eXp Realty vs RE/MAX: Which Is the Better Investment?

Side-by-side comparison of investment costs, fees, unit economics, and franchisee satisfaction. Data from FDD disclosures and franchise database — updated 2026.

Real Estate Real Data Not Investment Advice
eR

eXp Realty

Real Estate
$3K – $8K
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VS
R

RE/MAX

Real Estate
$39K – $225K
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At a Glance: Key Differences

Data-driven observations based on disclosed figures. Not investment advice — verify current numbers in each franchise's FDD.

Investment Cost
eXp Realty wins on investment range ($217K less) vs RE/MAX.
Fee Burden
RE/MAX wins on royalty rate (5.0% lower) vs eXp Realty.
Unit Count
eXp Realty wins on total units (81,000 more) vs RE/MAX.
Satisfaction
eXp Realty wins on franchisee satisfaction vs RE/MAX.

Investment & Fees

Metric eXp Realty RE/MAX
Min Investment $3K $39K
Max Investment $8K $225K
Franchise Fee $500.00 $25K
Royalty Rate 5.0% 0.0%
Ad Fund Rate N/A 0.0%

Unit Economics

Metric eXp Realty RE/MAX
Avg Unit Revenue N/A $1.2M
Avg Profit Margin N/A N/A

Scale & Growth

Metric eXp Realty RE/MAX
Total Units 90,000 9,000
Annual Growth 5.6% -0.5%
Failure Rate N/A 2.0%

Franchisee Performance

Metric eXp Realty RE/MAX
Franchisee Satisfaction 74/100 72/100

Track Record

Metric eXp Realty RE/MAX
Years in Business N/A 51
Years Franchising N/A 48

Financial Requirements

Metric eXp Realty RE/MAX
Min Net Worth Required N/A $250K
Liquid Capital Required N/A $35K

Operations

Metric eXp Realty RE/MAX
Avg Employees N/A 10
Training Weeks N/A 2

Frequently Asked Questions

Is eXp Realty or RE/MAX a better franchise investment?

The answer depends on your goals, budget, and market. eXp Realty has 90,000 total units and a 74/100 franchisee satisfaction score. RE/MAX has 9,000 total units and a 72/100 franchisee satisfaction score. Use our ROI Calculator to model both scenarios.

How much does it cost to open a eXp Realty franchise?

Based on data in our database, opening a eXp Realty franchise requires an initial investment of $3K – $8K. The franchise fee is $500.00, with ongoing royalties of 5.0%. Always request the current FDD for exact figures.

How much does it cost to open a RE/MAX franchise?

Based on data in our database, opening a RE/MAX franchise requires an initial investment of $39K – $225K. The franchise fee is $25K, with ongoing royalties of 0.0%. Always request the current FDD for exact figures.

What is the royalty rate for eXp Realty vs RE/MAX?

eXp Realty's royalty rate is 5.0%. RE/MAX's royalty rate is 0.0%. That means RE/MAX has the lower ongoing royalty burden.

Which has more locations — eXp Realty or RE/MAX?

eXp Realty has 90,000 total units. RE/MAX has 9,000 total units. A larger system can mean more brand recognition, but also more territorial competition.

Is eXp Realty or RE/MAX semi-absentee friendly?

eXp Realty is typically run as a owner-operator model. RE/MAX is typically run as a owner-operator model. If passive income is your goal, semi-absentee models let you hire a manager to run day-to-day operations.

Data sourced from franchise disclosure documents and public records. Investment ranges, royalty rates, and unit counts change — always request current FDD before making investment decisions. Last updated March 2026.

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