It doesn’t matter whether you’re a new real estate agent, shiny new license in hand, or a seasoned professional looking to scale your business: choosing the right brokerage is a pivotal step in shaping your real estate career. Plus, the best real estate companies do way more than provide a place to hang your license and charge you desk fees. They offer mentorship, training, marketing tools, lead generation, and a culture that supports your professional goals.
Below, I’ll lay out five of the best real estate brokerage companies to work for, each offering something unique for different types of agents, specializations, and goals.
Key Takeaways
- If you’re a new agent seeking mentorship and training, choose Keller Williams for its hands-on support and educational ecosystem.
- If you want flexibility and a fully remote, cloud-based setup, choose eXp Realty, ideal for part-time or tech-savvy independent agents.
- If you value a trusted name and traditional office structure, choose Coldwell Banker for its legacy brand and established client base.
- If you work with high-end clients and want modern tools, choose Compass for its luxury market presence and tech-powered platform.
- If you’re a seasoned agent wanting independence and high commissions, choose RE/MAX for its global reach and agent autonomy.
1. Keller Williams Realty: Growth & Long-Term Earnings
Commission Structure: 70/30, then 100% after cap
Keller Williams is consistently rated as one of the top real estate brokerages in the world, and for good reason. Known for its agent-centric philosophy, Keller Williams emphasizes education, empowerment, and profit-sharing as pillars of its business model. Its commitment to comprehensive training programs like KW Ignite makes it especially attractive for new agents looking to learn the ropes.
One of Keller Williams’ standout features is its profit share system, which rewards agents who help grow the company by sponsoring other agents. For those with a long-term mindset, this can become a meaningful stream of passive income. KW also offers extensive in-person and virtual training options, a collaborative culture, and a supportive environment where mentorship is encouraged.
Best Fit:
- New agents seeking structure, guidance, and foundational training
- Agents looking to build a downline through profit or growth sharing
- Professionals who value community, collaboration, and mentorship
2. eXp Realty: Flexibility & Consistency
Commission Structure: 80/20, then 100% after cap
eXp Realty is a fully cloud-based brokerage that has disrupted the traditional real estate model. With no brick-and-mortar offices, the company operates entirely online, providing agents with access to live training, virtual collaboration, and a proprietary platform for managing transactions. Its model is particularly appealing to independent agents and part-time professionals who want more flexibility.
What sets eXp apart is its rev share model, which offers a multi-tiered approach to income for agents who recruit others into the company. Coupled with a competitive commission structure and a cap system that benefits top performers, it’s a strong choice for those who are entrepreneurial and tech-savvy.
“I’m with EXP! I LOVE it! They offer a mentor and online modules!”
u/Agreeable_Respond_66
Best Fit:
- Tech-savvy agents who prefer remote work and digital collaboration
- Experienced agents looking for high splits with minimal overhead
- Part-time agents or those seeking location independence
3. Coldwell Banker: Stability & Brand Recognition
Commission Structure: 50/50 (entry) → up to 90/10 (top agents)
As one of the most recognized names in the real estate business, Coldwell Banker offers agents the power of brand reputation combined with a traditional brokerage model. It’s a solid choice for established agents and new licensees alike who want to associate with a company that has been around for over a century. Plus, it’s worth acknowledging that you can negotiate a better commission split:
“Coldwell Banker realty. 100% No fees. Free training. Negotiate a higher split.”
u/InevitableContent411
Coldwell Banker provides strong marketing tools, a national advertising presence, and access to a wide network of offices and clients. Their training programs, while not as modern as eXp’s or KW’s, are robust and give agents a foundation to build their business. Their luxury arm, Coldwell Banker Global Luxury, is also an asset for luxury agents.
Best Fit:
- Agents seeking a traditional brokerage model and in-office support
- Professionals who want the trust and prestige of a legacy brand
- Luxury agents leveraging Coldwell Banker’s high-end marketing
4. Compass: For High-End, High-Volume Agents
Commission Structure: Often ~80/20 (negotiated)
Compass is a relatively new player but has quickly carved out a niche in the high-end market by combining sleek branding with cutting-edge technology. It markets itself as a modern real estate platform, and that’s evident in its custom CRM, AI-driven marketing tools, and streamlined processes for agents.
The company is known for aggressively recruiting agents from top-performing brokerages, and it offers competitive splits to seasoned agents with an existing book of business. Compass agents benefit from high-quality marketing support and access to exclusive luxury listings, making it ideal for those specializing in upscale properties.
Best Fit:
- Luxury-focused agents working in urban or affluent markets
- Experienced agents who value marketing and brand presentation
- Professionals who want advanced tech tools to manage and scale their business
5. RE/MAX: Maximize Commissions, Handle Your Overhead
Commission Structure: High take-home commissions (broker costs via fees)
RE/MAX is one of the most well-known global real estate firms, operating in over 100 countries. It’s a brand built on the power of independent agents; the company doesn’t micromanage, and that autonomy attracts many experienced professionals who want to run their business their way.
RE/MAX is also attractive to high-volume agents because of its favorable commission structures and flexible office models. However, newer agents may find the support and training a bit less structured unless they’re part of a team or a strong local office.
“I chose RE/MAX Top Realty as my brokerage, primarily for the huge amount of training they offer that is completely different from any other RE/MAX office (they’re not all created equally), and an apprenticeship program that is designed to help you become successful and teaches you accountability. We all need that, being self employed and all.”
u/ryanjayy
Best Fit:
- Experienced agents who want independence and brand credibility
- High-volume agents maximizing earnings with competitive splits
- Part-time agents who prefer minimal oversight and flexible desk fees
Comparison Table: Top Real Estate Companies for Agents
| Brokerage | Typical Commission Split / Cap Structure | Best For | Known For / Strengths | Potential Drawbacks / What to Confirm |
| Keller Williams Realty | 70/30, then 100% after cap | Agents seeking growth and long-term income potential | Strong training/mentorship, profit‑sharing, path to 100% | Caps vary by market; need to reach cap before max earnings |
| eXp Realty | 80/20 (agent/broker), then 100% after cap | Tech-savvy, remote, flexible /part-time agents | Cloud-based model, virtual tools, consistency | Less in-person support; overhead often agent-responsible |
| Coldwell Banker | 50/50 (entry) → up to 90/10 (top agents) | Agents valuing traditional structure + brand | Legacy brand, national marketing, stable infrastructure | Split varies heavily by office; fewer guarantees for new agents |
| Compass | Often ~80/20 (negotiated) | Luxury or high-end market agents, experienced agents | Luxury marketing, technology tools, high-end listings | Split depends on negotiations; newer agents may struggle to get top rate |
| RE/MAX | High take-home commissions (broker costs via fees) | Independent, self‑motivated, high-volume agents | Agent autonomy, flexibility, global brand, high earnings potential | Less structured training/support; agent handles overhead and business development |
A Few Notes on Commission Splits & Why They Vary
Confused by commission splits? Here are the highlights.
- Commission structures tend to vary by region, local office, and agent performance. What’s common in one city may be different in another, so always check with the local office for exact terms.
- Many brokerages—especially in the franchise model (Keller Williams, Coldwell Banker, RE/MAX)—include franchise fees, desk or tech fees, transaction fees, or other overhead costs that eat into take-home pay.
- A high split doesn’t always translate to higher net income; the volume of transactions, average home price, and local market demand matter a lot.
How to Choose: New Agent Tips From Realtors
As an exam prep expert, I know a lot about real estate pre-licensing exams, but I’m not a realtor. So, I turned to forums to grab some advice from practicing agents to give you a better idea of what to look for.
Shop Around
“One may be good for your needs but not for another depending on their needs. I interviewed all the brokers near my house to see which one works for me and joined KW one which I felt was better than even other KW offices. So even within the same franchise, you’ll have different feel and experiences.”
u/Aster007
Prioritize Relationships
“Most brokerages have tremendous latitude in what they can offer you and have similar programs (ex crms) that are useful. You’re going to excel because of who you surround yourself with and who can mentor you. Not the colors on the door.”
u/fisherreshif
“Id try to work under a big agent for a year ish. Even if the split sucks, the relationships you make there are life long.”
u/CallCastro
Don’t Focus on Fees
“My 2 cents. Don’t focus on the fees. It’s the wrong way to look at it. Go where it feels the best. Money will come if you’re in the place that fits you most. You’ll be happier too.”
u/PenPutrid3098
Final Thoughts
The best brokerage for you depends on where you are in your real estate career, your preferred business model, and the type of support and tools you need to thrive. Let’s review:
Keller Williams is a great place for those who want to learn, grow, and potentially earn passive income through recruiting. Meanwhile, eXp Realty is ideal for agents who embrace tech and want flexible, virtual support. Coldwell Banker offers name recognition and a solid infrastructure, especially for those who want a more traditional setup. Compass, on the other hand, shines for experienced agents working in high-end markets who want the latest tools and sleek branding. Finally, RE/MAX is a good match for independent agents looking to maximize earnings and minimize oversight.
FAQs
Typically, experienced agents at RE/MAX or Compass can earn the most due to high commission splits, especially in luxury or high-volume markets.
Start with a brokerage like Keller Williams or eXp Realty that offers intensive training, mentorship, and lead generation to fast-track your success.
Keller Williams is often cited as the most successful due to its agent count, training programs, and revenue-sharing models.
Compass and Coldwell Banker Global Luxury are top picks for luxury agents thanks to their branding, marketing, and affluent clientele.
eXp Realty and RE/MAX offer flexible, low-overhead structures ideal for part-time or dual-career agents.