eXp Realty vs RE/MAX: A Structural Comparison

Key Takeaway: eXp Realty vs RE/MAX compares two national brokerages operating under different business models. eXp operates a cloud-based platform with a $16,000 flat cap, no royalty fee, a seven-tier revenue share program, and publicly traded equity pathways. RE/MAX operates a franchise model with variable caps, a 5% royalty fee plus 1% continuing franchise fee, and no agent equity program.

TL;DR About eXp vs RE/MAX

• eXp caps annual brokerage fees at $16,000
• RE/MAX caps vary by office ($15K-$23K range)
• eXp charges no franchise or royalty fee
• RE/MAX charges 5% royalty plus 1% franchise fee
• eXp runs a seven-tier revenue share program
• RE/MAX offers no passive income program
• RE/MAX trades on NYSE; eXp trades on NASDAQ

eXp Realty and RE/MAX are two national real estate brokerages operating under different business models. eXp runs a cloud-based platform with standardized fees. RE/MAX operates a franchise model with independently owned offices, variable caps, a 5% royalty fee, and a 1% continuing franchise fee.

A common assumption is that the brokerage decision comes down to commission split. Split is one factor among several, including cap structure, royalty and franchise fees, desk fees, technology, passive income model, and equity participation.

This article explains how the eXp Realty vs RE/MAX comparison fits into the broader Smart Agent Alliance brokerage comparisons ecosystem available to all agents.

The sections below compare company structure, commission and fees, production-level costs, revenue and equity programs, training, technology, divisions, and public company status:

2026 Update: Real Brokerage and RE/MAX

Real Brokerage’s announced acquisition of RE/MAX is important industry news, but it does not automatically change the core eXp Realty vs RE/MAX comparison in this article.

The reason is simple: this comparison is focused on the agent-facing brokerage model, including commission structure, caps, fees, royalty and franchise fees, training, technology, support, revenue share, and equity opportunities. Those are the terms that matter most when an agent is deciding where to hang their license.

RE/MAX operates primarily through independently owned and operated franchise offices. That means agent-facing changes may depend on local franchise agreements, office-level economics, broker-owner decisions, technology rollout timelines, and future integration plans. In practical terms, a corporate acquisition does not necessarily mean every RE/MAX agent immediately moves into Real Brokerage’s model, fee structure, stock program, revenue share system, or technology stack.

For that reason, this article continues to compare eXp Realty and RE/MAX based on RE/MAX’s current franchise-based agent model. The Real Brokerage acquisition may affect RE/MAX’s ownership structure, scale, technology roadmap, and long-term strategy, but unless the actual terms offered to RE/MAX agents change, the core comparison remains the same.

Company Structure

eXp Realty

eXp Realty is a cloud-based brokerage founded in 2009 by Glenn Sanford, headquartered in Bellingham, Washington. The brokerage operates with no physical offices at the brokerage level. eXp Realty is a subsidiary of eXp World Holdings, which trades on NASDAQ as EXPI. The brokerage operates across the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, Puerto Rico, Mexico, South Africa, India, and additional international markets.

RE/MAX

RE/MAX is a franchise brokerage founded in 1973 by Dave and Gail Liniger, headquartered in Denver, Colorado. The brokerage operates through a network of independently owned and operated franchise offices across the United States, Canada, and more than 110 international markets. RE/MAX Holdings, the franchisor, is publicly traded on NYSE as RMAX. Agent count is approximately 140,000 worldwide.

Commission and Fee Structure

eXp Realty

Every eXp Realty agent operates under the same standardized commission structure:

• 80/20 split until the annual cap is reached
• $16,000 cap — once an agent has paid $16K to the brokerage, they earn 100% commission for the rest of their 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

RE/MAX

Brokerage plans, fees, caps, benefits, and support offerings can change over time and may vary by office, market, role, or individual agreement. The information below is provided for general comparison purposes only, based on sources available at the time of writing. Any plan summaries, figures, or calculation examples are illustrative only. Agents should verify all current terms directly with the brokerage they are evaluating before making a decision.

RE/MAX does not use one universal nationwide pay plan, so the structure below reflects common RE/MAX office models, especially RAPP, but exact splits, caps, and fees can vary by franchise office.

• RE/MAX commission plans vary by franchise office.
• Many offices use the RAPP structure, which commonly includes:
  • 60/40 split at the starting tier
  • 70/30 split at the next tier
  • 80/20 split at the top tier before cap
  • 95/5 split after reaching the annual cap
• A $23,000 annual cap is common under RAPP, though not every RE/MAX office uses the same structure or cap.
• Some RE/MAX offices appear to use a 5% royalty fee and a 1% continuing franchise fee on each deal, but the exact fee structure should be verified with the specific office.
• After capping, agents in some RAPP-based offices move to 95/5, but ongoing fees after cap may still vary by office.
• The exact split, cap, and fee structure should always be confirmed with the specific RE/MAX franchise office.

Cost at Common Production Levels

Total annual cost depends on cap structure, monthly fees, transaction fees, E&O insurance, and (for RE/MAX) the 5% royalty fee and 1% continuing franchise fee that apply to every transaction.

eXp Realty Fee Schedule

RE/MAX Fee Schedule (Ranges by Office)

Annual Cost at $250,000 GCI

Total annual cost at $250,000 GCI across approximately 25 transactions is shown below. RE/MAX figures use mid-range estimates because 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%)

RE/MAX (mid-range estimates):

• Commission to brokerage (split payments until ~$20K cap): $20,000
• Royalty fee (5% on all $250K GCI): $12,500
• Continuing franchise fee (1% on all $250K GCI): $2,500
• Monthly fees (~$800 x 12, mid-range desk + admin): $9,600
• Transaction fees (~$260 x 25): $6,500
• E&O (~$700/year, industry mid-range): $700
• Total cost: $51,800
• Net to agent: $198,200 (79.3%)

At $250,000 GCI, total annual cost is $18,395 at eXp Realty and $51,800 at RE/MAX under these mid-range estimates.

At $250,000 GCI, the 5% royalty fee alone is $12,500; combined with the 1% continuing franchise fee, RE/MAX corporate collects $15,000 in percentage-based fees, separate from amounts paid to the local franchise office.

Monthly desk fees at RE/MAX offices range from approximately $300 to over $2,500 depending on market and office amenities. The calculation above uses an $800 mid-range estimate; actual costs vary by office.

eXp Realty fees are standardized across all locations.

Revenue and Equity Programs

eXp Realty operates a sponsor-based revenue share program and equity award programs. RE/MAX does not offer a revenue share, profit share, or equity program.

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 a sponsorship network who caps at $16,000, up to $8,000 per year enters the revenue share pool distributed across the tier structure.

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 theoretical distribution per capping agent across all seven tiers: $8,000 per year, representing the ceiling when the full sponsorship tree is populated at all tier maximums.

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.

Revenue share is a participation-based program; actual amounts depend on sponsorship activity and capping rates within an agent’s network.

RE/MAX

RE/MAX does not offer a revenue share, profit share, or any form of passive income program tied to agent recruitment or network building. RE/MAX does not offer a retirement income path or willable income stream. Agent income at RE/MAX is tied to active production.

Training and Support Model

eXp Realty

eXp Realty training is delivered 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; commission earnings are temporarily reduced during the mentorship period
• Videos, guides, checklists, and playbooks designed to support a wide range of agent needs
• Additional programs including Fast Cap, a live six-week training program for new or experienced agents that includes free realtor.com leads for U.S. agents, and Zoocasa, which provides one-on-one live training and qualified lead flow
• All training is included at no additional cost
• 24/7 Expert Care — eXp’s branded agent support program; 2,000+ full-time staff dedicated to agent operations

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

Agents may also receive additional coaching, training, and guidance from their individual sponsor organization, if available.

RE/MAX

RE/MAX training is delivered through:

• 1,000+ on-demand video courses covering sales skills, marketing, technology, and business development
• 70+ structured courses organized by topic and skill level
• 24/7 access to the learning platform
• Live webinars and regional training events
• Designations and certifications available (ABR, CRS, SRES, etc.)

In-office training, mentorship, and coaching vary by franchise; RE/MAX University provides the corporate baseline.

RE/MAX does not operate a mandatory corporate mentor program for new agents. New-agent mentorship, when available, is structured at the franchise level.

Technology Ecosystem

eXp Realty

eXp Realty’s technology stack:

• My eXp app — central access point for company tools and resources, including production and revenue share dashboards
• eXp World — virtual campus for meetings, training, collaboration, and broker access
• CRM choice: BoldTrail, Lofty, or Cloze
• SkySlope — centralized cloud transaction management and compliance
• IDX websites — available through BoldTrail or Lofty
• Canva Pro — listing, branding, and social media templates
• My Link My Lead — eXp’s proprietary lead tool; agents create searches and retain any leads generated, whether they work them directly or refer them out
• eXp Hub — internal communication
• MIRA AI provides 24/7 AI agent answers
• Referral tools support cross-state and international business

RE/MAX

RE/MAX’s corporate technology stack:

• RE/MAX.com agent profiles — listing and lead generation through the RE/MAX consumer website
• MAX/Tech (powered by kvCORE) — CRM platform available to RE/MAX agents
• booj — RE/MAX’s proprietary technology platform for websites and lead management
• RE/MAX Design Center — marketing templates and branding materials
• Transaction management varies by office (Skyslope, dotloop, or other platforms)

Technology tools and tech support availability vary by franchise; corporate platforms provide the baseline.

RE/MAX.com is the corporate consumer-facing website; RE/MAX agents can receive leads through the site as part of the brokerage’s brand-based lead generation.

Culture and Work Environment

eXp Realty

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.

RE/MAX

RE/MAX operates through physical franchise offices. Agents work out of franchise locations, and the in-office environment is part of the RE/MAX operating model. The red, white, and blue balloon logo is a long-established RE/MAX brand element.

RE/MAX has historically positioned itself around the experienced producer segment. Local office culture, community, and market presence vary by franchise.

Monthly desk fees at RE/MAX offices range from approximately $300 to $2,500 depending on the market and office amenities. Fees cover office space, brand affiliation, and franchise-level support.

Divisions and Verticals

eXp Realty

eXp World Holdings operates multiple divisions available to eXp Realty agents. eXp Luxury serves the luxury residential segment with branded marketing and referral infrastructure. eXp Commercial covers commercial real estate transactions. Additional specialized divisions include Sports & Entertainment, Land & Ranch, and New Homes. eXp Referral Division supports agents operating in a referral-only capacity with reduced expenses. eXp Mortgage provides affiliated mortgage services. eXp Title handles title services. eXp Affiliates manages partner relationships and integration. SUCCESS Enterprises, including SUCCESS Magazine, SUCCESS Coaching, and SUCCESS+, operates under eXp World Holdings. The brokerage operates in multiple international markets, providing cross-border referral and transaction capability.

RE/MAX

RE/MAX operates several verticals available through its franchise network. The RE/MAX Collection serves the luxury residential segment. RE/MAX Commercial covers commercial real estate transactions. RE/MAX Motto Mortgage provides affiliated mortgage services through a separate franchise structure. Additional specialty designations are available through RE/MAX University certifications. RE/MAX operates in the United States, Canada, and more than 110 international markets.

Public Company Structure and Stock Pathways

eXp Realty

eXp World Holdings trades on NASDAQ as EXPI. Agent stock pathways:

• 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
• Equity awards for meeting annual production benchmarks
• Equity award for the first closed transaction of sponsored agents

Stock ownership provides agents with equity participation in eXp World Holdings. Across 20 quarters reviewed from 2020 through 2025, eXp posted profitable results in 15 quarters, the highest rate among the eight publicly traded brokerages reviewed, and it was the only brokerage in the analysis to produce a positive cumulative net EPS over the full period at +$0.66 per share

RE/MAX

RE/MAX Holdings trades on NYSE as RMAX. RE/MAX does not offer an agent stock purchase program, equity awards, or production-based stock incentives.

RE/MAX agents operate as independent contractors under franchise agreements with their local franchise owner; the financial relationship is with the franchise, not with RE/MAX Holdings. Across 20 quarters reviewed from 2020 through 2025, RE/MAX posted profitable results in 13 quarters but still ended the period with a cumulative net EPS loss of -$3.43 per share, meaning it remained net-negative over the five-year review period.

Agent Support

eXp Realty

• 24/7 Expert Care — eXp’s branded agent support program, available through the virtual platform and multiple support channels
• 2,000+ full-time employees dedicated to agent support, compliance, and operations
• Broker access available virtually

RE/MAX

• Local franchise office — support comes primarily from the broker-owner and office staff
• RE/MAX corporate provides brand marketing, technology platforms, and training resources
• Day-to-day support (transaction questions, compliance, mentorship) is handled at the office level
• Support availability and staffing vary by franchise

Anonymous Agent Reviews

Aggregated agent feedback from anonymous review platforms documents differing experiences at each brokerage. For the full cross-brokerage ranking, see Real Estate Brokerage Reviews: 12 Firms Ranked in 2026. eXp Realty holds a 4.4 Glassdoor rating with 87% of agents recommending the brokerage, 92% CEO approval, and 8 consecutive years on the Best Places to Work list. RE/MAX holds approximately a 4.3 Glassdoor rating.

What Agents Also Ask

Is eXp Realty better than RE/MAX?

The answer depends on an agent’s priorities. RE/MAX operates a franchise model with independently owned offices, a 5% royalty and 1% continuing franchise fee, the RAPP tiered split structure, and broad consumer name recognition. eXp operates a cloud-based model with a flat $16,000 cap, no royalty or franchise fee, a seven-tier revenue share program, and publicly traded equity pathways. The choice reflects operating preferences more than a universal ranking.

Which brokerage is best for new agents, eXp or RE/MAX?

eXp Realty requires a Mentor Program for new agents and delivers standardized training through eXp University. RE/MAX does not operate a mandatory corporate mentor program; new-agent mentorship, when available, is structured at the franchise level. New agents prioritizing standardized cost and training may prefer eXp Realty; new agents prioritizing in-person franchise support may prefer a specific RE/MAX office.

Is RE/MAX the best brokerage for agents who value name recognition?

RE/MAX has decades of consumer brand recognition supported by national advertising and the RE/MAX.com consumer website. eXp Realty operates without a large consumer-facing brand campaign but has significant agent-count scale. Fit depends on whether consumer brand recognition at the point of transaction materially affects an agent’s lead flow in a given market.

Why This Matters

Brokerage comparison data supports evaluating which business model and compensation design fit an agent’s plan. At eXp Realty, all agents receive the same core brokerage platform, including compliance, compensation, and access to company divisions. What differs is the sponsor ecosystem an agent aligns with.

The sponsor an agent selects shapes which tools, training, and attraction systems they have access to, including resources for comparing franchise and cloud-based models. Agents should weigh cap structure, royalty and franchise fees, and passive income design alongside commission economics.

Related Topics

• eXp Realty vs Keller Williams: Structural Comparison
• eXp Realty vs Century 21: Structural Comparison
• eXp Realty vs Berkshire Hathaway: Structural Comparison