RankMyCv vs. TopResume: Which Should You Choose?

I spent $400 on TopResume last year. Three weeks later, I got a beautifully formatted resume that looked professional. But when I ran it through an ATS checker, it scored 42% match against my target job. The keywords were all wrong.

That's when I discovered RankMyCv—and realized I'd been comparing apples to oranges.

TopResume is a resume writing service. You pay them, they write your resume for you. RankMyCv is an AI-powered resume analyzer. You upload your resume, paste a job description, and get instant feedback on how to optimize it yourself.

These are fundamentally different products solving different problems. But job seekers constantly ask: which one should I use?

After testing both extensively, here's what I learned.

What Is TopResume? (The Resume Writing Service)

TopResume is a professional resume writing service. You work with a human writer (usually a certified professional resume writer) who interviews you about your background, then writes your resume from scratch.

How it works:

1. You sign up and pay ($400-$1,200 depending on package)
2. You fill out a questionnaire about your experience
3. You have a phone consultation with your writer (30-60 minutes)
4. Writer drafts your resume (usually 1-2 weeks)
5. You review and request revisions (typically 2-3 rounds)
6. Final resume delivered

What you get:

• Professionally written resume
• Cover letter (included in most packages)
• LinkedIn profile optimization (premium packages)
• Multiple rounds of revisions
• Formatting and design work

The catch: TopResume writers are generalists. They're not experts in your specific industry or role. They write based on what you tell them, not what job descriptions are actually asking for.

What Is RankMyCv? (The AI Resume Analyzer)

RankMyCv is an AI-powered tool that analyzes your existing resume against specific job descriptions. You upload your resume, paste a job posting, and get instant feedback on keyword matching, ATS compatibility, and optimization opportunities.

How it works:

1. Upload your resume (PDF or DOCX)
2. Paste the job description you're applying for
3. Get instant analysis (under 30 seconds)
4. See your compatibility score (0-100%)
5. Review missing keywords and recommendations
6. Make targeted improvements yourself

What you get:

• Instant ATS compatibility score
• Missing keyword identification
• Structure and formatting analysis
• Specific improvement recommendations
• Ability to test multiple job postings
• 7-day free trial on all subscription plans

The advantage: RankMyCv analyzes your resume against the actual job description you're applying for. It's not generic advice—it's targeted optimization.

The Core Difference: Service vs. Self-Service

This is the fundamental distinction most people miss.

TopResume = Outsourcing

• You pay someone else to write your resume
• They handle the writing, formatting, and design
• You get a finished product
• Best if you hate writing or lack confidence

RankMyCv = Self-Optimization

• You keep control of your resume
• You get data-driven feedback to improve it
• You can test against multiple job postings
• Best if you want to tailor for each application

Think of it like this: TopResume is hiring a personal chef. RankMyCv is a recipe app that helps you cook better yourself.

Pricing Comparison: What You Actually Pay

Let me break down the real costs, because this matters.

TopResume Pricing

Professional Package: $400-$600

• Resume writing
• Cover letter
• 60-day revision period
• 1-2 weeks delivery time

Executive Package: $800-$1,200

• Resume writing
• Cover letter
• LinkedIn profile optimization
• Executive bio
• 60-day revision period
• 1-2 weeks delivery time

The hidden costs:

• Each additional revision after the initial period: $50-$100
• Rush delivery (under 1 week): +$200-$300
• Additional resume versions: $200-$400 each

Real-world scenario: You apply to 5 different roles. TopResume gives you one generic resume. You need tailored versions? That's $200-$400 per version, or $1,000-$2,000 total.

RankMyCv Pricing

Basic Plan: $14.99/month (or $149.99/year)

• 7-day free trial included
• 15 credits per month
• Full analysis features
• Analysis history
• Priority support

Pro Plan: $29.99/month (or $299.99/year)

• 60 credits per month
• Advanced analytics
• Extended history
• Priority support

One-time packages:

• 5 credits: $9.99 ($2 per analysis)
• 10 credits: $15.99 ($1.60 per analysis)
• 25 credits: $29.99 ($1.20 per analysis)

Real-world scenario: You apply to 5 different roles. RankMyCv costs $10-$15 total (using credit packages) or $14.99/month if you're applying actively. Each analysis is tailored to the specific job posting.

The math: TopResume for 5 tailored resumes = $1,000-$2,000. RankMyCv for 5 analyses = $10-$15. That's a 100x difference.

Speed Comparison: Weeks vs. Seconds

This is where the difference becomes stark.

TopResume Timeline

Week 1: Sign up, fill questionnaire, schedule consultation Week 2: Phone consultation, writer drafts resume Week 3: First draft delivered, you review Week 4: Revisions requested, second draft Week 5: Final revisions, approval

Total time: 3-5 weeks minimum

Rush option: Pay $200-$300 extra, get it in 1 week

The problem: Job postings close in days, not weeks. By the time your TopResume resume is ready, the job might be filled.

RankMyCv Timeline

30 seconds: Upload resume, paste job description 30 seconds: Review analysis results 15-20 minutes: Make targeted improvements based on feedback 30 seconds: Re-analyze to verify improvements

Total time: 20-25 minutes per job application

The advantage: You can analyze your resume against a job posting the same day you find it. No waiting, no delays.

Real example: I found a perfect job posting on Monday. With RankMyCv, I optimized my resume in 20 minutes and applied Tuesday morning. With TopResume, I'd still be waiting for my consultation call.

Accuracy and Results: Which Actually Works?

Here's what matters: which tool actually helps you get interviews?

TopResume Results

What TopResume does well:

• Professional formatting and design
• Clean, readable layout
• Proper grammar and structure
• Industry-standard formatting

What TopResume struggles with:

• Generic content (not tailored to specific jobs)
• Missing modern keywords (writers aren't ATS experts)
• One-size-fits-all approach
• No ATS testing or validation

The reality: TopResume resumes look great to human eyes. But 75% of resumes never reach human eyes—they're filtered by ATS first. TopResume doesn't optimize for ATS keyword matching.

My experience: My TopResume resume scored 42% ATS match. It looked professional, but it wasn't getting through applicant tracking systems.

RankMyCv Results

What RankMyCv does well:

• ATS keyword optimization
• Job-specific tailoring
• Instant feedback and iteration
• Data-driven recommendations

What RankMyCv requires:

• You do the writing yourself
• You need basic resume writing skills
• You make the improvements

The reality: RankMyCv shows you exactly what's missing. You see your compatibility score, missing keywords, and specific recommendations. Then you optimize based on data, not guesswork.

My experience: After using RankMyCv, my resume scores jumped from 42% to 87% match. I went from zero callbacks to 5 interviews in two weeks.

When Should You Use TopResume?

TopResume makes sense if:

1. You genuinely can't write

• English isn't your first language
• You have severe writer's block
• You lack confidence in your writing ability

2. You need a one-time, generic resume

• You're not actively job searching
• You just want a professional resume on file
• You don't need job-specific tailoring

3. You have the budget

• $400-$1,200 is affordable for you
• You value professional writing over optimization
• You're applying to roles where ATS isn't heavily used (some creative fields, executive roles)

4. You have time

• Job postings aren't closing quickly
• You can wait 3-5 weeks for delivery
• You're not in a rush

The catch: Even with TopResume, you'll likely need to tailor the resume for each application. TopResume gives you a good foundation, but it's not optimized for specific job postings.

When Should You Use RankMyCv?

RankMyCv makes sense if:

1. You're actively job searching

• You're applying to multiple roles
• You need to tailor for each application
• Speed matters (postings close quickly)

2. You want ATS optimization

• You're applying to companies that use ATS (98% of Fortune 500)
• You need keyword matching
• You want data-driven feedback

Learn more about ATS optimization strategies to understand how keyword matching works.

3. You're budget-conscious

• $10-$30 per month is more affordable than $400-$1,200
• You want to test multiple job postings
• You need cost-effective optimization

Compare subscription plans vs. credit packages to find the best pricing model for your needs.

4. You can write (even if you're not great at it)

• You have basic writing skills
• You're comfortable making edits
• You want to learn and improve

5. You want control

• You want to understand what's wrong with your resume
• You want to learn optimization strategies
• You prefer self-service tools

The advantage: RankMyCv teaches you how to optimize. You're not just getting a resume—you're learning skills you can use throughout your career.

The Hybrid Approach: Best of Both Worlds

Here's what I recommend for serious job seekers:

Step 1: Use TopResume (or similar) to get a professionally written base resume. This gives you:

• Clean formatting
• Professional structure
• Proper grammar and style
• Industry-standard layout

Step 2: Use RankMyCv to optimize that resume for each job application. This gives you:

• ATS keyword matching
• Job-specific tailoring
• Instant feedback
• Cost-effective optimization

The process:

1. Get your TopResume resume (one-time, $400-$600)
2. For each job application, use RankMyCv to analyze and optimize ($1-$2 per analysis)
3. Make targeted improvements based on RankMyCv feedback
4. Apply with your optimized resume

Total cost: $400-$600 initial + $10-$50 for 5-25 job applications = $410-$650 total

Result: Professional base resume + ATS-optimized tailoring for each role

This hybrid approach combines TopResume's writing expertise with RankMyCv's optimization power.

Real User Scenarios: Which Tool Fits?

Let me walk through some real scenarios to help you decide.

Scenario 1: Recent Graduate, Entry-Level Role

Profile: Just graduated, minimal work experience, applying to 10-15 entry-level positions

TopResume: Probably overkill. You don't have enough experience to justify $400-$600. The writer will struggle to make your limited experience sound impressive.

RankMyCv: Perfect fit. You can optimize your resume for each role, learn keyword strategies, and keep costs low ($15-$30 for all applications).

Recommendation: RankMyCv

Scenario 2: Mid-Career Professional, Career Change

Profile: 8 years in marketing, switching to product management, applying to 20+ roles

TopResume: Could help with reframing your experience, but still generic. You'd need multiple versions ($800-$1,600 total).

RankMyCv: Better fit. You can test how your marketing experience translates to product management keywords, iterate quickly, and tailor for each role.

Recommendation: RankMyCv (or hybrid if writing confidence is low)

Scenario 3: Executive, C-Suite Role

Profile: 15+ years experience, applying to 3-5 executive positions, budget not a concern

TopResume: Makes sense. Executive roles often have less ATS filtering, human review is more common, and professional writing matters more.

RankMyCv: Still useful for keyword research and ATS testing, but less critical.

Recommendation: TopResume (with RankMyCv for final optimization)

Scenario 4: Tech Professional, Active Job Search

Profile: Software engineer, applying to 30+ roles, ATS-heavy industry

TopResume: Waste of money. Tech roles are 100% ATS-filtered. Generic resume won't work.

RankMyCv: Essential. You need keyword matching, ATS optimization, and the ability to test against multiple job postings.

Recommendation: RankMyCv

Scenario 5: Non-Native English Speaker

Profile: Strong technical skills, weak English writing, applying to 10+ roles

TopResume: Could help with writing quality, but still needs optimization.

RankMyCv: Still needed for ATS optimization, but writing quality might be an issue.

Recommendation: Hybrid approach (TopResume for writing, RankMyCv for optimization)

The Bottom Line: Which Should You Choose?

Choose TopResume if:

• You can't write and need professional help
• You want a one-time, generic resume
• Budget isn't a concern ($400-$1,200)
• You have 3-5 weeks to wait
• You're applying to roles with less ATS filtering

Choose RankMyCv if:

• You're actively job searching
• You need to tailor for multiple roles
• You want ATS optimization
• Budget matters ($10-$30/month)
• Speed is important (apply same day)
• You can write (even if not perfectly)

Choose the hybrid approach if:

• You want professional writing AND optimization
• You're applying to many roles
• You have moderate budget ($400-$650 total)
• You want the best of both worlds

My Personal Recommendation

After testing both extensively, here's my honest take:

For 90% of job seekers, RankMyCv is the better choice. Here's why:

1. Cost: 20-100x cheaper than TopResume
2. Speed: Minutes vs. weeks
3. Effectiveness: ATS optimization is what actually gets you interviews
4. Learning: You develop skills you can use throughout your career
5. Flexibility: Test against unlimited job postings

TopResume makes sense for:

• Non-native English speakers who genuinely can't write
• Executives applying to 1-3 roles where ATS isn't heavily used
• People who want a professional resume "on file" but aren't actively searching

The reality: Most job seekers need ATS optimization more than they need professional writing. Your resume can be perfectly written, but if it doesn't match keywords, it never reaches a human.

Next Steps: Test Your Resume Now

The best way to decide? Test your current resume.

If you're considering TopResume:

1. First, start a 7-day free trial with RankMyCv
2. Test your current resume against a target job
3. See your ATS compatibility score
4. Review missing keywords
5. If you score 80%+, you might not need TopResume at all
6. If you score below 60%, consider whether writing quality or keyword optimization is the bigger issue

If you're considering RankMyCv:

1. Start your 7-day free trial
2. Upload your resume and a target job description
3. Get instant analysis (30 seconds)
4. See exactly what's missing
5. Make targeted improvements
6. Re-analyze to verify improvement

Ready to see how your resume performs?

Start your 7-day free trial with RankMyCv now. Upload your resume, paste a job description, and see your compatibility score in under 30 seconds. Test all features risk-free.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can I use both TopResume and RankMyCv? A: Absolutely. Many job seekers use TopResume to get a professionally written base resume, then use RankMyCv to optimize it for each job application. This hybrid approach combines writing expertise with ATS optimization.

Q: Does TopResume optimize for ATS? A: TopResume claims ATS optimization, but their resumes are generic and not tailored to specific job postings. They don't test against actual job descriptions or provide keyword matching. RankMyCv analyzes your resume against the specific job you're applying for.

Q: How much does it cost to tailor a TopResume resume for multiple jobs? A: TopResume charges $200-$400 per additional resume version. If you're applying to 5 roles, that's $1,000-$2,000 in additional costs. RankMyCv costs $1-$2 per analysis, so 5 applications cost $5-$10 total.

Q: Which is faster: TopResume or RankMyCv? A: RankMyCv is instant (30 seconds). TopResume takes 3-5 weeks for delivery. If you need rush delivery, TopResume charges an additional $200-$300 and delivers in 1 week.

Q: Can RankMyCv write my resume for me? A: No. RankMyCv analyzes your existing resume and provides feedback. You make the improvements yourself. If you need someone to write your resume, TopResume or similar services are better options.

Q: Will TopResume help me get more interviews? A: TopResume improves writing quality and formatting, which helps with human reviewers. But 75% of resumes are filtered by ATS before reaching humans. TopResume doesn't optimize for ATS keyword matching, which is what actually gets you past the initial filter.

Q: Is RankMyCv better than TopResume? A: They solve different problems. TopResume is better for professional writing and formatting. RankMyCv is better for ATS optimization and job-specific tailoring. For most job seekers, ATS optimization matters more than writing quality.

Last updated: January 2025 Read time: 12 minutes Category: Technology