Distill vs RemakeCV: a clear comparison for recruitment agencies weighing CV formatting and anonymisation tools.
TL;DR comparison table
| Feature | Distill | RemakeCV |
|---|---|---|
| Core function | CV formatting plus anonymisation | AI-driven CV formatting and branding |
| Anonymisation | Strips name, email, phone, photo, graduation year | No anonymisation features |
| Input method | Email-based CV intake | Web upload interface |
| Bulk processing | Moderate bulk, email queue | Large-scale bulk processing |
| Custom branding/templates | Limited branding, focused on clean output | Full custom branding and templates |
| ATS compatibility | Strong UK, ANZ, EU ATS output specs | Good output quality, handles complex PDFs |
| Data retention | Minimal, processed on upload, GDPR focused | Data stored for processing, unclear retention policies |
| UK/Australia/Europe focus | Yes, with compliance in mind | Global, less region-specific focus |
| Pricing | Transparent, pay-per-use with free trial | Free trial (first 5 CVs), subscription or pay-per-use (not publicly listed) |
| Ideal user | Recruiters handling 20+ CVs weekly needing anonymisation | Agencies needing branded CVs and bulk formatting |
What RemakeCV actually does
RemakeCV is positioned as an AI-powered CV formatting and branding tool designed mainly for recruitment agencies. Their website describes it as a solution to messy CVs that automatically restructures and brands them into polished PDFs or Word documents. The core promise is saving recruiters time by automating a task that can take 30–60 minutes down to a few minutes.
The tool appears to focus heavily on handling complex CV layouts, especially PDFs with invisible tables that traditional formatters often botch. It supports bulk formatting of hundreds of CVs simultaneously and offers custom branding and template creation to match agency styles and client expectations.
RemakeCV's intake is through a web interface where users upload CV files. It offers some level of user support and customisation, with feedback loops to fine-tune templates. Pricing details aren't publicly listed beyond a free trial of five CVs and a 60-day money-back guarantee. Agencies need to contact RemakeCV directly for ongoing pricing information.
While it handles formatting well, RemakeCV doesn't appear to include anonymisation features such as stripping candidate names or contact details. It is positioned more as a CV presentation and branding tool than a compliance or privacy-focused solution.
What Distill actually does
Distill specialises in both CV formatting and anonymisation, targeting recruitment agencies in the UK, Australia, and Europe with compliance and ATS delivery in mind. Distill strips sensitive candidate data such as name, email, phone number, photo, and graduation year before submission. This reduces risk and matches blind hiring processes where required.
Unlike RemakeCV's web upload, Distill works primarily via email. Recruiters forward candidate CVs to a Distill email address, and the reformatted, anonymised CV is returned automatically. This suits agencies that handle a steady stream of CVs and want to integrate formatting into existing email workflows.
Distill focuses on clean, ATS-friendly output that meets UK, ANZ, and EU client requirements. It supports moderate bulk volumes but isn't designed for very large batch jobs like RemakeCV. Data retention is minimal; CVs are processed and not stored long-term, reducing compliance risk.
Branding options in Distill are limited compared to RemakeCV. The emphasis is on quick, consistent formatting and anonymisation rather than agency-specific styling or client branding.
Feature-by-feature comparison
Formatting and layout quality
- RemakeCV: Handles complex PDFs and invisible tables well, producing agency-branded CVs in PDF or DOCX. Suitable for agencies needing polished, client-facing documents.
- Distill: Produces clean, standardised CVs designed to parse well in ATS, prioritising data clarity over branding.
Anonymisation
- Distill: Strips multiple personal identifiers automatically, including name, email, phone, photo, and graduation year.
- RemakeCV: No anonymisation capabilities.
Input and workflow
- Distill: Email-based. Forward CVs as attachments to a Distill address. Good for integrating into existing recruiter workflows without extra logins.
- RemakeCV: Web upload interface. Users upload CVs manually or in bulk, which can add friction but allows visual confirmation before formatting.
Bulk processing
- RemakeCV: Supports large bulk jobs (100+ CVs) simultaneously.
- Distill: Moderate bulk capacity via email queue, better suited to ongoing steady CV flow.
Custom branding and templates
- RemakeCV: Full template creation and custom branding, including logos and agency style guides.
- Distill: Limited branding, focused on uniform ATS-friendly formatting.
ATS compatibility
- Both: Produce ATS-compatible documents. RemakeCV handles tricky PDFs better; Distill prioritises compliance with major UK/ANZ/EU ATS specs.
Data retention and compliance
- Distill: Minimal retention, designed for GDPR and regional compliance. Processed CVs aren't stored long-term.
- RemakeCV: Data storage policies are unclear; agencies should ask directly about GDPR compliance and data retention.
Regional focus
- Distill: UK, Australian, and European recruitment markets with compliance features.
- RemakeCV: Global market focus, less emphasis on regional compliance needs.
Pricing breakdown
- Distill: Transparent pricing with pay-per-use model. Free trial available. Pricing details are published on Distill pricing page.
- RemakeCV: Free trial for first five CVs, plus a 60-day money-back guarantee. Ongoing pricing isn't publicly listed and requires direct contact.
This makes Distill easier to evaluate upfront, while RemakeCV's pricing may suit agencies with larger budgets or those wanting custom packages.
Which agency type fits which tool
Distill fits agencies that:
- Need anonymisation for compliance or blind hiring workflows.
- Handle 20+ CVs weekly and want a simple email-based process.
- Prioritise UK, Australian, or European ATS specs and GDPR adherence.
- Want quick formatting without branding fuss.
RemakeCV fits agencies that:
- Want polished, branded CV outputs for clients.
- Need to bulk-process large volumes of CVs at once.
- Prefer a web interface with visual control over formatting.
- Have resources to negotiate pricing and want template customisation.
Many agencies will find value in using both tools side-by-side: RemakeCV for branded candidate presentations and Distill for anonymised, compliant submissions.
FAQ
Can RemakeCV anonymise candidate data like Distill does?
No. RemakeCV doesn't offer anonymisation features. It focuses on formatting and branding CVs rather than stripping personal data.
Does Distill support bulk processing of hundreds of CVs?
Distill supports moderate bulk volumes via email queues but isn't designed for very large batch jobs. For hundreds at once, RemakeCV is better suited.
Which tool produces better ATS output?
Both produce ATS-compatible outputs. RemakeCV handles complex PDFs with invisible tables better. Distill ensures clean, compliant ATS-friendly formats for UK, ANZ, and EU systems.
Can I test both tools before committing?
Yes. Distill offers a free trial with pay-per-use pricing transparently shown. RemakeCV provides a free trial of five CVs and a 60-day money-back guarantee but requires contacting them for ongoing pricing.
Do both tools comply with GDPR and regional data laws?
Distill is designed with GDPR and regional compliance in mind, with minimal data retention. RemakeCV's policies are less clear; agencies should inquire directly.
If you regularly submit 20+ CVs to clients needing anonymised, ATS-compliant documents in the UK, Australia, or Europe, Distill formats and strips sensitive data automatically from your CVs. Start free Distill trial today and see how it fits your workflow.