BROKERAGE COMPARISON
Facts over feelings
Choosing a brokerage shapes your income, your daily experience, and your long-term wealth. We break down the numbers across 15 brokerages so you can compare with facts, not sales pitches.
Cloud-Based Brokerage Comparison
The four major cloud brokerages - eXp Realty, Real Brokerage, LPT Realty, and Fathom Realty - all promise low fees and high splits. The differences show up in financial stability, revenue share structure, and support.
Financial Strength
| Metric | eXp Realty | Real Brokerage | LPT Realty | Fathom Realty |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Founded | 2009 | 2014 | 2021 | 2010 |
| Agent Count | 80,000+ | 20,000+ | 11,000+ | 11,000+ |
| Glassdoor Rating | 4.4 (2,100 reviews) | 4.4 (155 reviews) | 3.5 (70 reviews) | 4.6 (70 reviews) |
| Glassdoor Top 100 | 2018-2024 (7 years) | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Listed Stock | EXPI (S&P 600) | REAL | Not Listed | FATH |
| Profitable Quarters | 15 of 20 | 1 of 19 | Not Public | 1 of 19 |
eXp is the only cloud brokerage with consistent profitability. Real and Fathom have each posted just one profitable quarter. LPT is privately held, so financial data isn't available.
Commission Splits & Fees
| Metric | eXp Realty | Real Brokerage | LPT Realty | Fathom Realty |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Commission Split | 80/20 -> 100/0 + $16K ICON bonus | 85/15 -> 100/0 + $24K RSUs | 80/20 or $500/txn flat | 100/0, 88/12, or 80/20 (by plan) |
| Production Cap | $16,000 | $12,000 | $15K or $5K (by plan) | $0 / $9K / $12K (by plan) |
| Annual Fees | $1,020/yr ($85/mo) | $750/yr + $249 startup | $500/yr + $89-$149/mo | $700/yr + $99 activation |
| Transaction Fees | $25 pre-cap; $250 post-cap (first 20), $75 after | $0 pre-cap; $285 post-cap | $195/txn (after $2.5K GCI) | $465/txn ($165 post-cap) |
| E&O Insurance | $60/txn ($750/yr cap) | $40/txn (CBR fee) | $0 (included in annual fee) | $35/txn |
| Broker Review Fee | $85/txn | Included | Included | Included |
Earnings & Wealth Building
| Metric | eXp Realty | Real Brokerage | LPT Realty | Fathom Realty |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Revenue Share Income | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Stock Production Awards | $200 1st sale, $400 capping | 150 shares for capping | 75-150 shares for sales | None |
| Top Agent Bonus | ICON $16K stock award | $24K RSUs (vest 3 yrs) | Stock awards (private) | None |
Revenue Share Deep Dive
Revenue share is where long-term wealth is built. All four cloud brokerages offer it, but the structures differ significantly.
| Metric | eXp Realty | Real Brokerage | LPT Realty | Fathom Realty |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total Paid to Agents | $889M+ | - | - | - |
| Max $ Per Agent for Pool | $8,000/agent | $7,200/agent | $2,500-$7,500/agent | $4,500-$6,000/agent |
| Pool Size (if 30% cap) | $204,000,000 | $43,000,000 | $16,500,000 | $16,000,000 |
| Tiers | 7 | 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Earn from EVERY Downline | Yes | No | No | No |
| Fees to Earn Rev Share | $0 | $175/yr + 1.2% | $0 (90 day wait) | $0 |
| Willable Income | Yes | Yes (with qualifications) | Yes | Yes |
eXp's revenue share pool is nearly 5x larger than the next closest competitor. It's also the only program where you earn from every agent in your downline, regardless of their production level.
Training & Support
| Metric | eXp Realty | Real Brokerage | LPT Realty | Fathom Realty |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Live Training Hours/Week | 50+ | 30+ | Daily live + on-demand | 600+ on-demand courses |
| 24/7 Support | Yes | Yes (AI + live) | Yes | No |
| Sponsor Value (Free Mentorship) | Yes | No | No | No |
Cloud vs Traditional Brokerages
Traditional brokerages built the industry. Cloud brokerages are reshaping it. Here's how they compare on the metrics that matter most to your income.
| Category | Traditional Brokerages | eXp Realty |
|---|---|---|
| Commission Split | 50/50 to 70/30 typical | 80/20 to 100% (after $16K cap) |
| Monthly Fees | $500-$2,000+ desk fees | $85/month flat |
| Franchise Fees | 6-8% of gross commission | None |
| Royalty Fees | Up to 6% of commission | None |
| Office Space | Fixed location required | 4,000+ Regus locations worldwide |
| Technology | Varies, often outdated | Full CRM, IDX website, kvCORE included |
| Training | Limited, location-dependent | 50+ weekly sessions in eXp World |
| Stock Ownership | Not available | Earn company stock |
| Revenue Share | Not available (KW has profit share) | 7-tier passive income program |
| Geographic Reach | Local/regional only | Global - 29+ countries |
Traditional Brokerages
Pros
- +Physical office for client meetings
- +Established local brand recognition
- +In-person mentorship available
- +Walk-in client opportunities
Cons
- -High desk fees ($500-$2,000+/month)
- -Franchise and royalty fees eat into commission
- -Lower commission splits (50-70%)
- -Limited to local market
- -No equity or stock ownership
- -No passive income opportunities
- -Outdated technology in many cases
- -Geographic restrictions on growth
eXp Realty
Pros
- +Up to 100% commission after cap
- +Only $85/month - no desk fees
- +No franchise or royalty fees
- +Stock ownership opportunities
- +7-tier revenue share program ($889M+ paid out)
- +Global reach - 29+ countries
- +Modern technology included (kvCORE, CRM, IDX)
- +50+ weekly training sessions
- +Work from anywhere flexibility
Cons
- -No dedicated physical office
- -Requires self-motivation
- -Virtual model may not suit all clients
- -Building local presence takes effort
Traditional brokerages made sense when agents needed physical offices, fax machines, and local MLS access. Today, with cloud-based tools and remote work capabilities, eXp Realty offers a more cost-effective model with better earning potential.
The question isn't just about commission splits. It's about building long-term wealth through stock ownership and revenue share - opportunities that traditional brokerages simply don't offer.
What Actually Matters
Your brokerage choice impacts your income for years. Focus on these.
Commission Structure
Understand how different splits, caps, and fees affect your take-home pay. A lower cap doesn't always mean more money if transaction fees are higher.
Technology & Tools
Compare CRM systems, lead generation, and marketing tools included with your fees versus what you'd pay separately.
Passive Income
Revenue share and stock programs create wealth beyond your next deal. The size of the pool, number of tiers, and qualification requirements vary dramatically.
Support & Training
Mentorship, live training hours, and community support make the biggest difference in your first few years - and when markets shift.
Every Brokerage Comparison - Head to Head
67 in-depth matchups plus editorial guides. Find any brokerage below to see every comparison it appears in.
eXp Realty (14)
- eXp Realty vs The Agency
- eXp Realty vs Berkshire Hathaway
- eXp Realty vs Century 21
- eXp Realty vs Coldwell Banker
- eXp Realty vs Compass
- eXp Realty vs Corcoran
- eXp Realty vs Douglas Elliman
- eXp Realty vs Fathom Realty
- eXp Realty vs Keller Williams
- eXp Realty vs LPT Realty
- eXp Realty vs Real Brokerage
- eXp Realty vs Redfin
- eXp Realty vs RE/MAX
- eXp Realty vs Sotheby's
Fathom Realty (15)
- eXp Realty vs Fathom Realty
- Fathom vs The Agency
- Fathom vs Berkshire Hathaway
- Fathom vs Better Homes
- Fathom vs Century 21
- Fathom vs Coldwell Banker
- Fathom vs Compass
- Fathom vs Corcoran
- Fathom vs Douglas Elliman
- Fathom vs Keller Williams
- Fathom vs Redfin
- Fathom vs RE/MAX
- Fathom vs Sotheby's
- LPT vs Fathom Realty
- Real vs Fathom
Real Brokerage (13)
LPT Realty (14)
Compass (10)
Keller Williams (9)
Sotheby's International Realty (8)
Coldwell Banker (8)
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices (6)
Redfin (6)
The Agency (5)
Century 21 (5)
Corcoran (5)
Douglas Elliman (4)
RE/MAX (3)
Better Homes & Gardens RE (3)
Frequently Asked Questions
Ready to Make the Move?
Numbers change, but the fundamentals don't. A brokerage should help you earn more, keep more, and build wealth beyond your next closing.
See how the numbers work for your situation with our commission calculator, or book a call to talk through it.