Compare the 6 best CV builder tools for UK job seekers. ATS-friendly templates, GBP pricing, and an honest guide to UK CV formatting. Plus: ApplyArc's dedicated CV builder is launching soon.
| Feature | ApplyArc | Resume.io | Teal | Canva | Zety |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly price | £19/mo | $24.95 (~£20) | $29 (~£23) | Free / £10.99 | $24.95 (~£20) |
| GBP pricing | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ | ❌ |
| Free tier | ✅ (10 AI/mo) | ❌ | Limited | ✅ | ❌ |
| CV templates | Coming soon | 30+ | Basic | 1000+ | 20+ |
| AI CV optimiser | ✅ | ❌ | ✅ | ❌ | Basic |
| ATS-friendly | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ⚠️ Varies | ✅ |
| Cover letter AI | ✅ | Basic | ❌ | ❌ | Basic |
| Interview prep | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ |
| Job tracking | ✅ Kanban | ❌ | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ |
| Chrome extension | ✅ (50+ sites) | ❌ | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ |
| AI tool count | 17 tools | 1 | 2 | 0 | 1 |
Best all-in-one: CV optimiser + 17 AI career tools · Free / £19 Pro
Largest template library · $24.95/mo (~£20)
Best for ATS-focused CV tailoring · $29/mo (~£23)
Best for visual/creative CVs · Free / £10.99 Pro
Best pre-written content suggestions · $24.95/mo (~£20)
Best budget option with AI · $19/mo (~£15)
Most CV builders are American. These are the UK-specific rules they get wrong.
UK CVs are typically 2 pages. American-style 1-page resumes look incomplete to UK recruiters. Use the space to include a personal statement, key achievements, and education details.
UK CVs open with a 3-4 sentence personal statement summarising who you are, what you offer, and what you're looking for. Avoid the American 'objective' format.
Optimise, not optimize. Organise, not organize. Colour, not color. UK recruiters notice American spelling — it signals a generic, untailored CV.
Unlike European CVs, UK CVs typically do not include a photo. Exceptions: acting, modelling, and some creative roles. Adding a photo to a corporate CV looks unprofessional.
"Increased sales by 23%" beats "Responsible for sales". UK recruiters, especially in FTSE 100 firms, expect measurable impact, not job descriptions.
Most UK employers expect reverse chronological format. Skills-based CVs are acceptable for career changers but can raise questions about employment gaps.
75% of UK employers use Applicant Tracking Systems to filter CVs before a human ever reads them. If your CV isn't ATS-friendly, it's rejected automatically — regardless of your qualifications.
ApplyArc's CV optimiser analyses your CV against the specific job description and flags ATS issues. The upcoming CV builder will guarantee ATS compatibility for every template.
We're building a dedicated CV builder designed specifically for UK job seekers. Here's what's planned:
2-page layouts with personal statement, UK qualifications, and British English. Not American resume templates relabelled as CVs.
Every template tested against major ATS systems (Workday, Greenhouse, Lever, Taleo). Your CV will always parse correctly.
Paste a job description and our AI generates tailored bullet points, personal statements, and skills sections. UK English, every time.
Create a tailored CV for each application directly from your Kanban board. No switching between tools. One platform for everything.
Sign up free to get early access when the CV builder launches. In the meantime, use our AI CV optimiser to tailor your existing CV to every job.
Paste a job description → get specific suggestions to improve your CV's match rate. Keywords, formatting, and content gaps identified in seconds.
Generate a tailored cover letter for every application. UK English, professional tone, matched to the job description.
Prepare for competency-based interviews with STAR method coaching. Generate likely questions based on the job description and your experience.
Sign up free today. Use the AI CV optimiser now (10 free generations/month) and be first in line when the dedicated CV builder launches. GBP pricing, UK templates, ATS-guaranteed.