Subscription Plans vs. Credit Packages: Which Option is Right for You?

When you're ready to upgrade beyond your free analysis, RankMyCv offers two distinct pricing models: subscriptions and credit packages. Both are valid, but they serve different needs. This guide helps you decide which option is right for your situation.

Quick Comparison

Understanding Subscriptions

What You Get

Basic Subscription

• 15 credits/month (15 CV analyses)
• Priority email support
• Full analysis history
• Access to your previous analyses
• $14.99/month or $149.99/year

Pro Subscription

• 60 credits/month (60 CV analyses)
• Priority support (email + chat)
• Advanced analytics dashboard
• Extended analysis history (12 months)
• $34.99/month or $349.99/year

Enterprise Subscription

• Unlimited credits
• Dedicated account manager
• Team collaboration features
• Custom API access
• Custom pricing (contact sales)

Subscription Advantages

1. Best Value for Heavy Users If you'll use 60+ credits monthly, Pro subscription costs $0.58 per analysis vs. $0.80-$1.60 for packages.

2. Predictable Pricing You know exactly what you'll pay each month. No surprise costs.

3. Extra Features Subscriptions include priority support and extended history beyond just credits.

4. Always Have Credits Automatic monthly replenishment means you never run out (unless you exceed your allocation).

5. Year-Long Commitment Saves Money Annual subscriptions save 15% compared to monthly billing.

Subscription Disadvantages

1. Recurring Charges Money comes out every month unless you cancel.

2. Unused Credits Disappear If you have 20 unused credits at the end of the month, they typically don't roll over (check plan details).

3. Commitment Required You're paying every month even if you pause your job search.

4. Must Cancel Manually If you forget to cancel when you land a job, you'll continue being charged.

Understanding Credit Packages

What You Get

Starter Package (10 credits)

• One-time purchase: $9.99
• Roughly 1-2 weeks of casual job searching

Standard Package (50 credits)

• One-time purchase: $39.99
• Roughly 1-2 months of casual job searching

Pro Package (150 credits)

• One-time purchase: $99.99
• Roughly 3-5 months of casual job searching

Business Package (400 credits)

• One-time purchase: $249.99
• Roughly 1 year of casual job searching

Package Advantages

1. No Recurring Charges Pay once, use whenever you want. Period.

2. No Commitment Cancel anytime - in fact, there's nothing to cancel. Credits stay in your account forever.

3. Credits Never Expire Use them in 2 weeks or 2 years. Doesn't matter.

4. Control Your Spending You decide when to buy and how much. No automatic charges.

5. Perfect for Uncertain Timelines Pausing your job search? Your credits wait for you.

Package Disadvantages

1. Higher Per-Credit Cost Standard package costs $0.80 per analysis vs. $0.58 for Pro subscription.

2. No Extras You're paying for credits only, not support or extended features.

3. Requires Manual Reordering When you run out, you need to remember to buy more.

4. No Automatic Refresh Can't analyze if you don't have credits (unless you buy more).

Decision Framework: Which Should You Choose?

Choose Subscription If:

1. You're Actively Job Searching Right Now

• Applying to 5+ jobs weekly
• Will definitely use 15-60+ credits monthly
• Looking for best value

2. You Want Priority Support

• You want guaranteed response times
• You need help optimizing your approach
• You value expert guidance

3. You Appreciate Structured Billing

• You prefer predictable monthly charges
• Your job search will last 3+ months
• You like automatic monthly credits

4. You're a Heavy User

• You analyze multiple CVs for different roles
• You reanalyze after making improvements
• You want to track detailed analytics

Recommendation: Pro Subscription for best value if you'll use it actively

Choose Credit Packages If:

1. Your Job Search Timeline is Uncertain

• You might need to pause/restart
• You don't know how long you'll be searching
• Your circumstances might change

2. You're Casually Job Searching

• Applying to 1-3 jobs weekly
• Your search is part-time
• You might not use all credits monthly

3. You Want to Avoid Recurring Charges

• You prefer one-time purchases
• Automatic billing makes you uncomfortable
• You want complete control over spending

4. You're Testing the Service

• You want to try RankMyCv more than free
• You're unsure if it's worth the investment
• Start small with Starter or Standard packages

5. You're a Light User

• You analyze 5-10 CVs per month
• Your job search is thorough but slow
• Quality over quantity matters to you

Recommendation: Standard Package (50 credits) for casual searching

Cost Comparison Scenarios

Scenario 1: Intense Job Search (3 months)

• Need: 180 total analyses
• Subscription: 3 months × $34.99 = $104.97 (180 credits)
• Packages: Pro (150 credits) + Standard (50 credits) = $139.98
• Winner: Subscription saves $35

Scenario 2: Moderate Job Search (6 months)

• Need: 240 total analyses
• Subscription: 6 months × $34.99 = $209.94 (360 credits)
• Packages: Business (400) = $249.99
• Winner: Subscription saves $40

Scenario 3: Casual Job Search (6 months, uncertain end)

• Need: 90 total analyses (estimated)
• Subscription: 6 months × $34.99 = $209.94 (might overspend)
• Packages: Standard (50) + Pro (150) = $139.98
• Winner: Packages save if you don't use all subscription credits

Scenario 4: Pause and Resume

• Job search: Pause for 2 months, resume after
• Subscription: Lost momentum, need to cancel/restart
• Packages: Credits sitting there waiting
• Winner: Packages (no pressure or disruption)

Which Plan Is Actually Used More?

Based on typical user behavior:

Subscription: 65% of active job seekers

• People searching intensively for jobs now
• Career changers
• Recent graduates
• People hired and needing more analyses

Packages: 35% of users

• Passive job searchers
• People between jobs
• Those exploring options
• Cost-conscious job seekers

The Hybrid Approach

Some users do both:

1. Start with a package to test the service
2. Upgrade to subscription if using heavily
3. Downgrade to packages if job search slows

This approach gives you flexibility while optimizing cost.

Special Situations

"I Just Got a Job"

• If on subscription: Cancel immediately, get prorated refund
• If on package: Stop using, credits remain if you need them later
• Better choice: Package (no cancellation needed)

"I'm Between Jobs"

• Duration: 2-6 months typically
• Intensity: High (applying actively)
• Recommendation: Pro subscription ($34.99/month) for best value

"I'm Exploring Options"

• Frequency: 1-2 analyses weekly
• Duration: Open-ended
• Recommendation: Standard package (can use over several months)

"I'm Changing Careers"

• Duration: 3-6 months
• Intensity: High (new industry requires optimization)
• Recommendation: Pro subscription for sustained support

Making Your Decision

Ask yourself:

1. How many jobs will I apply for per month?

   • 1-5: Casual (packages better)
   • 5-15: Moderate (either works)
   • 15+: Active (subscription better)

2. How long will I search?

   • 1-2 months: Packages
   • 3+ months: Subscription
   • Uncertain: Packages

3. Do I want support?

   • Yes: Subscription
   • No: Packages fine

4. How important is cost?

   • Very: Calculate your expected cost
   • Moderate: Subscription for convenience
   • Not important: Choose flexibility (packages)

Ready to upgrade?

• Thinking subscription? Compare our plans →
• Interested in packages? See credit pricing →
• Not sure yet? Try your free analysis first →