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🏦 Brokerage Comparison
Last Verified: April 2026
Figures updated monthly. Commission splits and fee structures change — always verify directly with the brokerage before making any decision.
All data sourced from official brokerage websites, public filings, and agent-reported data. Glassdoor scores are real-time as of April 1, 2026. 8-week review volume is estimated from published totals; sparkline trends are approximated from Glassdoor's stated 12-month direction.
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Showing 9 brokerages
Monthly Data Monthly Data
Brokerage🗺️ Nationwide Brokerages: Every brokerage on this table operates in 47+ states. Most cover all 50. HomeSmart (47 states — not VA, WV, WI) and Realty ONE Group (~48 states) have minor coverage gaps. If you hold a license in most U.S. states, you can join any of these brokerages. Glassdoor
Score & 8-Wk⭐ Glassdoor Agent Rating: Anonymous self-reported reviews — Glassdoor does not verify employment. The 8-week trend is often more telling than the score: a volume spike + score drop signals a real event (comp cut, mass departure, leadership issue); a volume spike + rising score may be a coordinated recruiting push. Steady score + steady volume = most trustworthy. Low review counts = less reliable. Click to read the reviews.
Agent Count
/ Trend👥 Agent Count & Trend: Approximate number of active licensed agents, plus the current direction. ↑ = growing meaningfully year-over-year. → = essentially flat. ↓ = declining. Trend is often a better signal than raw count — a shrinking brokerage may be cutting support or losing competitive ground.
Split✂️ Commission Split: Your share / brokerage share. An 80/20 split means you keep 80% of every commission until you hit your annual cap, after which you typically keep 100%. A 100% model means you keep everything but pay flat fees instead. "Neg." means terms are negotiated individually. Annual Cap🎯 Annual Cap: The total amount you pay into the brokerage split before you hit 100% commission for the rest of the year. Lower cap = more money in your pocket on a good year. No cap (in 100% models) means you pay flat fees instead. ⚠️ Cap resets on your personal anniversary month — the month you joined — not January 1st. If you join in October, your cap resets in October every year. Join at the wrong time of year and you could hit your cap, then reset just weeks later and start paying again. Monthly Fee📅 Monthly Fee: Fixed fee charged regardless of production. Some brokerages charge $0/month and take a split or per-deal fee instead. Others charge desk fees ranging from $85 to $2,500+/month. Always factor this in — a $1,000/month desk fee costs $12,000/year before you close a single deal. Tech Stack
/ Lead Gen🖥️ Tech Stack / Lead Gen: The CRM and technology platform provided company-wide / the lead generation tools included. Cloud brokerages provide a unified tech stack to all agents nationally. Traditional franchises often leave tech and lead gen choices to individual offices — tools and quality vary significantly by location.
Per-Deal Fee💳 Per-Transaction Fee: A charge applied each time you close a deal, on top of your split. Some brokerages use this instead of monthly fees. Others charge it in addition to monthly fees. A $300 per-deal fee on 20 closings = $6,000/year in additional cost not reflected in the split percentage. Franchise Royalty🏢 Franchise Royalty: Some brokerages charge an additional percentage (typically 4-8%) that goes to the national franchise on top of the office split. This is separate from your office split and is often not prominently disclosed. Example: At KW, a 6% franchise royalty applies until you hit a separate royalty cap. Est. Net
$200K Agent💰 Estimated Net Income: What a realtor grossing $200,000 in commissions annually would actually keep at this brokerage after all splits, caps, monthly fees, per-deal fees, and franchise royalties are paid. This is the most honest number in this table. All figures are estimates — verify with your specific office.
Agent
Recruit Program🤝 Agent Recruit Program: Income earned when agents you recruit to the brokerage close deals. ✓ 5-Tier / ✓ 7-Tier = true revenue share — you earn a % of the company's portion of each recruit's commission, regardless of office profitability. Willable income at both Real and eXp — it continues after you retire and can be passed to heirs. ~ Profit Share (KW) = structurally different — paid from your local market center's net profits, not your recruit's production directly. If the office has a bad year, you may earn nothing even if your recruits are busy. Not willable. ✗ None = no program exists.
Key Features
The UNbrokerage — 100% commission, 20K agents, 450+ offices, high-energy culture
4.1 ↗
4 (580/30) 4.1
20,000+ 100% (flat fee) No Cap $100–$500/mo (varies by franchise) zONE platform (proprietary) + ONE Tool Chest (15+ tools) / Self-sourced (marketing tools provided) $295–$595/deal (varies by franchise & price) None to agents ~$183,000 ✗ None
Rev Share💰 Revenue Share: A ✓ means this brokerage has a formal program allowing you to earn passive income when agents you recruit close deals. ✓ programs vary significantly — eXp's is 7-tier and willable, KW's is profit-based. Always understand the specific terms.
Stock📈 Stock Awards: A ✓ means this brokerage has a program to award company stock to agents based on production or milestones. eXp's ICON award (up to $16,000 in EXPI stock) is the most well-known. Stock awards represent additional compensation beyond commission income.
Training🎓 Training Programs: A ✓ means this brokerage is recognized for structured, high-quality training programs. Especially important for newer agents. KW's BOLD program and eXp University are widely respected. ✗ means training resources are minimal or inconsistent.
Biz Age📅 Years in Business: How long this brokerage has operated. Older brokerages have proven track records and established local market presence. Newer cloud brokerages often offer better economics but carry more uncertainty. Consider stability when choosing where to hang your license.
21y
100% commission flat-fee model — 26K agents, 47 states, proprietary tech platform
4.3 ↗
4.2 (379/25) 4.3
26,000+ 100% (flat fee) No Cap $55–$250/mo (varies by franchise) RealSmart Agent + Marketing Design Center (proprietary) / Self-sourced (tech tools provided) $295–$595/deal (varies by franchise & price) None to agents ~$185,000 ✓ Revenue Share
Rev Share💰 Revenue Share: A ✓ means this brokerage has a formal program allowing you to earn passive income when agents you recruit close deals. ✓ programs vary significantly — eXp's is 7-tier and willable, KW's is profit-based. Always understand the specific terms.
Stock📈 Stock Awards: A ✓ means this brokerage has a program to award company stock to agents based on production or milestones. eXp's ICON award (up to $16,000 in EXPI stock) is the most well-known. Stock awards represent additional compensation beyond commission income.
Training🎓 Training Programs: A ✓ means this brokerage is recognized for structured, high-quality training programs. Especially important for newer agents. KW's BOLD program and eXp University are widely respected. ✗ means training resources are minimal or inconsistent.
Biz Age📅 Years in Business: How long this brokerage has operated. Older brokerages have proven track records and established local market presence. Newer cloud brokerages often offer better economics but carry more uncertainty. Consider stability when choosing where to hang your license.
26y
Global brand recognition in 86 countries
3.9 ↗
4.1 (1779/55) 3.9
125,000+ 70/30 (Kickstart) or 90/10 (Relentless) Varies $0–$350/mo (varies by franchise) C21 Marketing Studio / Varies by franchise $295–$350/deal (varies by franchise) 6%–8% (varies by franchise) ~$143,000 ✗ None
Rev Share💰 Revenue Share: A ✓ means this brokerage has a formal program allowing you to earn passive income when agents you recruit close deals. ✓ programs vary significantly — eXp's is 7-tier and willable, KW's is profit-based. Always understand the specific terms.
Stock📈 Stock Awards: A ✓ means this brokerage has a program to award company stock to agents based on production or milestones. eXp's ICON award (up to $16,000 in EXPI stock) is the most well-known. Stock awards represent additional compensation beyond commission income.
Training🎓 Training Programs: A ✓ means this brokerage is recognized for structured, high-quality training programs. Especially important for newer agents. KW's BOLD program and eXp University are widely respected. ✗ means training resources are minimal or inconsistent.
Biz Age📅 Years in Business: How long this brokerage has operated. Older brokerages have proven track records and established local market presence. Newer cloud brokerages often offer better economics but carry more uncertainty. Consider stability when choosing where to hang your license.
55y
Largest brokerage by agent count — world-class training
4.3 ↗
4.3 (9047/280) 4.3
145,000 (US) 70/30 $21,000 $75–$500/mo (varies by franchise) Command CRM (75+ integrations) / Command built-in (~$3/lead avg) $50–$400/deal (varies by franchise) 6% (capped at $3,000/yr) ~$168,000 ~ Profit Share
Rev Share💰 Revenue Share: A ✓ means this brokerage has a formal program allowing you to earn passive income when agents you recruit close deals. ✓ programs vary significantly — eXp's is 7-tier and willable, KW's is profit-based. Always understand the specific terms.
Stock📈 Stock Awards: A ✓ means this brokerage has a program to award company stock to agents based on production or milestones. eXp's ICON award (up to $16,000 in EXPI stock) is the most well-known. Stock awards represent additional compensation beyond commission income.
Training🎓 Training Programs: A ✓ means this brokerage is recognized for structured, high-quality training programs. Especially important for newer agents. KW's BOLD program and eXp University are widely respected. ✗ means training resources are minimal or inconsistent.
Biz Age📅 Years in Business: How long this brokerage has operated. Older brokerages have proven track records and established local market presence. Newer cloud brokerages often offer better economics but carry more uncertainty. Consider stability when choosing where to hang your license.
43y
High producer brand — high desk fees
4.1 ↗
4.2 (3959/95) 4.1
74,000+ (US) 95/5 (desk fee) OR 60/40–80/20 (RAPP) $23,000 $300–$2,500/mo (95/5 plan) or $0 (RAPP) Varies by franchise / Varies by franchise Varies by franchise ~5% (varies by franchise) ~$162,000 ✗ None
Rev Share💰 Revenue Share: A ✓ means this brokerage has a formal program allowing you to earn passive income when agents you recruit close deals. ✓ programs vary significantly — eXp's is 7-tier and willable, KW's is profit-based. Always understand the specific terms.
Stock📈 Stock Awards: A ✓ means this brokerage has a program to award company stock to agents based on production or milestones. eXp's ICON award (up to $16,000 in EXPI stock) is the most well-known. Stock awards represent additional compensation beyond commission income.
Training🎓 Training Programs: A ✓ means this brokerage is recognized for structured, high-quality training programs. Especially important for newer agents. KW's BOLD program and eXp University are widely respected. ✗ means training resources are minimal or inconsistent.
Biz Age📅 Years in Business: How long this brokerage has operated. Older brokerages have proven track records and established local market presence. Newer cloud brokerages often offer better economics but carry more uncertainty. Consider stability when choosing where to hang your license.
53y
Cloud-based, revenue share, NASDAQ listed
4.4 ↗
4.4 (2121/125) 4.4
87,000+ 80/20 $16,000 $85/mo BoldTrail, Lofty, or Cloze (choice) / Built-in via BoldTrail/Lofty $25 broker review + $40 risk mgmt (caps $500/yr) None ~$176,000 ✓ 7-Tier
Rev Share💰 Revenue Share: A ✓ means this brokerage has a formal program allowing you to earn passive income when agents you recruit close deals. ✓ programs vary significantly — eXp's is 7-tier and willable, KW's is profit-based. Always understand the specific terms.
Stock📈 Stock Awards: A ✓ means this brokerage has a program to award company stock to agents based on production or milestones. eXp's ICON award (up to $16,000 in EXPI stock) is the most well-known. Stock awards represent additional compensation beyond commission income.
Training🎓 Training Programs: A ✓ means this brokerage is recognized for structured, high-quality training programs. Especially important for newer agents. KW's BOLD program and eXp University are widely respected. ✗ means training resources are minimal or inconsistent.
Biz Age📅 Years in Business: How long this brokerage has operated. Older brokerages have proven track records and established local market presence. Newer cloud brokerages often offer better economics but carry more uncertainty. Consider stability when choosing where to hang your license.
17y
Fastest growing cloud brokerage
4.5 ↗
4.4 (157/20) 4.5
30,000+ undefined $12,000 $0 reZEN + Leo CoPilot AI / Self-sourced $40 CBR (every deal) + $285 post-cap None ~$179,000 ✓ 5-Tier
Rev Share💰 Revenue Share: A ✓ means this brokerage has a formal program allowing you to earn passive income when agents you recruit close deals. ✓ programs vary significantly — eXp's is 7-tier and willable, KW's is profit-based. Always understand the specific terms.
Stock📈 Stock Awards: A ✓ means this brokerage has a program to award company stock to agents based on production or milestones. eXp's ICON award (up to $16,000 in EXPI stock) is the most well-known. Stock awards represent additional compensation beyond commission income.
Training🎓 Training Programs: A ✓ means this brokerage is recognized for structured, high-quality training programs. Especially important for newer agents. KW's BOLD program and eXp University are widely respected. ✗ means training resources are minimal or inconsistent.
Biz Age📅 Years in Business: How long this brokerage has operated. Older brokerages have proven track records and established local market presence. Newer cloud brokerages often offer better economics but carry more uncertainty. Consider stability when choosing where to hang your license.
12y
Legacy brand — 120 years of history
4 ↗
4.2 (2811/90) 4
96,000+ 50/50–90/10 (graduated by volume) Varies $150–$179/mo (varies by franchise) Varies by franchise / Varies by franchise Varies by franchise 6% off top (before split) ~$148,000 ✗ None
Rev Share💰 Revenue Share: A ✓ means this brokerage has a formal program allowing you to earn passive income when agents you recruit close deals. ✓ programs vary significantly — eXp's is 7-tier and willable, KW's is profit-based. Always understand the specific terms.
Stock📈 Stock Awards: A ✓ means this brokerage has a program to award company stock to agents based on production or milestones. eXp's ICON award (up to $16,000 in EXPI stock) is the most well-known. Stock awards represent additional compensation beyond commission income.
Training🎓 Training Programs: A ✓ means this brokerage is recognized for structured, high-quality training programs. Especially important for newer agents. KW's BOLD program and eXp University are widely respected. ✗ means training resources are minimal or inconsistent.
Biz Age📅 Years in Business: How long this brokerage has operated. Older brokerages have proven track records and established local market presence. Newer cloud brokerages often offer better economics but carry more uncertainty. Consider stability when choosing where to hang your license.
120y
Warren Buffett's luxury brand — 45K agents, 50 states, premium credibility
3.8 ↗
3.8 (720/35) 3.8
45,000+ 60/40–80/20 (negotiated) Varies Varies by franchise REsource Center (proprietary CRM & marketing) / Varies by franchise Varies by franchise 6% (typical) ~$145,000 (varies widely) ✗ None
Rev Share💰 Revenue Share: A ✓ means this brokerage has a formal program allowing you to earn passive income when agents you recruit close deals. ✓ programs vary significantly — eXp's is 7-tier and willable, KW's is profit-based. Always understand the specific terms.
Stock📈 Stock Awards: A ✓ means this brokerage has a program to award company stock to agents based on production or milestones. eXp's ICON award (up to $16,000 in EXPI stock) is the most well-known. Stock awards represent additional compensation beyond commission income.
Training🎓 Training Programs: A ✓ means this brokerage is recognized for structured, high-quality training programs. Especially important for newer agents. KW's BOLD program and eXp University are widely respected. ✗ means training resources are minimal or inconsistent.
Biz Age📅 Years in Business: How long this brokerage has operated. Older brokerages have proven track records and established local market presence. Newer cloud brokerages often offer better economics but carry more uncertainty. Consider stability when choosing where to hang your license.
13y
📊 About the "Est. Net" column: Figures represent estimated take-home for an independent agent grossing exactly $200,000 in annual commissions, after all known fees at the national/typical office level. Local office terms, market-specific caps, E&O insurance, MLS dues, association fees, and marketing costs are not included — these apply equally across all brokerages and don't change the comparison. Numbers rounded to nearest $1,000. Always request a written fee schedule from any brokerage before signing.