Instaresume Review: I Tried it for 14 Days - Here's What I Found [3 Pros, 5 Cons]

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Sarah Thompson
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you're wondering if Instaresume is actually worth your time, or just another overhyped resume builder. I've dived deep into Instaresume so you don't have to, and trust me, there’s a lot to unpack.

I’ll share the 3 things Instaresume does incredibly well (and yes, there are a few cool surprises you probably didn’t expect).

But I won’t hold back-I’m also pointing out the 5 big mistakes Instaresume makes that you really need to know before trying it out.

Worried about getting ripped off? I break down exactly what Instaresume costs, so you won’t be caught off guard by hidden fees.

Thinking about alternatives? You’re in luck. I’ll stack Instaresume up against other tools so you can figure out what’s really best for you.

Oh, and I know you’ve wondered: Is Instaresume even legit, or just another fancy-looking scam? I’ve got your back on that one too.

Skip this Instaresume review, and you might miss out on tips that could seriously improve your job hunt.

Settle in, grab your coffee, and let’s dive in together!

Don’t forget: you can jump to any section you like using the table of contents. Happy reading!

Jimmy Fallon welcoming everyone

Instaresume Review Summary

If you're in a rush, here's a quick 2-minute summary of this blog:

3 Things Instaresume Does Well

  • Free downloads: You can make your resume and download it as many times as you want without paying anything, which a lot of folks seem to like.

  • Easy resume editing: If you want to change something in your resume, it’s super simple to go back and update things whenever you need. However, it's worth noting that some users have found issues with customer support and pricing-see more about those in the cons section.

  • Lots of templates: There’s a bunch of different designs you can pick from, so you aren’t stuck with just one style all the time.

  • See more about what makes Instaresume great below.

5 Worst Instaresume Features

  • Terrible Customer Service: If you have a problem with refund or canceling, good luck! Their support is slow to answer, barely helps, and makes getting your money back way too hard.

  • Locked in Expensive Plans: You get stuck paying monthly for credits, but the worst part is, if you don’t use them, they vanish at month’s end. So you’re just throwing money away.

  • Download Problems Everywhere: Imagine making your resume and then not being able to download it at all. Tons of people get stuck at this step, which is just super frustrating.

  • The Site Barely Works: Sometimes you can't even create or view your resume because the website is super buggy. You end up wasting time just refreshing and getting nowhere.

  • Strange Language Glitches: When you copy your resume text, it might paste in some random language you don’t even know. That’s just confusing and honestly pretty silly.

  • For more on the downsides of Instaresume, read below.

How Much Does Instaresume Cost?

  • Free Basic Plan (Instaresume.io) – You can make and download as many resumes as you want for free, but only with basic templates and without any fancy AI help.

  • AI Credit Packages (Instaresume.io) – If you want the AI to help write stuff for you, you have to buy credits: 15 credits cost ~$1, 50 for ~$2.50, 100 for ~$3.50, 500 for ~$5.50, or 1000 for ~$9.99. Honestly, these can run out pretty quick if you use AI a lot.

  • Free Plan (Instaresume.pro) – Lets you make just one resume and one cover letter totally free, but that's all you get. Good for trying it out, but kinda limited.

  • Trial Plan (Instaresume.pro) – For about $2.95 (sometimes it's $5.90 if there's no sale), you can make as many resumes as you want using premium features, but only during the trial period.

  • 6-Month Plan (Instaresume.pro) – This one's $42 for 6 months (usually $84), and you get unlimited access to all the AI resume tools and fancier templates. But honestly, it's a bit expensive if you only need one or two resumes.

  • So should you buy Instaresume? I’d personally skip paying since credits and subscriptions can get pricey and disappear if you don't use them fast. See more details about the cost here.


Instaresume Review - What Does it Get Right?

Here are 3 things that lots of people talk about (and maybe you'll like too):

  1. Free downloads:

    • You don’t have to pay anything to download your resume, even if you do it over and over.
    • Folks say other websites will ask for money at the last step, but Instaresume doesn’t pull that trick.
    • Even though you get free downloads, a few people think some extras like customer support could be better. More on that down here.
  2. Easy resume editing:

    • You can go back in, change things up, and fix your resume as much as you want.
    • People say they update stuff whenever they need to, and it only takes a minute.
    • If you’re someone who needs to tweak things a lot, you’ll probably like how simple editing is.
  3. Lots of templates:

    • There are a bunch of designs to pick from, so you won’t get stuck with the same old look.
    • People mention it’s easy to try different styles and see what works best for their job.
    • If you like having options, there’s enough here to play around with and find something that fits you.

Here's a user talking about how this service helped them:

"It helps me a lot to create my resume"

― leela krishna IN


5 Worst Instaresume Features

Alright, let's get into the top 5 things everyone seriously hates about Instaresume:

  • Terrible Customer Service

    • When you run into a problem, you barely get an answer from support. It feels like you're yelling into the void.
    • Trying to get a refund is almost impossible. They just keep asking more questions instead of actually helping you.
    • If you need your money back or have an account issue, get ready to wait-sometimes you might not even get a reply at all.
  • Locked in Expensive Plans

    • Every month you pay, and if you don’t use your credits, they just disappear-no saving up, no carry over.
    • It's hard to cancel, which makes you feel trapped in their subscription. They don’t make it easy to stop paying.
    • Wasting money on credits you never use is just super frustrating, especially when you realize you can’t get those back.

Here's a review by Zeyaam Shahid discussing the website functionality issues:

"The website doesn't work. I can't create a resume, it just keeps telling me to refresh the page. Keep in mind that they already scraped my email from the login info that is mandatory for no reason."

― Zeyaam Shahid (US)

  • Download Problems Everywhere

    • After you build your resume, the download often fails. It’s honestly the most annoying thing if you actually need your document.
    • From my experience, the button just spins or the file never comes through. Others complain you don’t even get a preview.
    • Imagine doing all the work and then not getting your file-it's like the tool forgets its main job is giving you that resume.
  • The Site Barely Works

    • Sometimes the whole website just freezes or tells you to refresh endlessly. You end up stuck at a blank screen.
    • Making or even viewing your resume can be impossible because of these constant glitches.
    • The most basic stuff doesn’t work right, so you waste hours and still end up with nothing to show for it.
  • Strange Language Glitches

    • If you copy your resume's text, it sometimes pastes in a language you don’t even know. That makes things really confusing.
    • I’ve seen user reviews about random code or weird letters instead of normal words when pasting.
    • It just looks super unprofessional when your own resume comes out in a totally different language or full of gibberish.

Here's a review by Rohan Yadav discussing their issues with the product:

"While copying the mater, it pastes in some other language automatically."

― Rohan Yadav (IN)

By the way, if you're looking for a service where your credits last forever and you aren't forced into a subscription, check out ResumeJudge. You can even test it out for free with up to 10 scans right here.

That wraps up the in-depth review. Are you interested in exploring some other Instaresume alternatives? But first, let's discuss the pricing details!


What Does Instaresume Cost?

Instaresume pricing breakdown of free vs. AI Credit packages.

Honestly, Instaresume looks free at first - but you and I both know, there’s always a catch! Let me break it down for you in simple words...

Free Plan (Core Features)

  • So, you can build and download as many resumes as you want for free. There are free templates and you don’t pay a penny for the basics. That sounds cool, but here’s where I had issues...

  • All the really cool stuff-like having AI actually write or tweak your resume summaries, tailoring for jobs, etc.-is locked behind something called “credits.” If you want your resume to stand out, you’ll need to buy those credits.

  • It tricks you into thinking everything’s free, but as soon as you want advanced help, you’re asked to pay up. I’ve seen a lot of people get frustrated about that exact thing.

AI Credits (Pay-Per-Feature)

Here’s how those AI credits really work (trust me, I’ve tried these myself):

  • 15 credits for $1.00: Maybe you just want a super short summary or one tiny section-fine, that’ll cost you a buck.

  • 50 credits for $2.50: If you let the AI write some bigger pieces for you, or optimize a section or two, you’ve got to buy this pack.

  • 100 credits for $3.50: If you want your whole resume’s experience or education section tailored, you’ll probably need this much-easily $3.50, just gone.

  • 500 credits for $5.50 & 1000 credits for $9.99: Planning to actually experiment or redo a few versions or try for multiple jobs? Suddenly you’re at $10 down the drain, with nothing “unlimited” about it.

  • The worst thing? Every time you run out of credits, you have to buy them again. These aren’t reusable or monthly-they disappear as you use them. It’s like buying coins in a game, but for a thing as important as your career.

  • No fixed or clear “price” up front, either. You have to sign up first just to see what you’ll have to pay. That feels shady to me. A lot of folks just want a flat monthly or lifetime price, but Instaresume makes it super confusing so you never know what you’ll pay next.

Why I Think Instaresume’s Pricing Isn’t Worth It

  • It sounds flexible at first, but if you actually use the AI features a lot (which is what makes Instaresume useful), you end up paying way more than you planned.

  • There’s no subscription - but that means you’re left guessing every time you want to use the tool. And yes, those little $2 or $5 charges? They add up real quick.

  • To be totally honest, it’s just annoying to have to buy the same kind of credits again and again, month after month, especially when other tools offer permanent access for less money.


Why I Use ResumeJudge (and Why You Should Consider It)

  • No sneaky credits or subscriptions: You pay once and your credits never expire. No monthly fees, no forced top-ups-just what you need, when you need it.

  • Advanced features up front: Actual ATS (Applicant Tracking System) scans, keyword checks, instant resume upgrades, and automatic job appliers-all for a one-time price that’s clear as day.

  • Only $14 for 50 scans (one-time!): Go read it on the official ResumeJudge site. If you spent $10+ again and again on Instaresume just to optimize your resume, you’d wish you had ResumeJudge instead-trust me, I made that mistake before.

  • And you never lose your credits or fork out more cash. Use them now or next year, doesn’t matter!

If you want to see a detailed comparison between Instaresume and ResumeJudge, jump to the section below.


What are some Instaresume alternatives?

So, you’ve seen what Instaresume can do (and where it kinda flops). Before you decide, let’s check out some other options. Here are the top picks you should know about:

#1 - Instaresume vs ResumeJudge

  • What’s the same: Both Instaresume and ResumeJudge help you make a resume fast, with templates and easy editing. You can get your resume looking sharp without needing to be a tech genius.

  • Why ResumeJudge is better:

    • Real-deal ATS checks. ResumeJudge doesn’t just make your resume look nice - it actually scans your resume like those job robots (ATS) do, so you know if your resume will get seen by real people or just tossed out.
    • One-click job matching. You can paste in the job you want, and ResumeJudge will fix your resume to match it in just one click. No more guessing what to write or spending hours tweaking stuff.
    • Templates that work everywhere. Their designs look good and are made to get past those picky resume robots, so you don’t have to worry about your resume getting lost.
    • Pay once, use whenever. You buy credits once and they never expire. No monthly bills, no “use it or lose it” nonsense.
    • Support that actually helps. If you get stuck, their team actually answers and helps you out - not just some robot reply.
  • Where Instaresume is better:

    • Totally free downloads. If you just want a basic resume for free, Instaresume lets you download as many as you want without paying.
    • Lots of templates to pick from. There’s a bunch of styles, so you can try out different looks.

But honestly? If you want a resume that actually gets past those job robots and helps you land interviews, ResumeJudge is the smarter pick. You don’t have to worry about losing credits, getting stuck with a buggy site, or dealing with bad support. It just works - and makes your job search way less stressful.

#2 - Instaresume vs ResumeIO

  • What’s the same: Both Instaresume and ResumeIO let you make a resume online fast, pick from lots of templates, and download your work. They work right in your web browser, so you don’t have to install anything or mess around with files. Both also have some free options, but it’s easy to hit a paywall if you want the fancy stuff.

  • Where ResumeIO is better:

    • Way fewer bugs and headaches: ResumeIO’s site just works-no weird glitches, crashing, or goofy language errors like I’ve seen on Instaresume.
    • Easier downloads and privacy: On ResumeIO, downloading your resume is simple-you don’t have to worry about getting stuck. Plus, they brag about their data protection with serious security, which is always nice.
    • Unlimited AI help with paid plans: If you pay on ResumeIO, your AI credits don’t run out fast, so you don’t get cut off when you need it most.
  • Where Instaresume is better:

    • Real free downloads: Instaresume lets you download as many resumes as you want for free with their basic plan-so if you’re broke or just trying stuff out, that’s pretty great.
    • Lots of templates: You can pick from a good bunch of styles-and switching things around is super simple too.
  • Which one would I pick? If you want a no-nonsense, bug-free experience or plan on using AI a lot, I’d honestly say go with ResumeIO. But if you just want a basic resume without paying a dime, I’d try Instaresume first and see if it works out for you.

#3 - Instaresume vs MyPerfectResume

  • What’s the same: Both Instaresume and MyPerfectResume let you make a resume online using different templates, step-by-step guides, and even some AI help for writing. You can download your resume when you're done, but be careful-sometimes you gotta pay extra for fancy features or certain download types.

  • Where MyPerfectResume is better:

    • Helpful writing tools: MyPerfectResume gives you loads of ready-to-use phrases and expert tips to make your resume sound super professional.
    • Extra features beyond resumes: You can turn your resume into a custom online profile, get interview prep tools, and more. It's kinda like a one-stop career shop.
    • Better template choices: There are more modern designs and ways to tweak layouts than what Instaresume gives you.
  • Where Instaresume is better:

    • Free and easy downloads: If you just need a simple resume, Instaresume lets you create and download for free-no paywall or credit card hassle.
    • Super simple editing: If you mess up or need to change something, it’s easy to fix.
    • More unlimited free tries: You can download as much as you want, especially on the basic plan.
  • Prices:

    • Instaresume: Free for basic resumes, but you pay for AI help, fancier templates, or if you want to use Instaresume.pro features (like $2.95 for a trial or $42 for 6 months). Credits for AI can run out fast and disappear if you don’t use ‘em.
    • MyPerfectResume: Offers a 14-day trial for $2.95–$2.99, then moves to a $5.95 weekly or $24.95 monthly plan if you want to keep using all those features and get your resume in Word, PDF, or other formats.

Personally, for just making resumes fast and not paying, Instaresume gets the job done. But if you like lots of templates, expert advice, and extra tools to prep for jobs, MyPerfectResume has more to offer-if you don’t mind paying.


Is Instaresume Worth It?

Jim Carry saying No

Short answer – Nope, not really!

Here’s why I’m not a fan:

  • Reason #1: Customer Service Is Just Bad: If you run into trouble, don’t expect quick help. Their support is barely there, especially if you need a refund or want to cancel something. I’ve seen way too many complaints about unanswered emails and endless waits. Frustrating, right?

  • Reason #2: You Lose What You Pay For: Instaresume locks you in with monthly credit plans, but if you don’t use all your credits, they just disappear. No rollover at all. So, you’re straight up losing money for absolutely nothing.

  • Reason #3: The Site Is Always Bugging Out: Making your resume should be easy, but with Instaresume, the site breaks down all the time. Sometimes you can’t even see or download your resume, and that’s just crazy - what’s the point then?

Here's a review by Urvi parmar GB sharing their experience with the app:

"Whenever I try to download resume. It doesn't work. The app sucks."

― Urvi parmar GB

So what’s the move instead?

Honestly, ResumeJudge fixes all the problems I keep seeing with Instaresume. Let me tell you how.

ResumeJudge dashboard.

For starters, you can actually try ResumeJudge for free with 10 scans - no tricks, no credit card needed. Here’s what makes it stand out:

  • #1 It’s NOT Generic - It Feels Made For You: ResumeJudge gets that everyone’s at a different stage in life. Whether you’re in school, fresh out of college, or deep in your career, it tailors your resume so it really fits what you need (no cookie-cutter nonsense).

  • #2 Credits NEVER Disappear: Every credit you buy is yours forever. Use them when you want, no expiration, no pressure.

  • #3 Customer Support That Gives a Damn: I love that you actually talk to people, not just robots. If you message them, you’ll hear back quick. No more getting ghosted or stuck in refund loops.

  • #4 Built by Folks Who UNDERSTAND Resumes: The ResumeJudge team comes from Google and actually knows how those resume systems (ATS) really think. Their templates are made to pass those bots, not just look pretty, and you get all the tools you need in one place - builder, scanner, keyword helper, skills checker, even auto-apply. No juggling a bunch of apps!

That about sums it up. Hope this review helped you get a clear picture of Instaresume, and gave you something better to try. Wanna check out ResumeJudge? Go visit the website or jump into your 10-scan free trial. No credit card, no phone, just your email - and you’re good to go!

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