eXp Realty vs Century 21: An Honest Comparison for Agents in 2026

eXp Realty and Century 21 are both nationally recognized brokerages, but they operate under fundamentally different models. Century 21 is one of the largest franchise networks in real estate, with offices in nearly every market. eXp eliminated the franchise model entirely, building a cloud-based brokerage where every agent operates under the same terms regardless of location.

Agents comparing these two are usually weighing the familiarity and local presence of a Century 21 office against the lower costs and wealth-building programs at eXp. Both have a place in the industry. The right choice depends on your production level, how you prefer to work, and whether passive income and equity matter to your long-term plan.

This is a full breakdown of real numbers – commission structures, every fee, total annual cost at different production levels, and everything else that affects what you actually keep. No fluff, no sales pitch. Just the data you need to decide.

Commission Structure

Both brokerages have production caps, but the similarity ends there. The royalty fee structure at Century 21 and the way caps actually work in practice create a very different cost picture than what the split alone suggests.

eXp Realty

Every eXp agent in every market operates under the same structure:

• 80/20 split until you reach the annual cap
• $16,000 cap – once you have paid $16K to the brokerage, you earn 100% commission for the rest of your anniversary year
• No franchise or royalty fees – the 80/20 split is the only commission-based cost
• ICON Agent Program – agents who cap and meet production and cultural benchmarks can earn their full $16K cap back in eXp stock

There is no negotiation, no variation by office, and no different deal for the agent down the hall. Every agent knows exactly what they will pay before they join.

Century 21

Century 21 uses a franchise model with commission structures that vary by office:

• 70/30 to 90/10 split range depending on the office and plan – the “Relentless” plan offers higher splits at the top end for high producers
• $22,500 cap under the standard Kickstart plan, though the Relentless plan can have caps up to $200K depending on the office
• 6% to 8% royalty fee on every transaction – and this continues even after you cap
• Splits and caps are not standardized across offices

The royalty fee is the critical detail at Century 21. Unlike eXp, where all commission-based costs stop once you hit the $16K cap, Century 21’s 6% to 8% royalty fee continues on every transaction for the entire year – before and after capping. At $250K in GCI, a 7% royalty fee alone is $17,500. That single fee exceeds eXp’s entire cap.

The Relentless plan deserves a closer look. It offers higher splits (up to 90/10) but comes with significantly higher caps – potentially up to $200K at some offices. For most agents, the standard Kickstart plan with a $22.5K cap is the more relevant comparison.

Total Annual Cost at Different Production Levels

The real question is not what your split is. It is what you pay the brokerage in total across an entire year. Monthly fees, transaction fees, royalty fees, and the cap all factor in.

eXp Realty Fee Schedule (Same for Every Agent)

Century 21 Fee Schedule (Ranges by Office)

What an Agent Producing $250,000 in GCI Actually Pays

Here is what an agent earning $250,000 in gross commission income across roughly 25 transactions would pay at each brokerage. For Century 21, we are using mid-range estimates under the Kickstart plan since costs vary by office.

eXp Realty:

• Commission to brokerage (20% until $16K cap): $16,000
• Monthly fees ($85 x 12): $1,020
• Transaction fees ($25 x 25): $625
• E&O ($60 x 12.5 transactions, capped at $750): $750
• Total cost: $18,395
• Net to agent: $231,605 (92.6%)

Century 21 (Kickstart plan, mid-range estimates):

• Commission to brokerage (30% until $22.5K cap): $22,500
• Royalty fee (7% on all $250K GCI – continues after cap): $17,500
• Monthly fees (~$175 x 12): $2,100
• Transaction fees (~$195 x 25): $4,875
• E&O (estimated ~$600/year): $600
• Total cost: $47,575
• Net to agent: $202,425 (81.0%)

Difference: $29,430 more in the agent’s pocket at eXp at this production level.

The royalty fee is the biggest cost driver. At $250K in GCI, Century 21’s 7% royalty fee alone ($17,500) exceeds eXp’s entire $16,000 cap. And unlike the commission split, which stops at the cap, the royalty fee continues on every deal for the rest of the year. At higher production levels, this gap grows wider.

An agent producing $500K in GCI at Century 21 would pay $35,000 in royalty fees alone (at 7%), plus their capped commission amount, monthly fees, and transaction fees. At eXp, the total cost at $500K GCI is approximately $19,020 ($16K cap + $1,020 monthly + $625 transaction fees on 25 deals + $750 E&O + additional $25/transaction on deals beyond 25).

The Century 21 numbers above use the Kickstart plan with mid-range estimates. Some offices charge lower monthly fees or transaction fees. Others charge more. The royalty fee range of 6% to 8% means your actual royalty cost could be lower or higher than our 7% estimate. The eXp numbers are the same regardless of where you hang your license.

Revenue Share vs No Passive Income Program

This is where the long-term financial picture diverges completely. eXp offers a structured passive income program. Century 21 does not.

How eXp Revenue Share Works

When an eXp agent closes a deal before capping, eXp retains 20% of the commission. This is called the company dollar. Half of that company dollar – 50% – flows into the revenue share pool. The other 50% goes to the company.

For every agent in your network who caps at $16,000, up to $8,000 per year enters the revenue share pool connected to your sponsorship tree.

Revenue share is structured across seven tiers. The first three are auto-unlocked for every agent. Tiers 4 through 7 require either personal production (capping or ICON status) or sponsoring a certain number of First Level Qualifying Agents (FLQAs).

Maximum revenue share per capping agent across all seven tiers: $16,000/year.

Historically, actual payouts on Tiers 1 through 3 run 20 to 25% higher than the minimums listed above due to a bonus pool that distributes additional funds when company performance allows it.

In 2024 alone, eXp distributed more than $170 million in revenue share payments to agents. Since the program launched in 2015, total payouts have exceeded $889 million.

Century 21

Century 21 does not offer a revenue share, profit share, or any form of passive income program tied to agent recruitment or network building.

There is no mechanism at Century 21 for an agent to earn income from the production of agents they have helped bring to the company. Some individual franchise owners may offer informal referral bonuses for recruiting, but there is no corporate-level program and no structured, ongoing income stream.

Century 21 also does not offer a retirement income path or willable income stream. When you stop producing at Century 21, your income stops. There is nothing to pass on to heirs and nothing that continues to pay you after you step away from active selling.

At eXp, an agent who sponsors 5 productive agents could earn a minimum of $7,000 per year in ongoing Tier 1 revenue share alone ($1,400 x 5), or up to $20,000 in the first year with Fast Start bonuses ($4,000 x 5). With the historical bonus pool, actual payouts could be 20 to 25% higher. And that is only Tier 1 – if those agents sponsor productive agents of their own, you earn on Tiers 2 through 7 as well.

At Century 21, that same recruitment effort generates zero ongoing income.

Training and Professional Development

eXp Realty

eXp runs one of the largest agent training programs in the industry through eXp University:

• 50+ live training sessions per week covering new agent fundamentals through advanced marketing and investing
• Full on-demand course library accessible 24/7
• Mentor program pairing new agents with experienced mentors for their first transactions (required, not optional)
• Fast Start program for new agents and Kick Start for experienced agents joining eXp
• All training is included at no additional cost

Training is delivered virtually through eXp World and online platforms. Every agent has access to the same training regardless of location.

Century 21

Century 21 offers training through C21 University, supplemented by whatever additional training each franchise office provides:

• C21 University – corporate online learning platform with courses on sales, marketing, and business development
• C21 Learning system – on-demand courses and training modules
• Some offices offer local mentorship programs and coaching, though this is not standardized
• Century 21 has invested in updating its training platform in recent years

The quality of training at Century 21 depends heavily on which office you join. C21 University provides a baseline of online resources, but in-office training, mentorship, and hands-on coaching vary from franchise to franchise. Some Century 21 offices run excellent agent development programs. Others rely almost entirely on the corporate platform.

Century 21 does not have a mandatory mentor program for new agents the way eXp does. The training experience is not standardized across the network – it depends on your franchise owner’s investment in agent development.

Technology and Tools

eXp Realty

eXp operates as a fully cloud-based brokerage, and its technology reflects that:

• eXp World – virtual campus for meetings, training, collaboration, and broker access
• kvCORE CRM – included for every agent (a platform that costs $300 to $500/month independently)
• Skyslope for transaction management
• IDX website included for every agent
• Marketing Center with customizable templates, social media content, and branding tools
• Revenos – a dedicated company team focused on generating and distributing leads to eXp agents

Every tool is available to every agent on day one. No premium tiers, no office-dependent access.

Century 21

Century 21 provides corporate-level technology tools, with additional tools varying by franchise:

• MoxiWorks CRM – available at many C21 offices for lead management and client communication
• Century21.com agent profiles – consumer-facing website with agent listings and lead generation
• Listing management tools – varies by office
• Marketing materials and templates – available through the corporate platform
• Transaction management platforms vary by office

Century 21 has modernized its technology in recent years as part of its brand refresh. The corporate tools are adequate, and the Century21.com consumer website generates leads in some markets.

The challenge is consistency. Technology tools, CRM access, and tech support vary by franchise. Some offices invest in additional technology platforms. Others provide only the corporate baseline. Your tech experience depends on which office you join.

Culture and Work Environment

eXp: Cloud-First, Location-Independent

eXp agents work from anywhere. There are no physical offices to report to, though eXp provides free access to Regus business lounges worldwide for agents who want occasional professional workspace. Collaboration happens through eXp World, virtual meetups, and regional events.

This model works well for self-directed agents, agents who travel, agents in rural areas, and agents who do not want to pay desk fees for space they rarely use. Your network is not limited by geography. You can learn from and collaborate with agents across the country.

The trade-off: there is no physical office culture. No morning huddles around the coffee machine. No broker walking the floor. For agents who thrive on in-person structure and daily face-to-face interaction, this can feel isolating.

Century 21: Franchise Offices, Refreshed Brand

Century 21 underwent a major brand refresh in 2018, modernizing its image from the gold-and-brown look that had defined it for decades. The new branding is cleaner and more contemporary, signaling the company’s effort to attract a new generation of agents.

Agents work out of franchise offices, and the office environment varies significantly by location. Some Century 21 offices are well-run operations with strong local market presence and active broker involvement. Others are smaller operations with minimal support infrastructure.

Century 21 has strong name recognition with consumers. It is one of the most widely known real estate brands in the world, and that familiarity can be an asset when working with buyers and sellers who value established names. The brand is not positioned as luxury or premium – it targets the broad middle market, which is where the majority of transactions happen.

The trade-off is the franchise variability. Your experience at one Century 21 office can be completely different from another, even in the same city. The brand name is consistent, but the support, culture, and office quality behind it are not.

Stock, Equity, and Wealth Building

eXp Realty

eXp is publicly traded on NASDAQ (EXPI) and offers agents multiple paths to stock ownership:

• ICON Agent Program – agents who cap and meet production and cultural benchmarks can earn their full $16,000 cap back in eXp stock
• Agent Equity Program – agents can choose to receive a portion of their commission in stock at a discount
• Top Agent Bonus – $16K ($8K immediate + $8K vesting over 3 years) for qualifying top producers

Stock ownership gives agents a direct financial stake in the company’s growth. No other major brokerage offers agents a realistic path to earn back their entire annual cap in company equity.

Century 21

Century 21 is owned by Anywhere Real Estate (formerly Realogy), which is publicly traded (NYSE: HOUS). However, there is no agent stock purchase program, no equity awards, and no path for agents to earn company stock through production.

Century 21 agents are independent contractors operating under a franchise. Your financial relationship is with your local franchise owner, not with Anywhere Real Estate. You cannot earn stock through your production, and there is no program equivalent to eXp’s ICON or Agent Equity Program.

Your wealth-building at Century 21 comes entirely from your own commission income and whatever you invest independently.

Who Should Choose eXp Realty

eXp tends to be the stronger fit for agents who:

• Want predictable, transparent costs – you know exactly what you will pay before joining, with no office-dependent surprises and no royalty fees that continue after capping
• Are self-directed – you do not need a physical office or daily in-person structure to stay productive
• Want to build passive income through revenue share – particularly agents whose reputation and results naturally attract other agents
• Are interested in stock ownership – the ICON program and equity awards create wealth-building paths unique to eXp
• Produce at any level – the $16K cap with no royalty fee makes eXp increasingly cost-effective compared to Century 21’s $22.5K cap plus 6-8% ongoing royalty
• Want location flexibility – you work remotely, travel frequently, or do not want to be tied to a single office

Who Should Choose Century 21

Century 21 tends to be the stronger fit for agents who:

• Value widespread brand recognition – Century 21 is one of the most recognized real estate brands globally, and that name recognition helps in markets where consumers gravitate toward established names
• Want a physical office environment – you prefer working alongside other agents, having a dedicated workspace, and the structure of an office routine
• Are focused on the broad middle market – Century 21’s brand positioning aligns well with agents working in the mainstream residential market
• Find a strong local franchise – the right Century 21 office with an engaged broker-owner and good support infrastructure can provide a solid foundation for building a business
• Want local in-person support – you prefer a broker you can talk to face-to-face and office staff handling administrative tasks
• Are not focused on passive income or stock equity – if revenue share, retirement income, and company stock are not priorities, Century 21’s lack of these programs is not a drawback

Century 21 has been a staple of the real estate industry for decades. The brand refresh has modernized its image, and agents who find a well-run franchise office can build successful businesses there. If local brand presence and office support matter more to you than cost optimization and passive income, Century 21 is a legitimate option.

The Bottom Line

The financial gap between these two brokerages is significant. At $250K in GCI, an eXp agent keeps roughly $29,430 more per year than a Century 21 agent under the Kickstart plan using mid-range estimates. The biggest cost driver is Century 21’s 6% to 8% royalty fee, which continues on every transaction even after you cap. At $250K GCI, that royalty fee alone can exceed eXp’s entire $16,000 cap.

Beyond the annual cost difference, eXp offers three wealth-building paths that Century 21 does not: revenue share that can become passive income, stock equity through the ICON and Agent Equity programs, and a retirement-friendly income structure that is willable to heirs. Century 21 offers none of these.

Century 21 offers brand recognition that most consumers immediately identify, physical offices with in-person support, and a broad market presence that can help agents establish themselves in local communities. For agents who value those things and are not focused on cost optimization or passive income, Century 21 can work.

The question is whether brand familiarity and office infrastructure are worth $29,000+ per year in additional costs and the complete absence of passive income, stock equity, and retirement income programs. For agents focused on long-term wealth building, the math clearly favors eXp.