PrettyResume vs Enhancv: Which Resume Builder Actually Gets You Past ATS in 2026?

PrettyResume and Enhancv are two popular resume builders that use AI to help job seekers create professional resumes. PrettyResume offers advanced AI features and ATS score tracking at its free tier, while Enhancv is known for visually creative templates and an inline AI co-pilot. This comparison breaks down pricing, AI capabilities, ATS compatibility, and overall value to help you choose the right platform for your 2026 job search.

With 75% of resumes filtered by Applicant Tracking Systems before a recruiter sees them and the hires rate at 3.1% (the lowest since 2011 outside the pandemic), choosing the right resume tool is not a cosmetic decision. It directly affects whether your application reaches a human.

How Do PrettyResume and Enhancv Compare on Pricing?

The pricing structures of these two platforms reflect very different philosophies about what job seekers should get for free.

Enhancv offers a 7-day free trial that includes access to all templates but limits resumes to 12 section items and places visible Enhancv branding on every download. After the trial, the Pro plan costs $24.99 to $29 per month on a monthly billing cycle, $14.99 per month on a quarterly plan, or $9.99 per month on an annual commitment. All AI features, including the inline assistant and ATS checker, require the Pro subscription.

PrettyResume takes a different approach. The free tier includes the same advanced AI models used across all paid plans, plus an ATS score tracker that lets you evaluate your resume before applying. The Pro tier adds a cover letter generator and additional features. A free trial of Pro is available and elevates automatically unless cancelled.

Feature	PrettyResume Free	Enhancv Free Trial
AI Models	Advanced AI at every tier	Basic (Pro required for AI features)
ATS Score Tracking	Included	Pro only (19-check audit)
Branding on Downloads	No	Yes (Enhancv watermark)
Section Limits	None	12 items max
Trial Duration	Ongoing free tier	7 days

For job seekers who want to test a platform's core capabilities before committing financially, PrettyResume's ongoing free tier with full AI access provides a lower barrier to entry than Enhancv's time-limited trial with feature restrictions.

Which Platform Has Better AI Features?

Both platforms integrate AI into the resume-building process, but they do so differently.

Enhancv uses what it calls a "co-pilot" approach, embedding an inline AI assistant directly into the editor. This includes a bullet point generator that rewrites content for tone and brevity, a summary generator that tailors your professional summary to specific job descriptions, one-click job tailoring (paste a job description and the AI adjusts your resume), an AI cover letter generator, a 19-check ATS audit, an "Inspire Me" feature for accomplishment ideas, and custom prompt support. These features are available exclusively on the Pro plan.

PrettyResume uses advanced AI models at every tier, including the free plan. The ATS score tracker is available at the free level, giving job seekers immediate feedback on how well their resume aligns with target roles. The Pro tier adds a cover letter generator.

One important note from independent reviewers: Enhancv's AI-generated content "may require significant editing" to sound natural and specific to your experience. This is a common limitation across AI resume tools, but worth considering when evaluating how much time the AI actually saves.

For job seekers on a budget, PrettyResume's decision to make advanced AI available at the free tier means you can get substantive AI-powered feedback without paying anything upfront. Enhancv's AI features are more extensive in total count, but they sit entirely behind a paywall.

Does Enhancv Work With Applicant Tracking Systems?

This is where the comparison reveals a significant practical difference.

Enhancv does not support Word (DOCX) export. Resumes can only be downloaded as PDF or plain text (TXT). This is a critical limitation because many Applicant Tracking Systems parse DOCX files more reliably than PDFs. Complex PDF formatting, especially multi-column layouts and embedded graphics, can cause parsing failures that scramble your information or drop sections entirely.

Enhancv's strength in visual design becomes a potential liability in ATS environments. The platform is known for modern, creative templates that include multi-column layouts, graphic elements, and unique sections like "Day of My Life" and "Life Philosophy." While these look impressive to human readers, independent reviewers have noted that some Enhancv templates are "not truly ATS-friendly despite claims."

PrettyResume supports DOCX export and includes ATS score tracking at every tier, including the free plan. This combination allows job seekers to both format their resume in the most ATS-compatible file type and verify their score before submitting.

With over 90% of large companies using ATS to screen applications, the export format is not a minor detail. A beautifully designed resume that gets scrambled by an ATS parser is effectively invisible.

ATS Factor	PrettyResume	Enhancv
DOCX Export	Yes	No (PDF and TXT only)
ATS Score Tracking	Free tier	Pro only
Template ATS Safety	ATS-optimized designs	Creative designs (some ATS concerns)
File Format Risk	Low	Higher (PDF parsing issues)

How Do the Templates and Design Options Compare?

Enhancv has built its reputation on visually distinctive templates. The platform offers modern, creative designs with flexible drag-and-drop editing, real-time preview, and unique resume sections that go beyond standard work history and education. For creative professionals, designers, marketers, or mid-to-senior candidates who want their resume to tell a visual story, Enhancv's template library is a genuine strength.

PrettyResume focuses on professional, ATS-optimized templates designed to parse correctly while still looking clean and polished. The priority is ensuring your resume survives the technology layer before it reaches human eyes.

The trade-off is straightforward: Enhancv offers more visual creativity, while PrettyResume prioritizes ATS reliability. In industries where portfolio-style presentation matters (design, advertising, creative media), Enhancv's approach may be appropriate. In traditional corporate hiring where ATS compliance is non-negotiable, PrettyResume's approach reduces risk.

What Additional Features Does Each Platform Offer?

Enhancv includes LinkedIn profile import, support for 13 languages with translation into 30, a cover letter generator at the free level, and access to unique resume sections. The platform reports over 2 million users and holds a 4.6 out of 5 rating on Trustpilot.

However, independent reviews consistently flag customer support as a weakness. Multiple reviewers report slow response times, unhelpful chat support, and frustration with auto-renewal policies that catch users off guard. Frequent bugs and formatting errors during download are also mentioned across review platforms.

PrettyResume offers a job search integration launched at the end of March 2026, a cover letter generator at the Pro level, and email support at support@prettyresume.com. The platform's focus is on providing a streamlined, AI-powered workflow from resume creation through job application.

Who Should Use PrettyResume vs Enhancv?

Choose Enhancv if you work in a creative industry where visual presentation matters more than ATS parsing, you can afford the Pro subscription ($10 to $29 per month depending on commitment), you primarily share resumes directly with hiring contacts rather than through online application portals, and you value extensive template customization with unique sections.

Choose PrettyResume if you need ATS reliability for corporate job applications, you want advanced AI features without paying upfront, you need DOCX export for maximum ATS compatibility, you want an integrated job search tool alongside your resume builder, or you are budget-conscious and want to evaluate your resume's ATS score before committing to any paid plan.

In a labor market where the hires rate sits at a 14-year low, where 75% of resumes are filtered before a human sees them, and where March 2026 payrolls averaged just 68,000 per month across Q1, getting past the technology matters as much as impressing the human on the other side.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Enhancv offer DOCX export?

No. Enhancv only supports PDF and plain text (TXT) downloads. This is a significant limitation for job seekers applying through Applicant Tracking Systems, which often parse DOCX files more reliably than PDFs.

Is PrettyResume's AI available on the free plan?

Yes. PrettyResume provides the same advanced AI models at every tier, including the free plan. The ATS score tracker is also available at the free level.

How much does Enhancv cost per month?

Enhancv's Pro plan ranges from $9.99 per month (annual billing) to $29 per month (monthly billing). The free trial lasts 7 days and includes branding on downloads.

Which resume builder is better for ATS compatibility?

PrettyResume offers stronger ATS compatibility due to DOCX export support, ATS-optimized templates, and a free ATS score tracker. Enhancv's creative templates and PDF-only export can create parsing challenges with some ATS systems.

Does PrettyResume have a cover letter generator?

Yes, PrettyResume includes a cover letter generator at the Pro tier level.

Can I import my LinkedIn profile into either platform?

Enhancv supports LinkedIn profile import. Check PrettyResume's current feature set for the latest import options.