Real Brokerage vs. Century 21
A legacy franchise brand now owned by Compass — versus a cloud-native model built for agent economics. Here's what the numbers say.
This page is written for: Agents currently at Century 21 (or considering it) who are evaluating whether a cloud-based model would improve their take-home pay and long-term wealth.
| Factor | Century 21 | Real Brokerage |
|---|---|---|
| Commission split | 70/30 (common starting; up to 90/10 at higher tiers) | 85/15 |
| Annual cap | ~$22,500 (varies by franchise) | $12,000Qualifying Elite agents receive a $12,000 USD stock award. Elite Agent Award |
| Franchise royalty | 6% of every commission (even after cap in some plans) | None |
| Monthly fees | $100–$350/month (varies by franchise) | $0 |
| After cap | 100% (but royalty may continue) | 100% (flat $285/side post-cap transaction fee) |
| Equity ownership | None | Stock awards (REAX, NASDAQ-listed) |
| Revenue share | None (no national program) | Revenue share (5 tiers, uncapped, willable) |
| Technology platform | MoxiWorks + 21Online (third-party, varies by office) | ReZen + Leo AI (in-house, unified) |
| Office requirement | Physical office affiliation | No physical office required |
| Geographic flexibility | Separate franchise per market | One nationwide cap |
| Parent company | Compass (acquired Anywhere Real Estate, Jan 2026) | Independent public company (REAX) |
Figures are estimates based on publicly available information and may vary. This comparison is for informational purposes only and does not constitute a guarantee of earnings or specific outcomes.
The full picture
The first thing to understand about Century 21 is that it's a franchise system — every office is independently owned and operated. That means the split, the cap, the monthly fees, the training, and the culture can vary dramatically from one Century 21 office to the next. The numbers in this comparison reflect the most common structures reported across Century 21 franchises, but your local office may differ. At Real, the model is nationally consistent: same split, same cap, same fees, same platform, whether you're in Houston, Chicago, or Phoenix.
For an agent producing $200,000 in GCI, the cost difference is significant. At a typical Century 21 office with a 70/30 split, a $22,500 cap, a 6% franchise royalty, and $100/month in fees, the total annual cost to the brokerage is approximately $35,700. At Real, the same agent would pay $12,000 in cap, roughly $2,850 in post-cap transaction fees, $1,250 in CBR fees, and $900 in annual fees — totaling approximately $17,000. That's a difference of roughly $19,000 per year. Even at a Century 21 office with a more favorable 90/10 split, the 6% royalty alone adds $12,000 on top of whatever cap the office charges.
The 6% franchise royalty is the structural issue that most Century 21 agents don't fully account for until they run the math. At most brokerages, once you hit your cap, you're done paying. At Century 21, the royalty is a separate charge — 6% of every commission, on every transaction, regardless of whether you've capped. For a $10,000 commission, that's $600 to the franchise before your split even applies. Over a full year of production, this adds up to thousands of dollars that agents at non-franchise brokerages simply don't pay.
In January 2026, Compass completed its acquisition of Anywhere Real Estate — the parent company of Century 21, Coldwell Banker, and Sotheby's International Realty. What this means for Century 21 agents is still unfolding. Compass has historically operated as a single-brand, agent-centric company. How it manages a portfolio of franchise brands with different cultures and economic models is an open question. For agents evaluating their long-term brokerage home, this uncertainty is worth factoring in.
Century 21's technology stack relies on third-party tools — MoxiWorks for CRM, the Zap platform for lead generation, and 21Online for internal resources. These tools are functional but not integrated into a single platform, and availability varies by franchise. Real's technology is built in-house: ReZen handles transactions, compliance, and commissions in one place, while Leo CoPilot provides AI-powered business intelligence. The equity difference is equally stark — Real awards stock (NASDAQ: REAX) for capping, sponsoring agents, and hitting Elite milestones. Century 21 offers no equity ownership at the national level.
What to consider before deciding
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Common questions about Real vs. Century 21
Is Real Brokerage better than Century 21?
It depends on what you value. For agents who are self-generating and focused on maximizing take-home pay, Real's lower cap ($12,000 vs. ~$22,500), no franchise royalty (vs. 6%), and no monthly fees produce significant savings — often $15,000–$19,000 per year at $200,000 GCI. For agents who depend on their Century 21 office's physical space, local brand recognition, or in-person training culture, the calculation is more nuanced. 'Better' is a function of your production level, your independence, and your long-term financial goals.
What is the commission split at Real Brokerage vs. Century 21?
Real offers a nationally consistent 85/15 split until you cap at $12,000, then 100% (with a $285/side post-cap transaction fee). Century 21 splits vary by franchise — common starting splits are 70/30, with some offices offering 90/10 at higher production tiers. Century 21 also charges a 6% franchise royalty on every transaction, which is separate from the split and continues even after capping in many plans.
What is the 6% Century 21 franchise royalty?
Century 21 franchises typically charge a 6% royalty fee on every commission earned by their agents. This fee goes to the franchise system (now Compass/Anywhere Real Estate) and is separate from the broker's split. In many offices, this royalty continues even after the agent has hit their cap — meaning agents never truly reach '100% commission.' Real Brokerage has no franchise royalty or similar ongoing percentage-based fee.
Does Century 21 offer revenue share or stock?
No. Century 21 does not offer a national revenue share program or equity ownership for agents. Individual franchise owners may create local referral bonuses, but these are not standardized. Real offers a 5-tier revenue share program (uncapped, willable) and awards stock (NASDAQ: REAX) for capping, sponsoring agents, and reaching Elite status.
What happened with the Compass acquisition of Century 21?
Compass completed its acquisition of Anywhere Real Estate — Century 21's parent company — in January 2026. Century 21 now operates under the Compass corporate umbrella alongside Coldwell Banker and Sotheby's International Realty. The long-term implications for Century 21 agents, franchise owners, and the brand's direction are still developing.
How much does it cost to join Real Brokerage from Century 21?
Real charges a $249 application fee (sometimes waived with a sponsor code), a $900 annual fee (paid $300 from your first three transactions), and an 85/15 split until you cap at $12,000. After you cap, Real charges a $285 post-cap transaction fee per closed side instead of the 15% split. There are no monthly desk fees and no franchise royalties. The total annual cost for a $200,000 GCI agent is approximately $17,000 at Real vs. approximately $35,700 at a typical Century 21 office.
Can I keep my listings and clients when I move from Century 21 to Real?
Your ability to take listings, buyers, or other business with you when leaving a brokerage depends on your independent contractor agreement, brokerage policies, transaction status, and other facts specific to your situation. Before making a move, review your agreements carefully and confirm the process with your broker and, if needed, your own legal counsel.
Does Real Brokerage have offices in Houston?
Real Brokerage is a cloud-based brokerage with no physical office requirement. Agents work remotely and use the ReZen platform as their hub. In Houston, Real Edge Network provides local community, support, and resources for REN members — but there is no physical office to report to. This is a feature for some agents and a drawback for others.
Century 21 and any other third-party brand names mentioned on this page are trademarks of their respective owners. References to those brands are used solely for identification and comparison purposes and do not imply endorsement, affiliation, or sponsorship.
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