eXp Realty vs Compass: Which Brokerage is Best for Realtors?

Deciding on a brokerage is about more than just commission splits—although we know that’s where your mind goes first. But here’s the thing: your brokerage affects you way more than your paycheck.

It impacts your day-to-day life, the resources you can tap into, the support you get, and honestly, how happy you’ll be as an agent. And that happiness? Yeah, it ties directly into your long-term success and income potential. Here’s your handy dandy index:

Why Your Brokerage Choice Matters

Today, we’re comparing two heavy hitters—eXp Realty and Compass—and we’re going to cover everything from commission splits and fees to what agents are saying about working at each. Oh, and don’t skip over the part where we get into how financially strong these brokerages are, because trust us, that plays a big role in your future.

One quick heads-up: eXp Realty is super transparent about their numbers, and you can verify everything online. Compass, on the other hand (like most traditional franchise models), isn’t as upfront.

Their commission splits vary by agent and office, so you’ll need to interview with your local Compass team to get the full details. But no worries, I’ve got the inside scoop from my own experience interviewing with Compass, from talking to current Compass agents, and some good old-fashioned research.

eXp Realty vs Compass: Agent Satisfaction

Let’s kick things off with a little reality check: how happy are agents at these brokerages? You don’t have to take my word for it—just look at the numbers. On Glassdoor, eXp Realty consistently shines with a solid 4.6 stars from over 3,500 reviews. Compass, meanwhile, trails behind with 3.7 stars from around 2,400 reviews.

We’ve done the legwork comparing all the big real estate firms, and if you’re curious to go deeper, 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 Compass: Brokerage Profitability

You might be thinking, “Who cares if my brokerage is profitable?” Well, you should—because when brokerages start losing money, it’s the agents who pay the price (literally). Here’s a juicy story about Compass and how their profitability struggles have impacted agents.

A couple of years back, Compass was on a mission to grow fast, offering agents some sweet deals to join. But here’s the catch: those deals came with contracts that made it super hard to leave. Agents were basically stuck unless they wanted to cough up some serious cash to pay Compass back. Ouch.

Fast forward to when Compass started realizing they weren’t profitable—so, what did they do? They cut agent pay! Yeah, that didn’t sit well with a lot of people. When a brokerage is bleeding money, changes like that hit agents and their clients the hardest.

Thankfully, both Compass and eXp Realty are publicly traded, so it’s easy to see how they stack up financially. Compass has 18 quarters of reported earnings, with zero profitable quarters—yep, you heard that right. They’ve been losing money every single quarter.

eXp Realty, on the other hand, has 20 quarters of earnings with 5 quarters of losses, giving them a 75% profitability rate. In fact, eXp Realty is the only publicly traded brokerage that’s been profitable for the last five years.

What does that mean for agents? It means you’re at a brokerage that’s constantly improving and innovating, making things better for you and your clients. If you want the full scoop on brokerage profitability, check out our blog “Top Real Estate Companies That Might Go Under!”.

eXp Realty vs Compass: Commission Splits

Ok, let’s get into what most agents are really focused on—commission splits. It’s what determines how much of your hard-earned commission you take home and how much your brokerage keeps. Now, Compass makes this a bit of a guessing game because splits vary by agent and location.

When I first interviewed at Compass as a brand-new agent, I showed up with a pretty solid resume—former California attorney, President of a private school board, and a large sphere of influence. How much did they offer me? 70/30. That’s 70% for me, 30% for Compass. Not bad, but not great either. From what I’ve seen, Compass splits can range from 60/40 to 95/5, depending on the office and the deal you negotiate.

Now, let’s talk about eXp Realty, which plays a completely different game from the traditional brokerages like Compass. One of the things I loved right away is that eXp Realty’s commission splits are totally transparent—no secret deals, no backroom negotiations. What you see is what you get, and it’s the same for everyone.

You start with an 80/20 split, and once the 20% you’ve paid to eXp hits $16,000 – the “cap”), you keep 100% of your commissions. But wait, it gets better! Once you cap, if you hit certain milestones, eXp Realty will give you back your $16,000 cap in company stock.

Plus, eXp rewards you with free stock for hitting various achievements, meaning agents can earn more than 100% of their commissions each year. Sweet deal, right?

Oh, and there’s no need to haggle over your split at eXp—it’s the same for every agent whether you’re new or a seasoned superstar. How refreshing is that in this industry?! Now, I should mention that in some markets, Compass might offer agents a cap, but it can vary wildly, from no cap to double eXp’s. So, definitely check your local Compass office to see what they offer.

eXp Realty vs Compass: E&O Insurance

Now, let’s talk about E&O insurance—that’s errors and omissions insurance, and it’s a must-have for protecting both you and your brokerage from potential lawsuits. The difference between Compass and eXp Realty when it comes to E&O is like night and day.

At Compass, I was quoted $2,000 upfront every year—ouch! You’re paying that right out of the gate, before you even close a single deal. Not exactly ideal for new agents trying to keep costs down.

Over at eXp Realty, things are way more agent-friendly. You don’t pay for E&O until you actually close a deal, which means you’re earning the money to cover it as you go. And it’s only $60 per transaction. Even better, eXp caps your E&O insurance at $750 per year. That’s $1,250 saved compared to Compass, and you only pay if you’re making deals. Now, that’s the kind of setup I like!

eXp Realty vs Compass: Fees

Alright, let’s talk fees—because nobody wants to be surprised by extra costs. Both Compass and eXp Realty are known for providing top-notch tech, but what’s that really going to cost you?

At eXp Realty, you’ve got a straightforward $85 per month fee, plus $25 per transaction. Simple, right? Compare that to Compass, where the monthly fee generally start around $145 and can go up depending on the office you’re in. And it doesn’t stop there—Compass also hits agents with a 4% marketing fee on each transaction. Ouch!

Do the math, and it’s clear: agents who are doing deals regularly will end up paying way more at Compass than at eXp. That $25 per deal at eXp is a drop in the bucket compared to that 4% Compass is taking out of your commission. If you’re looking to keep more of your hard-earned cash, eXp Realty is the much more cost-effective choice.

eXp Realty vs Compass: Training and Support

Whether you’re new to the game or a seasoned pro, having solid training and support is crucial. eXp Realty really nails it here, offering more than 50 live training sessions every week, plus a massive library of on-demand content.

They have a program designed to help experienced agents take their careers to the next level, and a quick-start program for new agents to help them start earning fast.

On top of that, sponsors like us at Smart Agent Alliance add even more training and support on top of what eXp already offers. Oh, and did I mention eXp’s 24/7 support? Yep, no matter when you need help, day or night, eXp World’s expert care team is there to assist. No waiting until the next business day!

Compass does offer training through their Compass Academy, but here’s where they fall short—they lack that around-the-clock support. So, if you hit a roadblock at 10 p.m. or need advice before an early morning client meeting, eXp has your back, while Compass might leave you hanging until business hours.

eXp Realty vs Compass: Technology and Resources

Both Compass and eXp Realty love to claim their tech is top tier, but eXp Realty really takes things to a new level. With eXp, you get the ultimate virtual brokerage experience—no need for brick-and-mortar offices.

Instead, eXp agents log into our own unique metaverse, “eXp World,” where we can meet with brokers, get tech support, chat with colleagues, create virtual offices for client meetings, and so much more. Want the full scoop? Check out our blog on eXp World!

Beyond eXp World, agents are set up with their own IDX website, a powerful CRM (customer relationship manager), a marketing center with tons of customizable templates, single property websites, and social media content.

Honestly, eXp keeps rolling out more and more tech, so the tools just keep getting better. If you’re serious about leveraging cutting-edge technology in your business, eXp Realty’s got your back.

Now, Compass isn’t without its own tech perks—they’ve got a solid national IDX website, some customizable marketing tools, and a CRM as well. But when it comes to pushing the boundaries of what tech can do for you, eXp takes the cake.

Why Compass May Be Best for You

The biggest distinction between Compass and eXp Realty comes down to how they operate. Compass sticks to the traditional brokerage model with physical office spaces.

While eXp gives agents access to over 4,000 Regus business lounges worldwide – for FREE, if you’re someone who really thrives in a classic office setting with an office broker there to keep you on track, then Compass might be the better fit. If you’re not naturally self-motivated, you may struggle with the freedom that comes with eXp’s virtual model.

At the end of the day, if you aren’t doing deals, it won’t matter that eXp’s structure could put more money in your pocket—you’ve got to hustle to make it work. So, if you need that extra push and love the idea of a physical office environment, Compass may be calling your name.

eXp’s Exclusive Resources

Beyond all the usual perks, eXp Realty brings some truly standout features that most other brokerages just can’t match. If you work in the luxury market, eXp’s Luxury Division gives your high-end listings global exposure, putting them in front of the right audience worldwide.

They’ve also got a team called Revenos, whose whole job is to find and deliver quality leads straight to eXp agents—pretty awesome, right?

Their Referral tool makes sending referrals to other agents a breeze, and for those who want to focus solely on referrals, eXp’s Referral Division helps cut costs while keeping you in the business.

And let’s not forget Revenue Share, where you can earn extra income by simply recommending agents to join eXp. That income doesn’t just stop when you retire and it’s willable, meaning it keeps coming even after you’re gone. It’s a win all around!

That’s a Wrap

Choosing between Compass and eXp Realty? Here’s the scoop: eXp offers better commission splits (80/20, 100% after capping), lower fees, and more income streams, plus cutting-edge virtual tools, 24/7 support, and tons of training. Compass, while solid, sticks to the traditional office model, with higher fees and no extra income options.

If you’re self-motivated and tech-savvy, eXp is the clear winner. But if you need an office environment and a whip-cracker to keep you moving, Compass might be your jam. Bottom line: eXp gives you more bang for your buck—unless you prefer a physical office space.

Join our FREE Team at eXp Realty

Join our team 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 our team, Smart Agent Alliance, you’ll get more FREE value than you’ll get anywhere else in the real estate business.

Some of What’s included: Access our exclusive SAA Vault Assets to get leads rolling in while you sleep and 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 — all of this with more than a $2700 value – 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 Compass vs eXp Realty agents?

On Glassdoor.com, where agents anonymously rank their brokerage, eXp Realty consistently shines with a solid 4.6 stars from over 3,500 reviews. Compass, meanwhile, trails behind with 3.7 stars from around 2,400 reviews. 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 Compass vs eXp Realty?

Thankfully, both Compass and eXp Realty are publicly traded, so it’s easy to see how they stack up financially. Compass has 18 quarters of reported earnings with zero profitable quarters. eXp Realty has 20 quarters of earnings with a 75% profitability rate. 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 and Revenue Share opportunities providing additional agent income possibilities that continue after retirement and is willable.