A free Zety alternative with no paywall at the download button
On Zety you can build your resume for free, but the free download is a plain text file. A PDF or Word file needs a paid plan that starts as a 14-day trial and then renews every four weeks. On AlderCV the PDF is free, with no watermark and no trial behind it. Here is the comparison, with what Zety does well too.
Zety and AlderCV at a glance
Zety’s side comes from its pricing page (US prices) as of 17 October 2026. Prices differ by country and change over time, so check its current page before you decide.
| Feature | Zety | AlderCV |
|---|---|---|
| Free download | Plain text (TXT) only | PDF, Word (.docx) and plain text |
| PDF download | Paid plan | Free, unlimited |
| Paid plan | 14-day trial for $1.95, then $25.95 every 4 weeks unless you cancel | Pro: $9.99 a month or $48 a year, cancel any time |
| Watermark on the free PDF | No free PDF | None |
What you get free on AlderCV
- Every template and every design setting
- Unlimited PDF downloads with no watermark
- Word (.docx) and plain-text downloads
- One resume and one cover letter in the same design
- The keyword match with a job ad in the editor (“Match a job”)
- Start without an account; a free account to download
Where Zety does well
- Zety’s builder suggests ready-made phrases for many job titles while you write, which helps if you are stuck on a blank page.
- It has been around for years and has a large library of resume and cover letter guides.
- If you are happy to pay for a few weeks and cancel in time, its paid plan includes PDF and Word downloads.
When AlderCV may not be the right fit
- The free plan holds one resume. If you want a separate saved version for every application, that needs Pro or the 30-day pass.
- AI help (rewriting, the AI job match, importing a PDF or Word file) is only on the paid plans.
- AlderCV is a new product. Older builders have had more years to grow their template and content libraries.
Already started on Zety?
You don’t have to retype everything: the free text download holds all of your content.
- Download your Zety resume as a plain text file (the free download) and keep it open.
- Start a resume on AlderCV without an account, pick a template and paste your sections in: summary, each job, education, skills.
- Check the preview, then create a free account and download the PDF. There is no watermark and no trial to cancel.
Once it is in, check it the way an application system reads it with the free ATS resume checker, or read how to write a resume if you want to tighten it on the way.
Frequently asked questions
Is Zety free?
You can build a resume on Zety for free, but on 17 October 2026 its pricing page listed plain text (TXT) as the only free download. PDF and Word downloads are part of the paid plan, which starts with a 14-day trial ($1.95 in the US) and then renews at $25.95 every four weeks unless you cancel.
Can I download a Zety resume as a PDF for free?
Not according to Zety’s pricing page at the time of writing: the PDF is part of the paid plan. You can download the plain text for free and rebuild the resume in a builder with a free PDF, such as AlderCV.
Does AlderCV put a watermark on the free PDF?
No. Every template and every PDF download is free and has no watermark. The free plan is limited to one resume and one cover letter.
Do I need an account?
Not to start: you can build your resume first. To download it you create a free account, which also keeps your resume saved.
Is AlderCV a subscription?
Only if you choose Pro, which you can cancel any time. If you need Pro for a short job search, the 30-day pass is a single payment that never renews.
Zety is a trademark of its owner. AlderCV is not affiliated with or endorsed by Zety. Facts about Zety were checked on 17 October 2026.
Download your resume as a PDF, free
Every template, no watermark, no trial to cancel. Start without an account.