eXp Realty vs Keller Williams: Which Brokerage is Best for Realtors?

Today we’re putting eXp Realty up against one of the biggest names in the real estate industry—Keller Williams. Choosing the right brokerage is crucial for your success – don’t waste your time, effort, and money by picking the wrong one for you!

Why Your Brokerage Choice Matters

Picking the right brokerage doesn’t just boil down to how much commission you take home—although, we all know that’s a major factor. Your brokerage also affects your everyday work life, the support you receive, and the tools available to help you grow your business.

Today, we’re comparing eXp Realty and Keller Williams and we’ll look at everything from commission splits and fees to training opportunities, agent satisfaction, and more. And, by the way, all of eXp Realty’s information is transparent and easy to access online, but with Keller Williams, it’s not so easy and some details are hard to pin down. But we’ve done the research!

eXp Realty vs Keller Williams: Agent Satisfaction

Let’s kick things off by seeing how happy agents are at each brokerage. Based on Glassdoor reviews, eXp Realty holds a stellar 4.6-star rating, while Keller Williams is also highly rated at 4.3 stars. These ratings reflect how agents feel about the support, resources, and overall experience at each company.

And as we all know, happy agents tend to be more successful agents. 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 Keller Williams: Brokerage Profitability

Now, why does brokerage profitability matter to you? Simple—if a brokerage is financially stable, it’s more likely to keep investing in its agents by offering better tools, more training, and reliable support. A financially shaky brokerage might start making decisions that hurt agents, such as slashing commissions or adding new fees.

Unlike eXp Realty, Keller Williams doesn’t have publicly traded stock, so their profitability is harder to gauge. Without that transparency, you’re left in the dark when it comes to understanding how well they’re really doing financially.

In contrast, eXp Realty is completely transparent about its financials. eXp has posted 20 quarters of earnings, with 15 of those quarters being profitable—a solid 75% profitability rate.

Even better, eXp Realty is the only publicly traded brokerage that’s been consistently profitable for the past five years. That kind of stability is crucial because it means continuous improvements for agents and clients without unexpected changes that hurt your bottom line.

If you want the full scoop on brokerage profitability, check out our blog “Top Real Estate Companies That Might Go Under!”.

eXp Realty vs Keller Williams: Commission Splits

Alright, let’s dive into one of the most critical factors for any agent—commission splits.

At Keller Williams, commission splits can vary quite a bit depending on the office, but they typically range from 70/30, and once you’ve paid between $21,000 – $30,000 depending on the location, you get to earn 100% commission for the remainder of the year.

At eXp Realty, every agent starts at an 80/20 split, and once you’ve paid $16,000 to the brokerage in a year, you move to 100% commission. Plus, eXp offers stock awards for hitting certain milestones, and you can even earn your $16,000 cap back in company stock if you meet additional goals.

The best part? eXp’s commission structure is the same for every agent in every location—no need to negotiate or wonder if someone else is getting a better deal. And with the potential to earn more than 100% of your commission through eXp’s stock opportunities, it’s a win-win.

eXp Realty vs Keller Williams: E&O Insurance

When it comes to Errors and Omissions (E&O) insurance, how each brokerage handles this can make a big difference in your yearly expenses.

At Keller Williams, E&O insurance costs agents between $122 – $350 per month depending on the office, but it’s unclear whether this is paid upfront or on a per-deal basis.

Over at eXp Realty, Agents only pay $60 per transaction, and there’s a yearly cap of $750. So once you’ve hit that cap, you don’t have to worry about paying for E&O insurance for the rest of the year, no matter how many deals you close.

This structure is especially beneficial for new agents who might not want to deal with hefty upfront costs before they’ve even started making money.

eXp Realty vs Keller Williams: Fees

Let’s talk about fees because hidden costs can really add up. At eXp Realty, agents pay a predictable $85 monthly fee and $25 per transaction until they hit their cap. No surprises, no excessive charges—just straightforward, manageable costs.

Fees at Keller Williams, however, are more complicated. Monthly fees range from $122 to $350, depending on the office, and agents also pay a 6% royalty fee per transaction until they cap. This means that in addition to the monthly fees, you’re also paying a percentage of every deal, which can eat into your earnings pretty quickly.

eXp Realty vs Keller Williams: Training and Support

Even experienced agents know that training and support can make all the difference in growing your business. So how do these two brokerages compare?

At eXp Realty, the training is outstanding. With over 50 live training sessions every week, a full on-demand course library, and programs like Fast Start for new agents and Kick Start for experienced agents, you’re never short of opportunities to learn.

Plus, eXp offers 24/7 support through its virtual platform, eXp World, and over 2,000 full-time staff members are ready to assist when you need help.

At Keller Williams, training and support vary by office. They do offer educational courses, but these come with a price tag, costing agents anywhere from $299 – $2,500 per course. Support is also dependent on the office you’re in, so while you may receive excellent help at some locations, other offices might leave you hanging.

eXp Realty vs Keller Williams: Technology and Resources

When it comes to tech, eXp Realty is at the forefront with its fully virtual brokerage model. Agents can do everything online through eXp tech including eXp World, where agents meet with brokers, attend training sessions, and collaborate with other agents. Want the full scoop? Check out our blog on eXp World!

eXp also offers each agent an IDX website, a kvCORE CRM, and a marketing center packed with customizable templates, social media content, and more. The tech at eXp Realty is constantly being updated, ensuring agents always have the best tools at their fingertips.

Unfortunately, we couldn’t uncover much detailed information about the technology and resources provided at Keller Williams. While they likely offer tools for agents, there’s no clear standard across all offices, so your experience might vary based on where you work.

Why Keller Williams May Be Best for You

If you’re an agent who prefers the traditional brokerage model, with the structure of physical offices and face-to-face interactions, then Keller Williams might be a better fit. They have a long-standing reputation and strong branding, and for some agents, having a local broker to guide and keep them in line is a key part of their success.

However, if you’re just looking for out-of-home office space, eXp Realty provides FREE access to the 4,000 Regus office business lounges around the world. But that won’t be enough if you thrive in a more structured environment, where your office broker helps push your productivity every day. If that’s the case, Keller Williams might feel more like home.

eXp’s Exclusive Resources

Beyond the usual offerings, eXp Realty has a few game-changing features that other brokerages simply don’t have. 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 choice between eXp Realty and Keller Williams comes down to your work style and what you value in a brokerage. Keller Williams offers a more traditional office environment with higher caps and additional fees, which might suit agents who like a more hands-on approach. On the other hand, eXp Realty provides transparent splits, lower fees, cutting-edge tech, and 24/7 support—making it the better choice for agents who value flexibility, innovation, and keeping more of their earnings.

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 Keller Williams vs. eXp Realty agents?

• How profitable is Keller Williams vs. eXp Realty?

• What makes eXp Realty different?

How happy are Keller Williams vs. eXp Realty agents?

On Glassdoor.com, where agents anonymously rank their brokerage, eXp Realty holds a stellar 4.6-star rating, while Keller Williams is also highly rated at 4.3 stars. 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 Keller Williams vs. eXp Realty?

Keller Williams doesn’t have publicly traded stock, so their profitability is unknown. eXp Realty has posted 20 quarters of earnings, with a 75% profitability rate. eXp Realty is the only publicly traded brokerage that’s been consistently profitable for 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.