| Keller Williams | RE/MAX | |
|---|---|---|
| Founded | 1983 | 1973 |
| Headquarters | Austin, TX | Denver, CO |
| Footprint | National and international — one of the largest by agent count | Global franchise |
| Business model | Franchise built around training, a commission cap, and profit share | Franchise built for experienced agents (high split / desk fee) |
| Commission structure | ~70/30 split to an annual cap (varies by market), then 100%; profit share | Agents keep a high share of commission and pay monthly desk/office fees |
| Technology | Command CRM and the KW app | MAX/Tech tools and a strong global brand |
| Luxury focus | KW Luxury division | The RE/MAX Collection |
| Best for | Agents who value training, the cap model, and profit-share income | Experienced high-producers who want to keep more of each commission |
Brokerage comparison
Keller Williams vs RE/MAX
An honest side-by-side for agents deciding where to hang their license — model, commission, technology and luxury focus. Terms are negotiated and vary by market; use this as a starting point.
Option 1
Keller Williams
Agents who value training, the cap model, and profit-share income.
Founded1983
ModelFranchise built around
Option 2
RE/MAX
Experienced high-producers who want to keep more of each commission.
Founded1973
ModelFranchise built for ex
Side by side
Choose Keller Williams if you want agents who value training, the cap model, and profit-share income. Its model — franchise built around training, a commission cap, and profit share — and command crm and the kw app tend to suit that agent.
Choose RE/MAX if you want experienced high-producers who want to keep more of each commission. The right answer usually comes down to the specific local office: the manager, the split you can negotiate, the team you'd join, and the brand's strength in your market.
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Keller Williams vs RE/MAX FAQs
Is Keller Williams or RE/MAX better for a new agent?
It depends on what you need. Keller Williams is best for agents who want agents who value training, the cap model, and profit-share income, while RE/MAX suits those who want experienced high-producers who want to keep more of each commission. New agents should weigh training, split and mentorship at the specific local office, since terms are set locally.
How do commission splits compare at Keller Williams vs RE/MAX?
Keller Williams: ~70/30 split to an annual cap (varies by market), then 100%; profit share. RE/MAX: Agents keep a high share of commission and pay monthly desk/office fees. Actual splits are negotiated and vary by market, production and team, so confirm current terms with each brokerage.
Which is stronger for luxury real estate, Keller Williams or RE/MAX?
Keller Williams — kw luxury division. RE/MAX — the re/max collection. For high-end listings, the brand's local luxury footprint and referral network in your specific market matter most.
Brokerage attributes are compiled from public information and kept general; commission splits and support vary by market, office and agent and are negotiated individually. Verify current terms directly with each brokerage.