Best Real Estate Investment Platforms: Fundrise vs RealtyMogul

Real estate investment platforms are transforming the way individuals and businesses access property markets, enabling investors to build passive income streams with ease and flexibility. In 2025, more tech-savvy investors than ever are considering Fundrise and RealtyMogul—two leaders in online real estate investing—as they look for secure, data-driven ways to diversify beyond stocks and bonds. Recent industry reports show that over $18 billion has flowed into digital real estate investment platforms globally, driven by demand for low minimum investment options and greater portfolio transparency.

If you’re a business decision-maker, IT professional, or hands-on investor seeking authoritative insights into real-estate-investing, this comparative guide will help you evaluate Fundrise versus RealtyMogul, uncovering each platform’s unique features, strategies, and risks. You’ll discover how to choose the right platform for your investment style, understand trending changes in the sector, and answer practical questions you need to know before committing capital.

The Rise of Real Estate Investment Platforms

Real estate investing has traditionally required substantial upfront capital, specialized expertise, and years-long commitments. Now, innovative investment-platforms like Fundrise and RealtyMogul offer easier access, automated management, and diversified asset pools tailored to suit both beginner and sophisticated investors.

• Fundrise: Known for its intuitive interface and accessible minimums, Fundrise lets you invest in diversified portfolios (eREITs) with as little as $10, making it ideal for those taking their first steps in real estate.
• RealtyMogul: With a focus on commercial and institutional-quality properties, RealtyMogul empowers investors to select individual deals or curated portfolios, typically starting at $5,000 for REITs or $25,000+ for direct property placements.

The result? You now have a choice between scalable, hands-off real estate investing or hands-on, deal-specific opportunities.

Fundrise vs RealtyMogul: Key Features and Differences

Investment Minimums & Accessibility

• Fundrise

  • Minimum investment: $10
  • Open to both accredited and non-accredited investors
  • Four distinct investment plans (Balanced, Long-Term Growth, Supplemental Income, Venture Capital)
  • All funds have auto-investing and dividend reinvestment features

• RealtyMogul

  • Minimum investment: $5,000 for REITs, $25,000+ for direct property ownership
  • Offers individual property investments, but most require accreditation
  • REIT options are available for non-accredited investors

This difference makes Fundrise especially popular with newcomers and small-scale investors, while RealtyMogul often serves those seeking higher control and direct property access.

Investment Models: Managed vs Self-Directed

• Fundrise creates portfolios tailored to your goals and risk tolerance, automating the sourcing and management of properties. You select a plan and Fundrise handles the rest, including property selection and fund administration.
• RealtyMogul lets you hand-pick individual properties or invest in diversified REITs. Extensive deal-level information (location, financials, tenant profiles) allows for deeper due diligence and direct control.

Comparison Table

Types of Properties & Diversification

• Fundrise emphasizes diversified portfolios of residential and commercial properties nationwide. Its eREITs pool investor resources to manage dozens of assets, reducing risk via geographic and sector spread.
• RealtyMogul offers more variety—including multifamily, office, retail, and private placements. Investors can build targeted exposure based on their preferred asset class and location.

Fees, Returns, and Liquidity

• Fundrise:

  • Advisory fee: 0.15%
  • Management fees: 0.85% to 1.85%
  • Historical return (last 5 years): ~8–12% (varies by plan)
  • Withdraw funds at any time, with early withdrawal penalties (typically 1%)
  • Limited liquidity compared to stocks

• RealtyMogul:

  • Returns range around 12% (private placements)
  • Detailed fee structures vary by product
  • Direct property investments may lock up capital for several years
  • Exit strategies depend on property performance and market conditions

Both platforms are designed to help you build passive income, but it’s vital to weigh liquidity, holding periods, and fee impacts.

Who Should Choose Fundrise or RealtyMogul?

Fundrise: Best for Beginners and Passive Investors

• Start small and scale up without being accredited
• Benefit from professionally managed portfolios
• Enjoy user-friendly mobile app and educational resources
• Ideal for those prioritizing simplicity, automation, and low barrier to entry

RealtyMogul: Suited for Experienced and Hands-On Investors

• Access detailed, institutional-grade deals
• Choose individual properties for higher control and potential returns
• Engage in higher minimum investments, ideal for those with larger capital allocations
• Best for investors seeking active due diligence and custom portfolio construction

Example Use Cases:

• You’re a tech entrepreneur testing real estate as a new passive income stream: Fundrise fits your profile.
• You’re a portfolio manager wanting exposure to commercial real estate deals: RealtyMogul offers the direct control you need.

What's Trending Now: Relevant Current Development

The world of real estate-investing is evolving rapidly with the rise of digital platforms. In 2025, recent developments suggest that regulatory bodies are re-examining online investment platforms to ensure transparency and investor protection. Industry experts indicate increased interest in fractional property ownership and democratized access to commercial real estate, driven by both increased app adoption and improved data security.

Artificial intelligence is beginning to shape property selection and risk analysis, offering more sophisticated metrics to help investors evaluate deals. For instance, platforms are fast integrating predictive analytics to forecast market trends, rental yields, and property appreciation. This means investors can make data-driven decisions with an unprecedented level of precision, reducing guesswork and increasing transparency.

Additionally, the push towards ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance) investing is influencing which assets are included in managed portfolios, favoring properties with green certifications and responsible development practices. These trends promise deeper portfolio resilience and sustainability for investors on both Fundrise and RealtyMogul.

For business leaders and investors, staying abreast of platform innovations and regulatory updates is crucial to safeguarding capital and optimizing ROI.

FAQ: Your Top Questions Answered

Is Fundrise a legitimate real estate investment platform?
Yes, Fundrise is BBB-accredited and regulated. It has helped thousands of investors build passive income through its diversified eREITs and low minimums.

How does RealtyMogul select properties for investment?
RealtyMogul’s team of professionals screens deals for financial soundness, location quality, and tenant profile, offering investors detailed reports for due diligence.

Which platform is better for passive income?
Both platforms focus on passive income, but Fundrise is typically more hands-off and accessible for new investors.

What are the minimum investments for Fundrise and RealtyMogul?
Fundrise requires only $10 to get started, while RealtyMogul’s minimums range from $5,000 (REITs) to $25,000+ (individual properties).

Do I need to be an accredited investor to use these platforms?
You do not need to be accredited to use Fundrise or to invest in RealtyMogul REITs. Direct property investments on RealtyMogul often require accreditation.

How do fees compare between investment platforms?
Fundrise offers low advisory and management fees; RealtyMogul’s fee structure depends on the investment product, generally aligning with industry standards.

What types of real estate can I invest in on these platforms?
Fundrise specializes in residential and mixed-commercial eREITs. RealtyMogul covers multifamily, commercial, single-family rentals, and private placements.

Can I sell my investment at any time on these platforms?
Fundrise allows withdrawals, though early exits may incur penalties. RealtyMogul’s liquidity relies on specific deal terms and may require longer holding periods.

Conclusion: Which Real Estate Investment Platform Is Best for You?

Choosing between Fundrise and RealtyMogul comes down to your investment goals, risk tolerance, and desired level of engagement. Fundrise stands out for its user-friendly interface, ultra-low minimums, and accessibility to non-accredited investors, making it ideal for those starting with smaller portfolios or seeking fully managed solutions. RealtyMogul excels for hands-on investors wanting greater control and access to sophisticated deals with higher capital to invest.

If you want to learn more about related opportunities, explore our guides on passive income strategies, real-estate-investing fundamentals, and investment-platforms optimizing performance.

Ready to make your next move in property investing? Evaluate how these platforms align with your business and personal financial goals—and take confident steps towards building wealth through the best real estate investment platforms available today.