eXp Realty vs Keller Williams: what an agent pays
eXp publishes one fee schedule for every agent. Keller Williams does not: each market center is independently owned and its owner sets the split and the cap. The only honest comparison is eXp's published schedule next to your KW office's schedule, in writing.
eXp Realty and Keller Williams fees, line by line
Each company's own published numbers. Where a company publishes nothing, we say so instead of guessing. AXEN is shown for reference.
| Fee | eXp Realty | Keller Williams | AXEN |
|---|---|---|---|
| Commission split | 80/20 | Set by each market center | None. Flat $500 per closing (Pro plan; less on smaller deals) |
| Yearly cap | $16,000 | Set by each market center | $6,000 (Pro) or $12,000 (Elite) |
| After the cap, per deal | $250 or 20%, whichever is less; $75 after $5,000 in post-cap fees | Set by each market center | $0 |
| Per-file fees | $25 review + $60 risk fee (risk fee capped at $750 a year) | Not published | $295 admin fee; a transaction coordinator is included on every file |
| Monthly or yearly fee | $85 a month | Not published | $50 a month |
| Sign-up fee | $149 | Not published | $0 |
- eXp Realty is a cloud brokerage owned by AGNT, Inc. (formerly eXp World Holdings). It publishes one fee schedule for every agent, pays revenue share across 7 tiers, and runs a stock program.
- Keller Williams is a franchise. Its own magazine says market centers are independently owned and that the owner decides the commission split. After an agent caps, they keep 100% for the rest of their anniversary year.
The math: 20 closings at $10,000 each
$200,000 in commission. Only the brokerage changes. Published fees only; sign-up fees and MLS dues are left out.
| Cost | eXp Realty | AXEN |
|---|---|---|
| Split or flat fee until the cap | $16,000 Split until the cap (8 × $2,000) |
$6,000 Flat fee until the cap (12 × $500) |
| Fees after the cap | $3,000 After the cap (12 × $250) |
$0 After the cap |
| Per-file fees | $1,250 Per-file fees ($500 review + $750 risk) |
$5,900 Admin fee (20 × $295) |
| Monthly or yearly fee | $1,020 Monthly fee ($85 × 12) |
$600 Platform fee ($50 × 12) |
| Total you pay | $21,270 | $12,500 |
Many AXEN agents pass the $295 admin fee to their client at closing; if you do, your AXEN total drops to $6,600.
How to choose between them
- Ask each for its full fee schedule in writing. Every per-file, monthly, technology and E&O fee, not just the split.
- Run your own year. Your number of deals and your average commission decide which one costs less. A low cap matters most if you close a lot; a low per-deal fee matters most if you close a few.
- Count what the fee buys. Transaction coordination, lead tools and training cost money wherever they are not included.
- Read the exit terms. How you are paid on deals that close after you leave is in the contract.
More on each:
Where AXEN fits
No commission split. You keep 100% and pay a flat fee per closing.
AXEN charges a flat fee per closing ($500 on the Pro plan; less on smaller deals) that caps at $6,000 a year, or $12,000 on the Elite plan, plus a $295 per-file admin fee and a $50 a month platform fee. A transaction coordinator is included on every file.
AXEN is not the cheapest on fees alone for every agent, and we say so in the math. Revenue share and equity depend on plan and participation. Earnings examples are illustrations, not guarantees.
See AXEN vs eXp vs Real, how to transfer your license, or look inside the AXEN portal for free.
Sources
- eXp Realty: cap and split, exprealty.com/income; fees, Independent Contractor Agreement and Policies and Procedures filed by AGNT, Inc., SEC EDGAR Exhibit 10.14 (filed August 2026).
- Keller Williams: KW Outfront, October 30, 2025.
- AXEN fee schedule: axenrealty.com/join (September 2026).
Costs only, not an earnings claim. Fees as published by each company as of September 2026; each may change its fees at any time, so confirm current fees with each company in writing before you decide. eXp Realty, Keller Williams are trademarks of their owners, who do not endorse this page.
eXp Realty vs Keller Williams questions
Which costs an agent less, eXp Realty or Keller Williams?
eXp publishes one fee schedule for every agent. Keller Williams does not: each market center is independently owned and its owner sets the split and the cap. The only honest comparison is eXp's published schedule next to your KW office's schedule, in writing.
What is eXp Realty's commission split and cap?
eXp Realty: split 80/20; cap $16,000, as published September 2026.
What is Keller Williams's commission split and cap?
Keller Williams: split Set by each market center; cap Set by each market center, as published September 2026.
How does AXEN compare?
AXEN has no commission split: a flat $500 per closing on the Pro plan, capped at $6,000 a year, plus a $295 admin fee per file and $50 a month, with a transaction coordinator on every file.