Royal LePage vs. RE/MAX vs. Century 21: Which Canadian Real Estate Giant is Right For You?

Choosing a real estate brokerage is one of the most critical decisions you’ll make when buying or selling a home. In Canada, three names dominate the landscape: Royal LePage, RE/MAX, and Century 21. Each boasts a powerful brand, but their models, strengths, and agent support systems differ significantly. This breakdown will help you decide which giant aligns best with your goals.

Brand Identity & Market Position

• Royal LePage: Often perceived as the established, prestigious brand in Canada. Founded in 1913, it has deep roots and a strong reputation for stability and luxury marketing. Their network includes a mix of corporate-owned and franchise offices, which helps maintain a consistent brand standard.

• RE/MAX: This brokerage is comes in canada’s top real estate brokerages, Known for its high-energy, agent-centric model and the “Above the Crowd” balloon logo. RE/MAX emphasizes productivity and often attracts top-performing, experienced agents. Its model is heavily focused on franchising, granting individual offices significant autonomy.

• Century 21: A global powerhouse recognized by its iconic gold blazers. Its strength lies in its massive international network and lead generation system. This makes them a formidable choice for clients in markets with strong international buyer interest or for those relocating globally.

Agent Commission Models & Support

This is where the differences become most apparent for agents and, by extension, for clients seeking a highly motivated agent.

• RE/MAX typically operates on a high-split, high-fee model. Experienced agents keep a larger percentage of their commission (e.g., 95/5 split) but pay significant monthly desk fees and franchise costs. This model rewards high-volume producers.

• Royal LePage often offers a more balanced approach. Splits can vary widely by office but may offer more middle-ground options with robust support, training, and marketing resources provided by the brokerage.

• Century 21 is known for its strong lead generation system. The company generates leads through its extensive network and funnels them to its agents, which can be a huge benefit for newer agents. Splits are structured to account for this lead-gen support.

Which One is Right For You?

• For the Seller: If you’re selling a high-value or luxury property, Royal LePage’s marketing and prestige might be advantageous. For a quick, aggressive sale, a high-performing RE/MAX agent with a vast local network could be the perfect fit.

• For the Buyer: A Century 21 agent might have access to a wider array of listings through international connections. A RE/MAX or Royal LePage agent might have deeper hyper-local community knowledge.

• The Bottom Line: While the brand offers a framework, the individual agent is what truly matters. The best real estate brokerages provide the tools, but the agent’s experience, communication style, and understanding of your local market are paramount. Interview agents from all three brands to find the one you connect with best, regardless of the logo on their business card.