RecastCV vs Jobscan: Knowing what to fix vs. fixing it automatically
Jobscan has been one of the most widely recommended ATS optimisation tools for years. Its core value is diagnostic: paste your resume and a job description, and it tells you your match score, missing keywords, and formatting issues. RecastCV takes the next step — instead of telling you what to fix, it fixes it for you, rewriting your CV in full using only the experience you have actually documented. This page breaks down what each tool does well, and which problems each one actually solves.
Feature comparison
Honest verdict
You want your CV rewritten — not just scored. You need to submit a tailored document and do not want to spend 30 to 60 minutes manually incorporating keyword suggestions after each scan. You prefer a workflow where a single action — drop the JD, get the tailored .docx — handles the optimisation end to end. Credits-based pricing suits you if you apply in bursts rather than constantly.
You want to audit a document you have already written before submitting it, or diagnose why a particular application performed poorly. Jobscan's keyword analysis is detailed and educational — it is a good tool for understanding ATS scoring logic. Its LinkedIn profile scanner is also genuinely useful and has no equivalent in RecastCV. If you are a career coach or recruiter reviewing multiple documents, Jobscan's diagnostic depth is hard to beat.
Frequently asked questions
Yes, and some applicants do. They use RecastCV to generate the tailored .docx, then run it through Jobscan as a final check. If Jobscan surfaces any gaps, they make targeted edits before submitting. This two-step approach adds time but gives you the depth of Jobscan's analysis alongside RecastCV's full rewrite.
No. RecastCV's match score reflects how well the tailored CV covers the keywords and requirements in the JD, measured against the rewrite RecastCV produced. Jobscan uses its own proprietary scoring model. Neither score exactly replicates any real ATS system, but both provide useful signal on keyword coverage.
It depends on what you need. If you simply want to check a document's keyword coverage, Jobscan's free tier may be enough. RecastCV's value is in the rewrite itself — if you are spending significant time manually editing your CV after each Jobscan report, RecastCV trades that time cost for a small credit cost.
No. RecastCV focuses on the CV or resume document and the job application workflow. If LinkedIn profile optimisation is important to your search, Jobscan is the better tool for that specific need.
One credit per tailored CV. Credits start at $8 for 10, so a single tailored CV costs less than $1. There is no subscription and no monthly fee.
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