SpeedCV vs Enhancv: UK CV Builder Comparison (2026)
SpeedCV vs Enhancv (2026): an honest UK comparison of ATS compatibility, pricing, templates and Trustpilot ratings to help UK job seekers choose.
SpeedCV vs Enhancv: UK CV Builder Comparison (2026)
Enhancv is known for creative, design-forward CVs. SpeedCV is built specifically for UK job applications. If you're deciding between them, here's what matters — features, pricing, and how each one handles ATS compatibility.
Table of Contents
- The Short Version
- Pricing Compared
- Free Plan Limitations
- Templates and Design
- ATS Optimisation
- AI Features
- UK-Specific Features
- Content Library
- Export and Download
- Privacy and Data
- Where SpeedCV Wins
- Where Enhancv Wins
- Who Should Use Which?
- Frequently Asked Questions
The Short Version
Enhancv excels at visual, creative CVs with unique sections (like a "My Time" chart or a "Strengths" bar graph). SpeedCV focuses on getting your CV past UK ATS systems and matching you with live UK jobs.
The trade-off is real: Enhancv's creative sections (charts, bars, graphics) look impressive to humans but aren't reliably parsed by ATS software. SpeedCV's templates are designed for ATS compatibility first, aesthetics second.
Pricing Compared
| Feature | SpeedCV | Enhancv |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | Yes — unlimited CVs, 6 templates, 5 AI actions/day | Yes — 7-day trial, no credit card required |
| Trial price | £1.99 for 14 days | Free for 7 days |
| Quarterly price | N/A | £48.98/quarter (£16.33/month) |
| Monthly price | £19.99/month | ~£21.99/month |
| Annual price | £79.99/year | ~£131.88/year (quarterly × 4) |
| Currency | GBP | USD (converted to GBP at checkout) |
| Billing cycle | Calendar monthly | Monthly or quarterly |
Key difference: Enhancv's free trial requires no credit card — a genuine 7-day test drive with no billing risk. SpeedCV's free plan has no time limit but restricts exports. On the paid side, SpeedCV's annual plan (£79.99) is significantly cheaper than Enhancv's effective annual cost (~£132).
Free Plan Limitations
This is where the two platforms differ sharply.
Enhancv free plan:
- 7-day trial period (then locked out)
- Enhancv branding watermark on all exports
- Limited to 12 items total across all CV sections (12 bullet points, 12 skills, etc.)
- Single CV only
- Basic templates only
SpeedCV free plan:
- No time limit — use it indefinitely
- Unlimited CV creation
- 6 UK-optimised templates included
- Real-time ATS scoring against 8 UK systems
- 5 AI actions per day
- No download (paid plans only)
The 12-item limit on Enhancv's free plan is particularly restrictive. Most CVs need 15-25 items across experience, education, and skills sections. You'll hit the limit before finishing a single CV.
Templates and Design
| Feature | SpeedCV | Enhancv |
|---|---|---|
| Total templates | 27+ | 40+ |
| UK-optimised | Yes — tested against UK ATS systems | No — global designs |
| Creative sections | Standard CV sections | Unique: "My Time", "Strengths", charts, graphs |
| Photo support (UK) | No (Equality Act convention) | Yes (optional) |
| Customisation depth | Colours, fonts, layout | Colours, fonts, layout, custom sections, icons |
Enhancv has more templates and significantly more design flexibility. You can add custom sections with visual elements that no other CV builder offers. The question is whether that creativity helps or hurts your application.
ATS Optimisation
This is the critical difference between the two platforms.
Enhancv offers an ATS-friendly template option and a content analyser that checks your CV for common issues. However, Enhancv's signature creative sections — strength bars, pie charts, timeline graphics, custom icons — are not parseable by most ATS systems, which can leave that information missing or garbled when a CV is scanned automatically.
Enhancv does warn users about this in their help documentation, but the creative sections are the platform's main selling point, which creates a tension between design appeal and ATS compatibility.
SpeedCV includes a dedicated ATS checker that scores your CV against 8 real UK ATS systems (Trac, Oleeo, SuccessFactors, iCIMS, Greenhouse, Workday, Taleo, Bullhorn). You paste a specific job description and receive targeted keyword recommendations.
The trade-off: if you're applying to a company where a human reviews your CV directly (small businesses, creative agencies), Enhancv's visual approach can help you stand out. If you're applying through any online portal at a medium-to-large UK employer, the CV almost certainly passes through an ATS first — and SpeedCV is built for that reality.
AI Features
| Feature | SpeedCV | Enhancv |
|---|---|---|
| AI CV writing | Yes — section-by-section | Yes — AI content suggestions |
| AI cover letter | Yes — linked to CV data | Yes — AI-generated |
| ATS scoring (real systems) | Yes — 8 UK ATS platforms | No — content analysis only |
| CV parsing/import | Yes — PDF, Word, LinkedIn | Yes — PDF upload |
| Interview simulator | Yes — multi-stage roleplay | No |
| AI photo editing | Yes — background removal | No |
| Salary calculator (UK) | Yes — PAYE, NI, student loans | No |
| Job matching | Yes — live UK jobs from Reed/Adzuna | No |
| AI content tailoring | Per-section improvement | Per-section with tone options |
SpeedCV offers more AI features overall, particularly around the UK job application process. Enhancv's AI focuses on content quality and tone — making your writing more professional or impactful.
UK-Specific Features
| Feature | SpeedCV | Enhancv |
|---|---|---|
| British English default | Yes | No — American English |
| UK date format (DD/MM/YYYY) | Default | User must set manually |
| A-levels / GCSEs / BTEC | Built-in section types | Generic education fields |
| NHS / Civil Service ATS | Tested against Trac, Oleeo | Not addressed |
| GBP pricing | Yes | No (USD, converted at checkout) |
| ICO registration | Yes | No (non-UK company) |
| Live UK jobs | Yes — Reed, Adzuna integration | No |
Enhancv is a global platform headquartered in Sofia, Bulgaria. It's not designed for any specific market. SpeedCV was built for the UK from the ground up.
Content Library
| Content | SpeedCV | Enhancv |
|---|---|---|
| Blog articles | 8 UK-focused guides | 200+ career articles |
| CV examples by role | 0 (coming soon) | Large library |
| Resume/CV tips | 8 in-depth guides | Extensive library |
| Career change guides | Yes | Yes |
Enhancv has a large content library of CV examples across industries. If you want to see what a CV looks like for your specific role before building your own, Enhancv has far more reference material.
Export and Download
| Feature | SpeedCV | Enhancv |
|---|---|---|
| Free PDF download | No (paid plans only) | 7-day trial only (watermarked) |
| Paid exports | PDF, DOCX, PNG | PDF only |
| Word/DOCX export | Yes | No |
| Watermarks (free) | Preview only | Yes — Enhancv branding on exports |
SpeedCV supports more export formats. Enhancv's lack of DOCX export is notable — many UK recruiters specifically request Word format CVs so they can strip formatting before sending to clients.
Privacy and Data
| Feature | SpeedCV | Enhancv |
|---|---|---|
| Data controller | SpeedCV Ltd (UK) | Enhancv Ltd (Bulgaria) |
| UK supervisory authority | ICO | None (EU-based) |
| GDPR compliance | UK GDPR + DPA 2018 | EU GDPR |
| AI model training | Explicitly prohibited | Not specified |
| Data storage | EU (database), US (AI processing) | EU |
Both comply with GDPR. SpeedCV has ICO oversight for UK users and explicitly prohibits using CV data for AI model training.
Where SpeedCV Wins
- ATS checking against real UK systems — tests against 8 platforms UK employers actually use
- No creative section penalty — templates designed for ATS parse rates, not visual flair
- Live UK job matching — unique feature, no competitor offers this
- DOCX export — essential for UK recruiters who need Word format
- GBP pricing — no currency conversion fees
- Cheaper annual plan — £79.99/year vs ~£132/year
- Unlimited free plan — no 7-day limit, no 12-item cap
Where Enhancv Wins
- Creative CV sections — unique visual elements (charts, graphs, timelines) no competitor matches
- Large CV example library — extensive role-specific references
- No-credit-card trial — genuine free test drive with zero billing risk
- Design flexibility — more customisation options for visually distinctive CVs
- Custom sections — add any section type you want, not limited to standard categories
- Strong user rating — 4.7/5 "Excellent" on Trustpilot (920 reviews, as of June 2026)
- Tone controls — AI can adjust writing style (professional, casual, confident)
Who Should Use Which?
Choose SpeedCV if:
- You're applying to UK employers through online portals (most medium-to-large companies)
- ATS compatibility is your priority
- You want job matching as part of the CV building process
- You need Word (DOCX) exports for recruiters
- You want a free plan with no time limit
Choose Enhancv if:
- You're in a creative industry where visual CVs are expected (design, marketing, media)
- You're sending CVs directly to hiring managers, not through ATS portals
- You want to browse hundreds of CV examples for your specific role
- Design and visual impact matter more than ATS parse rates
- You want a risk-free trial with no credit card required
Frequently Asked Questions
Do Enhancv's creative sections hurt ATS scores?
They can. Custom visual elements like strength bars, pie charts, and timeline graphics are not parseable by most ATS systems, so any information held in them may be missed when a CV is scanned automatically. If you use Enhancv, stick to their ATS-friendly template options and avoid graphic sections.
Which has better ATS support?
SpeedCV, significantly. It tests against 8 real UK ATS platforms with job-specific keyword analysis. Enhancv offers content suggestions but no actual ATS testing.
Can I use Enhancv for free long-term?
No. The free trial lasts 7 days, after which you need a paid plan. SpeedCV's free plan has no time limit — you can create unlimited CVs and get ATS scores indefinitely, though you need to pay for PDF/Word export.
Which is cheaper?
SpeedCV at £79.99/year. Enhancv's cheapest option works out to approximately £132/year (quarterly billing). Enhancv does offer a genuine free trial though, while SpeedCV's trial costs £1.99.
Is my data safe with both?
Both comply with GDPR. SpeedCV is ICO-registered (UK) with a UK data controller. Enhancv is EU-based (Bulgaria). SpeedCV explicitly prohibits AI model training on user data; Enhancv's policy is less specific on this point.
Which is better for creative industries?
Enhancv. Its unique visual sections (timelines, charts, strength bars) are designed for roles where design matters. Just be aware that these elements can reduce ATS parse rates if you're also applying through online portals.
Related comparisons
For the full picture, see our best CV builders UK 2026 guide.
Our verdict: try SpeedCV for free
All the upsides of the tools compared, without the downsides — AI CV builder, a real UK ATS checker, and UK-ready templates.
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