Key Points
- The standard eXp commission split is 80/20, with a $16K cap—then agents earn 100% commission for the rest of the year.
- Top producers can earn their $16K cap back in stock through the ICON Agent Program—effectively getting a 100%+ commission split.
- All agents can earn stock awards for hitting milestones and can invest 5% of their commission into EXPI stock at a discount.
- There are no royalty fees, franchise fees, desk fees, or hidden marketing costs.
- New agents in the mentorship program temporarily have a 60/40 split (including mentor and program fees) for their first three deals.
- Additional income streams include revenue share (passive income from sponsoring agents) and referral fees (earnings for sending leads to other agents).
- eXp agents pay only a $335 transaction fee on personal deals—keeping 100% of the commission.
- Everyone gets the same split. No politics, no tiers, just a level playing field.
Let’s cut through the fluff—because when you’re choosing a brokerage, the commission split matters. The eXp commission split is a straightforward 80/20 until you cap at $16,000. After that? It’s all yours with a 100% split. And here’s the kicker: you can even earn that $16K back in company stock.
If you’re looking for a brokerage model that’s actually built to help agents grow wealth, not just chase checks, you’re in the right place. We’ll break down how the eXp commission split works, how the cap benefits agents, and how to unlock even more income opportunities through stock, revenue share, and smart systems. Here’s your handy dandy index:
Table of Contents
A Generous eXp Commission Split—With No Extra Baggage
The eXp commission split is built to help agents actually keep more of what they earn. It starts with a straightforward 80/20 model—agents keep 80%, and 20% goes to eXp. No weird math. No sliding scales. No nonsense.
And unlike traditional brokerages, eXp doesn’t tack on extra costs like franchise fees, royalty charges, or marketing fees that quietly eat away at your commission. Those little “standard” deductions at other brokerages? Yeah, they add up fast.
Here’s the thing: most traditional brokerages don’t publicly advertise their splits. You usually find out during an interview—after they’ve pitched the brand, the office culture, and maybe a cookie or two. From personal experience, conversations with brokerages like Sotheby’s and Compass revealed splits like 70/30… until the extra fees kicked in. With marketing and franchise charges stacked on top, the actual take-home looked more like 64/36. And that’s not uncommon. Curious how others stack up? We break it down in our traditional real estate brokerage model comparison.
At eXp, what you see is what you get. No royalty fees, no desk fees, and no slow drip of deductions that quietly shrink your paycheck. Just a transparent, agent-first model that keeps your money where it belongs—with you.
What Happens When You Cap? You Keep It All.
Once you’ve paid $16,000 into the brokerage (usually after around $80K in gross commission income), you hit your cap—and from then on, you keep 100% of your commissions for the rest of the year. It’s a clean break from outdated models that keep taking no matter how much you close. With eXp, the more you sell, the more you actually keep.
Beyond the Cap: eXp Commission Split Rewards for Top Producers
The eXp commission split doesn’t stop being generous once you hit your cap. In fact, if you’re a high-performing agent, it gets even better.
Once you cap and hit key production milestones—like closing 20 more deals or earning $500,000 in GCI with at least 10 transactions—you’re on track for ICON status. You’ll also need to meet eXp’s cultural requirements, which include giving back to the agent community. What’s in it for you? eXp will reward you with $16,000 in company stock. That’s your entire cap contribution, returned.
So instead of just keeping 100% commission after capping, ICON Agents effectively get a 100% split for the year. It’s not just about high splits—it’s about building long-term wealth while you grow your business.
And There’s More: Stock Awards for Every Agent
Even if you’re not an ICON Agent yet, you’re still building equity ownership along the way. eXp Realty rewards all agents with stock awards for key milestones—like $200 in stock for your first deal each year and $400 when you cap, again each year. Plus there are other opportunities to earn company stock.
So yes, ICON Agents effectively earn 100%+—but really, every agent gets a piece of the pie.
Stock awards aren’t just a nice bonus—they give you real ownership in the company and a long-term path to building wealth. Plus, you can track everything in your personal stock portal, hosted by Morgan Stanley, making it easy to see how your eXp commission split is turning into something bigger over time.
The One Exception: eXp Commission Split for Mentees
There’s just one key exception to the standard eXp commission split, and it’s for brand-new agents in the mentorship program. If you’re new to real estate and joining eXp with fewer than three closed transactions, you’ll be paired with a certified mentor to guide you through the basics and best practices.
During your first three deals, the split is 60/20/10/10: you keep 60%, 20% goes to eXp like usual, 10% goes to your mentor and 10% contribution goes to the mentorship program itself. That adds up to a temporary 60/40 split—but with real hands-on guidance and personalized training that helps you start strong.
After those first three transactions, and meeting some training needs, you graduate from the program and move to the standard 80/20 eXp commission split like everyone else. Simple, supportive, and built to help new agents succeed.
Fairness Without the Fine Print
Here’s another reason the eXp commission split doesn’t feel like a bait-and-switch: everyone gets the same deal. Whether you’re fresh out of real estate school or you’ve been selling homes since fax machines were a thing, you start with the same 80/20 split and the same $16K cap. No politics. No backroom negotiations. No “prove yourself for three years and maybe we’ll stop taking half your check” nonsense.
Traditional brokerages? Totally different story. If you’re a top producer, you might get a better split. If you’ve been around forever, maybe you get a perk or two. But if you’re newer or not hitting massive numbers yet, you’re probably funding someone else’s office snacks while you wait for your “turn.”
At eXp, there is no turn. The playing field is level from day one—and that’s not just fair, it’s refreshing.
Maximize Your Earnings (Because Commission Isn’t the Only Game in Town)
The eXp commission split is great on its own, but let’s not stop at “great.” eXp Realty gives agents access to multiple income streams —because who doesn’t love getting paid more than one way? This isn’t just about cashing your next commission check. It’s about building long-term wealth and creating financial stability that doesn’t disappear the moment a deal closes.
Here are three seriously powerful ways to stack your income at eXp:
1. Revenue Share: Build a Team, Get Paid Like a Boss
The eXp commission split already puts more money in your pocket—but the revenue share program takes it a step further. When you refer agents to eXp and they join under your sponsorship, you start earning a percentage of the revenue their deals generate. That’s right—you get paid every time they close.
It’s a seven-tier system, which means as your network grows, so does your passive income. And no, this doesn’t cut into anyone’s commission—revenue share comes out of eXp’s 20%, not the agent’s. Win-win.
Grow your team, help others thrive, and collect checks while you sleep. Learn more about the revenue share model at eXp Realty and how it stacks up against other brokerages.
2. Stock Awards: Get a Piece of the Company You’re Building
We’ve talked about the ICON stock awards and the milestone bonuses (like $200 for your first deal and $400 for capping), but there’s another way to grow your ownership at eXp: the optional stock purchase plan.
Agents can choose to reinvest 5% of their commission into eXp stock (EXPI)—at a 5% discount. So you’re not just earning income, you’re building an equity stake in the company every time you close. It’s automatic, it’s discounted, and it adds up.
You’re helping build the brokerage—why not own a piece of it?
3. Referral Fees: Get Paid Without Doing the Work
One of the best-kept secrets in real estate? You don’t always have to do the deal to get paid.
With eXp’s massive global agent network, you can send clients to trusted agents in other markets—and collect a referral fee when the deal closes. That’s it. No showings, no paperwork, no open houses. Just a warm intro, a signed referral agreement, and a check in the mail.
This kind of income isn’t tied to your time. Build strong agent relationships, keep an ear out for people moving out of your area, and send them off to someone who’ll take great care of them. You stay top-of-mind, help a client, and make money—all without lifting a lockbox.
4. Personal Deals: 100% Commission, Minimal Fees
Thinking of buying your own home or an investment property? At eXp, agents get to keep 100% of their commission on personal transactions—no cap, no split. Just a small flat ranging $335 transaction fee per deal. That’s it.
If you’re the kind of agent who plans to buy, sell, or invest personally—this is one of the most underrated perks of the eXp model.
How the eXp Commission Split and Smart Agent Alliance Help You Thrive
The eXp commission split is one of the most agent-friendly in the industry—but real success comes from more than just a great split. At eXp, agents thrive in a culture of collaboration, sharing strategies and support through virtual networking, masterminds, and national events.
Smart Agent Alliance takes that even further. As part of our sponsor team, agents get powerful business tools and coaching to scale faster, including:
- A done-for-you agent attraction website (residential and commercial)
- Social Agent Academy Pro ($10,500 value) for next-level social media strategy
- Weekly masterminds and coaching sessions with top-producing leaders
- Step-by-step support for building your revenue share organization
- Ready-to-use lead gen funnels and automated email campaigns
- Customizable marketing templates that save time and boost engagement
- All of this is included at no additional cost when you join Smart Agent Alliance.
So yes, the eXp commission split is amazing—but having the right team in your corner makes all the difference. To learn more about eXp Realty and Smart Agent Alliance, visit SmartAgentAlliance.com, explore our free tools, or book a meeting.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the standard eXp Realty commission split?
It’s 80/20 until you hit a $16,000 cap. After that, you keep 100% of your commission for the rest of your anniversary year.
What happens after I cap?
You earn 100% commission, and if you qualify as an ICON Agent, you can get that $16K back in stock.
How does the mentorship split work for new agents?
For your first three transactions, the split is 60/20/10/10—60% to you, 20% to eXp, 10% to your mentor, and 10% to the mentorship program. After that and meeting training needs, you move to the standard 80/20.
How does revenue share work?
You earn a percentage of the company’s 20% commission from any agent you sponsor into eXp—and from their recruits too, up to seven tiers deep. It can be true passive income although sponsors like Smart Agent Alliance are far from earning passively as they are dedicated to working for their agents to gain their own passive income.
Can I buy eXp stock at a discount?
Yes! You can use 5% of each commission check to buy eXp stock (EXPI) at a 5% discount. You also earn stock for hitting milestones.
Do I pay commission on my own deals?
No split on personal deals. You just pay a $335 transaction fee per deal. That’s it.
How do I join eXp with Smart Agent Alliance?
A: Easy. https://smartagentalliance.com/join-exp-sponsor-team/ with us or join eXp Realty and list us as your sponsor. We’ll get you plugged into all the training, tools, and support you need to hit the ground running.
