Best Cowrite Alternatives for Swedish Job Seekers (2026)
Cowrite requires union membership and has limited AI. Find alternatives for Swedish job seekers with AI writing, ATS optimization, and no membership requirements.
Cowrite is the go-to CV tool for Swedish union members. It's embedded in the Unionen ecosystem, understands Swedish CV conventions, and provides templates tailored to the Swedish job market.
But there's a catch: you need union membership to access it. If you're not a Unionen member, a freelancer, self-employed, between unions, or simply prefer not to join, Cowrite isn't an option.
And even for members, Cowrite's AI and ATS features lag behind what international tools now offer.
TL;DR: Top 3 Cowrite Alternatives for Sweden
- ResumeFast - AI writing and ATS scoring that works for Swedish CVs. Free tier, Pro at $7.95/month.
- Novoresume - Clean, modern templates with Swedish-friendly formatting. $19.99/month.
- CVkungen - Swedish-specific templates (but limited AI). See our CVkungen alternatives guide for details.
What Cowrite Does Well
Cowrite has genuine advantages for its target audience:
- Swedish CV conventions: Templates follow Swedish formatting standards (personal number placement, references section, photo conventions)
- Union integration: Seamless access for Unionen members
- Swedish language support: Interface and suggestions in Swedish
- Career guidance: Connected to Unionen's career coaching services
- No additional cost: Included with union membership
For Unionen members who want a straightforward Swedish CV, Cowrite delivers within its ecosystem.
Why People Look for Alternatives
1. Union Membership Required
Cowrite's biggest limitation is access. If you're not a Unionen member, you can't use it. This excludes:
- Non-unionized workers
- Members of other unions (Akademikerforbundet, TCO, IF Metall)
- Freelancers and self-employed professionals
- International workers new to Sweden
- Students who haven't joined a union yet
2. Limited AI Features
Cowrite's AI capabilities are basic compared to international competitors. In 2026, tools like ResumeFast offer AI-generated bullet points, job description matching, and ATS scoring. Cowrite's suggestions are template-based rather than AI-powered.
3. No ATS Optimization
As Swedish companies increasingly adopt international ATS systems (Teamtailor, Workable, Lever), ATS compatibility matters in Sweden too. Cowrite doesn't offer ATS scoring or keyword matching against job descriptions.
4. Limited to Swedish Market
If you're a Swedish professional looking for international opportunities, or applying to multinational companies in Sweden that use English-language CVs, Cowrite's Swedish-only approach limits you.
Quick Comparison
| Feature | Cowrite | ResumeFast | CVkungen | Novoresume |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Swedish Templates | Yes | Adaptable | Yes | Adaptable |
| Requires Membership | Yes (Unionen) | No | No | No |
| AI Writing | Basic | Yes | Limited | Yes |
| ATS Scoring | No | Yes | No | Partial |
| English CVs | Limited | Yes | Limited | Yes |
| Free Tier | With membership | Yes | Limited | Yes |
| Price | Union dues | $7.95/mo | Varies | $19.99/mo |
Alternative 1: ResumeFast (Best for Modern Job Search)
Full disclosure: This is our product.
ResumeFast works for both Swedish and international job applications, with AI features that Cowrite lacks.
Why Swedish job seekers choose ResumeFast:
- No membership required: Sign up directly, no union affiliation needed
- AI writing assistance: Get bullet point suggestions tailored to your role and industry
- ATS scoring: See how your CV matches specific job postings on Arbetsformedlingen, LinkedIn, or company sites
- Bilingual support: Create Swedish CVs and English CVs from the same platform
- Cover letters included: AI-powered cover letter builder (personligt brev)
Swedish CV tips with ResumeFast:
Swedish CVs typically include:
- Personal details (but not personnummer in the CV itself)
- Profile summary (profil)
- Work experience (arbetslivserfarenhet)
- Education (utbildning)
- Skills and competencies (kompetenser)
- References available upon request (referenser lamnas pa begaran)
ResumeFast's templates accommodate this structure with clean, professional formatting that works for both Swedish and international applications.
Pricing:
- Free: 1 resume, 1 cover letter, 2 PDF downloads/month
- Pro: $7.95/month (~85 SEK/month)
- Unlimited: $14.95/month (~160 SEK/month)
Alternative 2: Novoresume
Novoresume works well for Swedish job seekers who want modern, international-quality templates.
Strengths:
- Clean, modern templates that work for Swedish CVs
- Free tier with download
- Skills matcher against job descriptions
- Supports both Swedish and English CVs
Limitations:
- Not specifically designed for Swedish conventions
- $19.99/month for premium features
- AI features limited to paid plans
- May need manual adjustment for Swedish formatting
Best for: Swedish professionals applying to international companies or roles that expect a modern, clean CV format.
Alternative 3: CVkungen
CVkungen is the most Swedish-specific alternative, with templates designed for the local market.
Strengths:
- Swedish-specific templates and formatting
- Understands Swedish CV conventions
- Swedish language interface
- Affordable pricing
Limitations:
- Limited AI features
- No ATS scoring
- Smaller feature set than international tools
- Template variety is limited
For a detailed comparison, see our CVkungen alternatives guide.
The Swedish CV: What Makes It Different
Swedish CVs have specific conventions that differ from US resumes:
| Element | US Resume | Swedish CV |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 1 page preferred | 1-2 pages common |
| Photo | Not included | Optional (increasingly common) |
| Personal details | Minimal | Address, phone, email |
| References | "Available upon request" | Name and contact details, or "available upon request" |
| Language | English | Swedish (unless role requires English) |
| Personnummer | Never | Not on CV (share separately if requested) |
When choosing a CV builder, make sure it can accommodate these conventions. International tools like ResumeFast and Novoresume can handle Swedish formatting, though you may need to adjust section labels.
ATS in the Swedish Job Market
Swedish companies increasingly use ATS systems:
- Teamtailor: Popular among Swedish startups and mid-size companies
- Workable: Used by international companies with Swedish offices
- Lever: Common in tech companies
- Visma Recruit: Swedish-specific ATS
- Arbetsformedlingen: Sweden's public employment service has its own digital application system
ATS optimization isn't just an American concern. If you're applying through digital portals in Sweden (which is most applications), your CV needs to parse correctly.
Cost Comparison (in SEK)
| Tool | Monthly Cost | Annual Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Cowrite | Union dues (~350 SEK/mo) | ~4,200 SEK |
| ResumeFast Pro | ~85 SEK/mo | ~1,020 SEK |
| CVkungen | Varies | Varies |
| Novoresume | ~210 SEK/mo | ~850 SEK (annual plan) |
| Indeed | Free | Free |
Note: Cowrite's cost is bundled with union membership, which provides other benefits. The comparison reflects the resume builder portion of the value.
Who Should Stay with Cowrite
Cowrite remains the right choice if:
- You're a Unionen member: It's included in your membership, no additional cost
- You value career coaching integration: Cowrite connects to Unionen's broader career services
- You only apply in Sweden: Swedish-specific formatting handled automatically
- You prefer Swedish-language tools: Full Swedish interface and suggestions
- You don't need AI features: Basic template-driven suggestions meet your needs
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use Cowrite without being a union member?
No. Cowrite is exclusively available to Unionen members. Non-members need to join Unionen or use alternative CV builders.
Do Swedish companies use ATS systems?
Yes, increasingly. Major employers, tech companies, and recruitment agencies in Sweden use ATS systems like Teamtailor, Workable, and Visma Recruit. ATS optimization matters for the Swedish job market, especially for digital applications.
Should my Swedish CV be in Swedish or English?
It depends on the role and company. For positions at Swedish companies with Swedish-speaking teams, write in Swedish. For international companies, English-language roles, or tech positions, English is often expected. Having both versions is ideal.
Is ResumeFast available in Swedish?
ResumeFast's interface is in English, but you can write your CV content in Swedish. The AI suggestions work in both Swedish and English. Templates accommodate Swedish CV formatting conventions.
How long should a Swedish CV be?
One to two pages is standard in Sweden. Unlike the strict one-page US resume convention, Swedish employers are comfortable with two-page CVs, especially for experienced professionals.
No membership required. Try ResumeFast free for AI-powered CV writing and ATS optimization. Works for both Swedish and international job applications.
For more on international CV formats, check our UK CV guide and German CV guide.
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