Who is Real?

Real Broker launched in 2014 as a cloud-based brokerage designed for next-gen agents who want freedom from brick-and-mortar overhead. Headquartered in New York and Toronto, it went public in 2020 under the ticker REAX, giving agents a chance to earn stock in a publicly traded company.

Real also touts rapid growth: more than 28,000 agents were on the platform by the end of Q2 2025, up forty-plus percent year over year.

The brokerage positions itself as a lean alternative to traditional franchise models, rewarding agents through an 85/15 split, a $12,000 cap, free stock in the company, and a five-tier revenue share program.

Who is Keller Williams?

Keller Williams Realty opened its first office in Austin in 1983 and has evolved into the largest brokerage in the world by agent count, with roughly 165,000 associates across more than 1,000 franchises.

Gary Keller still shapes the culture, emphasizing in-person training, coaching, and a profit-share system that has been paying passive income to many agents since the late 1990s.

KW remains privately held, but its size, infrastructure, and brand recognition keep it top of mind for both new agents and top agents looking for a big-box brokerage with offices in nearly every metro.

What is Real’s Commission Structure?

Real Broker offers an 85/15 commission split to every Real agent, regardless of experience level.

Once an agent’s contribution to the brokerage hits the $12,000 cap, the split moves to 100% for the rest of that anniversary year. After capping, a $285 transaction fee applies to the next twenty deals, then drops to $129 per file.

There are no franchise fees or desk fees, one of the key ways Real gives producers an attractive cost profile.

Team members enjoy a reduced $6,000 cap, making Real’s model appealing to a capping agent who wants to scale a team without adding heavy overhead.

What is Keller Williams’s Commission Structure?

Keller Williams operates on a standard 70/30 split in most markets.

Each market center sets its own yearly cap, often between $18,000 and $28,000, after which the associate enjoys a 100% split until the anniversary resets.

Unlike Real, KW agents pay a 6% franchise fee (capped at $3,000 annually) on every transaction, and many offices layer on monthly office or tech fees.

Keller Williams commission math works best for agents who value the office within my brokerage concept and intend to use the physical workspace and in-person resources.

What Revenue Share Opportunities Does Real Offer?

Real Broker’s revenue share program distributes part of the 15% company dollar across five tiers.

A tier 1 agent you attract can earn you up to 5% of company dollar on their deals, capped at $4,000 per year. Tiers two through five pay 4%, 3%, 2%, and 1%, respectively, with corresponding annual caps.

To unlock all tiers, you need twenty-five producing agents on your first tier, though there are alternative paths through elite agent award production or mastermind participation.

Real Broker also awards stock when you close your first deal each year, hit your cap, or attract agents who close transactions, adding multiple streams of income that many agents view as true passive income.

What Revenue Share Opportunities Does Keller Williams Offer?

Keller Williams’s profit share traces seven levels deep.

Instead of paying out of gross commission, KW shares a percentage of each market center’s monthly profit. Because profit can fluctuate, the payout is less predictable than Real’s revenue share model, but seasoned associates who attracted large trees decades ago often enjoy six-figure checks.

Profit share vests after seven years, making it inheritable if an agent takes time off from work. Keller Williams’s profit share still rewards agents who focus on attracting new agents, but the earnings depend on local office profitability rather than company-wide revenue.

What is Real’s Tech Stack Like?

Real’s cloud-based brokerage runs on reZEN, a mobile-first platform that lets you track commissions, check cap status, generate CDAs, deposit checks, and manage transactions from one dashboard.

Real also layers in its Leo AI assistant, Real Signature for e-sign, and integration with Real Title and One Real Mortgage to streamline the entire deal cycle.

Real Academy delivers more than twenty live classes each week, plus hundreds of on-demand sessions, while weekly mastermind groups keep top agents connected across markets. Most collaboration happens via video call and workplace chat, so a reliable internet connection matters more than office proximity.

What is Keller Williams’s Tech Stack Like?

KW Command anchors the Keller Williams tech ecosystem.

The platform handles CRM, smart plans, lead routing, marketing design, and transaction oversight in one portal. Recent AI-driven upgrades include predictive next-step prompts and automated contact summaries that claim to reduce third-party software costs.

Command integrates with KW Connect and KW Marketplace, so many agents manage their real estate business end-to-end inside the proprietary system. While Command is cloud-based, most market centers still provide computers, printers, and meeting rooms for in-person collaboration, reinforcing the franchise’s office-centric culture.

Which Brokerage Has More Stability and Growth Potential?

Think of Real Broker as a fast-moving company that now trades under the REAX ticker. Agents can benefit if revenue keeps climbing and the brand continues to add real estate agents. Agent count grew about 40% in the last year, which signals momentum, yet the firm has only been operating since 2014, so its track record is still short.

Keller Williams offers a different flavor of security. Roughly 40 years of sales history, profit-share checks first paid in the late 1990s, and a deep cash reserve create a sturdy floor. Risk is spread across more than 1,000 market centers, which can cushion regional slowdowns.

Both real estate companies face the same headwinds: commission lawsuits, changing buyer behavior, and tighter margins. Real Broker’s lean cost structure could let it pivot quickly, while Keller Williams’s scale and brand recognition can absorb shocks.

Agents who value upside and are comfortable with a younger public company may lean toward Real, whereas agents who prefer a long record of consistent earnings might choose Keller Williams.

What Type of Support Does Each Brokerage Offer?

Real offers 24/7 broker support via workplace chat and scheduled video calls, plus weekly mastermind sessions and Real Academy coursework. There is no traditional franchise fee, and regional events rotate through major cities rather than fixed offices.

Keller Williams leans on face-to-face learning: new associates dive into the Ignite course, gather for quick morning huddles, and meet regularly with local productivity coaches who offer hands-on guidance.

How Do I Decide Which Brokerage is a Good Fit for Me?

Start by listing your production goals, preferred work style, and long-term wealth plan.

If you thrive in a cloud environment, value a lower cap, and want to earn stock while attracting new agents, Real Broker’s business model may check every box.

If you prefer an office within your brokerage, rely on in-person training, and like Keller Williams’s culture of local leadership, KW could be the better match.

Consider the transaction fee structure, the franchise fee impact on your net, the potential to earn passive income, and whether the tech ecosystem complements your workflow. 

FAQ’s About Real vs Keller Williams

How much can a tier 1 agent earn from Real Broker’s revenue share?

A tier 1 sponsor receives up to 5% of company dollar on each transaction their directly attracted agent closes, capped at $4,000 per year. That income is paid monthly and continues as long as the agent remains with Real and in production.

Does Keller Williams charge ongoing tech fees in addition to the cap?

Many KW market centers assess a monthly technology or office fee that covers Command access, office supplies, and other services. The exact amount varies by franchise, so review your local office’s fee schedule carefully before signing.

Can I earn stock at Keller Williams like I can at Real?

Keller Williams is a privately held company, so there is no direct path to earn publicly traded stock. 

Real offers several ways to earn stock awards, including capping, elite agent award production, and attracting agents who close deals.

Which brokerage has the larger agent count?

Keller Williams remains the largest brokerage in the world by agent count, topping more than 165,000 associates globally, while Real has surpassed 28,000 agents and is growing quickly.

If I’m a new agent, which company provides better day-one training?

Keller Williams’s Ignite and KWU courses give structured, in-person coaching that many new agents find invaluable. 

Real Academy offers virtual classes and mastermind access that some next-gen agents prefer. Evaluate whether you learn best in person or via streaming before deciding.