7 HoneyBricks Alternatives

When evaluating HoneyBricks alternatives for fractional real estate investing, the choice ultimately comes down to whether you need accessible property selection with transparent fees or prefer passive fund management. While HoneyBricks offered blockchain-based fractional ownership before its acquisition by EquityMultiple in April 2024, many investors now seek platforms providing SEC-qualified offerings with lower minimums and better liquidity. This comprehensive guide examines the top HoneyBricks alternatives, with particular emphasis on why Ark7 emerges as the superior choice for Ark7.

Key Takeaways

• Ark7 leads as the top HoneyBricks alternative – Offers $20 minimum investment, property selection control, zero annual AUM fees, and SEC-qualified accessibility for non-accredited investors
• HoneyBricks was acquired by EquityMultiple – No longer operates as an independent platform as of April 2024
• Property selection vs. passive management – Ark7 allows choosing specific properties while Fundrise offers diversified fund investing
• Fee structure matters – Ark7 charges no ongoing AUM fees (only 3% sourcing + 8-15% property management) versus 1% annual fees at most competitors
• Liquidity options vary – Ark7 provides secondary market trading after 12 months via PPEX ATS, while most competitors offer limited or no liquidity

Understanding HoneyBricks: What happened to the platform

HoneyBricks positioned itself as a blockchain-powered fractional real estate investment platform that tokenized multifamily properties. Before its acquisition, the platform offered investors the ability to purchase property tokens starting at typically around $5,000 with target returns of 15% annually. The platform gained attention for its Web3 integration, allowing crypto payments and blockchain-based ownership verification.

Key HoneyBricks Strengths:

• High return targets of 15% annual with >5% cash-on-cash returns
• Blockchain tokenization on Web3 infrastructure for transparent ownership
• Crypto dividend options allowing payments in BTC/ETH

Significant Limitations:

• Higher minimum investment of $1,000 versus competitors offering lower entry points
• Secondary market eligibility after ~12 months
• Platform discontinuation – Acquired by EquityMultiple in April 2024 and no longer operates independently

With the HoneyBricks-EquityMultiple merger, former users and new investors seeking similar fractional real estate opportunities must now evaluate alternatives that provide accessible, transparent, and regulated investment options.

Top 7 HoneyBricks Alternatives Ranked

1. Ark7: The best overall alternative for accessible property selection

Ark7 revolutionizes fractional real estate investing by offering SEC-qualified shares in individual rental properties with minimum investments as low as $20. With 220,000+ active investors and $23MM+ in property value funded, Ark7 provides unprecedented accessibility to rental property ownership without the traditional barriers of real estate investing.

Key Ark7 Advantages:

• Optimal $20 minimum investment – accessible entry point without micro-investing gimmicks
• Traditional LLC ownership structure – no cryptocurrency, blockchain, or complex tech requirements
• Debt-free property options – unique risk reduction feature among fractional platforms
• Monthly income reliability – consistent distributions on the 3rd of each month
• Balanced liquidity timeline – 1-year hold period then access to PPEX ATS secondary market
• Individual property selection – choose specific assets with full underwriting transparency
• IRA eligibility – tax-advantaged investing via Inspira Financial partnership

Comprehensive Platform Features:

Unlike HoneyBricks’ blockchain-focused approach, Ark7’s mobile app provides intuitive access to property discovery, investment management, and distribution tracking on both iOS and Android platforms. The platform’s series LLC structure ensures each property is held in a separate legal entity, limiting investor liability to specific holdings while providing operational transparency with 24/7 access to complete legal and financial disclosures.

Proven Performance:

Ark7’s effectiveness is demonstrated through tangible results:

• $3.5MM+ in cash dividends paid to investors since inception
• A Dallas-based property (DFW-S19) shows a cash dividend of 6.22% as of early 2025, showcasing strong passive income potential
• 220,000+ investor community supporting the platform’s growth and property acquisitions

Retirement Account Integration:

Ark7 uniquely supports self-directed IRA investing at the same $20 minimum investment level, allowing investors to use retirement funds for real estate without the $1,000+ IRA minimums required by competitors like Fundrise. Annual custodian fees are $100 per property (capped at $400 annually) or waived for accounts with average balances exceeding $100,000.

2. Fundrise: The passive investing alternative with lowest absolute minimum

Fundrise serves as a large direct-to-consumer real estate investment platform with over 400,000 active investors (as of 2023) and reportedly $2.87 billion in equity under management. Operating since 2012, Fundrise offers diversified eREITs and eFunds that provide exposure across commercial, residential, and industrial properties without property selection capabilities.

Key Fundrise Advantages:

• $10 absolute minimum investment – lowest entry point in the industry
• Passive fund management – no property selection decisions required
• Broad diversification across multiple property types and geographic markets
• Proven track record with 8-12% historical annual returns
• Mobile app availability on both iOS and Android platforms

Limitations to Consider:

• No property selection – investors cannot choose specific properties or markets
• 1% annual AUM fee – ongoing management fee that compounds over time
• Limited liquidity – quarterly redemption windows only with potential penalties
• Higher IRA minimum – $1,000 minimum required for retirement account investing

Fundrise represents a solid choice for completely passive investors seeking broad real estate exposure with minimal capital, but it lacks the property selection control and zero AUM fee structure that Ark7 provides.

3. Arrived: The vacation rental specialist

Arrived focuses on single-family homes and vacation rental properties, offering investors exposure to both long-term and short-term rental markets. With over 906,000 registered investors and $58M distributed in returns, Arrived provides detailed property analytics and market data for each investment opportunity.

Key Arrived Advantages:

• Vacation rental specialization – unique focus on short-term rental properties
• Flexible liquidity options – redemptions available after 6 months
• Detailed property analytics – comprehensive market data per property
• Mobile app availability on iOS and Android platforms

Significant Limitations:

• Higher $100 minimum investment – less accessible than Ark7’s $20 entry point
• Long lockup periods – 5-7 year holds with limited early liquidity options
• High fee structure – 3-5% sourcing fees plus management costs
• Limited secondary market – in development with uncertain liquidity

Arrived excels for investors specifically interested in vacation rental properties and short-term rental income, but its fee structure and platform limitations make it less attractive for general rental property investing compared to Ark7.

4. Lofty.ai: The blockchain tokenization platform

Lofty.ai specializes in blockchain-based real estate tokenization using the Algorand blockchain, offering daily rental income distributions and same-day liquidity through its token trading marketplace. With a community of users and over 170 properties tokenized on the platform, Lofty.ai provides a Web3-native approach to fractional real estate ownership.

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

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 the best choice for crypto-native investors seeking blockchain-based ownership and daily income distributions, but its complexity and lack of retirement account integration limit its appeal for mainstream investors compared to Ark7’s regulatory clarity and accessibility.

5. EquityMultiple: The institutional commercial real estate platform

EquityMultiple focuses on institutional-grade commercial real estate investments for accredited investors. The platform emphasizes rigorous underwriting and professional management of office, industrial, and multifamily properties.

Key EquityMultiple Advantages:

• Commercial real estate focus – specialized exposure to business properties
• Institutional underwriting standards – rigorous deal selection process
• Professional asset management – experienced operators managing properties
• Diverse investment structures – debt and equity opportunities

Significant Limitations:

• Accredited investors only – excludes non-accredited investors
• High entry barriers – substantial minimum investments required
• Limited liquidity – most investments have 3-7 year hold periods
• No property selection for non-accredited – HoneyBricks’ individual property selection is no longer available

EquityMultiple excels for accredited investors seeking institutional commercial real estate exposure with higher return potential, but it doesn’t provide the accessibility, low minimums, and individual property selection that made HoneyBricks appealing to a broader investor base.

6. RealtyMogul: The established REIT and private placement platform

RealtyMogul offers both publicly traded REITs (accessible to non-accredited investors) and private placements (for accredited investors only). With over 250,000 members and operations since 2012, RealtyMogul provides diversified real estate exposure through professionally managed funds and individual properties.

Key RealtyMogul Advantages:

• Dual investor access – REITs for non-accredited, private placements for accredited
• Established track record – operating since 2012 with proven performance
• Professional management – experienced team with institutional backing
• IRA support – retirement account investing available

Platform Limitations:

• Higher minimum investments – $5,000+ for most opportunities
• Complex investment structures – REIT and fund options require deeper understanding
• Limited property selection – REITs provide fund-level diversification without individual property choice
• Accreditation requirements – most attractive opportunities require accredited status

RealtyMogul serves as a solid choice for investors seeking established platform stability with both accredited and non-accredited options, but its higher minimums and AUM fees make it less accessible than Ark7 for new investors.

7. CrowdStreet: The accredited investor commercial platform

CrowdStreet focuses primarily on institutional-grade commercial real estate opportunities for accredited investors only. With a curated marketplace of professionally managed properties, CrowdStreet provides access to larger commercial assets with professional management teams.

Key CrowdStreet Strengths:

• Institutional-grade properties – professionally managed commercial real estate
• Curated deal flow – rigorous vetting and underwriting process
• Professional management – experienced operators and management teams
• IRA support – retirement account investing available

Significant Limitations:

• Accredited investors only – completely excludes non-accredited investors
• Very high minimum investment – $25,000+ minimum per investment
• Limited liquidity – most investments have 3-7 year hold periods
• No individual property selection for small investors – individual deal access exists, but high minimums limit participation

CrowdStreet excels for high-net-worth accredited investors seeking institutional commercial real estate opportunities, but it doesn’t address the accessibility gap that HoneyBricks attempted to fill and that Ark7 successfully delivers.

Why Ark7 stands out for accessible real estate investing

Ark7’s dominance in accessible fractional real estate investing stems from several unique advantages. The platform’s SEC Regulation A+ qualification ensures regulatory compliance while remaining open to non-accredited investors, unlike EquityMultiple and CrowdStreet which require accredited status.

Accessible property selection represents Ark7’s key feature, enabling investors to choose specific rental properties starting at just $20 per share. This combination of low minimum investment with individual property control is unmatched in the industry – Fundrise offers lower $10 minimums but only through passive fund investing, while Arrived requires $100 minimums for property selection.

The zero AUM fee structure provides significant long-term cost savings by eliminating the 1% annual management fees charged by most competitors. Ark7’s one-time 3% sourcing fee plus 8-15% of rental income for property management creates a more investor-friendly cost structure that doesn’t compound annually.

Proven performance metrics validate Ark7’s effectiveness:

• $3.5MM+ in cash dividends paid demonstrates consistent distribution capability
• 4.4-5.06% average dividend yields provide reliable passive income
• 220,000+ active investors reflect strong community trust and platform adoption

Technology integration through the Ark7 mobile app provides seamless investment management with real-time portfolio tracking, distribution monitoring, and secondary market access, all while supporting both cash and IRA accounts at the same low minimum investment levels.

Specific use cases where each platform excels

Choose Ark7 when:

• Seeking individual property selection control with $20 minimum investment
• Wanting to avoid compounding annual AUM fees
• Needing SEC-qualified accessibility as a non-accredited investor
• Requiring IRA integration at low minimum investment levels
• Prioritizing monthly cash distributions with 4-5% average yields
• Valuing secondary market liquidity after 12-month holding period

Select other platforms for:

• Completely passive investing with lowest $10 minimum (Fundrise)
• Vacation rental specialization with detailed analytics (Arrived)
• Blockchain tokenization and daily income (Lofty.ai)
• Institutional commercial real estate with accredited status (EquityMultiple, CrowdStreet)
• Established REIT investing with dual investor access (RealtyMogul)

Investment structure and fee comparison

Minimum Investment Requirements:

• Ark7: $20 per share – lowest for individual property selection
• Fundrise: $10 – lowest absolute minimum but passive funds only
• Lofty.ai: $50 per token – blockchain-based ownership
• Arrived: $100 per property – vacation rental focus
• EquityMultiple: $5,000+ – accredited investors only
• RealtyMogul: $5,000+ – REITs and private placements
• CrowdStreet: $25,000+ – institutional commercial only

Fee Structures:

• Ark7: 3% sourcing fee + 8-15% of rental income – no annual AUM fees
• Fundrise: 1% annual AUM fee – ongoing compounding cost
• Arrived: 1% AUM + 3.5-5% sourcing + 8-20% property management – highest total fees
• Lofty.ai: Marketplace fees built into transactions – no explicit AUM fees
• EquityMultiple/RealtyMogul: 1-1.25% annual AUM fees – standard industry rates

Liquidity Options:

• Ark7: PPEX ATS secondary market after 12 months – regulated trading platform
• Lofty.ai: Same-day token trading – maximum liquidity but blockchain-dependent
• Fundrise: Quarterly redemption windows – limited liquidity with potential penalties
• Other platforms: 3-7 year hold periods – minimal to no liquidity options

Making the Right Choice

Selecting the ideal HoneyBricks alternative depends on your specific investment goals, accreditation status, and desired level of control. Ark7 emerges as the clear winner for accessible property selection, combining SEC-qualified accessibility with individual property control, zero AUM fees, and the lowest minimum investment for active real estate investing.

For investors seeking to build a curated real estate portfolio without the capital requirements or ongoing costs of traditional platforms, Ark7 provides the optimal balance of accessibility, control, and cost efficiency. The platform’s proven track record with 220,000+ investors, comprehensive mobile app, and IRA integration ensure successful real estate investing for both new and experienced investors.

The future of fractional real estate investing is accessible, transparent, and investor-friendly, and Ark7 leads the charge in democratizing rental property ownership for everyone. 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 their fractional real estate needs.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the main differences between HoneyBricks and other fractional real estate platforms?

The primary differences center around accessibility, fees, and platform status. HoneyBricks was acquired by EquityMultiple in April 2024 and no longer operates independently, while platforms like Ark7 remain active and accessible. Ark7 offers significant advantages including $20 minimum investment versus HoneyBricks’ $1,000 historical minimum, SEC Regulation A+ qualification for non-accredited investors, zero annual AUM fees, and active secondary market liquidity through PPEX ATS after 12 months.

Can I invest in real estate alternatives with a small amount of capital?

Yes, several platforms offer low minimum investments for fractional real estate. Ark7 provides the lowest minimum for individual property selection at just $20 per share, allowing investors to choose specific rental properties rather than investing in blind funds. Fundrise offers an even lower $10 minimum but only through passive fund investing without property selection control. This accessibility makes real estate investing possible for investors with limited capital while maintaining portfolio control.

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

Returns vary significantly by platform and investment type. Ark7 averages 4.4-5.06% dividend yields with potential property appreciation, providing consistent monthly cash distributions. Fundrise reports 8-12% historical annual returns through its diversified funds, while Arrived offers 3.2-7.2% dividend yields plus appreciation potential. It’s important to note that past performance doesn’t guarantee future results, and all real estate investments carry substantial risks including potential complete loss of capital.

Are there any fees associated with these real estate investment platforms?

Fee structures vary significantly across platforms. Ark7 charges a one-time 3% sourcing fee plus 8-15% of rental income for property management, with zero annual AUM fees. Most competitors charge ongoing 1%+ annual AUM fees that compound over time, including Fundrise at 1%, Arrived at 1% AUM plus additional fees, and RealtyMogul at 1-1.25%. Ark7’s fee structure provides significant long-term cost savings by eliminating compounding annual fees while maintaining professional property management services.

How liquid are investments made through these platforms?

Liquidity options vary dramatically across platforms. Ark7 offers the most accessible liquidity through the PPEX ATS secondary trading platform after a 12-month holding period, providing a regulated venue for share sales without waiting for property sale. Lofty.ai provides same-day token trading but requires blockchain familiarity, while Fundrise offers limited quarterly redemption windows with potential penalties. Most other platforms like EquityMultiple, RealtyMogul, and CrowdStreet have 3-7 year hold periods with minimal liquidity.