RE/MAX vs eXp Realty: 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
R

RE/MAX

Real Estate
$39K – $225K
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VS
eR

eXp Realty

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

Unit Economics

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

Scale & Growth

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

Franchisee Performance

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

Track Record

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

Financial Requirements

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

Operations

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

Frequently Asked Questions

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

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

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.

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.

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

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

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

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

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

RE/MAX is typically run as a owner-operator model. eXp Realty 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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