Head-to-Head Comparison

CV-BY-JD vs Zety

An honest comparison of features, pricing, and use cases to help you choose the right resume builder.

Last updated: 2026-01-27

Try CV-BY-JD Free
5 free credits|No credit card required

TL;DR

Choose CV-BY-JD if you want AI chat-based editing, instant ATS scores, and no subscription fees. Choose Zety if you prefer users who want guided resume writing with templates.

At a Glance

CV-BY-JD

4.8
Starting price:$1.99/use
Best for:Job seekers who want AI-powered, ATS-optimized resumes without monthly subscriptions
Pricing model:Pay per use (no subscription)
Z
Starting price:$2.7/month
Best for:Users who want guided resume writing with templates
Pricing model:subscription

Detailed Feature Comparison

FeatureCV-BY-JDZety
AI Features
AI-Powered
Uses AI to help write and improve resume content
AI Chat Interface
Conversational AI for editing resume naturally
ATS & Optimization
ATS Optimization
Optimizes resume for Applicant Tracking Systems
ATS Score
Provides instant ATS compatibility score
Job Description Matching
Matches resume to specific job descriptions
Features
Templates
Number of resume templates available
1 (ATS-optimized)20
Import Resume
Upload existing resume to edit
Cover Letter Builder
Includes cover letter creation tools
LinkedIn Import
Import profile data from LinkedIn
Real-time Preview
See changes instantly as you edit
Unlimited Resumes
Create multiple resume versions
Pricing Model
No Subscription
No recurring monthly fees required
Credits Never Expire
Purchased credits have no expiration
Export Options
PDF Export
Download resume as PDF
DOCX Export
Download resume as Word document

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Pros and Cons

CV-BY-JD

Pros
  • No subscription required - pay once, use anytime
  • AI chat interface for natural resume editing
  • Instant ATS compatibility scores
  • Job description matching and optimization
  • Credits never expire
  • Entry price of just $1.99
  • 5 free credits to start
Cons
  • Single ATS-optimized template (by design for ATS compatibility)
  • No cover letter builder (focused on resumes)
  • No DOCX export (PDF recommended for ATS)

Zety

Pros
  • 20+ modern resume templates
  • Pre-written content suggestions
  • Cover letter builder included
  • Tips and guidance throughout
  • Multiple color schemes
Cons
  • Expensive monthly subscription
  • No ATS score feature
  • No AI chat for natural editing
  • No job description matching
  • Download requires payment

Pricing Breakdown

Recommended

CV-BY-JD

$1.99/use

Credits never expire - pay only when you need more

  • 5 free credits to start
  • Credits never expire
  • No subscription required
  • Pay only when you need more

Best for: Job seekers who want powerful AI without recurring fees

Zety

$2.7/month

14-day trial for $2.70, then $23.70/month

  • 14-day free trial
  • Requires monthly subscription
  • Credits/access may expire
  • Ongoing payment required

Best for: Users who want guided resume writing with templates

Cost Comparison Scenarios

See how costs compare over a typical job search period

Light user (5 applications)
$0.00
CV-BY-JD
$2.7/mo
Zety
Active job seeker (20 applications)
$5.97
CV-BY-JD
$2.7/mo
Zety
Heavy user (50 applications)
$17.91
CV-BY-JD
$2.7/mo
Zety

* Estimates based on typical usage. CV-BY-JD includes 5 free credits.

Our Verdict

Choose CV-BY-JD if you want:

  • • AI chat interface for natural resume editing
  • • Instant ATS compatibility scores
  • • No subscription fees - pay only when needed
  • • Job description matching and optimization
  • • Credits that never expire

Choose Zety if you want:

  • • 20+ modern resume templates
  • • Pre-written content suggestions
  • • Cover letter builder included
  • • Tips and guidance throughout
  • • Multiple color schemes

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is better: CV-BY-JD or Zety?

It depends on your needs. CV-BY-JD is better if you want AI-powered editing with no subscription, instant ATS scores, and job description matching. Zety is better if you prefer users who want guided resume writing with templates.

How much does CV-BY-JD cost compared to Zety?

CV-BY-JD starts at $1.99 with credits that never expire - no subscription required. Zety requires a subscription starting at $2.7/month.

Does CV-BY-JD have AI like Zety?

CV-BY-JD features a unique AI chat interface that lets you edit your resume through natural conversation. You can ask it to rewrite sections, add keywords, improve bullet points, and more. Zety also has AI features, but uses a more traditional form-based approach.

Other Comparisons

Resume.io$2.95/mo
Novoresume$16/mo
Indeed ResumeFree
Canva Resume$12.99/mo

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