5 Best Brokerages for New York Agents Switching Without Losing Clients

Switching brokerages looks simple on paper. Your license moves, your split changes, and you start working under a new name. The hard part is your pipeline.

In New York, listings and signed buyer agreements usually belong to your current broker, not to you. So no brokerage can promise you’ll keep every client. You can control how clean your exit is, how fast your license moves, and what your new fees cost.

This guide ranks five New York brokerages on those points. We took prices from each firm’s own pages, read between 2 and 15 October 2026. Prices change often, so confirm every number before you sign.

What does “switching without losing clients” really mean?

Start with who owns what. The Hudson Gateway Association of Realtors explains that listings belong to the broker, not the agent. Clients you served on the broker’s behalf also remain the broker’s clients.

Clients can still choose to follow you, and you can tell them where you are going. But don’t push them to leave while a binding agreement is in place. The client could end up owing two commissions.

Money follows the same logic. Under Real Property Law section 442-a, a salesperson can only be paid by the broker they are associated with. In a 2016 Commercial Division ruling, an agent could pursue only the broker, not the client.

What is left for you to protect? Three things: your sphere of influence, your future leads, and your cash flow.

Your sphere includes past clients, friends, and referral partners. Most of them are not under contract, so they are free to hire you again.

The license move itself is quick but sequential. Per the New York Department of State, your old broker must first terminate your association in eAccessNY, at no fee. Your new principal broker then files a change of association for $20.

The Department says it aims to process a termination within five days of you leaving. It also warns that a submission is not an approval. Plan your start date around that, and around any deals still pending.

Pending deals deserve their own plan. Commissions on deals in progress depend on your independent contractor agreement. They may be paid in full, reduced, or not at all after you leave.

With that in mind, we ranked brokerages on five practical points:

• Speed: how easily your license and your day-to-day work can move over.
• Cost clarity: whether fees, caps, and per-deal charges are published.
• Low lock-in: how easily you can leave or change plans later.
• Support: what you get while you rebuild momentum.
• Flexibility: whether the plan can grow or shrink with your business.

None of the five firms’ pages we read address moving clients or listings. That is normal, because those rules come from your current agreement and the law. It does mean you should ask each broker how they handle the transition.

What are the best brokerages for New York agents who are switching?

SPiRALNY pairs a 90% or 100% split with mentorship, weekly training, and direct broker access. McKee Realty has the lowest published fees on a 100% plan. Mont Sky Real Estate offers a 100% plan with errors and omissions (E&O) insurance included.

Krieger Real Estate charges no monthly fees on a 90/10 split. Royalux Realty uses annual fees and a $10,000 cap instead of monthly dues.

Mont Sky’s own page says traditional firms take 50% to 70%. Against that, all five cost far less for agents with real volume.

That 50% to 70% range is indicative only. StreetEasy’s agent guide notes that many firms keep split schedules confidential. Ask your current broker for your exact numbers before you compare.

Platform	Starting Price	Best For	Key Differentiator	Free Trial
SPiRALNY	$179/month ($99 plan, $25 E&O, $55 technology) plus $250 onboarding	Agents who want support and a higher split	Mentorship, training, direct broker access, and a Park → 90% → 100% path	None published; cancel anytime
McKee Realty	$0/month (85/15 plan) plus $200 one-time	Cost-focused agents	Three-plan ladder with no transaction fees	None published
Mont Sky Real Estate	$129/month (75% plan)	Agents wanting leads and E&O included	$399/month all-in for 100% on self-sourced deals	None published
Krieger Real Estate	$0 monthly (90/10 split)	Cloud-based agents, including commercial	No desk or monthly fees on a 90% split	None published
Royalux Realty	$1,500/year (Plan A, 90/10)	Branding-minded producers	Annual fees with a $10,000 cap on Plans A and B	None published

Prices are from each firm’s own pages, read between 2 and 15 October 2026. SPiRALNY’s checkout also adds a 4% platform fee on top of the plan price and onboarding.

A headline price alone can mislead, because these plans use different splits. Here is what each plan’s cost includes, as published:

Platform	Plan compared	Recurring cost	One-time fee	Transaction fees	Cap	E&O	Technology
SPiRALNY	90% plan	$179/month ($99 base), plus 4% at checkout	$250	Not published	Not published	$25 (in the $179)	$55 (in the $179)
SPiRALNY	100% plan	$479/month ($399 base), plus 4% at checkout	$250	Not published	Not published	$25 (in the $479)	$55 (in the $479)
McKee Realty	100% plan	$140/month	$200	None, per its page	Not stated	Included	No other fees, per its page
McKee Realty	90/10 plan	$50/month	$200	None, per its page	Not stated	Included	No other fees, per its page
Mont Sky Real Estate	100% plan	$399/month	None listed	None listed	Not stated	Included	No software fees listed
Krieger Real Estate	90/10 split	$0/month	Not stated	Not stated	Not stated	Handled, per its 2 Oct 2026 page	No technology charges, per its 2 Oct 2026 page
Royalux Realty	Plan A, 90/10	$1,500/year	Not stated	Not stated	$10,000	Not stated	Not stated
Royalux Realty	Plan C, 100%	$7,500/year	Not stated	Not stated	Not stated	Not stated	Not stated

Support is covered in each profile below.

1. SPiRALNY: Mentorship and a built-in path from 90% to 100%

Disclosure: SPiRALNY is our product, so we are not a neutral judge here. We have kept the numbers honest, including where we cost more than the others.

SPiRALNY is a New York brokerage led by founder and principal broker Marcel Bellucci. It runs two active plans, Premium at 90% and Platinum at 100%. Both are open to any agent with an active New York salesperson or broker license.

The pitch is simple. Keep far more of each commission than a traditional split allows, and keep the support. For agents leaving a firm that takes 50% or more, the math moves fast.

Why it stands out

SPiRALNY competes on the combination of economics, infrastructure, support, and flexibility. Support is the same on both plans. It covers transaction guidance, compliance oversight, marketing and operational help, direct access to brokers, mentorship, and training.

Training includes weekly Zoom sessions, a training library, and matching with a mentor. Agents also use The SPiRALNY Cloud, the firm’s platform and CRM, for transactions and deal submission. You can work from anywhere, though an office at 575 Fifth Avenue is available.

For switching agents, the sign-up is fully digital and takes about five minutes. The site says existing licensees are associated right after sign-up. Remember that your old broker still has to release your license first.

The brokerage also offers a lifecycle: Park → 90% → 100%. It lets you stay with one brokerage as your activity changes.

If you step back from selling, you can park a license for $69 a month. The 4% checkout fee brings that to $71.76. There is no setup fee and no minimum commitment, and you can cancel anytime.

Parking requires an active New York State salesperson or broker license. SPiRALNY says parked agents can earn referral fees, and it covers your CE license renewal at no cost. Ask how referral payments are made, since those terms are not published.

The way back is active production at 90% or 100% when you are ready. Switching between the 90% and 100% plans is subject to eligibility and brokerage approval.

Leads are part of the offer, but they are conditional. The site says distribution varies by plan, production, and availability. Do not count on leads as a guarantee.

What you’ll pay

Here is the full cost, as published on the site. The 90% plan is $99 a month plus $25 for E&O and $55 for technology. That totals $179 a month.

The 100% plan is $399 a month plus the same $25 and $55. That totals $479 a month, for a flat monthly brokerage fee. Both plans add a one-time $250 onboarding fee.

Checkout adds a 4% platform fee. That makes the 90% plan $186.16 a month and the 100% plan $498.16 a month. Both plans are month to month, with no long-term contract.

Transaction fees and caps are not published either way. Ask to see the agreement before you commit. We would not call the 100% plan free, and neither should you.

Here is the math against a traditional split. At a 50/50 split, the 90% plan wins once you gross above about $5,400 a year. That figure is our arithmetic and ignores the onboarding and card fees.

The step from 90% to 100% costs $300 more per month, or $3,600 a year. That equals the 10% you save at $36,000 in gross commission a year. Above that, the 100% plan comes out ahead.

Strengths and trade-offs

Pros:

• Far cheaper than a traditional split for any agent with real volume.
• Same support on both plans, including mentorship and direct broker access.
• Month-to-month terms with no long-term contract.
• A $69 parking option for agents who step back, with a stated way back to active production.
• Payouts by direct deposit, typically the same or next business day after closing.

Cons:

• Costs more than McKee, Mont Sky, and Krieger on published fees.
• Royalux’s Plan C is the only 100% option here that costs more per year.
• Leads are conditional, not guaranteed.
• Transaction fees and caps are not published.
• The 4% checkout fee is not shown on the marketing pages.
• Parking referral payment terms are not published.

Who’s using it

SPiRALNY serves two groups. The 90% plan is aimed at newer or growing agents and agents leaving traditional firms. The 100% plan targets experienced, self-generating agents.

Its team profile on Zillow shows a 5.0 rating across 104 reviews. The site also shows a Google rating based on 96 reviews. Many of these are consumer reviews of individual agents, not reviews of the recruiting experience.

For plan details and current pricing, see the 100% commission plan page.

2. McKee Realty: The lowest published fees on a 100% plan

McKee Realty is a Brooklyn-based brokerage serving New York City and New York State. It markets itself as a 100% commission brokerage with transparent pricing. Compared with traditional firms, its published fees are very low.

It is also the sharpest price competitor on this list. If cost is your top filter, start here.

Why it stands out

McKee runs a clean three-plan ladder. You can choose 100%, 90/10, or 85/15, and move up as you grow. All three plans include E&O insurance.

Agents get a dashboard for listings, transactions, and production. The firm also offers marketing tools, AI staging, transaction coordination, and profit-and-loss tracking. Its plans page says “No other fees, no transaction fees.”

What you’ll pay

On McKee’s plans page, read on 15 October 2026, the 100% plan costs $140 a month. The 90/10 plan costs $50 a month. The 85/15 starter plan has no monthly fee.

All three plans carry a one-time $200 onboarding fee. In year one, the 100% plan comes to $1,880. That is $140 times twelve, plus $200.

The page carries no date for its pricing. Confirm the current numbers directly before you decide.

Strengths and trade-offs

Pros:

• Lowest published 100% fee of the five firms.
• No transaction fees, stated on the plans page.
• E&O included on every plan.
• Plans for every stage, from new agent to top producer.

Cons:

• The pages do not mention leads or mentorship.
• No in-person training is described.
• The pricing page is undated.

Who’s using it

McKee pitches itself as an operating system for agents. Its pages stress tools and economics, not leads, which suits agents who already generate their own business. We found no public review data on its plans page, so ask for references from agents who have joined.

3. Mont Sky Real Estate: 100% commission with leads and E&O included

Mont Sky Real Estate is an NYC brokerage that runs fully remote. Its pitch pairs high splits with company-sourced leads. It is the closest structural match to SPiRALNY’s 100% plan.

Why it stands out

Mont Sky offers two plans. You can keep 100% for $399 a month or keep 75% for $129 a month. Its page says most agents choose the 75% plan.

E&O insurance is included, along with corporate email, cloud storage, and free e-signature software. Training covers online courses, videos, and classroom sessions. Its page lists no startup, desk, software, or transaction fees.

Leads go through management. Company-sourced leads are assigned based on workload, proximity, and experience. The page says lead volume varies week to week and cannot be forecast.

What you’ll pay

The 100% plan costs $399 a month, which is $4,788 a year. Dues are billed every 30 days.

That is $80 a month less than SPiRALNY’s $479 for the same split. Both prices include E&O.

The 100% plan is described as best for agents who close two or more deals a year on their own. The 75% plan is aimed at agents who close fewer than that. The page says the 75% plan lets you take part in company-sourced deals.

Strengths and trade-offs

Pros:

• A lower monthly price than SPiRALNY for a 100% split.
• No startup fee listed.
• Open to newer agents through the 75% plan.
• A lead program, with honest caveats about volume.

Cons:

• Switching plans requires six months’ written notice.
• No 90% option.
• The recruiting page was last modified on 12 March 2025, so verify the prices.

Who’s using it

Mont Sky targets part-time agents, new agents, and experienced producers alike. The six-month notice rule is the detail to weigh. If you want flexibility while you test a new brokerage, that notice period is a real constraint.

4. Krieger Real Estate: No monthly fees on a 90/10 split

Krieger Real Estate describes itself as a cloud-based brokerage for real estate agents. It serves agents in New York, Pennsylvania, and Florida. It takes residential and commercial agents.

Why it stands out

The headline is simple. You keep 90% of every commission, with no desk fees and no monthly fees. The site also lists AI-powered tools for lead generation, valuation, and communications.

Krieger’s recruiting pages, as read on 2 October 2026, say E&O and legal oversight are handled. Optional marketing, such as paid social and search ads, is priced inside the agent portal.

What you’ll pay

The monthly cost is $0, and the cost per deal is 10%. Against SPiRALNY’s 90% plan, which also keeps 90%, that is a $2,148 yearly difference before onboarding. That is $179 times twelve.

Onboarding fees, transaction fees, and caps are not stated on its pages. Confirm them before you join.

So the question is what SPiRALNY’s extra support is worth to you. Krieger’s public pages say little about training, mentorship, or an office. If you already know how you work, that gap may not matter.

Strengths and trade-offs

Pros:

• No monthly or desk fees on a 90% split.
• Statewide reach, plus Pennsylvania and Florida.
• Commercial and residential agents both welcome.

Cons:

• Few published details on training or mentorship.
• No physical office or in-person training described.
• Onboarding, transaction fees, and caps are not stated.

Who’s using it

Krieger suits experienced agents who want a high split and few strings. It also runs a separate, long-established brokerage site. Public review data is thin, so ask for agent references.

5. Royalux Realty: Annual fees and a $10,000 cap

Royalux Realty is an NYC brokerage run by agents who started in 2015. It leans on branding, training, and technology. It also offers a franchise path for agents who want to open their own brokerage.

Why it stands out

Royalux uses annual fees instead of monthly dues. Plan A is a 90/10 split for $1,500 a year. Plan B is a 95/5 split for $2,000 a year.

Plans A and B have a hard annual cap of $10,000. After you contribute that amount in a calendar year, you keep 100%. Plan C is a flat 100% for $7,500 a year.

Benefits include tailor-made branding materials, free printing, a workstation, and a listing-upload service. Training covers a library the site puts at 200 hours, plus a weekly session and Q&A. Royalux also has its own platform, The Royalux Cloud.

What you’ll pay

Take the Plan A cap as an example. If the cap counts only the firm’s 10% share, you hit it at $100,000 in gross commission. That is our arithmetic, because the page does not define what counts toward the cap.

Royalux’s own pages are not consistent. One page describes a 90/10 split with no annual fee, while the commission page lists $1,500. E&O, onboarding, and transaction fees are not stated.

Strengths and trade-offs

Pros:

• A hard cap that rewards high producers.
• Strong branding and training offer.
• A franchise route for agents with bigger plans.

Cons:

• Conflicting fee information across its own pages.
• Cap rules are not fully defined.
• Headline claims such as “NYC’s best commission split” come without supporting data.

Who’s using it

Royalux fits producers who care about personal branding and expect to hit the cap. Ask for the current fee schedule in writing. Do not rely on the website alone.

Common questions

Can I take my listings with me when I switch?

Usually not. Listings belong to your current broker, so you need that broker’s permission to move one. Your independent contractor agreement may also decide who gets the commission on listings you leave behind.

Can my clients follow me to a new brokerage?

They can choose to, and you can tell them where you are going. But exclusive listing and buyer agreements bind the client. Encouraging a client to sign a new agreement early can create a double-commission problem.

How long does a license transfer take?

The Department of State aims to process the termination within five days of you leaving. Your new broker then files the change of association for a $20 fee. A submission is not an approval, so build in a buffer.

What about buyers I am already working with?

Since 17 August 2024, buyer agents need a written agreement before touring a home, per New York State REALTOR magazine. That agreement is with your current brokerage. Ask your broker and your new one how to handle open buyer relationships.

Is a 100% commission brokerage always cheaper?

No. StreetEasy’s guide notes that 100% firms charge fees instead. Its example is a $3,000 transaction fee on a $45,000 commission.

Fixed monthly costs also hurt during dry spells. Our post on the trade-offs of 100% models covers the upsides and risks.

What if I am not ready to sell at a new firm?

A New York salesperson needs a sponsoring broker to renew, per the Department of State. A parking plan keeps your license associated and active while you step back. SPiRALNY’s costs $69 a month plus a 4% checkout fee.

How should I choose between these five?

Match the fee structure to your production. Then weigh the support you actually need. Ask each firm for its written agreement before you give notice.

Conclusion: pick the brokerage that matches your next 12 months

No brokerage can guarantee you keep every client, and any firm that promises it is overselling. What the right brokerage can do is make your transition clean and your costs predictable.

Leaving a traditional firm? SPiRALNY’s 90% plan offers a higher split and the same support as its 100% plan. If price is your first filter, McKee and Krieger have the lowest published fees. If you close a steady stream of your own deals, compare SPiRALNY’s 100% plan with McKee and Mont Sky.

If branding and a cap appeal to you, look at Royalux. Whichever you choose, get the fee schedule in writing and plan your pending deals before you give notice.

If you might step back from selling, SPiRALNY’s parking option keeps your license active for $69 a month. A 4% checkout fee applies. You can earn referral fees while parked, then return to active production when you are ready.

Want to see how SPiRALNY’s plans compare with your current split? Run your own numbers, then talk with the team before you resign. Both active plans are month to month, so a switch does not have to be permanent.