Quick comparison
Zety’s pricing page lists a TXT download in its free package. Its plan comparison names PDF, Word, and TXT among its download formats and shows TXT only for the free package. So the free package can write and export text, while a designed PDF or Word download sits in the paid workflow.
Reactive Resume includes PDF, DOCX, Markdown, and JSON exports in its core resume workflow. That difference is about document formats. Neither product can tell you how an employer or an applicant-tracking system will handle the result.
Where Zety is a better fit
Zety fits when you want guidance and related job-search tools in one hosted product. Its pricing page lists a resume builder, templates, a cover-letter builder, cover-letter templates, a resume check, and instant job matches. The wider Zety site puts resume help and examples alongside the builder. That suits you if you want help choosing words, a matching cover letter, or a separate check before you export. The free package’s TXT download is also enough when you paste content into a text form instead of attaching a formatted document.Where Reactive Resume is a better fit
Reactive Resume fits when you want to download a designed PDF or DOCX without upgrading. Its templates render structured resume sections, and the template guide covers how to pick one. JSON export keeps your structured data for backup or reuse, separately from the final PDF or DOCX. You also control where it runs. The source is public under the MIT license, and the Docker self-hosting guide covers running your own instance. AI help is optional and uses a provider you configure.Which should you choose?
Choose Zety if you want a hosted builder with guided writing, a resume check, cover-letter tools, and job matching, and TXT is enough for the free export. Choose Reactive Resume if a free designed PDF or DOCX, structured exports, and the option to self-host matter more than those guidance tools. Either way, check the final wording and layout yourself. The tools help you prepare a resume; they do not decide the hiring result.Reactive Resume limitations in this comparison
Reactive Resume has no built-in library of prewritten writing guidance, no dedicated resume-check product, and no job matching. Its optional AI route needs provider setup, and self-hosting means running a server. Zety is more convenient if you want those hosted services next to the builder and do not need a free PDF or Word export.Sources
Last checked: July 28, 2026Download a designed resume without upgrading
Try Reactive Resume when free PDF and DOCX exports matter more than guided writing and job-matching tools.