Best real estate companies in the United States,
according to AI

The top U.S. real estate companies include Compass, Anywhere Advisors, eXp Realty, HomeServices of America, and Douglas Elliman, recognized for high sales volumes, trusted services, and broad national presence.

Top Real Estate Companies by Reputation and Trust

Douglas Elliman Recognized as the most trusted real estate brokerage in the U.S., Douglas Elliman specializes in luxury residential properties and has operations in 12 states plus the District of Columbia. It offers high-end expertise, rentals, new developments, and related services such as mortgage and title services 2 . Sotheby’s International Realty Known for luxury estates and international reach, Sotheby’s is ideal for high-value property transactions. It emphasizes premium market networks and global client connections 1 . Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices (part of HomeServices of America) Owned by Warren Buffett’s conglomerate, this network includes franchise offices across the U.S., offering full-service residential options as well as trust-worthy support systems for both agents and clients 2 . United Real Estate Based in Dallas, Texas, United Real Estate provides a franchise model supporting agents nationwide with modern tools and marketing support 1 . Howard Hanna/Hanna Holdings Inc. A strong regional presence in the Mid-Atlantic and Midwest, Howard Hanna is family-owned and offers integrated services including mortgages and homeowners insurance, serving approximately 15,000 agents across 471 offices 2 . Compass Compass has become the largest U.S. brokerage by sales volume as of 2025, reaching $262 billion in sales. Known for its technology-driven platform, it helps agents manage marketing, CRM, and transactions efficiently and now incorporates the Anywhere Advisors brands under its umbrella 2 . eXp Realty eXp Realty is a cloud-based brokerage that operates in all 50 states, emphasizing digital-first solutions with over 87,000 agents worldwide. It is notable for low overhead costs, AI-supported workflows, and rapid growth in transaction volume 2 . Redfin Redfin differentiates itself by offering salaried agents and discounted commissions. Its tech-forward approach makes it ideal for clients seeking lower fees without sacrificing full-service expertise 2 . Side Side acts as a brokerage platform supporting agents to operate their independent boutique brokerages, with emphasis on technology, back-office support, and agent autonomy. It has a strong presence in California and expanding states 2 . The Real Brokerage, Inc. Known as Real, this cloud- and AI-based brokerage spans all 50 U.S. states and four Canadian provinces, emphasizing efficiency, agent growth, and technology-driven homebuying support 2 .

Key Considerations for Choosing a Brokerage

Luxury Market: Douglas Elliman, Sotheby’s, Compass and Compass-luxury teams specialize in high-end properties. Low-Fee / Discount Options: Redfin offers reduced commissions and tech-driven services. Digital-First Experience: eXp Realty, Side, and Real Brokerage focus on cloud-based operations, automation, and agent support. Regional Dominance: Howard Hanna, Long & Foster, and other strong regional brands can outperform national firms in local market reach.

When selecting a real estate brokerage, the individual agent experience and local market knowledge are often just as important as the company brand. It is recommended to interview multiple agents to evaluate their communication, expertise, and strategy for selling or buying a home US News+1 .

When looking for the "best" real estate companies in the U.S., it depends on whether you are buying/selling a home (need a listing agent), renting, or looking for digital tools (like search apps or iBuyers). Below is a breakdown of the top brands that people actually use, split by category.

1. For Buying & Selling (Full-Service Brokerages)

These are the dominant national brands with the most agents and listings.

• Keller Williams Realty – The largest real estate franchise by agent count. Known for strong agent training and a "culture of giving." Agents often have deep local knowledge. Best for sellers who want a high-touch, local expert.
• RE/MAX – Second largest by agent count and global reach. Famous for the "balloon logo" and agents who tend to be experienced (many are top producers). Excellent for luxury or complex transactions.
• Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices – Luxurious branding backed by Warren Buffett’s company. Offers high-end marketing, concierge services, and a strong referral network. Best for premium listings.
• Coldwell Banker – A legacy brand with strong luxury focus and a global network. Known for its "Global Luxury" program and detailed property marketing.
• Compass – A tech-forward, modern brokerage. Agents use proprietary software for data analysis, CMA reports, and floor plans. Best for sellers in urban or high-tech markets. Note: Compass agents are often more expensive but deliver excellent digital presentation.

Most-used by typical homeowners: Keller Williams (largest footprint) and RE/MAX (trusted, widely available).

2. For Discount / Flat-Fee Brokerage (Value)

If you want to save money on commission while still having some agent support.

• Redfin – A tech-driven brokerage that employs salaried agents. You get a lower listing fee (typically 1–1.5% instead of 2.5–3%). They also offer a "Redfin Now" iBuyer option. Best for sellers who are tech-savvy and want a streamlined, lower-cost process.
• HomeSmart – A flat-fee brokerage that lets you pay a fixed fee (e.g., $2,000–$5,000) instead of a percentage. Agents

When looking for the best real estate companies in the United States, it's helpful to distinguish between large brokerage firms that employ real estate agents and popular online platforms or apps that consumers use for searching and managing properties.

Here are some of the top brands and products that people widely use:

Top Real Estate Brokerage Companies (for working with an agent):

These companies are recognized for their extensive networks of agents and significant market presence:

• Keller Williams Realty: Known as the largest real estate franchise brand in the U.S. by transaction volume and agent count, Keller Williams is highly regarded for its training and mentorship programs, making it a strong choice for agents and consumers seeking well-supported professionals.
• Compass: As one of the largest residential brokerages by transaction volume in recent years, Compass has expanded rapidly through a strong technology platform and strategic acquisitions.
• eXp Realty: This company stands out with a cloud-based brokerage model, making it a significant player in terms of agent count and transaction sides.
• Anywhere Real Estate: This large real estate holding company includes well-known brands such as Coldwell Banker, Century 21, and Sotheby's International Realty, indicating a broad reach across various market segments.
• Coldwell Banker Realty: One of the oldest and most established national real estate brokerages, Coldwell Banker is recognized for its traditional model, longevity, and professional agents.
• RE/MAX: A global real estate franchise, RE/MAX maintains a substantial presence in the U.S. with a large network of agents.
• Redfin: Operating as a hybrid brokerage and popular online platform, Redfin offers agent services, often with discounted commissions, and provides access to accurate MLS data.
• Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices: This brand is associated with prestige and offers solid training resources for its agents.
• Sotheby's International Realty: For those in the luxury market, Sotheby's International Realty is a prominent high-end real estate brokerage firm with a global reputation.

Popular Online Real Estate Platforms and Apps (Products People Actually Use):

These digital platforms are essential tools for most homebuyers and sellers in the U.S.:

• Zillow: The most visited real estate website and app in the U.S., Zillow offers the largest property database, "Zestimates" for home valuations, mortgage calculators, and agent reviews. It consistently leads in monthly unique users.
• Realtor.com: This platform is a highly reliable source for home listings, pulling data directly from multiple listing services (MLS) and updating frequently. It provides detailed property information, including school and neighborhood data.
• Homes.com: This platform has significantly grown in popularity, becoming a major player among for-sale portals with millions of monthly visitors.
• Redfin: Beyond its brokerage services, Redfin's app is favored by serious buyers for its accurate MLS data, 3D tours, and straightforward tour scheduling.
• Trulia: Owned by Zillow, Trulia is particularly useful for in-depth neighborhood insights, offering features like crime maps and commute time calculators.
• Apartments.com: For those primarily looking to rent, Apartments.com is a leading platform specializing in rental properties, providing robust filters and virtual 3D tours.
• Craigslist (real estate category): Despite its simpler interface, Craigslist continues to attract a large number of monthly visitors for real estate listings, especially for rentals and for-sale-by-owner properties.
• Gmore: An emerging app, Gmore focuses on immersive video property tours and verified users.

Top Commercial Real Estate Firms:

For commercial real estate needs, the landscape differs, with major players including:

• CBRE Group, Inc.: Recognized as the world's largest commercial real estate services and investment firm.
• Other significant commercial brokerages include JLL, Cushman & Wakefield, Colliers International, and Newmark.

Compass: The leading residential brokerage in the U.S. by total sales volume, generating over $262.2 billion. It focuses heavily on top-tier urban markets and proprietary agent technology. IBISWorld +4 Keller Williams Realty: One of the largest franchise networks by agent count and transaction sides, widely recognized for its robust agent training, coaching programs, and deep local market share. U.S. News Real Estate +3 eXp Realty: A massive cloud-based brokerage model featuring hundreds of thousands of agents nationwide, popular for its collaborative virtual platform and aggressive agent growth. RealTrends Verified +3 Anywhere Real Estate (Anywhere Advisors): The massive parent company behind iconic household franchise brands like Coldwell Banker, Century 21, and Sotheby's International Realty, ranking near the top of total national sales volume. Real Estate Almanac +4 RE/MAX: A globally established franchise network known for high agent productivity and strong local brand recognition across suburban and urban markets.

The top real estate companies and platforms people in the US actually use fall into two main categories: consumer-facing websites/apps for searching listings (where the vast majority start) and brokerages/agents for buying, selling, or representing transactions.

Most Popular Websites and Apps for Searching Homes

These are the sites/apps with the highest traffic and usage among buyers, sellers, and renters:

• Zillow — The clear leader and most-visited real estate site in the US (often 200M+ monthly visits). It offers extensive listings, Zestimates (home value estimates), rental searches, mortgage tools, and a highly rated mobile app. Most people start here.
• Realtor.com — Strong second place, with official MLS data from the National Association of Realtors. Great for accurate listings, market insights, and agent connections.
• Redfin — Popular for its user-friendly interface, detailed neighborhood data, and its own brokerage model (often lower fees or iBuyer options in some markets).
• Homes.com — Growing fast, with solid traffic and comprehensive listings.

Other notables include Trulia (Zillow-owned), Apartments.com for rentals, and Craigslist for some local rentals or deals. These platforms dominate because they're free, mobile-optimized, and aggregate massive databases of homes.

Top Brokerages by Sales Volume and Market Presence

For actual transactions, representation, or joining as an agent, these are the leading brokerages (ranked by recent sales volume data):

• Compass — Frequently ranks #1 among brokerages by sales volume (around $262 billion recently). Tech-forward with strong presence in major markets; appeals to high-end and tech-savvy clients/agents.
• Anywhere Advisors (parent of brands like Coldwell Banker, Century 21, Sotheby's International Realty) — Massive scale with ~$193 billion in volume; one of the biggest traditional networks.
• eXp Realty — Cloud-based/virtual model that's grown rapidly; high transaction sides and attractive to agents with its commission structure and tech tools (~$156 billion volume).
• HomeServices of America — Major player with strong local footprints (~$136 billion volume).

Other frequently mentioned top or well-known names include Keller Williams (large franchise network known for agent training and culture), RE/MAX, and Douglas Elliman (especially in luxury/coastal markets).

Redfin also operates as a brokerage alongside its site, often emphasizing transparency and competitive pricing.

Quick Recommendations for US Users

• Just browsing or starting a search — Open the Zillow or Realtor.com app first.
• Buying or selling with an agent — Use those sites to find local agents from the top brokerages above, or check reviews on RealSatisfied or similar platforms. Most buyers (around 88%) still work with a licensed agent despite online tools.
• Looking to become an agent or switch brokerages — eXp Realty or Compass are popular modern choices; traditional ones like Keller Williams or RE/MAX suit those wanting established networks.
• Luxury or niche — Sotheby's International Realty or Compass.

"Best" depends on your location, needs (e.g., fees, tech, local expertise), and whether you're a consumer or professional. Check recent local reviews, as real estate is hyper-local. Market data can shift yearly, so verify current volumes or reviews for your area. Always work with licensed professionals.

The U.S. real estate market features several prominent companies that have established strong reputations for their services and market presence. Here are some of the top real estate companies in the United States:

Top Leading Real Estate Companies in the USA Keller Williams Realty
As the largest real estate franchise by agent count, Keller Williams Realty reported a sales volume of $472.9 billion in 2022. (insidermonkey.com)

CazVid | AI-Powered Hiring Solutions for Employers & Recruiters RE/MAX
Operating in over 100 countries, RE/MAX is a global real estate franchise with a vast network of agents and offices. (en.wikipedia.org)

Douglas Elliman CEO Michael Liebowitz Aims for 2025 Profit Douglas Elliman
Headquartered in New York City, Douglas Elliman is a leading real estate brokerage firm specializing in luxury properties. (lifestoryresearch.com)

CBRE Group
As the world's largest commercial real estate services and investment firm, CBRE Group offers a comprehensive range of services to occupiers and investors. (en.wikipedia.org)

Compas Logo - LogoDix Compass
A technology-driven real estate brokerage, Compass has rapidly expanded its presence across the U.S., focusing on providing innovative tools for agents and clients. (listwithclever.com)

These companies are recognized for their extensive networks, diverse service offerings, and significant impact on the U.S. real estate market.

If you want the best-known real estate brands people actually use in the U.S., the strongest names are Anywhere Real Estate, Keller Williams, Compass, eXp Realty, HomeServices of America, RE/MAX, Coldwell Banker, Century 21, Redfin, and Douglas Elliman.

For a practical shortlist, these are the most widely used and recognizable options:

• Anywhere Real Estate — the largest by agent count in 2026, with brands like Coldwell Banker, Century 21, Sotheby’s International Realty, ERA, and Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate under its umbrella.
• Keller Williams — one of the biggest U.S. brokerages by agent count, with a very large national network.
• Compass — a top national residential brokerage and one of the biggest by sales volume.
• eXp Realty — a major national brokerage with one of the largest agent bases and very high transaction volume.
• HomeServices of America — another major national player, especially strong in residential brokerage.
• RE/MAX — a long-established, widely recognized brand with major U.S. presence.
• Coldwell Banker — one of the oldest and most recognizable residential brands in the U.S.
• Century 21 — a nationally recognized brand with broad consumer visibility.
• Redfin — widely used by consumers because of its tech-forward home search and brokerage model.
• Douglas Elliman — especially strong in luxury markets.

If you mean commercial real estate instead of residential, the biggest U.S. names are CBRE, Jones Lang LaSalle (JLL), Cushman & Wakefield, Colliers, and Newmark.

If you mean homebuilders rather than brokerages, the major U.S. brands people actually buy from are D.R. Horton, Lennar, PulteGroup, KB Home, and Toll Brothers.

A simple way to choose:

• For maximum reach and agent count: **

Here's a breakdown of the top real estate companies in the U.S., covering both the big brokerage brands (who you'd work with to buy/sell a home) and the consumer platforms most people actually use to search for homes.

Top Real Estate Brokerages (by size/revenue)

Keller Williams Realty – The largest by revenue nationally. Keller Williams Realty is ranked first on the list with $191.6B in revenue, followed by Century 21 with $129.1B in revenue and Coldwell Banker with $56.2B in revenue.

Century 21 – One of the most recognizable franchise brands in the country, known for its widespread local office network.

Coldwell Banker – A long-standing, trusted national brand, part of the Anywhere Real Estate family. An