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Best UK CV tools, honestly compared (2026)
There is no single best CV tool, only the right one for what you need. Here is an honest look at the main options UK job seekers ask about, including the ones that beat us on size. No marketing fluff.
Reviewed by Anthony, founder · Updated
At a glance
| Tool | Best for | Tailors per advert | UK-specific | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sausage Dog | Fast per-advert UK tailoring | Yes, core feature | Yes (NHS, public sector) | Free tier, £9.99/mo |
| Kickresume | Students building from scratch | Partial (AI rewriter) | No (US-default) | Free + paid |
| Teal | Tracking lots of applications | Yes (keyword matching) | No | Free + ~£29/mo |
| Rezi | ATS scoring, lifetime option | Yes | No | Free + paid/lifetime |
| Jobscan | ATS keyword scoring | No (scores, you edit) | No | Free limited + ~£40/mo |
| TopCV | Hands-off, human-written | No (one static CV) | Depends on writer | £99 to £549 one-off |
| ChatGPT | DIY if you know the prompts | Yes (manual prompting) | No (US-default) | Free + £20/mo |
| ApplyMate | One-off tailoring, no subscription | Yes | No (US-default) | From $9.99/credit |
Prices and features change. Check each tool before you buy. Figures here are typical UK pricing as of June 2026.
How to pick
- Applying to lots of similar UK roles? A tailoring tool like Sausage Dog (or Teal for tracking) saves the most time, because the win is sending a customised CV per advert, fast.
- Starting your first CV from nothing? A builder like Kickresume is friendlier than a tailoring tool.
- Want it done for you? A human service like TopCV writes one polished CV, slowly and at a price.
- Just want an ATS score? Jobscan or Rezi score and let you edit; they do not rewrite for you.
- In UK hiring (NHS, public sector)? Most tools are US-optimised and read as overwritten to UK recruiters. That UK focus is where Sausage Dog is built differently. For the honest limits of any AI tool, see our honest guide.
Head-to-head deep dives
Sausage Dog vs ChatGPT
General-purpose AI assistant versus a single-purpose UK CV tool. Where ChatGPT lies, where it wins, and what £20 vs £9 actually buys you.
Read the comparison →
Sausage Dog vs Jobscan
Both target ATS-friendliness. Jobscan scores; Sausage Dog rewrites. Plus the £200/year vs £9.99/month maths.
Read the comparison →
Sausage Dog vs Rezi
Rezi is the strongest ATS scorer with a lifetime purchase option. Sausage Dog tailors per advert in under a minute. Which fits your job search.
Read the comparison →
Sausage Dog vs Kickresume
Kickresume is the best-value builder for students and graduates. Sausage Dog tailors your existing CV per role. When to use each.
Read the comparison →
Sausage Dog vs Teal
Teal has the best job tracking in the market at £40/month. Sausage Dog covers tailoring at £9.99. The four-to-one price difference explained.
Read the comparison →
Sausage Dog vs Enhancv
Enhancv wins on visual design for creative roles. Sausage Dog wins on ATS safety and speed. Which matters more depends on the role.
Read the comparison →
Sausage Dog vs Zety
Zety guides you step-by-step through building a CV. Sausage Dog tailors your existing one per advert. Plus the template paywall to watch for.
Read the comparison →
Sausage Dog vs TopCV
AI tailoring at £9.99/month versus human-written CVs at £99-£549. When each makes sense, what you actually get, the speed/price trade-offs.
Read the comparison →
Sausage Dog vs Resume.io
CV tailor versus CV builder. They solve different problems. When to use each, plus the trial-cancellation gotcha to avoid.
Read the comparison →
Sausage Dog vs ApplyMate
ApplyMate is pay-per-credit with no subscription, from $9.99. Sausage Dog is £9.99/month unlimited and UK-specific. Which wins depends on how often you apply.
Read the comparison →
No account needed for the free tier.