Is Resume Genius Free?
What you can do for free, what you have to pay for, and what it costs.
Short answer: partly. You can build a resume in Resume Genius for free, but the free plan only downloads your resume as plain text (TXT). Cover letters download free in any format. To download your resume as a PDF or Word file, you need a paid plan: a 14-day trial for $2.95 that renews at $23.95 every 4 weeks, or $95.40 a year, renewing yearly.
What's free and what isn't
| You want to… | Free plan | Paid plan |
|---|---|---|
| Build and edit a resume | Yes | Yes |
| Download your resume as plain text (TXT) | Yes | Yes |
| Download your resume as PDF or Word | No | Yes |
| Download a cover letter (PDF, Word, TXT) | Yes | Yes |
| Blank Word and Google Docs templates | Yes | Yes |
A TXT file keeps your words but loses the layout: no fonts, bold headings or design. It's fine for pasting into an online application form, but not for emailing to an employer, uploading as your resume, or printing for an interview. For those you need a PDF or Word file, and that's the part Resume Genius charges for.
What Resume Genius costs
| Free plan download | TXT (plain text) for resumes; cover letters download free in any format |
|---|---|
| Trial | $2.95 for 14 days |
| After the trial | Renews automatically at $23.95 every 4 weeks until you cancel |
| Annual plan | $95.40 a year, renewing yearly |
| First year if the trial is never cancelled | $314.30 |
| Refunds | Resume Genius says it will refund in full if you ask within 14 days. Its terms say it "may" refund customers still in their 14-day term. |
The trial is the cheapest way in, but it's also the easiest way to pay more than you meant to. If you forget to cancel, it turns into $23.95 every 4 weeks. Its terms also say that after you cancel you can still view your documents, but not download, print or edit them. If you've already been charged, see how to cancel Resume Genius and ask for a refund.
How to get a free PDF resume
- Copy your Resume Genius text into a free builder that downloads PDFs. Download the TXT file and paste each section into a builder whose free plan includes PDF downloads. You keep all your writing.
- Use a free template in a word processor. Paste the text into a Google Docs or Word template, format it yourself, and save it as a PDF. This is free but takes the longest.
- Start from a resume written for your job. If you haven't written much yet, starting from a sample for your job is faster than a blank page.
A builder with free PDF downloads
Resume Star works differently. You don't need a card to start, so there's no trial and nothing to cancel.
- Free PDF downloads, as often as you like. No watermark, in the Classic and Modern designs, whether or not you ever pay.
- A resume already written for your job. Pick from more than 50 jobs, such as nurse, CNA, truck driver or cashier, and replace the sample details with your own.
- Pay once, only if it helped. $14.99 to $29.99 depending on what you earn, one time. Never a subscription. Paying adds the premium designs and unlimited AI help with your wording.
- Cover letter included at no extra cost.
Frequently asked questions
Is Resume Genius free to use?
You can build a resume for free, but the free plan downloads resumes only as plain text (TXT). Cover letters download free as PDF, Word or TXT.
How much does Resume Genius cost?
A 14-day trial costs $2.95 and renews automatically at $23.95 every 4 weeks. The annual plan is $95.40 a year, renewing yearly. Prices checked October 2026.
Is the Resume Genius trial free?
No. The trial costs $2.95 and renews into a paid subscription unless you cancel before it ends. Resume Genius says it will refund in full if you ask within 14 days.
Can I download my Resume Genius resume as a PDF for free?
No. On the free plan you can only download your resume as a TXT file. You can paste that text into another builder or a word processor and save it as a PDF there.
Is there a resume builder that is actually free?
Yes. Resume Star lets you download your resume as a PDF for free, as often as you like, with no watermark, trial or card. See what each resume builder costs.
Related
Resume Star is not affiliated with Resume Genius. Names are used only to identify the services. Prices are in US dollars, taken from each builder's pricing page and terms in October 2026, and can change, so check the builder's own site before you pay or cancel. Sources: resumegenius.com/pricing, resumegenius.com/terms-of-use.
Build your resume with Resume Star
Start from a sample written for your job, replace the details with your own, and download a polished PDF in minutes.
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Templates written for your job. Real sample content for your role and experience level, not a blank page.
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Download first, pay later. Unlimited PDF downloads for free. If Resume Star helped, pay a one-time fee. No subscription.
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A clean, professional PDF. Formatted for you, so it looks right when you print it, email it or upload it to an application.
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Cover letter included. Write a matching cover letter at no extra cost.
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Works on any device. Start on your phone and finish on your computer. Your work is saved as you go.