vs Resume Genius: An Honest Comparison

What You'll Learn