eXp Realty vs The Agency: Which is Best for Realtors?

Today we’re comparing eXp Realty with another powerhouse in the real estate industry—The Agency. Picking the right brokerage is one of the most critical decisions you’ll make in your real estate career, and it can have a massive impact on your income, lifestyle, and success. Here’s your handy dandy index:

 Why Your Brokerage Choice Matters

Choosing a brokerage isn’t just about how much of your commission you get to keep—although that’s a big piece of the puzzle. Your brokerage affects everything from your day-to-day work experience to the level of support you’ll get, and how easily you can grow your business. Ultimately, you want a brokerage that fits your career goals and makes financial sense.

Today, we’re comparing eXp Realty and The Agency. We’ll look at their commission splits, fees, training, support, and what agents say about working there. And, note, that while eXp Realty is super transparent with its structure, The Agency operates in a more traditional way, where information isn’t always as clear. Don’t worry, we’ve done the digging for you.

eXp Realty vs The Agency: Agent Satisfaction

Let’s start by looking at agent satisfaction—because happy agents tend to stick around longer and perform better. According to Glassdoor reviews, eXp Realty stands strong with a 4.6 star rating, while The Agency isn’t far behind with 4.1 star rating.

These reviews give insight into how agents feel about the support, resources, and overall experience at each company. If you’re curious about how the top real estate firms stack up, check out our blog “12 Insider Picks for the Best Real Estate Brokerage in 2024!”. Spoiler alert: eXp Realty ranks #1 on Glassdoor.

eXp Realty vs The Agency: Brokerage Profitability

Now, here’s something agents often overlook—brokerage profitability. Why should you care? Because a financially stable brokerage is more likely to invest in its agents, offering better tools, support, and opportunities.

Let’s take a look at The Agency. Unfortunately, they don’t have publicly listed stock, so their profitability isn’t transparent. This leaves you in the dark about how well the company is doing financially, which is something to keep in mind when considering the long-term stability of the brokerage.

On the flip side, eXp Realty has posted 20 quarters of earnings, with 15 profitable quarters—meaning they’ve been profitable 75% of the time. Even better, eXp Realty is the only publicly traded brokerage that’s been profitable for the last five years.

This financial stability translates into continuous improvements for both agents and clients, ensuring you have access to cutting-edge tools, tech, and support without worrying about surprise changes that could affect your income. If you want the full scoop on brokerage profitability, check out our blog “Top Real Estate Companies That Might Go Under!”.

eXp Realty vs The Agency: Commission Splits

Now, let’s talk about commission splits—the part everyone’s most interested in. At The Agency, splits typically range from 70/30 to 90/10. Like many traditional brokerages, it depends on the office and what deal you negotiate. So, you’ll want to ask about this when you’re interviewing.

At eXp Realty, things are much simpler and transparent. Agents start with an 80/20 split, and once you’ve paid $16,000 to the brokerage in a year, you move to 100% commission for the rest of the year.

Plus, eXp offers additional stock options for agents who hit specific milestones—meaning you can actually earn more than 100% commission each year. For new agents or seasoned pros, everyone at eXp Realty gets the same deal, no haggling required.

eXp Realty vs The Agency: E&O Insurance

Errors and Omissions (E&O) insurance is a must-have for protecting both agents and the brokerage from legal claims. Let’s see how the costs compare between eXp Realty and The Agency.

At The Agency, agents are charged $1,900 annually for E&O insurance, and from what we’ve gathered, this fee is often due upfront, even before you’ve closed any deals.

At eXp Realty, the E&O insurance structure is more agent-friendly. Agents pay $60 per transaction, and once you hit $750 in total for the year, you don’t pay anything more—no matter how many deals you close.

This setup is much easier on your budget, especially if you’re just starting out and don’t want to pay hefty fees before making any money.

eXp Realty vs The Agency: Fees

Fees can really take a bite out of your earnings, so let’s break down the costs at eXp Realty and The Agency. At eXp Realty, you’ll pay a manageable $85 monthly fee, plus a $25 transaction fee per deal until you hit your cap. That’s it—clear and simple.

On the other hand, The Agency has fees that vary by office. Monthly fees can fluctuate significantly, and on top of that, there’s a 6% royalty fee charged on each transaction. These fees can add up quickly, especially when combined with commission splits, so make sure to ask about the specifics at your local office.

eXp Realty vs The Agency: Training and Support

When it comes to training and support, the quality and availability can make a huge difference in your career, whether you’re a brand-new agent or a seasoned pro.

eXp Realty excels in this area, offering more than 50 live training sessions each week, along with a robust on-demand course library.

For new agents, the Fast Start program helps you get up to speed quickly, while the Kick Start program is designed to take experienced agents to the next level. Plus, eXp Realty offers 24/7 support and over 2,000 full-time staff members available to help when you need it.

At The Agency, training and support vary by office. Some locations offer more resources than others, but there’s no consistent standard.

The same goes for support—your experience will largely depend on your local broker’s availability, which can be a drawback if you need help outside of regular business hours. If reliable, around-the-clock support is important to you, eXp Realty has a significant edge.

eXp Realty vs The Agency: Technology and Resources

Technology can make a big difference in how efficiently you can run your real estate business, so let’s see what each brokerage offers.

eXp Realty stands out with its fully virtual brokerage model, which includes eXp World—a metaverse-like platform where agents can meet with brokers, get tech support, attend training, and collaborate with other agents, all from the comfort of their home. Want the full scoop? Check out our blog on eXp World!

Beyond that, eXp Realty provides agents with a personal IDX website, kvCORE CRM, and a marketing center packed with customizable templates and social media content. And eXp Realty is always updating its tech to stay ahead of the curve.

As for The Agency, there isn’t a lot of information about their tech offerings. So ask at your local office.

Why The Agency May Be Best for You

While eXp Realty has plenty to offer, The Agency could still be the right fit for agents who prefer a traditional brokerage with physical offices. If you’re someone who thrives on in-person interactions and prefers having an office broker keep tabs on your productivity, The Agency might feel more like home.

If you’re simply looking for out-of-home office space, eXp Realty offers FREE access to over 4,000 Regus office business lounges worldwide. However, if you prefer a structured environment with a local broker checking in daily, The Agency might suit your style better.

eXp’s Exclusive Resources

Beyond the usual offerings, eXp Realty has a few game-changing features that other brokerages simply don’t provide. eXp Realty has a luxury division with global advertising around the world. eXp Realty has a dedicated team, Revenos, whose entire mission is to find and deliver top-quality leads directly to eXp agents—how great is that?

Then there’s eXp’s Referral tool that makes sending referrals to other agents effortless, and for those wanting to focus purely on referrals, eXp’s Referral Division slashes costs while keeping you active in the industry. And, of course, there’s Revenue Share, which lets you build extra income by bringing other agents into eXp.

The best part? That income doesn’t end when you retire and it’s willable, so it continues to roll in even after you’re no longer working. Now that’s a win-win!

That’s a Wrap

In the end, the decision between eXp Realty and The Agency comes down to what you’re looking for in a brokerage. The Agency offers a more traditional experience with physical offices and in-person support, but higher fees and inconsistent training could be downsides.

eXp Realty stands out with transparent splits, lower fees, advanced tech, and 24/7 support—making it a strong option for agents who want flexibility, growth potential, and the ability to keep more of their commissions.

Join our FREE Team at eXp Realty

Join the leading force in real estate with eXp Realty – the only profitable publicly traded brokerage over the past five years and holds the prestigious title of the best brokerage to work for. The benefits of eXp Realty are unmatched and will truly exceed your expectations!

When you join us at Smart Agent Alliance, you’ll also be part of the Wolf Pack at eXp Realty.  Together we are one big team and we provide more FREE value than you’ll get anywhere else in the real estate business.

What’s included? Access our exclusive SAA Vault Assets to enhance your business efficiency, attend weekly team video calls filled with invaluable insights and top agent strategies, and receive the Social Agent Academy Program and Investor Army Courses – a combined value of over $1,500 – absolutely free. And that’s just the beginning! Explore more about our robust team benefits.

Don’t let this opportunity pass you by. Transform your real estate career, maximize your income, and secure your future. Contact us now to schedule a video consultation or email us at team@SmartAgentAlliance.com. We’re here to ensure your success.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

How happy are The Agency vs. eXp Realty agents?

On Glassdoor.com, where agents anonymously rank their brokerage, eXp Realty stands strong with a 4.6 star rating, while The Agency isn’t far behind with 4.1 star rating. For all the legwork comparing all the big real estate firms, check out “12 Insider Picks for the Best Real Estate Brokerage in 2024!”.

How profitable is The Agency vs. eXp Realty?

Unfortunately, The Agency doesn’t have publicly listed stock, so their profitability isn’t transparent or known. eXp Realty has 20 quarters of earnings with a 75% profitability rate. Amongst publicly traded stocks, eXp is the only profitable brokerage in the past five years. For more on brokerage profitability, check out “Top Real Estate Companies That Might Go Under!”.

What makes eXp Realty different?

Besides top agent pay, low fees, extensive training, and state-of-the-art technology, eXp has a Luxury Division offering global marketing,  a dedicated team called Revenos providing quality leads to agents, a Referral tool making referrals to other agents a breeze, a Referral Division cutting agent costs for referral only business and Revenue Share opportunities providing additional agent income possibilities that continue after retirement and is willable.