7 RealT Alternatives

When evaluating RealT alternatives for fractional real estate investing, the choice ultimately comes down to whether you need blockchain complexity or straightforward accessibility. While RealT offers tokenized property ownership with daily stablecoin distributions, many investors seek platforms providing the same wealth-building benefits without cryptocurrency wallets, gas fees, or technical barriers. This comprehensive guide examines the top RealT alternatives, with particular emphasis on why Ark7 emerges as the superior choice for accessible fractional real estate investing.

Key Takeaways

• Ark7 leads as the top RealT alternative – Offers $20 minimum investments, monthly passive income, and SEC-qualified Reg A+ offerings without blockchain complexity
• RealT focuses on blockchain tokenization – Requires crypto wallets, charges gas fees, and has limited accessibility for US non-accredited investors
• Simplicity defines Ark7 – Traditional USD transactions, transparent fees, and full property-level financial disclosure 24/7
• Accessibility is unmatched – Start with just $20 per share versus $50+ token minimums on blockchain platforms
• Choose by investor profile – Ark7 for simplicity-seeking investors; RealT for crypto enthusiasts comfortable with blockchain complexity

Understanding RealT: A blockchain-focused but complex platform

RealT positions itself as a blockchain-based real estate tokenization platform that converts individual rental properties into Ethereum and Gnosis-compatible tokens. Serving global investors, the platform combines daily stablecoin distributions with DeFi integration capabilities that appeal to cryptocurrency-savvy investors.

Key RealT Strengths:

• Daily stablecoin distributions providing frequent cash flow
• Blockchain transparency with all transactions verifiable on-chain
• DeFi integration allowing tokens to be used as collateral or in liquidity pools
• Higher advertised yields of 8-12%+ on many properties

Significant Limitations:

• Crypto wallet requirements – Need Ethereum/Gnosis wallet setup
• Gas fees and technical complexity – Blockchain transaction costs and learning curve
• Limited US non-accredited access – Regulatory restrictions for American investors
• Tax complexity – Requires tracking crypto transactions versus simple 1099 forms

With pricing starting at approximately $50 per token and a 10% listing fee, RealT offers innovative blockchain real estate ownership but introduces significant complexity for the average investor.

Top 7 RealT Alternatives Ranked

1. Ark7: The best overall alternative for accessible fractional real estate

Ark7 revolutionizes real estate investing by offering SEC-qualified Reg A+ fractional ownership in curated rental properties starting at just $20 per share. With over 220,000 active investors and $23+ million in property value funded, Ark7 eliminates cryptocurrency complexity while delivering consistent monthly passive income from professionally managed rental homes.

Key Ark7 Advantages:

• Individual property selection – Choose specific rental properties across 10+ markets
• Secondary market liquidity – Buy and sell shares after 1-year hold period
• Zero AUM fees – No annual percentage fees, only property-level costs
• Direct equity ownership – Benefit from both rental income and property appreciation
• IRA investing available – Tax-advantaged retirement investing through self-directed IRA
• Simplified tax reporting – 1099 forms instead of complex K-1 partnership returns

Accessibility and Simplicity:

Unlike RealT’s blockchain requirements, Ark7’s platform allows investors to discover and invest through a traditional brokerage-style account. The platform’s SEC Reg A+ qualification means non-accredited US investors can participate without restriction, while the absence of cryptocurrency eliminates wallet setup, gas fees, and complex tax reporting.

Proven Performance:

Ark7’s effectiveness is validated by consistent investor returns and platform metrics:

• $3.5+ million in cash dividends paid to investors
• 4.7 app rating from 1,200+ reviews
• 220,000+ active investors building wealth through fractional real estate

Integration Ecosystem:

Ark7 integrates seamlessly with traditional financial systems, offering IRA investing through Inspira Financial Company for tax-advantaged growth and direct bank linking for simple deposits and withdrawals. The platform’s secondary market allows share sales after a one-year minimum holding period, providing liquidity not available on many traditional platforms.

2. Fundrise: The diversified eREIT alternative

Fundrise serves as the largest real estate crowdfunding platform, offering diversified eREITs that pool investor capital across multiple property types and markets. With over 400,000 active investors and nearly $3 billion in assets under management, Fundrise provides broad exposure to commercial and residential real estate.

Key Fundrise Advantages:

• Lowest $10 minimum investment – most accessible entry point in the industry
• Automatic diversification – fund-based model spreads risk across multiple properties
• Longest track record – 12+ years operating with $194M in dividends paid
• IRA support available – tax-advantaged investing with $1,000 minimum

Limitations to Consider:

• No property selection – fund-only model prevents choosing specific assets
• Limited liquidity – quarterly redemptions with penalties and processing delays
• Lower current yields – recent dividend yields vary
• Customer service complaints – email-based support criticized for slow response times

Fundrise represents a solid choice for investors prioritizing diversification over property selection, but it lacks the individual property control and lower ongoing fees offered by Ark7.

3. Arrived: The individual property selection platform

Arrived offers fractional ownership in individual single-family homes and vacation rentals, allowing investors to select specific properties based on location, financials, and market potential. With a large property portfolio and established presence, Arrived serves investors seeking hands-on property selection.

Key Arrived Advantages:

• Vacation rental focus – unique dedicated short-term rental property category
• Individual property selection – choose specific assets like Ark7
• Monthly/quarterly income options – flexible distribution schedules
• National property coverage – diverse geographic exposure

Platform Limitations:

• Higher minimum investment – $100 per property versus Ark7’s $20
• Relatively high fees – Multiple fee layers including 3.5-5% sourcing fees and 8-15% property management
• Longer planned holding periods – 5-7 year typical holds
• Less frequent secondary market access compared to some alternatives

Arrived provides good property selection capabilities but at a higher entry point and with more complex fee structures than Ark7’s transparent pricing model.

4. Lofty.ai: The blockchain-powered platform

Lofty.ai leverages blockchain to digitize real estate holdings, enabling fractional ownership starting at $50. To date, the platform has tokenized more than 170 properties, giving investors a crypto-integrated, tech-driven pathway into real estate.

Key Lofty.ai Advantages:

• Blockchain technology – Tokenized assets on blockchain for transparent ownership
• 170+ properties tokenized – Established inventory of available investments
• Cryptocurrency integration – Accept crypto payments and integrate with digital wallets
• Individual property selection – Choose specific tokenized properties
• Founded in 2018 – Established presence in the blockchain real estate space

Platform Limitations:

• $50 minimum investment – Higher barrier than Concreit or Ark7
• Cryptocurrency complexity – Requires understanding of blockchain and digital wallets
• Regulatory uncertainty – Blockchain real estate faces evolving regulatory landscape
• Limited mainstream adoption – Smaller investor base compared to traditional platforms
• Technology learning curve – Less accessible to traditional real estate investors

Lofty.ai represents an innovative but niche alternative for cryptocurrency-savvy investors, while Ark7 provides similar individual property selection with greater accessibility and regulatory clarity.

5. Realbricks: The debt-free property specialist

Realbricks focuses on debt-free residential properties, emphasizing all-cash purchases that eliminate mortgage risk and provide more stable returns. The platform serves investors prioritizing capital preservation and straightforward property ownership.

Key Realbricks Advantages:

• 100% debt-free properties – All-cash purchases with no mortgage risk
• Faster liquidity windows – More frequent secondary market access
• Individual property selection with full financial disclosure
• Transparent fee structure similar to Ark7

Platform Limitations:

• Smaller platform with less established track record than Ark7
• Limited property selection compared to larger platforms
• Less developed mobile experience versus Ark7’s mobile app
• Fewer market options for property diversification

Realbricks excels in its debt-free property focus but lacks Ark7’s combination of scale, mobile experience, and proven investor base.

6. HoneyBricks: The commercial real estate tokenization platform

HoneyBricks specializes in tokenized commercial real estate investments, focusing on larger commercial properties and accredited investor opportunities. With $180M in deals and 3,500+ investors, HoneyBricks serves sophisticated investors seeking commercial property exposure.

Key HoneyBricks Strengths:

• Commercial property focus – Office, retail, and industrial assets
• Polygon blockchain efficiency – Lower fees than Ethereum mainnet
• Institutional-quality deals with larger property portfolios
• Accredited investor focus with sophisticated opportunities

Significant Limitations:

• Accredited investor emphasis – Limited accessibility for retail investors
• Crypto wallet required – Polygon wallet setup necessary
• Commercial property risks – Different risk profile than residential rentals
• Blockchain complexity – Technical knowledge required for participation

HoneyBricks serves a specialized commercial real estate niche but introduces the same blockchain complexity that many residential-focused investors seek to avoid.

7. RealtyMogul: The accredited investor commercial platform

RealtyMogul stands as an established player in the accredited investor real estate space, offering commercial property investments with a $5,000 minimum investment threshold. Operating since 2012, RealtyMogul serves sophisticated investors seeking institutional-quality real estate opportunities.

Key RealtyMogul Advantages:

• Established track record – Operating since 2012 with proven performance
• Institutional-quality deals – Access to larger commercial properties
• Professional underwriting – Rigorous property selection and due diligence
• Diversified offering types – Debt and equity investment options

Platform Limitations:

• High minimum investment – $5,000 versus Ark7’s $20
• Accredited investor only – Not accessible to non-accredited investors
• Commercial property focus – Different risk profile than residential
• Less frequent distributions compared to residential rental platforms

RealtyMogul excels for accredited investors seeking commercial real estate exposure but is completely inaccessible to the majority of retail investors who can participate in Ark7’s Reg A+ offerings.

Why Ark7 stands out for accessible fractional real estate

Ark7’s dominance in accessible fractional real estate stems from several unique advantages. The platform’s SEC Regulation A+ qualification ensures that non-accredited US investors can participate without restriction, unlike many competitors that limit access to accredited investors or require complex regulatory navigation.

Accessibility and simplicity represent Ark7’s key features, enabling investors to start building real estate wealth with just $20 while avoiding the cryptocurrency complexity of blockchain platforms. The platform’s traditional USD transaction model eliminates wallet setup, gas fees, and complex tax reporting associated with tokenized real estate.

The proven investor satisfaction validates Ark7’s effectiveness, with a 4.7 app rating and 220,000+ active investors choosing the platform for accessible real estate investing. The consistent 3.96% annual cash yields provide reliable passive income without the volatility often associated with alternative investments.

Mobile-first experience provides significant advantages for today’s investors, with the Ark7 mobile app allowing users to discover properties, purchase shares, track dividends, and manage their portfolios from anywhere. This seamless experience contrasts sharply with the technical complexity required by blockchain-based alternatives.

Specific use cases where each platform excels

Choose Ark7 when:

• Seeking the lowest entry point without cryptocurrency complexity ($20 minimum)
• Requiring SEC-qualified Reg A+ offerings accessible to non-accredited US investors
• Prioritizing monthly passive income from residential rental properties
• Wanting full property-level financial transparency and disclosure
• Needing a mobile-first experience with highly-rated iOS and Android apps
• Seeking IRA investing options for tax-advantaged real estate growth
• Preferring transparent fees without hidden AUM charges

Select other platforms for:

• Blockchain innovation and DeFi integration (RealT, Lofty, HoneyBricks)
• Maximum diversification across property types and markets (Fundrise)
• Individual property selection at higher minimums (Arrived)
• Debt-free property emphasis (Realbricks)
• Commercial real estate focus for accredited investors (RealtyMogul, HoneyBricks)

Technical capabilities showdown

Investment Accessibility:

• Ark7: $20 minimum, Reg A+ qualified, non-accredited access
• RealT/Lofty: $50+ tokens, crypto wallet required, limited US access
• Fundrise: $10 minimum, Reg A+ qualified, diversified funds
• RealtyMogul: $5,000 minimum, accredited investors only

Income Distribution:

• Ark7: Monthly cash distributions (4.4-5% annual yields)
• RealT/Lofty: Daily stablecoin distributions (8-12%+ yields)
• Fundrise: Quarterly distributions (8-9% historical average)
• Arrived: Monthly distributions (5.4-7% historical returns)

Property Selection:

• Ark7: Individual residential properties with full financial disclosure
• Fundrise: Diversified eREITs across property types
• Arrived/Realbricks: Individual property selection with varying minimums
• RealT/Lofty: Individual tokenized properties with blockchain complexity

Technology Approach:

• Ark7: Traditional web/mobile platform with no blockchain
• RealT/Lofty/HoneyBricks: Blockchain tokenization with wallet requirements
• Fundrise/Arrived/Realbricks: Traditional platforms without crypto complexity
• RealtyMogul: Traditional accredited investor platform

Making the Right Choice

Selecting the ideal RealT alternative depends on your specific requirements, technical comfort level, and investment goals. Ark7 emerges as the clear winner for accessible fractional real estate investing, combining the lowest non-crypto entry point with SEC qualification, transparent fees, and consistent monthly income.

For investors prioritizing simplicity, accessibility, and proven performance without cryptocurrency complexity, Ark7 provides the optimal balance of power and ease of use. The platform’s 220,000+ active investor base, consistent dividend payments, and mobile-first experience ensure successful real estate investing for investors of all experience levels.

The future of fractional real estate investing is accessible, and Ark7 leads the charge in democratizing real estate wealth-building for every investor. Start building your real estate portfolio today with Ark7’s $20 minimum investment and join the growing community of successful investors who’ve chosen the platform for accessible, transparent real estate investing.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between fractional real estate investing and real estate crowdfunding?

Fractional real estate investing allows you to purchase shares representing direct ownership in specific properties, while real estate crowdfunding typically involves investing in funds or projects that pool capital across multiple assets. Ark7 offers true fractional ownership in individual rental properties, giving you direct exposure to specific homes with full financial transparency. This differs from diversified crowdfunding funds that provide less property-level control. Both approaches lower the barrier to real estate investing, but fractional ownership provides more granular control over your portfolio composition.

Are fractional real estate investments liquid?

Liquidity varies significantly by platform, with most requiring holding periods before shares can be sold. Ark7 offers a secondary market where shares can be sold after a one-year minimum holding period, providing more liquidity than many traditional real estate investments. However, investors should be prepared to hold shares indefinitely, as there’s no guarantee an active market will develop. Blockchain platforms like RealT offer immediate DEX trading but require cryptocurrency expertise, while traditional platforms may have quarterly or annual redemption windows.

How does real estate tokenization improve access to property investments?

Real estate tokenization theoretically improves access by fractionalizing property ownership into smaller, tradable units on blockchain networks. However, platforms like RealT often introduce complexity through cryptocurrency requirements that can actually limit accessibility for average investors. Ark7 achieves true accessibility through SEC Reg A+ qualification, $20 minimum investments, and traditional USD transactions without blockchain complexity. This makes real estate investing genuinely accessible to non-accredited investors without requiring cryptocurrency wallets or technical expertise.

What are the typical fees associated with fractional real estate platforms like Ark7?

Ark7 charges transparent fees including a 3% one-time acquisition fee and 8-15% property management fee on gross rental income, with no hidden assets under management (AUM) fees. This contrasts with platforms like Fundrise that charge 1% annual AUM fees, creating ongoing costs that erode returns over time. Ark7’s fee structure aligns with investor interests by focusing on property-level management rather than percentage-of-holdings charges. Most platforms also charge property management fees, but transparency and total cost vary significantly across competitors.

Can I invest in fractional real estate using an IRA?

Yes, Ark7 offers IRA investing through Inspira Financial Company as the custodian, allowing you to use traditional or Roth IRA funds to purchase fractional real estate shares. This provides tax-advantaged growth potential while building real estate wealth within your retirement account. Many competitors either don’t offer IRA options or have limited custodian partnerships, making Ark7 one of the most accessible platforms for retirement account investing. IRA investing allows you to diversify your retirement portfolio beyond traditional stocks and bonds into tangible real estate assets.

What kind of returns can I expect from fractional real estate investments?

Ark7 investors typically receive 4.4-5% annual cash yields from monthly rental distributions, with potential additional returns from property appreciation over time. While some platforms advertise higher yields, Ark7’s consistent, moderate returns reflect realistic expectations for stable residential rental properties. All investments involve risk, and past performance doesn’t guarantee future results, so investors should carefully review property financials before investing. The consistent monthly income provides reliable passive cash flow while maintaining a capital preservation focus, making it suitable for conservative to moderate risk profiles.