Fundrise has established itself as one of the most recognized names in real estate crowdfunding, reporting investments in more than $7 billion of real estate and managing more than $2.87 billion of equity on behalf of 385,000+ active individual investors. The platform pioneered accessible real estate investing with its $10 minimum investment. However, many investors seek alternatives that offer individual property selection, monthly income distributions, or higher return potential. For those exploring fractional real estate investing, several platforms provide distinct approaches to building a property portfolio. This guide examines seven alternatives that serve different investment objectives, starting with mogul, a fractional real estate investment club founded by former Goldman Sachs executives that delivers institutional-grade underwriting with an 18.8% average annual IRR.
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
- Individual property selection provides greater control: Platforms like mogul, Ark7, and Arrived allow investors to choose specific properties rather than pooled funds, enabling targeted portfolio building based on personal investment criteria
- Monthly distributions accelerate compounding: mogul and Ark7 offer monthly income distributions (12x per year) compared to Fundrise's quarterly payments (4x per year), providing more frequent cash flow for reinvestment
- Loss protection reduces downside risk: mogul uniquely offers up to $10,000 in loss coverage for new members' first investments, a feature unavailable on any competing platform
- Short-term rental exposure can offer higher yields, though results vary by platform and market: mogul provides access to Airbnb-style properties designed to generate stronger returns than traditional long-term rentals; investor-level net yield varies by platform, property, expenses, and occupancy
- Accreditation requirements vary significantly: While Fundrise, mogul, Ark7, and Arrived welcome non-accredited investors, platforms like CrowdStreet and EquityMultiple restrict access to accredited investors only
- Fee structures impact long-term returns: Annual management fees compound over time, Ark7 charges 0% annual AUM fees while Fundrise's 1% annual fee totals about $500 over five years on a static $10,000 balance, with the actual amount varying depending on account value changes
1. mogul
mogul is a fractional real estate investment club and platform founded by former Goldman Sachs executives with over $10 billion in collective real estate deployment experience. The platform enables investors to build portfolios through direct LLC ownership in individual income-producing properties across short-term, mid-term, and long-term rental strategies.
How Does mogul Work?
mogul's platform allows investors to browse available properties, review detailed underwriting, and invest in specific assets rather than pooled funds. Key highlights:
- Institutional-Grade Selection – Less than 1% of properties presented to mogul make it onto the platform; mogul uses proprietary market data, institutional-grade underwriting, and a diligence process similar to the one used at Goldman Sachs
- Direct LLC Ownership – Each property is held in a state-registered LLC, providing investors with direct fractional ownership and proportional governance rights
- Monthly Income – Investors receive monthly rental income distributions, and mogul publishes property-level projections and performance tracking
- Tax Benefits – Yearly depreciation deductions and other tax advantages flow through to investors based on their ownership stake
- Loss Protection – mogul covers up to $10,000 in losses for new members on investments made within the first 7 days if those investments show a loss after year one
Performance and Returns
mogul reports an 18.8% average annual IRR as of April 30, 2025. The platform applies a minimum projected IRR hurdle rate and publishes base, bull, and bear underwriting scenarios for each property. The platform also achieved a record monthly yield of 2.6%. For context, this significantly outperforms the approximately 7.50% total return reported by Fundrise's Flagship Real Estate Fund in 2024 (its Income Real Estate Fund reported 8.30% for the same period).
Property Types and Strategy
mogul focuses on residential rental properties across multiple strategies:
- Short-Term Rentals (Airbnb) – Properties generating income from stays under 30 days
- Mid-Term Rentals – Listed among mogul's available rental strategies
- Long-Term Rentals – Traditional rental properties with stable occupancy
- Sale-Leaseback – Listed among the property strategies available on mogul
The platform's short-term rental investments offer exposure to the higher-yielding vacation rental market that many competitors don't provide.
Blockchain-Backed Transparency
mogul utilizes blockchain technology for property ownership records, creating immutable documentation of investor holdings, a feature unavailable on traditional platforms.
Best For: Investors seeking institutional-quality underwriting, monthly income, individual property selection, and downside protection through the unique $10,000 loss coverage feature.
2. Ark7
Ark7 provides fractional ownership in individual rental properties with 230K+ active investors as of March 2025 on the platform. The company emphasizes low fees and monthly distributions.
Key Features
- Low Minimum Investment – $20 minimum to invest in individual properties
- Zero Annual Fees – 0% annual AUM fees, with only a 3% sourcing fee at purchase
- Monthly Distributions – Regular income payments to investors
- Secondary Market – Available after a 12-month holding period, with no early sale penalties after the one-year hold
- Occupancy – Ark7 reported 94.81% occupancy as of December 2025; its January and February 2026 portfolio updates reported 93.59%
Performance
Ark7 reported a 4.30% annualized dividend return in January 2026 and 4.74% in February 2026, with returns focused on stable residential rental income rather than appreciation-heavy strategies.
Fee Structure
Ark7's fee model includes a 3% sourcing fee at purchase and 8-15% property management fees on gross rents, but no annual AUM fees. This structure benefits long-term buy-and-hold investors.
Best For: Fee-conscious investors prioritizing the lowest long-term costs and those seeking individual property selection with a minimal entry point.
3. Arrived Homes
Arrived Homes enables fractional investment in single-family rentals and vacation properties, with $412M total invested, $77M distributed, and 562+ properties funded. The platform has demonstrated exit capabilities, including documented property sale case studies, and offers a secondary market for eligible shares.
Key Features
- Vacation Rental Access – One of few platforms offering fractional ownership in short-term vacation rentals
- Low Entry Point – $100 minimum investment per property
- Exit Capabilities – Arrived has documented property sale case studies and offers a secondary market for eligible shares
- Non-Accredited Access – Open to all investors
- IRA Compatible – Self-directed IRA investment available
Performance
Arrived reported annualized dividend rates of 3.9% for individual single-family residential properties and 2.3% for vacation rentals in Q1 2025; Q3 2025 figures were 4.0% and 2.4%, respectively. These figures represent dividend rates rather than total returns, which would also include any appreciation and exit outcomes. Arrived states expected hold periods of 5–7 years for long-term rentals and 5–15 years for vacation rentals.
Property Focus
The platform focuses on single-family homes in growth markets, with a selection of vacation rental properties providing exposure to the short-term rental sector.
Best For: Investors seeking vacation rental exposure with a documented exit track record and accessible minimum investments.
4. RealtyMogul
RealtyMogul has built a platform with more than 300,000 members; as of its November 2025 acquisition announcement, members had invested more than $1.2 billion into assets valued at more than $8 billion. In November 2025, RealtyMogul was acquired by The Wideman Company.
Key Features
- Dual Structure – RealtyMogul has historically offered REIT products for non-accredited investors and individual commercial deals for accredited investors; availability varies, and the Income REIT is currently paused for new investors
- Commercial Focus – Access to commercial real estate including multifamily, office, and retail
- Quarterly Distributions – Regular income payments to REIT investors
- Track Record – Operating since 2012 with substantial deployment history
- IRA Compatible – Self-directed retirement account options
Investment Options
- Income REIT – Diversified portfolio focused on income generation (currently paused for new investors)
- Apartment Growth REIT – Multifamily-focused for appreciation
- Individual Deals – Direct investments in specific commercial properties (accredited only)
Minimums and Fees
REIT investments start at $5,000, while individual commercial deals typically require $50,000+. Annual fees range from 1-1.25% depending on the investment vehicle.
Best For: Investors seeking commercial real estate exposure through a platform with a long operating history and both REIT and direct deal options.
5. CrowdStreet
CrowdStreet focuses on institutional-quality commercial real estate deals, with more than $4.4 billion invested through its platform as of April 2025. The platform serves accredited investors seeking direct access to commercial projects.
Key Features
- Commercial Real Estate – Office, retail, industrial, and multifamily properties
- Individual Deal Selection – Investors choose specific projects rather than pooled funds
- Return Targets – CrowdStreet offerings disclose target returns on a deal-by-deal basis; investors should review individual offering documents for specific projections
- Sponsor Vetting – Due diligence on deal sponsors and operators
- Substantial Track Record – Over a decade of operations
Investment Requirements
- Accredited Investors Only – Must meet SEC accreditation requirements
- $25,000 Minimum – Higher entry point than residential-focused platforms
- 3-5 Year Holds – Typical investment horizons for commercial deals
Fee Structure
CrowdStreet fee terms vary by offering. The platform charges 0% investor platform fees on many marketplace deals, with sponsor fees that may range around 1-5% and separate advisory fees for tailored portfolios.
Best For: Accredited investors with $25,000+ seeking direct commercial real estate deals with higher return potential and full control over property selection.
6. EquityMultiple
EquityMultiple provides institutional-grade real estate investments for accredited investors, with $430M+ in total distributions delivered and more than $4 billion in commercial real estate transactions since 2015.
Key Features
- Multiple Investment Structures – Equity, preferred equity, and debt investments
- Diversified Portfolio Options – Individual deals and fund options
- Track Record – Some third-party sources have reported a 15.24% IRR for the Grow Plan since 2015; investors should verify this figure against EquityMultiple's own current track-record disclosure
- Institutional Quality – Focus on professionally managed commercial assets
- Accredited Access – SEC-compliant verification required
Investment Options
- Individual Deals – Direct investments in specific properties
- Alpine Notes – Short-term debt investments
- Diversified Funds – Portfolios across multiple properties and strategies
Minimum and Risk Profile
EquityMultiple offerings can start at $5,000 for certain note products such as Alpine Notes, while many individual CRE offerings require $10,000–$25,000+ minimums. Some third-party sources report that approximately 11.1% of deals experienced principal loss; investors should verify this against EquityMultiple's own current performance disclosure.
Best For: Accredited investors seeking institutional commercial real estate with multiple investment structures and strong historical performance.
7. DiversyFund
DiversyFund targets the multifamily real estate sector, reporting 28,000+ investors on its platform. The company has shifted from its earlier growth REIT model toward structured-income investments backed by institutional multifamily real estate.
Key Features
- Multifamily Focus – Targets apartment buildings and institutional multifamily real estate
- Structured Income Strategy – Current platform materials emphasize structured-income investments with quarterly distributions, representing a shift from prior growth REIT products
- Institutional Positioning – DiversyFund's current site describes offerings designed for $100K–$1M allocators; prospective investors should review current offering documents for minimum investment requirements and eligibility
- Historical Growth REIT Products – Earlier DiversyFund REIT products focused on a value-add, appreciation-driven approach
Investment Model
DiversyFund historically operated a growth REIT strategy focused on acquiring, improving, and selling multifamily properties. Its current public materials emphasize structured-income offerings backed by institutional multifamily real estate, with quarterly distributions.
Performance and Timeline
DiversyFund announced that initial DF Growth REIT I cash distributions represented approximately 6.1% annualized return, based on asset sales; the company noted this figure did not represent prospective total return. Investors should review current offering documents for present performance disclosures and investment terms.
Best For: Investors seeking structured-income exposure to institutional multifamily real estate with quarterly distributions; given DiversyFund's current focus on larger allocators, prospective investors should review current offering documents for minimum investment requirements and eligibility.
Why mogul Stands Out for Fractional Real Estate Investing
Institutional Expertise Accessible to All Investors
mogul was founded by former Goldman Sachs executives with over $10 billion in deployment experience. This institutional background shapes every aspect of the platform, from property selection to underwriting methodology. While other platforms welcome non-accredited investors, mogul uniquely combines institutional-grade processes with broad accessibility.
Industry-Leading Return Performance
With an 18.8% average annual IRR, mogul significantly outperforms the broader fractional real estate category where competitors typically deliver 4-8% returns. This performance stems from rigorous property selection, less than 1% of properties presented to mogul make it onto the platform, and focus on higher-yielding short-term and mid-term rental strategies.
Unique Loss Protection for New Investors
mogul is the only fractional real estate platform offering $10,000 loss protection for new members. If investments made within the first 7 days show a loss after one year, mogul covers up to $10,000 from its own balance sheet. No competitor, Fundrise, Ark7, Arrived, RealtyMogul, CrowdStreet, EquityMultiple, or DiversyFund, offers comparable downside protection.
Monthly Income vs. Quarterly Distributions
While Fundrise and RealtyMogul distribute returns quarterly (4x per year), mogul provides monthly income distributions (12x per year). This frequency advantage accelerates compounding and provides more consistent cash flow for investors building wealth through real estate investing.
Short-Term Rental Expertise
mogul's focus on Airbnb-style short-term rentals provides access to a higher-yielding segment of the rental market. The platform also lists mid-term rentals among its available rental strategies, alongside long-term rentals and sale-leasebacks. Most competitors focus exclusively on traditional long-term rentals or commercial properties.
Blockchain-Backed Ownership Transparency
mogul leverages blockchain technology for property ownership records, creating immutable, transparent documentation of investor holdings. This technology layer provides security and verification capabilities unavailable on traditional platforms.
Individual Property Selection with Direct Ownership
Unlike Fundrise's pooled fund approach, mogul enables investors to select specific properties and receive direct LLC ownership. This structure provides proportional governance rights, targeted portfolio construction, and transparent visibility into exactly which assets you own.
Free Investment Analysis Tools
mogul offers four free calculators, Investment Property Calculator, Rental Property Calculator, Airbnb Calculator, and Real Estate Calculator, that analyze any U.S. address using institutional-grade data. These tools help investors evaluate opportunities whether or not they invest through the platform.
For investors seeking an alternative to Fundrise that combines institutional-quality underwriting, monthly income, individual property selection, and unique downside protection, mogul represents the premium choice in fractional real estate. Explore current properties or learn how it works to get started.
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 Fundrise and platforms like mogul?
Fundrise offers pooled fund investments starting at $10 with quarterly distributions and approximately 7.50% total return for its Flagship Real Estate Fund in 2024 (its Income Real Estate Fund reported 8.30% for the same period). mogul provides individual property selection with direct LLC ownership, monthly distributions, 18.8% average IRR, and unique $10,000 loss protection. The key distinction is control: Fundrise automates allocation across a diversified portfolio, while mogul lets investors choose specific properties and rental strategies.
How does fractional real estate ownership compare to investing in REITs?
REITs are publicly traded securities representing shares in a company that owns real estate. Fractional platforms like mogul provide direct LLC ownership in specific properties with proportional governance rights and tax benefits including depreciation. REITs trade like stocks with daily liquidity but no property-level control, while fractional ownership may involve longer, less liquid holding periods than publicly traded REITs.
What kind of returns can I expect from alternative real estate investment platforms?
Returns vary significantly by platform and strategy. mogul reports an 18.8% average annual IRR, while Ark7 reported a 4.30% annualized dividend return in January 2026 and 4.74% in February 2026, Arrived reported annualized dividend rates of 3.9%–4.0% for single-family rentals and 2.3%–2.4% for vacation rentals in recent quarters, and some third-party sources have reported a 15.24% IRR for EquityMultiple's Grow Plan, though investors should verify this against EquityMultiple's own current disclosure. Higher-yield strategies like short-term rentals can generate stronger returns in the right markets, though investor-level net yield varies by platform, property, expenses, and occupancy.
Are there hidden fees associated with fractional real estate investing?
Fee structures vary by platform. Ark7 charges 0% annual AUM fees with a one-time 3% sourcing fee. Fundrise charges approximately 1% annually (0.15% + 0.85%), totaling about $500 over five years on a static $10,000 balance; the actual amount varies depending on account value changes. mogul's fee structure includes platform and setup fees with ongoing management fees on rental income. Always review the complete fee disclosure before investing, as annual fees compound significantly over multi-year hold periods.
How do platforms ensure liquidity for fractional property investors?
Liquidity varies considerably. Fundrise offers quarterly redemption windows that may suspend during market stress. Ark7 provides a secondary market after a 12-month holding period, with no early sale penalties after the one-year hold. mogul investors are encouraged to review current offering documents for full details on available exit mechanics and liquidity options. CrowdStreet investments typically have 3-5 year lockup periods. Investors should consider liquidity needs when selecting a platform.
What tools are available to help analyze rental property investments?
mogul offers four free calculators for any U.S. address: the Investment Property Calculator for ROI analysis, Rental Property Calculator for income projections, Airbnb Calculator for short-term rental estimates, and Real Estate Calculator for comprehensive returns modeling. These tools use institutional-grade data to analyze potential investments across multiple scenarios.