EquityMultiple has built a strong reputation in commercial real estate crowdfunding, offering institutional-quality deals across debt and equity investments. With a rigorous acceptance rate of around 5% of investments considered after due diligence and a focus on commercial assets, the platform appeals to accredited investors seeking exposure to larger-scale real estate projects. However, with minimum investments starting at $5,000, with typical offerings ranging to $10,000-$30,000 and accredited-only access requirements, many investors find themselves looking for alternatives that offer greater accessibility. Whether you're seeking lower minimums, non-accredited access, or a focus on residential properties, this guide examines seven platforms worth considering. Starting with mogul, a fractional real estate platform founded by Goldman Sachs alumni, we'll explore options that serve different investment goals and budget levels.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this guide is for educational purposes only and does not constitute financial, tax, or legal advice. Always consult with a licensed professional before making any financial or investment decisions.
Key Takeaways
- Accessibility varies across platforms: EquityMultiple requires accredited status and $5,000+ minimums, while mogul is open to non-accredited investors and makes real estate investing more accessible and headache-free
- Distribution frequency impacts cash flow: mogul and Ark7 provide monthly income distributions, and Arrived also pays dividends monthly, whereas Fundrise operates on a quarterly schedule
- Property selection control differs by platform: Some platforms like mogul and CrowdStreet let you choose individual properties, while Fundrise uses a diversified fund approach
- Fee structures affect long-term returns: mogul uses a fee-efficient structure with no traditional annual AUM fee, leveraging technology to help keep costs low and returns strong
- Asset class focus varies: EquityMultiple focuses on commercial real estate; CrowdStreet offers direct real estate deals alongside broader private-market products; mogul specializes in single-family rentals; Arrived offers single-family residential investments along with other residential and credit products; Ark7 offers fractional rental-property investments
- Institutional expertise adds credibility: mogul's Goldman Sachs alumni founding team brings $10 billion in deal experience to property selection and underwriting
1. mogul
mogul delivers fractional ownership in income-generating single-family rental properties, making real estate investing accessible to both accredited and non-accredited investors. Founded by Goldman Sachs real estate alumni, the platform brings institutional-grade underwriting to individual investors seeking to build diversified property portfolios.
How Does mogul Work?
mogul creates an LLC entity for each property and offers ownership through an investment-club structure; investors legally purchase ownership in the investment club LLC associated with the individual property. Investors can browse available properties and select individual assets based on their investment criteria. Key highlights:
- Accessible Entry: A headache-free way into real estate investing, with an average investment of around $10,000
- Monthly Distributions: Rental income paid monthly rather than quarterly
- Property-Level Control: Choose specific properties instead of blind pool funds
- Non-Accredited Access: Open to investors regardless of accreditation status
- Risk Mitigation: Up to $10,000 in loss protection for new members in their first year
Performance and Returns
mogul reports an 18.8% average annual IRR across platform properties, with target returns of 15-20% annually. The platform's rigorous selection process means less than 1% of reviewed properties make it onto the platform.
Investment Tools
mogul provides free calculators that use institutional-grade data:
- Investment Property Calculator for ROI projections
- Airbnb Calculator for short-term rental analysis
- Rental Property Calculator for cash flow estimates
What Makes mogul Unique
- Goldman Sachs Pedigree: Founding team brings $10 billion in institutional deal experience to property selection and underwriting
- Blockchain Infrastructure: Utilizes blockchain technology for efficient ownership tracking
- SFR Focus: Specializes in short-term, mid-term, and long-term rental properties
- Tax Benefits: Property-level LLC structures taxed as partnerships may provide proportionate real estate tax benefits, including potential depreciation-related benefits, subject to individual tax circumstances
Best For: Investors seeking accessible entry to real estate with property-level selection, monthly income, and institutional-quality underwriting, all without accreditation requirements.
2. Fundrise
Fundrise operates as one of the largest real estate crowdfunding platforms, offering diversified eREIT and eFund portfolios. The platform has built a substantial track record since 2012 with a fully automated investment approach.
Core Capabilities
- Diversified Portfolios: Automated allocation across multiple properties and asset types
- Low Minimums: Taxable accounts start at $10, while IRA accounts require a $1,000 minimum
- Non-Accredited Access: Open to all investors
- Fees: Real estate funds charge a 0.15% advisory fee plus a 0.85% management fee; other products such as the Innovation Fund may carry different fees
- Quarterly Distributions: Income paid on a quarterly basis
Investment Approach
Fundrise uses a blind pool approach where the platform's team selects and manages all properties. This hands-off model suits investors who prefer complete automation over individual property selection.
Historical Performance
Fundrise's official historical advisory client returns have varied materially by year: 6.24% in 2025, 5.75% in 2024, -7.45% in 2023, 1.50% in 2022, and 22.99% in 2021. Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Best For: Investors who want set-and-forget diversified real estate exposure with low minimums and minimal decision-making required.
3. RealtyMogul
RealtyMogul provides both REIT products and individual commercial real estate deals, serving as a bridge between accessible investing and institutional-quality opportunities. Note that specific product availability can vary over time.
Platform Offerings
- Two REITs: Income and growth-focused options with different distribution profiles: the Income REIT is income-oriented, while the Apartment Growth REIT has historically described quarterly distributions
- Individual Deals: Access to specific commercial properties for accredited investors
- Minimum Investments: REIT minimums are currently listed at $5,000, while private placement minimums generally run $25,000-$35,000 and may be higher
- Commercial Focus: Office, retail, and multifamily properties
- 1031 Exchange Options: Available on select deals
Fee Structure
Annual management fees are commonly cited at around 1%-1.25% for many investments, with additional deal-level fees possible.
Best For: Investors seeking both REIT accessibility and the option to invest in individual commercial deals as they become accredited.
4. CrowdStreet
CrowdStreet began as a marketplace for institutional-quality commercial real estate syndications and still offers direct real estate deals, but it now presents itself more broadly as a private-market investing platform offering real estate, funds, private equity, private credit, and venture capital opportunities, connecting accredited investors directly with sponsors and developers.
Key Features
- Institutional Deals: Large-scale commercial properties and development projects
- Minimums: Current FINRA-hosted disclosure says offerings typically start at $5,000, although some opportunities may require higher minimums
- Accredited Only: Restricted to accredited investors
- Individual Property Selection: Choose specific deals from available offerings
- Variable Returns: CrowdStreet publishes realized deal-level performance information, but historical returns vary by deal and should not be summarized as a broad platform-level range
Deal Structure
CrowdStreet acts as a marketplace rather than a direct sponsor. Investors deal directly with individual sponsors, and fee structures vary by deal.
Best For: Accredited investors who want access to institutional commercial real estate deals and broader private-market opportunities.
5. Arrived Homes
Arrived Homes focuses on single-family rental properties, offering fractional ownership with a straightforward investment process backed by significant venture funding.
Platform Features
- Low Minimum: $100 entry point
- Non-Accredited Access: Open to all investors
- Single-Family Focus: Residential rental properties across multiple markets
- Monthly Distributions: Arrived currently pays property cash flow and dividends monthly, subject to each property's eligibility and income generation
- Hold Periods: Generally 5-7 years for long-term rentals and 5-15 years for vacation rentals, with liquidity options potentially available after six months (not guaranteed)
Return Profile
Arrived's official estimated historical return range for single-family residential investments is 6%-10% annually, through a combination of rental income and property appreciation, though current dividend yields vary by product category.
Best For: Beginning investors seeking low-minimum access to single-family rentals who are comfortable with monthly distributions and variable hold periods depending on property type.
6. Ark7
Ark7 offers fractional shares in single-family rental properties with one of the lowest minimum investments in the market and a secondary market feature for liquidity.
Core Offerings
- Ultra-Low Minimum: Starting at $20
- Monthly Distributions: Regular monthly income payments
- Secondary Market: Ark7 may offer secondary-market liquidity for eligible shares, but liquidity is not guaranteed and investors should be prepared to hold long term
- Non-Accredited Access: Open to all investor types
- Property Selection: Individual property investment options
Fee Structure
Ark7's fees are property- and platform-specific; current review data cites a 3% sourcing fee and an 8%-15% management fee.
Best For: Investors wanting the lowest possible entry point with monthly income, though secondary-market liquidity is not guaranteed.
7. Willow Wealth (formerly Yieldstreet)
Willow Wealth, formerly Yieldstreet, positions itself as an alternative investment platform offering exposure beyond traditional real estate, including private credit, art, legal finance, private equity, and venture capital.
Platform Scope
- Multi-Asset Offerings: Real estate, private credit, art, legal finance, private equity, venture capital, short-term notes, and more
- Minimums: $10,000 for the Alternative Income Fund, with individual offering minimums potentially higher
- Primarily Accredited: Most offerings require accreditation
- IRA Options: Available through Equity Trust partnership
- Variable Reviews: Mixed reception across review platforms
Diversification Beyond Real Estate
Willow Wealth's appeal lies in its broad private-market exposure, spanning real estate, private credit, private equity, and other alternative assets.
Best For: Accredited investors seeking diversification across multiple alternative asset classes beyond just real estate.
Why mogul Stands Out for Fractional Real Estate Investing
Institutional Expertise Made Accessible
mogul's founding team brings Goldman Sachs real estate experience and $10 billion in deal expertise to a platform accessible to everyday investors. This institutional pedigree informs the rigorous property selection process where less than 1% of reviewed properties make it onto the platform.
Monthly Income with Property-Level Control
Unlike platforms offering quarterly distributions or blind pool funds, mogul delivers monthly rental income while letting investors choose specific properties. This combination of regular cash flow and selection control addresses two common investor priorities simultaneously.
Truly Accessible Entry Points
With an accessible entry point and no accreditation requirements, mogul removes the barriers that keep most investors out of platforms like EquityMultiple or CrowdStreet. This accessibility opens real estate wealth-building to a much broader audience.
Risk Mitigation for New Investors
mogul's $10,000 loss protection for new members in their first year provides a safety net uncommon among fractional real estate platforms. This feature demonstrates alignment between platform and investor interests.
Single-Family Rental Specialization
While EquityMultiple focuses on commercial real estate, mogul specializes in single-family rentals, an asset class with strong historical performance. The platform covers short-term rentals, mid-term rentals, and long-term rental strategies, offering diversification within the residential sector.
Technology-Forward Infrastructure
mogul utilizes blockchain technology for efficient ownership tracking and has a secondary market for share trading planned for launch. This tech-enabled approach positions the platform for enhanced liquidity options as the feature rolls out.
For investors evaluating EquityMultiple alternatives, mogul's combination of institutional expertise, accessible entry points, monthly distributions, and property-level control creates a compelling option for building a real estate portfolio. Explore current properties to see available investment opportunities.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this guide is for educational purposes only and does not constitute financial, tax, or legal advice. Always consult with a licensed professional before making any financial or investment decisions.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the main differences between EquityMultiple and its alternatives?
EquityMultiple requires accredited investor status, with minimums starting at $5,000 and typical offerings ranging to $10,000-$30,000, focusing primarily on commercial real estate debt and equity deals. Alternatives like mogul offer non-accredited access with accessible entry points and focus on single-family residential properties. Distribution frequency also varies, with mogul paying monthly while some competitors pay quarterly.
Do fractional real estate platforms require investors to be accredited?
Requirements vary significantly by platform. EquityMultiple and CrowdStreet require accreditation, while mogul, Fundrise, Arrived, and Ark7 accept non-accredited investors. This distinction determines which platforms you can access based on your income and net worth qualifications.
What kind of returns can I expect from fractional real estate investments?
Returns vary by platform and property type. mogul reports an 18.8% average annual IRR across platform properties. Independent reviews report roughly 17% IRR on fully realized EquityMultiple deals. Fundrise's official advisory client returns have varied materially by year, including 6.24% in 2025, 5.75% in 2024, -7.45% in 2023, 1.50% in 2022, and 22.99% in 2021. These are historical figures and not guarantees of future performance.
How does blockchain technology impact real estate investing platforms?
Blockchain infrastructure, as used by mogul, enables efficient ownership tracking and can reduce administrative costs. It also creates potential for enhanced liquidity features, such as secondary markets for trading shares that mogul has planned for launch. Traditional platforms typically use standard LLC structures without blockchain integration.
Are there any platforms that offer risk mitigation features like loss protection?
mogul offers up to $10,000 in loss protection for new members during their first year, a feature not commonly found among competitors. This covers losses on investments made within the first seven days if the portfolio value decreases after one year.