Compare/Head to head

RefineCV vs Textkernel

Same facts, side by side: starting price, free tier, MCP, API and what each one is actually built for.

Starting price

RefineCV

$0.25/CV Free tier Free trial

CV formatting tool for recruitment agencies that still rebuild candidate CVs in Word before sending them to clients. It reformats any resume into your branded template in about 10 seconds, starts with 10 free CVs, then costs $0.40 per CV or $50 a month for 200, with unlimited seats and every feature on every plan.

Where RefineCV fits

  • Small and midsize agencies sending branded CVs to clients
  • Desks where consultants spend time reformatting resumes in Word
  • Agencies that want per CV pricing without per seat fees

Textkernel

$99/mo

Resume parsing, search and matching engine for recruiting software and staffing firms. The Parser starts at $99 a month; other products are quote-based.

Where Textkernel fits

  • ATS and HR software vendors embedding parsing
  • Staffing firms searching large candidate databases
  • Enterprises moving to skills-based hiring
  • Teams that need labor market data

At a glance

DetailRefineCVTextkernel
Starting price$0.25/CV$99/mo
Free tier✓Yes–No
Free trialYesNot on record
MCP server–No–No
Public API–No✓Yes
Listed underCRM, ATSATS, Sourcing

Where they pull apart

RefineCV

Stands out: Pricing is published and per CV rather than per seat: $0.25 a CV on Pro and $0.40 pay as you go, with no contract, where several CV formatting rivals are quote only or charge per user. Template builds and edits are free, including sending your existing Word or PDF template for the team to rebuild.

Watch out: It works on files rather than inside your ATS, so consultants export the CV, format it and upload it back unless your ATS vendor licenses the engine. Batch processing is on request rather than built in, and the vendor says it does not hold ISO 27001 or SOC 2 certification, which larger clients may ask for.

Not the right fit for

  • Enterprise staffing firms that require ISO 27001 or SOC 2
  • Teams wanting formatting to run inside the ATS automatically
  • Agencies that need CVs translated into other languages

Textkernel

Stands out: Its parser and matching engine run inside more than 100 ATS and HR systems, not only as a standalone product.

Watch out: Only the Parser has a public price, from $99 a month on credits. Source & Match, skills products and Enterprise depend on volume, languages and whether you buy direct or through an ATS partner.

Not the right fit for

  • Solo recruiters who want a browser extension
  • Buyers who need a self-serve price for matching, not just parsing

Pros and cons

RefineCV

  • 10 free CVs with no card and no expiry
  • Unlimited seats and every feature on every plan
  • Free template builds and edits
  • No direct ATS connector for most users
  • Batch processing only on request
  • No ISO 27001 or SOC 2 certification

Textkernel

  • Parser used across many ATS products
  • Self-service APIs with public docs
  • Skills taxonomy and labor data
  • Only the Parser has public pricing
  • Often bought through an ATS partner
  • Needs integration work to use

What each one costs

RefineCV

$0.25/CV

Free plan with 10 CVs for life, no card. Pay As You Go is $0.40 per CV with no monthly fee, invoiced monthly. Pro is $50 a month with 200 CVs included ($0.25 each) and $0.30 per CV beyond 200; unused CVs do not roll over. Annual Pro is $500 a year on request, and agencies above 1,000 CVs a month can ask for volume pricing. Every plan has every feature and unlimited seats. Prices in USD. Confirm current terms on the vendor site.

Checked 4 Nov 2026

Textkernel

$99/mo

The Parser is sold on credits. Professional starts at $99 a month, with monthly plans from 500 to 25,000 credits and annual plans up to 100,000 credits. A first-purchase Accelerator plan gives 5,000 credits for $200. A free trial includes 500 credits through the demo UI or API. Enterprise, and the wider Source and Match and skills products, are priced by quote on volume, languages and modules. Confirm current terms on the vendor site.

Checked 4 Nov 2026

Common questions

Is RefineCV cheaper than Textkernel?
RefineCV starts lower, at $0.25/CV against $99/mo for Textkernel. That is the entry plan on each side, so the real number depends on seats and the tier you land on.
Can you try RefineCV or Textkernel for free?
RefineCV carries a free tier on our listing. RefineCV offers a free trial.

Not the pair you wanted?

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Editorial listings, never paid rankings. Prices checked 4 Nov 2026. Confirm current terms on the vendor site. Spot an error?