Explore Reactive Resume's features, templates, self-hosting options and pricing for this free, open-source, privacy-first resume builder at rxresu.me.
Category
Productivity
Pricing
Free and open source (hosted or self-hosted), from Free
Verified
Not yet
Last updated
July 19, 2026
Founded
2019
Web AppOpen SourceTemplatesSelf-Hosted
Overview
Reactive Resume is an open-source resume builder created by developer Amruth Pillai, with public development dating back to 2019 and a major version 2 relaunch in 2020. It is released under the MIT license and has grown to roughly 39.7 thousand GitHub stars, making it one of the most widely used open-source resume tools available.
The product is designed around privacy and portability: basic resume creation and export require no account, and the entire application can be self-hosted via Docker for users who want to keep their data fully under their own control.
Key Features
Users choose from 15-plus templates, edit content in a real-time editor with live preview and drag-and-drop section reordering, and export to PDF, JSON or DOCX. Optional AI assistance can be configured through OpenAI, Google Gemini or Anthropic Claude API keys to help refine resume content.
The stack is built on TanStack Start (React 19/Vite), PostgreSQL with Drizzle ORM, and Better Auth with passkey support; self-hosters run it via Docker with an optional SeaweedFS instance for S3-compatible storage, and translations are crowd-sourced via Crowdin.
Pricing
Reactive Resume is completely free, whether used on the hosted rxresu.me instance or self-hosted on private infrastructure. There are no premium templates, subscription tiers or paywalls; the project is sustained by its open-source community rather than a commercial pricing model.
Key Features
15-plus professional templates — Choose from a wide range of professionally designed, ATS-friendly resume templates to start from.
No account required for basic use — Build and export a resume as a PDF without creating an account, preserving anonymity for casual users.
Real-time editor with live preview — See changes reflected instantly in a live preview pane while filling out resume sections.
Multiple export formats — Export finished resumes as PDF, JSON or DOCX, and generate a shareable public link.
AI-assisted content help — Optionally connect OpenAI, Google Gemini or Anthropic Claude API keys to get writing assistance on resume content.
Self-hosting via Docker — Deploy the entire application on private infrastructure using Docker and PostgreSQL for full data control.
Passkey authentication and dark mode — Sign in securely with passkeys and use the interface in a dark or light theme.
Community-translated interface — The UI is localized into multiple languages through community contributions on Crowdin.
Pros & Cons
Pros
Completely free with no premium tiers or paywalled templates
Open-source (MIT license) with a large, active GitHub community
No account required for basic resume creation and export
Fully self-hostable for users who want complete data ownership
Wide template selection and multiple export formats (PDF, JSON, DOCX)
Cons
No official paid support plan or SLA for businesses or teams
Self-hosting requires Docker and PostgreSQL knowledge for full control
AI features depend on users supplying their own third-party API keys
Not built for team or agency-scale resume/candidate management
Community support only, since there is no dedicated commercial vendor
Pricing
Hosted (rxresu.me) $0 Free forever
Self-Hosted $0 Free forever (open source)
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Reactive Resume really free?
Yes, it is completely free and open source under the MIT license, whether used on rxresu.me or self-hosted.
Do I need to create an account to use Reactive Resume?
No, basic resume building and PDF export can be done without an account, preserving user privacy.
Can I self-host Reactive Resume?
Yes, the full application can be self-hosted via Docker with a PostgreSQL database and optional S3-compatible storage.
What export formats does Reactive Resume support?
Resumes can be exported as PDF, JSON or DOCX, and shared via a public link.
Does Reactive Resume use AI?
It can optionally integrate with OpenAI, Google Gemini or Anthropic Claude using your own API key for content assistance.
Who created Reactive Resume?
It was created by developer Amruth Pillai, with public development beginning in 2019.
What technology stack powers Reactive Resume?
It runs on TanStack Start (React 19/Vite), Node.js, TypeScript, PostgreSQL with Drizzle ORM, and Better Auth.
Is Reactive Resume available in multiple languages?
Yes, the interface is translated into multiple languages through community contributions on Crowdin.