Clever Real Estate vs. Redfin: The Best Choice for Savings

Both Clever Real Estate and Redfin can help you sell or buy a home and save on real estate commissions. But how do they stack up regarding service, agent quality, and overall experience? Here's the bottom line:

• Clever pairs you with top-rated local agents from trusted brokerages like Keller Williams and RE/MAX, delivering the full support of a traditional agent for just a 1.5% listing fee.

• In contrast, Redfin’s in-house agents manage larger caseloads, often resulting in a more hands-off experience.

Here's a closer side-by-side look to help you decide which service aligns best with your goals and budget.

JUMP TO: Summary | Pricing | Support | Agent quality | Agent selection | Reviews | Summary | FAQ

Bottom line: Clever is the better value

Clever Real Estate offers a better overall value than Redfin. While both low-commission realtors offer the same listing fee (1.5%), Clever’s customer satisfaction is notably higher, averaging 4.9 stars compared to Redfin’s 3.9. Much of that boils down to differences between how the two brands work that impact service quality.

With Clever, you’re matched with top local realtors from renowned brokerages like Keller Williams, Coldwell Banker, and RE/MAX, ensuring comprehensive support from listing to closing. Customers often note that Clever agents provide full-service assistance, guiding them through each step of the selling process.

Meanwhile, customer reviews and company data reveal that Redfin’s in-house agents often manage three times as many clients as traditional agents, which can make it difficult for them to provide the same level of personalized service.

💡 Pro tip: Start with Clever. You’ll get matched with top local agents, with no obligation to commit to using one. If you decide to move forward, you'll likely benefit from full-service support, and enjoy all the savings you’d expect from a low-commission realtor. Simply fill out this short quiz, and get matched with top-rated agents offering a 1.5% listing fee.

Clever vs. Redfin (and other top alternatives)

When comparing Clever Real Estate and Redfin to top alternatives, like Ideal Agent and UpNest, Clever still delivers the best overall value.

Clever and Redfin offer comparable listing fees of 1.5%, but Clever outperforms Redfin in agent selection, service, and support.

Ideal Agent: Ideal Agent is an agent matching service that pre-negotiates 2% commission fees with the agents in its network, like Clever Real Estate. That’s more than Clever’s and Redfin's listing fees (1.5%). Regarding agent selection, Ideal Agent is comparable to Redfin, with about 2,000 realtors nationwide. But that’s nowhere near Clever’s 20,000+ nationwide network of agents.^[1] Unlike Clever and Redfin, Ideal Agent offers no potential savings for home buyers.

UpNest: UpNest is another agent matching service that offers similar agent selection and quality to Clever (both have just north of 20,000 real estate agents nationwide, and many realtors work with both brands). But unlike Clever and Redfin, UpNest doesn’t offer guaranteed savings: its 2–2.5% average listing fee makes it the priciest option for sellers overall. And while it does offer the potential for buyer savings, again, there are no guarantees there.

» COMPARE: Best low commission real estate companies

What is Clever Real Estate?

Clever Real Estate is a nationwide, free service that connects home sellers and buyers with top-rated, local agents from reputable brokerages like Keller Williams, Coldwell Banker, and RE/MAX.

By working with Clever, sellers can list their homes for a low 1.5% commission fee, saving thousands on agent fees compared to traditional rates (which average 2.5-3% nationwide). Buyers may also qualify for cash back after closing, offering even more value.

Clever has a strong reputation, with over 3,000 5-star customer reviews highlighting its standout service and successful agent matches.

Additionally, Clever Offers provides an option for sellers needing a fast, hassle-free sale. Through this free service, homeowners can receive multiple competing cash offers from vetted local and national cash buyers.

Clever’s team pairs sellers with cash buyers suited to their needs and offers a free comparative market analysis from a local agent, allowing them to weigh cash offers against traditional listing prices.

⚡ Get multiple cash offers fast with Clever Offers

What is Redfin?

Redfin is a discount licensed real estate brokerage that offers potential savings for home sellers and buyers. For sellers, it offers a 1.5% listing fee, which can drop to 1% if you buy and sell with Redfin.

Redfin offers tech-driven tools and a team-based service model, where salaried agents work on high client volumes. Our analysis of Redfin's customer reviews found that this can result in less personalized service than traditional agents.

For buyers, Redfin offers cash rebates through its Sign & Save program. This program provides up to 0.5% cash back if you buy and sell within a year and 0.25% for buyers who sign with a Redfin agent early. This program is available in all states, except those where commission refunds are prohibited by law (AK, IA, KS, MS, MO, OK, OR, TN).^[2]

Redfin’s additional services include Redfin Concierge, which handles pre-sale home improvements for a 2.5% fee, and Redfin Mortgage, offering in-house loan services with no lender fees.

Clever vs. Redfin: In-depth breakdown

We compare Clever Real Estate and Redfin's performance across the most important factors for home sellers and buyers: overall savings, service and support, agent quality, agent selection, and customer satisfaction.

Pricing for home sellers: Both brokerages offer the same listing fee, though some sellers will pay more with Redfin

Both brokerages offer a 1.5% listing fee. Sellers who work with either brand will see significant savings compared to the 2.5–3% fee that most traditional agents charge.

However, in some markets, you may pay more with Redfin due to its minimum fees (as high as $7,000 in some markets). If you're selling a less-expensive home (think $450,000 or less), ask Redfin about its minimum fees before you sign a contract.

No matter which brand you choose, you'll likely still have to offer a competitive buyer’s agent commission. Buyer’s agent commission rates vary by market, but 2–3% is typical nationwide.

With a 1.5% listing fee, your total rate will be about 4–4.5%. It’s still a chunk of change, but it’s significant savings compared to the typical 5.5–6% total commission rate. Learn more about how real estate commissions work.

📝 NAR settlement changes are here!

The recent National Association of Realtors (NAR) lawsuit settlement has reshaped how real estate commissions are managed, leading to more transparent and flexible commission structures for buyers and sellers.

Changes that went into effect on August 17, 2024 include:

• Buyers must negotiate with their agent. Under the new guidelines, buyers now negotiate commission rates with their agents and must sign a buyer's agency agreement before touring homes. This agreement outlines services and fees, giving buyers greater control over agent compensation and cost transparency.

• Sellers no longer set buyer's agent commission in the MLS. In MLS listings, sellers can no longer pre-set buyer agent commission rates, shifting fee negotiations to buyers and their agents. Experts say that this may remove any bias based on commission rates and allow more objective decision-making in agent recommendations.

• Many MLS systems have added a new field for seller concessions. This change enables sellers to offer financial support toward buyers’ closing costs or agent fees as an incentive. Importantly, if a buyer’s negotiated agent fee is less than the concession amount, they may keep the difference, creating potential savings for buyers.^[3]

These updates could significantly reduce seller costs and provide buyers with more options for commission arrangements. Ultimately, we think that low-commission realtors, including Clever and Redfin, may benefit as buyers seek more competitive rates and transparency.

Service and support: Clever offers more hands-on service

Clever matches you with conventional realtors from name-brand brokerages like RE/MAX, Keller Williams, and Century 21. With Clever, you’ll receive the same comprehensive services and professional expertise as a full-commission realtor, including an in-person home valuation, professional photos, MLS listing, assistance with offers, paperwork, closing coordination, and more.

Redfin also offers many of these same services, but it may deliver them slightly differently. While you’ll work with a Lead Redfin Agent, many individual tasks will be managed via a back-office team and through the Redfin app. As a result, the experience may be slightly more “hands-off” and less personalized. This isn’t necessarily a deal breaker, but it depends on your preferences and needs.

Agent quality and experience: Both brokerages have experienced agents

Clever Real Estate partners with skilled agents from prominent conventional brokerages nationwide. It looks for real estate professionals with at least five years of experience, excellent customer reviews, and solid track records backed by successful sales numbers.

Redfin hires beginners and seasoned real estate pros, so you’ll see a broader range of experience with Redfin agents. The brokerage also embraces a team-based approach. So, clients typically work with various agents throughout the buying and selling processes.

You’ll find qualified real estate agents with both Clever and Redfin. Shop around and meet with real estate agents from both companies. That way, you can determine who has the right experience for you.

Agent selection and availability: Clever offers more options

Clever Real Estate partners with 20,000+ agents nationwide, giving it an advantage over Redfin regarding agent selection. Clever connects you with multiple agents (usually two to three) in your area to interview so you can compare options and choose the best fit. You can request more choices if you don’t like the initial matches.

In comparison, Redfin has limited coverage. Redfin agents are primarily available in major and medium-sized cities with hot housing markets. Redfin may not be an option if you’re in a smaller city, suburban area, or rural area. And even in its core markets, there may be only one or two Redfin agents to choose from.

While you may get lucky and find the perfect fit with a Redfin partner agent, Clever is probably the better place to start, since there’s a better chance of finding a real estate agent who’s a good fit quickly.

Customer reviews: Clever has better ratings from its customers

Head-to-head, Clever Real Estate reviews outshine Redfin's reviews for a few reasons:

• Clever Real Estate consistently scores higher than Redfin in customer satisfaction, with an impressive 5-star average rating across thousands of reviews.
• Customers highlight Clever’s user-friendly agent matching, significant savings, and the attentive service provided by top-rated, local agents.
• Because Clever connects clients with independent agents from trusted brokerages, their reviews are easily accessible on platforms like Zillow, Realtor.com, and Google, adding transparency and confidence for potential clients.

Meanwhile, Redfin’s service has mixed customer reviews on third-party review sites like Google and Consumer Affairs. While some customers report a smooth experience, others highlight issues with communication and agent support.

Reviews for Redfin agents are mainly found within Redfin’s own agent finder tool, which makes transparency a bit harder to assess without cross-checking independent review sites.

Bottom line: Clever delivers more value

Both Clever Real Estate and Redfin offer options for saving on commissions, but Clever stands out in key areas that make a difference for both buyers and sellers. Here’s why:

1. Higher customer satisfaction. Clever maintains an impressive 5-star average rating across 3,275 reviews, outpacing Redfin’s 1.5-star rating. Clients consistently praise Clever’s hands-on support, seamless agent-matching, and meaningful savings.

2. Personalized, full-service experience. Clever connects you with top-rated agents from respected brokerages like Keller Williams, Coldwell Banker, and RE/MAX. These agents offer full-service, one-on-one support through every step of the buying or selling process.

3. Option to receive cash offers for fast sales. Clever Offers provides sellers with multiple cash offers from vetted buyers, a perk for those needing a quick, no-hassle sale without listing on the market.

In contrast, Redfin’s team-based model and high client caseloads mean agents may offer less personalized service. While Redfin’s 1.5% listing fee can save sellers on commissions, Clever matches it—and online reviews indicate it'll likely offer a smoother, more supported experience.

🔥 Ready to experience top savings and quality service? Get started with Clever and find your perfect agent today. Just take this short quiz, and get matched with top-rated agents.

FAQ about Clever vs. Redfin