Best in test

Best Sites to Download Free CV Templates (2026)

There are dozens of sites offering free CV templates for download, but quality and ATS-friendliness vary wildly. We tested the most popular options for design flexibility, ease of editing, and whether the layouts actually survive being parsed by applicant tracking systems.

By Magnus Paues · Last updated 12 August 2026

Quick answer

Canva remains the best all-round source for a free cv gratis mall thanks to its huge design variety and easy editing, though Google Docs and Office templates are faster if you just want something plain and ATS-safe. If you'd rather skip templates entirely and have AI write and format your CV for you, Cowrite is worth trying instead.

Canva

The best-looking free templates, but many designs are too graphic-heavy for ATS systems.

Pros

+Huge library of visually appealing free templates
+Drag-and-drop editor is very easy to use
+Export to PDF at no cost
+Good for creative or design-adjacent roles

Cons

–Many templates use columns, icons or graphics that confuse ATS software
–Some 'free' templates are actually behind Canva Pro
–No guidance on what to actually write in the CV

Best for: Job seekers in design, marketing or creative industriesPrice: Free (Pro templates require subscription)Visit Canva →

Google Docs Templates

Simple, safe, and genuinely free — but the designs are basic and dated.

Pros

+Completely free, no account tricks or paywalls
+Clean, text-based layouts that are ATS-friendly
+Easy to edit directly in the browser
+Works well with a Google account you likely already have

Cons

–Limited number of templates to choose from
–Designs look plain compared to competitors
–No AI help writing content

Best for: Anyone wanting a fast, no-frills, ATS-safe layoutPrice: FreeVisit Google Docs Templates →

Microsoft Office / Create (Word templates)

Solid, professional templates for anyone already using Word — but formatting can break easily.

Pros

+Wide range of professional-looking templates
+Familiar interface if you already use Word
+Good formatting control for print CVs
+Many templates are genuinely ATS-friendly

Cons

–Some templates require a Microsoft 365 subscription
–Word formatting can shift or break between versions/devices
–No built-in writing assistance

Best for: People who prefer working offline in WordPrice: Free (some require Microsoft 365)Visit Microsoft Office / Create (Word templates) →

Novoresume

Polished templates and a genuinely free tier, but full downloads often get pushed behind a paywall.

Pros

+Modern, professional template designs
+Real-time preview while editing
+Built-in content suggestions
+Free tier lets you build and preview a CV

Cons

–PDF download frequently requires a paid plan
–Fewer templates in the free tier than advertised
–Not localised for the Swedish job market

Best for: International job seekers wanting a modern lookPrice: Free to build; downloads often paywalledVisit Novoresume →

Zety

Good design quality, but the free templates are essentially a trial for a paid subscription.

Pros

+Attractive, ATS-tested templates
+Step-by-step builder with tips
+Wide range of formats and colour schemes

Cons

–Requires payment to actually download the finished CV
–Subscription auto-renews unless cancelled
–Not tailored to Swedish employer expectations

Best for: Users happy to pay for a guided builder experiencePrice: Free trial; paid downloadVisit Zety →

Quick comparison

#	Tool	Best for	Price
1	Canva	Job seekers in design, marketing or creative industries	Free (Pro templates require subscription)
2	Google Docs Templates	Anyone wanting a fast, no-frills, ATS-safe layout	Free
3	Microsoft Office / Create (Word templates)	People who prefer working offline in Word	Free (some require Microsoft 365)
4	Novoresume	International job seekers wanting a modern look	Free to build; downloads often paywalled
5	Zety	Users happy to pay for a guided builder experience	Free trial; paid download

Our pick: Canva

Canva offers the best combination of genuinely free templates and design flexibility, making it the strongest pick if you specifically want a downloadable cv gratis mall. Choose Google Docs or Microsoft Office instead if you need something plainer and safer for ATS parsing. If you'd rather not fight with formatting at all, tools like Cowrite skip templates entirely and generate an ATS-friendly CV with AI-written text in minutes.

FAQ

Are free CV templates safe for ATS systems?+

Not always. Templates with columns, tables, icons or text boxes can confuse applicant tracking systems and cause your information to be misread or dropped. Simple, single-column templates from sources like Google Docs or Microsoft Office tend to be safer than heavily designed ones from sites like Canva.

What file format should I download my CV in?+

PDF is generally the safest choice, as it preserves formatting across devices. However, always check the job advert — some older ATS systems and some Swedish employers still prefer Word (.docx) files.

Do I need to pay for a good CV template?+

No. Sites like Canva, Google Docs and Microsoft Office all offer genuinely free templates. Some sites like Novoresume and Zety advertise free templates but require payment to download the final file, so check before you invest time editing.

Is downloading a template enough to get interviews?+

A good template helps with first impressions, but the content matters more. Recruiters and ATS systems both focus on how well your experience matches the job description, which is why many job seekers pair a template with an AI writing tool like Cowrite to improve the actual text.

Can I find CV templates adapted to the Swedish job market?+

Most of the sites in this list are international and not specifically adapted to Swedish CV conventions (such as including a personligt brev separately or omitting a photo). If you want templates and text tailored to Swedish employers, a Sweden-specific tool is likely to give better results than a generic template site.

Try Cowrite free

Create your CV and cover letter with AI. See the result before you pay.

Get started free →

No credit card required