Zety Full Review (2026): Pros, Cons, Everything You Should Know

If you're exploring resume builders in 2026, you've likely come across Zety—a popular platform that promises to simplify the job application process with AI-powered tools and professional templates. This Zety review will walk you through everything you need to know about the service, from its core features and pricing structure to real user experiences and potential drawbacks.

Pros and Cons Summary

What Users Like:

• Highly intuitive interface that simplifies resume creation for users of all experience levels
• 18 professional, ATS-optimized templates with extensive customization options
• AI-powered content generation provides tailored bullet points based on your industry and job title
• Integrated cover letter builder creates matching documents using information from your resume

Common Complaints:

• Free plan only allows plain text downloads, making it impractical for most job applications
• Pricing structure can feel misleading, with low trial price jumping to $25.95 every four weeks
• Multiple user reports of subscription cancellation difficulties and unexpected charges
• Four-week billing cycle results in 13 charges per year instead of 12

Customer Feedback Analysis

Examining real user experiences provides valuable insight into how Zety performs in practice. As of January 2026, Zety maintains a 4.2 out of 5 rating on Trustpilot based on 11,381 reviews—a substantial sample size that lends credibility to the overall assessment.

Positive Feedback:

Users consistently highlight three main strengths. First, the ease of use receives frequent praise, with reviewers describing the platform as "user-friendly" and noting how it "gives you hints" throughout the process. One user commented that it was "very very easy to make resume it save my time," capturing the efficiency that many appreciate. Second, the template variety and quality earn strong marks, with users valuing the professional appearance of the finished documents. Third, many reviewers specifically mention the content quality, appreciating how the pre-written suggestions and AI-generated text help them articulate their experience effectively.

Negative Feedback:

The most common complaint centers on cancellation difficulties and unexpected charges. Multiple reviewers report being charged after attempting to cancel their subscriptions, with some describing ongoing monthly fees despite following cancellation procedures. One frustrated user noted that "after cancellation they continued to charge me a $25 monthly subscription fee."

Pricing transparency is another frequent source of dissatisfaction. Users describe feeling misled by the advertised free plan, only to discover that downloading a professionally formatted resume requires payment. Another noted that their "subscription started off at just over a dollar/mth then jumped to 23+ per month," highlighting concerns about the pricing structure after the initial trial period.

About Zety – Overview of the Resume Builder

Zety is an online resume builder designed to help job seekers create professional, ATS-friendly resumes quickly and efficiently. The platform combines artificial intelligence with expert-curated content to guide users through every step of the resume creation process.

The service provides access to 18 professionally designed templates that can be customized with different colors, fonts, and layouts to match your personal brand. Beyond resume building, Zety includes an integrated cover letter generator that pulls information from your resume to create complementary application documents. The platform also features ATS optimization tools, including a resume checker and keyword suggestions, to help ensure your application passes through automated screening systems used by many employers in 2026.

Is Zety a good resume builder?

Based on user feedback and feature analysis as of January 2026, Zety stands as a solid resume builder option among online tools. The platform excels in several areas that matter most to job seekers: ease of use, professional design quality, and helpful guidance throughout the creation process.

The step-by-step guidance combined with AI-generated content suggestions addresses one of the biggest challenges job seekers face—knowing what to write and how to phrase it. The ATS-friendly templates ensure that your resume won't be automatically rejected by applicant tracking systems before a human ever sees it.

However, Zety isn't without its drawbacks when compared to other online resume tools. The most significant concern revolves around pricing transparency and subscription practices. While the platform advertises a free option, users quickly discover that the free plan only allows plain text downloads—a format that strips away all the professional formatting and design elements that make Zety's templates attractive in the first place.

Is Zety free?

Zety does offer a free Basic Package, but understanding what "free" means in this context is essential to avoid disappointment. With the free plan, you can create and customize your resume using all of Zety's templates and builder tools. You can edit your resume unlimited times and access the core functionality of the platform without paying anything upfront.

The critical limitation comes when you want to download your finished resume. The free plan only allows you to export your document as a plain text (.txt) file. This format strips away all the professional formatting, design elements, colors, and layout that make Zety's templates attractive and effective.

Zety online resume builder: free vs paid options

Understanding the differences between Zety's free and paid plans helps you determine which option makes sense for your situation:

The key differentiator is the export format: free users get plain text only, while paid subscribers get professionally formatted PDF and Word files that preserve all design elements. The Annual Package offers the best value for users who need longer-term access or are conducting an extended job search.

How to cancel a Zety subscription

Canceling your Zety subscription requires following specific steps to ensure you aren't charged again. The primary method is to log into your Zety account and navigate to the "My Plan" or "My Settings" section. Within this area, you should find online cancellation prompts that guide you through the process.

If you encounter any issues with the online cancellation process or prefer direct assistance, you can contact Zety's customer support. For users in the United States, the support phone number is 800-985-7561. Alternatively, you can use the chat feature available on the Zety website. When you cancel through customer support, you should receive an email confirmation that includes a cancellation number—save this email as proof of your cancellation.

A Smarter Alternative: PitchMeAI for Resume Optimization

While Zety offers solid template-based resume building, job seekers in 2026 face a more fundamental challenge: each job application requires a tailored resume that speaks directly to that specific role's requirements. This is where PitchMeAI takes a different approach that can increase your interview rate by up to 3x.

Rather than simply providing templates and generic content suggestions, PitchMeAI uses advanced AI to personalize your resume for each individual job description with a single click. The platform's Chrome extension works on any webpage with a job posting, analyzing the specific requirements and automatically adapting your resume to highlight the most relevant experience and skills for that particular role.

PitchMeAI also addresses another critical gap in the job application process: reaching hiring managers directly. The platform identifies the hiring manager for each position, finds their email address, and crafts a personalized outreach message. This direct channel can help you stand out from the hundreds of applicants who only submit through standard application portals.

The service offers 3 free credits after signing up, followed by a 3-day free trial with 10 credits. After the trial, unlimited usage costs $22 per month—less than Zety's recurring Pro Package rate while offering significantly more functionality for active job seekers. If you're comparing options like Zety alternatives or conducting a detailed Zety vs PitchMeAI comparison, the personalization and direct outreach capabilities represent a meaningful advantage in today's competitive job market.

Final Verdict

This Zety review reveals a platform with genuine strengths in user experience, template quality, and guided resume creation. For job seekers who need help structuring their resume and want access to professional templates with AI-assisted content generation, Zety delivers solid value. The 4.2 Trustpilot rating based on over 11,000 reviews confirms that many users find success with the platform.

However, potential users should approach with clear expectations about the pricing model. The "free" option is really more of a preview—useful for building your resume but impractical for actual job applications due to the plain text download limitation. The paid plans, while feature-rich, use a subscription model that has generated legitimate user complaints about transparency and cancellation difficulties.

If you're considering Zety, it's best suited for users who need a one-time resume creation or update and plan to subscribe for just a month or two to download their documents. The annual plan offers better value for extended use. However, if you're conducting an active job search that requires customizing your resume for multiple applications, exploring alternatives like PitchMeAI that offer job-specific personalization may provide better results. You might also want to review other options covered in articles like this Resume.io full review to compare features and pricing across different platforms.