Reactive Resume

Open source alternative to Resume.io, Zety, Kickresume, Enhancv, Teal, Novoresume, VisualCV and Resume Genius

44.7K stars
MIT
Active this week
Last commit today

Last verified Oct 22, 2026

Build professional resumes with 18 free templates, PDF and Word exports, ATS checks, and optional AI writing assistance. Self-hosted, MIT licensed.

Visit website GitHub44.7K Deploy on Hostinger

Read the full breakdownWho it is for, how it works, trade-offs, the quick start and the FAQ

who it's for

Who Reactive Resume is for#

Job seekers applying to corporate roles with ATS screening

The ATS checker reads your exported PDF the way screening software does, flags inconsistent date formats, non-standard section headings, and non-selectable text, and explains each finding in plain language. For the tailoring step, pasting a job posting generates a match score, a tailored resume copy, and a cover letter draft. The full cycle happens in one browser session.

Skip if:

Skip if you are applying exclusively to small companies or creative roles where ATS screening is uncommon and the checker adds no value to your workflow.

Privacy-conscious users who want their data off third-party servers

Self-hosting on Docker or Vercel means your resume data stays on infrastructure you control. The application has no tracking or ads, and the MIT license lets you audit every line of code. Exporting as JSON takes all your data out of the system in a portable format.

Skip if:

Skip if self-hosting overhead is unappealing and you are comfortable storing your resume data on a managed service.

Developers and teams integrating resume workflows via API

The REST API and MCP server cover document creation, export, ATS checks, and application management. A self-hosted instance can be shared across a team with configurable AI and web-access providers. The OpenAPI spec and MCP documentation are at docs.rxresu.me.

Skip if:

Skip if no programmatic access is needed. The web interface covers every feature without requiring the API.

Job seekers managing many simultaneous applications

The job tracker handles Saved, Applied, Interview, and Offer stages with board, list, calendar, and insights views. You can attach the exact resume and cover letter sent to each application, track contacts and follow-ups, and schedule interviews with calendar export. CSV import and export make it compatible with existing spreadsheet workflows.

Skip if:

Skip if you are applying to fewer than five roles. The tracker adds overhead with minimal benefit for a short, focused search.

the problem

The problem it solves#

Most resume builders let you write for free, then charge for the download. Resume.io, Zety, and Kickresume put PDF export behind a subscription, with Word export, multiple saved resumes, and ATS analysis each unlocking at higher price points. A job seeker who wants all three standard outputs can pay $20 or more per month just to access documents they already wrote.

The data portability problem compounds the cost concern. Resume data lives in a proprietary format on a third-party server. When a service raises prices, discontinues a template, or shuts down, you lose your work and must reformat everything for a new tool. Job seekers applying to corporate roles with ATS screening have no easy way to check how their resume reads to hiring software without signing up for yet another paid service.

how Reactive Resume solves it

How it solves it#

18 resume templates with full customization

Covers single-column, two-column, and ATS-safe layouts across 18 designs. After picking a template, you can change the font, color, spacing, and margins; overflowing content adjusts by tuning density and text size. Custom CSS styles are written with an element picker directly on the page.

ATS readability checker

Reads a PDF the same way hiring software does and explains what to fix in plain words. It checks that contact details are parseable, section headings are standard, and text is selectable. The public checker at rxresu.me/ats-checker works on any PDF without creating an account, and the file stays in the browser with no upload.

Job application tracker with board and calendar views

Tracks applications from Saved to Offer in List, Board, Insights, and Calendar views. You can save a job from a URL or pasted posting, attach the tailored resume and cover letter you sent, track contacts and follow-ups, and export the full history as CSV. Interview scheduling and calendar export are built in.

Cover letter editor linked to your resume

Standalone cover letters have their own editor, version history, and export paths. Linking a letter to a resume keeps sender details and design in sync automatically. Each letter can also be customized independently, so a tailored version for one application does not overwrite the original.

Optional AI writing assistant with your own provider

The assistant sits beside your resume or cover letter and proposes specific edits: you see exactly what changes and why before accepting. It connects to OpenAI, Anthropic, Google Gemini, OpenRouter, Ollama, or any compatible endpoint you configure. Self-hosters can set shared AI and web-access providers for all users on the instance. No API keys are stored by the app beyond your own configuration.

REST API and MCP server for document workflows

A documented REST API and MCP server cover document management, imports, exports, ATS checks, and application workflows. External scripts or AI assistants can create or update resumes, run checks, and read application state. The OpenAPI spec and MCP documentation are available at docs.rxresu.me.

strengths · trade-offs

Strengths and trade-offs#

Strengths

MIT license with no paid tier and no paywalled exportsEvery export format, every template, and every feature is free under the MIT license. Unlike Resume.io or Zety, which lock Word export and ATS analysis behind paid tiers, Reactive Resume has no subscription gate. Self-hosting adds no licensing cost; you can run it for a team on your own server at no per-seat fee.
44,000+ GitHub stars and active maintenanceThe repository has over 44,700 stars and was last pushed on 2026-10-22. The issue count sits at 16 open issues on a project of this size, which indicates active triage. Translations are coordinated through Crowdin, and the Discord community handles troubleshooting and resume feedback.
Multiple self-hosting paths for different skill levelsDocker Compose, Vercel, Cloudflare Workers, and Hostinger 1-click VPS are all supported. The Hostinger path provisions the Docker environment and handles backups with no server knowledge required. Vercel uses managed database and storage integrations. Each path runs the same application code with no feature differences.
Import from LinkedIn, PDF, Word, and JSON ResumeExisting resumes do not need to be retyped. LinkedIn data exports, PDFs, Word files, and JSON Resume format all import directly. JSON and PDF imports work without an AI connection. Word import requires a configured AI provider, which the documentation covers clearly.

Trade-offs

-Docker self-hosting requires PostgreSQL, Redis, and a storage backendThe Docker Compose path bundles all three services, but they add memory and disk requirements beyond a basic VPS install. The README requires generating two independent secrets and configuring environment variables before starting. Users without server experience will find the Vercel or Hostinger paths significantly simpler.
-AI features require connecting your own providerThe AI writing assistant and Word import both require a configured AI provider (OpenAI, Anthropic, Gemini, or a compatible endpoint). There is no built-in AI service: you pay the provider's API costs directly. Users who want AI features without managing an API key have no built-in fallback on the hosted version.
-No professional resume review serviceReactive Resume has no human expert review service for resume content. The ATS checker, AI assistant, and Discord community feedback are the available review paths. Job seekers who want professional career-coaching feedback on their resume copy will need a separate service.

versus alternatives

Reactive Resume vs alternatives#

Reactive Resume vs Resume.io

Resume.io and Reactive Resume both offer polished resume templates and PDF exports, but they follow opposite pricing models. Resume.io provides a subscription starting around $4 to $8 per month billed annually; downloading the resume you built requires an active subscription. Reactive Resume exports to PDF, Word, Markdown, and JSON at no cost under its MIT license.

Feature	Reactive Resume	Resume.io
License	MIT (open source)	Proprietary
Self-hosting	Yes (Docker, Vercel, Cloudflare)	No
PDF export	Free, no account required	Subscription required
Word export	Free	Paid tier
ATS checker	Built-in, runs in browser	Separate paid feature
Job tracker	Built-in	Not included
AI writing	Optional, your own provider	Paid add-on

Reactive Resume is the better choice when you want full data control, no per-download fees, or the ability to self-host for a team. Resume.io is worth considering when you need a fully managed service with no setup overhead and do not need the job tracker or API access.

Reactive Resume vs Zety

Zety offers a similar subscription model focused on guided resume writing with step-by-step prompts. Its pricing is comparable to Resume.io, with PDF access gated behind a paid plan. Reactive Resume's editor gives more direct control: custom CSS styles, drag-and-drop section ordering, and a live preview are all available without a subscription.

Zety is a reasonable choice for users who prefer a wizard-driven flow and are comfortable with a managed service. Reactive Resume suits users who want to work directly in an editor and keep their data portable.

install · quick start

Quick start#

bash

Self-hosting uses Docker Compose with PostgreSQL, Redis, and storage; configure AUTH_SECRET and ENCRYPTION_SECRET in the .env file before the first setup.
```bash
git clone --depth=1 https://github.com/reactive-resume/reactive-resume.git reactive-resume
cp .env.example .env
docker compose up -d --build
```

tech stack · detected from GitHub

What it's built on#

Languages: JavaScriptTypeScript
Frameworks: React
Databases: PostgreSQL
Infrastructure: AWS
Cache: Redis
Tooling: esbuild

frequently asked

FAQ#

Is Reactive Resume completely free to use?

Yes. The hosted version at rxresu.me has no paid tier, no ads, and no paywalled features. PDF, Word, Markdown, and JSON exports are all free. Optional AI writing features use an API provider you connect yourself, so those costs depend on your provider's pricing, not Reactive Resume.

Can I self-host Reactive Resume?

Yes. The Docker Compose path bundles PostgreSQL, Redis, and the application together and is the most common self-hosted setup. Vercel and Cloudflare Workers are also supported. Hostinger offers a 1-click VPS deploy starting at $6.49 per month with weekly backups included. All paths run the same codebase under the MIT license with no per-seat fees.

Does Reactive Resume work with ATS hiring software?

The built-in ATS checker reads your exported PDF the way screening software does. It checks that contact details are parseable, section headings are standard, and text is selectable, then explains each issue in plain language. The public checker at rxresu.me/ats-checker works on any PDF without an account, and the file never leaves your browser.

What AI providers does Reactive Resume support?

The AI assistant connects to OpenAI, Anthropic, Google Gemini, OpenRouter, Ollama, and other OpenAI-compatible endpoints. You supply the API key; Reactive Resume does not provide or bill for AI usage. Self-hosters can configure shared AI providers for all users on the instance, so individual users do not each need their own key.

How does Reactive Resume compare to Resume.io or Zety?

Resume.io and Zety charge a subscription fee to download the resume you built on their platform. Reactive Resume exports to PDF, Word, Markdown, and JSON at no cost with no account required for the ATS checker. The key trade-off is that the hosted version at rxresu.me is a shared service, while self-hosting gives you full data control at the cost of initial setup time.

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Reactive Resume vs Resume.io

Feature	Reactive Resume	Resume.io
License	MIT (open source)	Proprietary
Self-hosting	Yes (Docker, Vercel, Cloudflare)	No
PDF export	Free, no account required	Subscription required
Word export	Free	Paid tier
ATS checker	Built-in, runs in browser	Separate paid feature
Job tracker	Built-in	Not included
AI writing	Optional, your own provider	Paid add-on