Real Brokerage vs Compass: what an agent pays
Real publishes one fee schedule for every agent. Compass negotiates splits agent by agent and publishes no schedule or cap. Real runs revenue share and a stock program; Compass does not publish either.
Real Brokerage and Compass 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 | Real Brokerage | Compass | AXEN |
|---|---|---|---|
| Commission split | 85/15 | Negotiated agent by agent | None. Flat $500 per closing (Pro plan; less on smaller deals) |
| Yearly cap | $12,000 solo agent; $6,000 team member | No public cap | $6,000 (Pro) or $12,000 (Elite) |
| After the cap, per deal | $285 or 15%, whichever is less ($100 for Elite agents from September 1, 2026) | Not published | $0 |
| Per-file fees | $50 review | Not published | $295 admin fee; a transaction coordinator is included on every file |
| Monthly or yearly fee | $900 a year | Not published | $50 a month |
| Sign-up fee | $249 | Not published | $0 |
- Real Brokerage is a cloud brokerage that bought RE/MAX in August 2026 (Real REMAX Group). It publishes one fee schedule, pays revenue share across 5 tiers, and runs a stock program. Its fees may change as the two companies combine.
- Compass negotiates splits agent by agent and publishes no fee schedule. It bought Anywhere Real Estate (Coldwell Banker, Century 21, Sotheby's International Realty, Corcoran) in January 2026.
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 | Real Brokerage | AXEN |
|---|---|---|
| Split or flat fee until the cap | $12,000 Split until the cap (8 × $1,500) |
$6,000 Flat fee until the cap (12 × $500) |
| Fees after the cap | $3,420 After the cap (12 × $285) |
$0 After the cap |
| Per-file fees | $1,000 Review fee (20 × $50) |
$5,900 Admin fee (20 × $295) |
| Monthly or yearly fee | $900 Yearly fee |
$600 Platform fee ($50 × 12) |
| Total you pay | $17,320 | $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
- Real Brokerage: fee schedule and annual brokerage fee, updated August 31, 2026.
- Compass: no agent fee schedule is published. The Anywhere Real Estate purchase closed January 2026.
- 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. The Real Brokerage, Compass are trademarks of their owners, who do not endorse this page.
Real Brokerage vs Compass questions
Which costs an agent less, Real Brokerage or Compass?
Real publishes one fee schedule for every agent. Compass negotiates splits agent by agent and publishes no schedule or cap. Real runs revenue share and a stock program; Compass does not publish either.
What is Real Brokerage's commission split and cap?
Real Brokerage: split 85/15; cap $12,000 solo agent; $6,000 team member, as published September 2026.
What is Compass's commission split and cap?
Compass: split Negotiated agent by agent; cap No public cap, 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.