When it comes to choosing a brokerage, the commission split is often the first number agents look at. But it's far from the only number that matters. Hidden fees, monthly desk costs, technology charges, and post-cap rates can dramatically change what you actually take home at the end of the year. In this detailed commission split comparison, I'll break down what agents at REAL, RE/Max, Keller Williams, and Century 21 actually earn — using realistic numbers.
What Is a Commission Split?
A commission split is the percentage of each deal's commission that you, the agent, keep. The rest goes to your brokerage. For example, a 70/30 split means you keep 70% and the brokerage keeps 30%.
But that's just the beginning. Here's what most agents don't realize: the split is just one part of the equation. Monthly fees, desk fees, annual fees, E&O insurance, technology fees, and post-cap transaction fees all reduce your actual take-home pay.
When comparing brokerages, you need to look at the total cost of doing business — not just the headline split.
The Major Brokerages: A Side-by-Side Comparison
Let's compare the four most common brokerages in Ontario — REAL, RE/Max, Keller Williams, and Century 21 — across all the costs that matter.
| Cost Element | REAL Brokerage | RE/Max | Keller Williams | Century 21 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Commission Split | 85/15 | 70/30 to 95/5 | 70/30 → 90/10 | 70/30 |
| Monthly Desk Fees | $0 | $500 – $1,500+ | $1,000 – $2,000+ | $500 – $1,200+ |
| Annual Cap | $15,000 CAD | No cap (or $20K+) | $23,000+ (varies) | No cap |
| Sign-up Fee | $249 (one-time) | $500 – $1,000 | $300 – $500 | $500 – $1,000 |
| Annual Fees | $1,200 (first 3 deals) | $1,500 – $3,000+ | $1,200 – $2,500+ | $1,200 – $2,000+ |
| E&O / CBR | $40/txn (first 3 deals) | $50 – $75/txn | $50 – $80/txn | $50 – $75/txn |
| Post-Cap Fee | $375/txn | Varies (higher) | $250 – $500/txn | N/A (no cap) |
| Revenue Share | 5 levels deep | Not available | Profit sharing (complex) | Not available |
| Stock Awards | NASDAQ: REAX shares | Not available | Not available | Not available |
| AI Technology | Leo AI — FREE | Limited / third-party | KW Command | Basic CRM |
The Math: What You Actually Keep at Each Brokerage
Let's use a real-world scenario. Imagine you're an Ontario agent doing 12 deals per year at $15,000 average commission. That's $180,000 in gross commission income (GCI). Here's what you'd net at each brokerage.
REAL Brokerage
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| 12 deals × $15,000 | $180,000 gross |
| 85/15 split (15% to brokerage) | -$27,000 |
| Sign-up fee | -$249 |
| Annual fee (first 3 deals × $400) | -$1,200 |
| E&O/CBR (first 3 deals × $40) | -$120 |
| Post-cap transactions (remaining 9 × $375) | -$3,375 |
| Your Take-Home | $148,056 |
RE/Max
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| 12 deals × $15,000 | $180,000 gross |
| 70/30 split (30% to brokerage) | -$54,000 |
| Sign-up fee | -$750 |
| Monthly desk fees ($800 × 12) | -$9,600 |
| Annual fees | -$2,000 |
| E&O/CBR (12 deals × $60) | -$720 |
| Your Take-Home | $112,930 |
Keller Williams
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| 12 deals × $15,000 | $180,000 gross |
| 70/30 split (30% to brokerage) | -$54,000 |
| Sign-up fee | -$400 |
| Monthly tech/desk fees ($1,200 × 12) | -$14,400 |
| Annual fees | -$1,800 |
| E&O/CBR (12 deals × $65) | -$780 |
| Your Take-Home | $108,620 |
Century 21
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| 12 deals × $15,000 | $180,000 gross |
| 70/30 split (30% to brokerage) | -$54,000 |
| Sign-up fee | -$750 |
| Monthly desk fees ($700 × 12) | -$8,400 |
| Annual fees | -$1,500 |
| E&O/CBR (12 deals × $60) | -$720 |
| Your Take-Home | $114,630 |
Side-by-Side Summary
| Brokerage | Annual Take-Home | vs. REAL |
|---|---|---|
| REAL Brokerage | $148,056 | — |
| RE/Max | $112,930 | $35,126 less |
| Keller Williams | $108,620 | $39,436 less |
| Century 21 | $114,630 | $33,426 less |
That's the difference between REAL and RE/Max for an agent doing 12 deals at $15K average. Over 5 years, that's $175,630 — before considering revenue share, stock awards, or the value of AI tools.
Why the Split Isn't the Whole Story
Even beyond the numbers, here's what you get with REAL that traditional brokerages don't offer:
- Revenue share — Earn passive income 5 levels deep. No traditional brokerage offers this.
- Stock awards — Earn equity in a NASDAQ-listed company. No traditional brokerage offers this.
- AI technology — Leo AI, HeyLeo, reZEN, AiRM — all included free. Traditional brokerages charge for inferior tools.
- $0 monthly fees — No desk fees, ever. Traditional brokerages charge $500–$2,000+/month.
- Virtual-first flexibility — Work from anywhere with real support and community.
The Real Cost of Traditional Brokerages
When you add up desk fees, annual fees, E&O costs, and the lower commission split, traditional brokerages cost agents $30,000–$40,000 more per year than REAL Brokerage. Over a 10-year career, that's $300,000–$400,000 in lost income.
And that's before you factor in the additional income from revenue share and stock awards — which can add tens of thousands more to your annual earnings.
Do the Math for Yourself
Every agent's situation is different. The best way to see what REAL can do for your business is to run the numbers yourself. Use our interactive commission calculator to compare your current brokerage earnings with REAL's 85/15 split and $0 monthly fees.
Do the math for yourself
Use the interactive commission calculator to see how much you'd save at REAL Brokerage.
Have questions? Book a free consultation with Tory Akene to walk through the numbers together. Call 289-814-TORY (8679) or email ToryInRealty@gmail.com.