Opendoor Competitors: Is There A Better Alternative?

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By Katy Baker Updated October 4, 2025
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Edited by Steve Nicastro

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Opendoor is the nation's largest iBuyer. It operates in major cities across the U.S. and buys more homes than any other iBuyer by a wide margin — especially now that top competitors like Zillow Offers[1] and RedfinNow[2] have shut down. It also has a decent reputation among customers, averaging 4.26 out of 5 stars.

However, Opendoor typically pays less than the market, charges a 5% service fee, and hits you with a bill for any repairs or improvements it thinks your home requires (landscaping, new flooring, paint touchups, etc.). Even if your initial offer from Opendoor seems reasonable, you could end up with significantly less once you account for fees and non-negotiable repair costs.

Fortunately, you have legitimate alternatives if you’re considering selling to Opendoor. Some companies provide a straight cash offer while others offer a hybrid model providing cash upfront to fund your move, plus the opportunity to list your home for additional upside. You might find that one of these alternatives offers a better solution for your situation.

Want a faster way to weigh your options? Compare cash offers from leading iBuyers, investors, and the market — no added fees or obligation to move forward.

Top Opendoor competitors

Company
Customer Rating
Type
Best for
Best overall
Compare Offers
On listwithclever.com
4.9
4132 reviews
Offers marketplace
Multiple offers, vetted buyers
Compare Offers
On listwithclever.com
Flexible options with perks
View Details
3.9
2,679 reviews
iBuyer
Flexible options with perks
Tap your equity to buy, then sell
View Details
4.8
940 reviews
Buy-before-you-sell
Tap your equity to buy, then sell
Get cash upfront, list for additional upside
View Details
4.5
1,335 reviews
iBuyer
Get cash upfront, list for additional upside
Equity advance to up or downsize
View Details
4.2
785 reviews
Buy-before-you-sell
Equity advance to up or downsize
Compare cash offers vs. listing
View Details
4.2
1005 reviews
Offers marketplace
Compare cash offers vs. listing
Buy before you sell
View Details
4.9
1,610 reviews
Buy-before-you-sell
Tap your equity to buy, then sell

1. Clever Offers

Best overall

Clever Offers

Compare Offers
On listwithclever.com
4.9
4132 reviews

Customer Rating

4.9/5 (4,132 reviews)

Service Fee

None

Time to Close

Varies

Why We chose it

Pros and cons

Specifics

Clever Offers helps you find and compare offers from leading cash buyers in your area — all with a proven track record of ethical dealings with home sellers. 

Because Clever's network includes local/national investors, iBuyers, and agents with experience listing homes as is, you get a range of offers to choose from — including alternative deal types that deliver a higher payout over time. 

The 5-star rated company gets top marks for helping you make an informed decision without pressuring you to move forward. See our full Clever Offers review.

Pros

  • Multiple competing cash offers
  • Vetted investors with proven success/funding
  • Explore alternate offer types that may fetch a higher price

Cons

  • Some deal types have longer timelines
  • Cash offers may still be below market value

Offer Process: After a brief discussion about your property, Clever walks you through your options and reaches out to buyers who can offer a solution. Buyers contact you directly with offers, which you can accept or reject without obligation. Clever provides full support through closing to resolve any concerns or questions. Learn how Clever Offers works.

Closing Timeline: Most cash buyers can close in 1–3 weeks, but will work with you if you need longer. Some deal types may have longer closing timelines.

Fees and Costs: Clever's service is free for sellers - investors pay Clever a small percentage of the final sale price if a deal closes. If you opt to list your house instead, you can save on realtor commissions through Clever's top-rated agent network.

Purchase Criteria: Almost any property is eligible, since Clever works with multiple types of cash buyers.

Locations: Clever Offers is available nationwide, but offer selection may be limited in more rural areas.

2. Offerpad

Flexible options with perks

Offerpad

Learn More
On listwithclever.com
3.9
2,679 reviews

Customer Rating

3.92/5 (2,679 reviews)

Service Fee

8%

Time to Close

8–90 days

Why we chose it

Pros and cons

Specifics

As an iBuyer, Offerpad stands out for its perks, including free local moves and a 3-day grace period to wrap up your move after closing.

You can choose between listing with an agent and getting a cash advance for home prep/repairs or taking a competitive cash offer with flexible closing dates, ranging from 8–90 days.

If you accept a cash offer, be prepared for an 8% service fee, plus variable repair costs — which customers report can substantially reduce your final offer. See our full Offerpad review.

Pros

  • Free local moves/3-day grace period after closing
  • Flexible options (cash offer, listing w/ free home prep)
  • Very flexible closing timeline (8–90 days)

Cons

  • 8% service fee is higher than competitors
  • Strict purchase criteria
  • Repair costs can greatly reduce offers

Offer Process: To get an Offerpad cash offer, you submit information about your home online, including details like square footage, age, layout, and desired closing date. Within 24 hours, you'll receive an initial cash offer, contingent on a home inspection. You have 4 days to accept. See how Offerpad works.

Closing Timeline: If you accept Offerpad's initial offer, they schedule an inspection within 15 days. After the inspection, you get a revised offer factoring in repair costs. You can pick a closing date within an 8–90 day window.

Fees and Costs: Offerpad charges an 8% service fee on the offer price. You'll also pay standard 1-3% closing costs and variable repair costs.

Purchase Criteria: Offerpad buys relatively well-maintained single-family homes, townhomes, and condos built after 1950, valued under $1 million, and on lots up to 1 acre. They don't buy homes with significant issues.

Locations: Select markets in AZ, FL, GA, IN, NV, NC, OH, SC, TX

Did you use Offerpad? Leave a review for the chance to win a $250 Amazon gift card.

3. Knock

Tap your equity to buy, then sell

Knock

Learn More
On listwithclever.com
4.8
940 reviews

Customer Rating

4.79/5 (940 reviews)

Service Fee

2.25% + $1,850 loan fee

Time to Close

Varies

Why we chose it

Pros and cons

Specifics

Knock's Bridge Loan lets you borrow against the equity in your current house to buy a new home before you sell.

The loan covers your down payment, moving expenses, home prep costs (like minor repairs and staging), and ongoing mortgage payments while your house is being listed. You can also borrow up to $35,000 for home improvements before listing.

If your current home doesn’t sell within six months, you have a guaranteed cash offer to fall back on, worth about ~80% of your home's market value. See our full Knock review

Pros

  • Equity advance to buy a new house before you sell
  • Up to $35,000 advance for home improvements before you sell
  • Use your own agent and mortgage lender

Cons

  • Need significant home equity to qualify
  • Program fee is 2.25% of your home sale price
  • Ongoing mortgage costs add up if your home doesn't sell quickly

Process: Apply online to get pre-approved for Knocks Bridge Loan, based on your credit and home equity. You'll buy your new home, move in, and prepare your old home for listing with funds from Knock. Choose your own agent and mortgage lender. If your home doesn’t sell in six months, you can accept Knock’s backup offer instead. Learn Knock how works.

Fees and other costs: Knock's fees include a 2.25% service fee, plus about $1,850 in loan costs. This is on top of traditional realtor commissions and closing costs, such as title and transfer fees.

Timeline: The initial loan application takes around four days, and you'll have 6 months to purchase your new house and sell your old one.

Purchase criteria: Knock works for single-family homes, townhomes, and some condos. Homes must be in good condition, without unpermitted additions, and have a maximum list price of $1.2 million ($2 million in high-priced markets). Manufactured/mobile homes, multi-family or age-restricted properties are ineligible.

Locations: AL, AZ, CA, CO, DC, FL, GA, IL, IN, KS, KY, MD, MI, MN, NC, NE, NH, NJ, OH, OK, OR, PA, SC, TN, WA, and WI.

Did you use Knock? Leave a review for the chance to win a $250 Amazon gift card.

4. Homeward

Get cash upfront, list for additional upside

Homeward Cash Offer

Learn More
On listwithclever.com
4.5
1,335 reviews

Customer Rating

4.47/5 (1,335 reviews)

Service Fee

7%

Time to Close

As little as 21 days

Why we chose it

Pros and cons

Specifics

Homeward is a solid choice if you want the benefits of a fast cash offer without sacrificing your home equity — or need to unlock the equity in your current house to buy a new one. 

While most cash buyers aim to buy low in order to sell high, Homeward gives you up to 89% of your home value upfront and lets you keep the additional upside on your property by listing it on the market after you accept its cash offer. 

In exchange for this convenience, Homeward charges service fees of up to 7% and deducts the costs of both its original offer and any expenses associated with maintaining your home while it's being sold.

The company maintains an above-average customer rating. However, its complicated service and fee structure have led to some customer complaints. See our full Homeward review.

Did you use Homeward? Leave a review for the chance to win a $250 Amazon gift card.

Pros

  • Get up to 89% of your home value upfront
  • List for additional upside after you move
  • Choose your own listing agent
  • Save on program fees when you bundle Homeward mortgage and title

Cons

  • Program fees cost up to 7% of your home sale price
  • Additional closing costs, realtor fees, and carrying costs apply
  • Strict purchase criteria compared to other cash buyers

Offer process: When selling, you or your agent contacts Homeward to see if you qualify. Receive a preliminary offer. If you accept the Homeward Offer, you can close in as little as 21 days. Homeward will then work with your agent to list and sell your house on the open market. Learn how Homeward works.

Closing timeline: If you’re selling to Homeward or making a cash offer on a home, you can typically close quickly — often within 21 days.

Fees & other costs: Homeward’s fees range from 1–7% and vary by program:

  • 7% to Sell to Homeward
  • 2.4% to Buy Before You Sell (1.9% if you use Homeward Mortgage to finance your new house)
  • 1.9% to Buy with Homeward (as little as 0% if you finance with Homeward Mortgage)

You will also be responsible for standard buying and selling costs, such as real estate agent commissions, closing costs, and carrying costs. Discounts apply if you use Homeward's mortgage and title services.

Purchase criteria: There are restrictions on what homes qualify. For instance, single family homes and fee simple townhomes valued between $200K - $1.7 million apply. But situations with FHA financing, unpermitted additions, multi-family dwellings, condos, and mobile homes will not be purchased.

Locations: Homeward is available in the following states: AZ, CO, FL, GA, MD, NC, OR, SC, TN, TX, VA, WA, DC

5. Orchard

Equity advance to up or downsize

Orchard

Learn More
On listwithclever.com
4.2
785 reviews

Customer Rating

4.18/5 (785 reviews)

Service Fee

1.9% + 6% brokerage fee

Time to Close

14–120 days

Why we chose it

Pros and cons

Specifics

Orchard is a solid option if you want to try selling on the open market, but you like the certainty of having a backup cash offer. 

Its trade-in service lets you borrow the equity in your current home to make a non-contingent offer on a new one, meaning you don't have to wait for your house to sell to free up funds for a down payment and closing costs.

The downside? Orchard's fees start at 8% of the sale price. And if your house doesn’t sell on the open market, Orchard’s backup offer will be less than your house is worth. See our full Orchard review.

Pros

  • Access your home equity for a new home purchase before selling
  • List on the open market with a backup cash offer
  • Interest-free funding for home improvements

Cons

  • Total service fees around 8.4% of final sale price
  • Orchard's backup offer is significantly below market value
  • Must use Orchard-assigned agent to sell your house

Offer Process: Get an initial estimate to qualify for a home loan with Orchard, then use it to make a non-contingent offer on a new home. After moving, Orchard lists your old home. If it doesn't sell within 120 days, you can accept Orchard's cash offer. Learn how Orchard works

Timeline: You'll have flexibility in your closing timeline, but Orchard only advances 4 months of mortgage payments. You have 120 days to sell on the open market before accepting Orchard's backup offer.

Fees & Costs: Total fees are high at 9-16%, including closing costs, repairs, and service fees. Loan fees and rent could increase costs further.

Eligibility: Most single-family homes built after 1920, worth $200k-$1M ($1.5M in Austin/Denver). Condos worth $200k-$750k are also eligible.

Locations: Orchard buys homes in the following metros: Atlanta, Austin, Dallas–Fort Worth, Denver, Houston, San Antonio.

Did you use Orchard? Leave a review for the chance to win a $250 Amazon gift card.

6. HomeLight Simple Sale

Compare cash offers vs. listing

HomeLight Simple Sale

Learn More
On listwithclever.com
4.2
1005 reviews

Customer Rating

4.17/5 (1,005 reviews)

Service Fee

None

Time to Close

10–30 days+

Why we chose it

Pros and cons

Specifics

If you're unsure where to start, HomeLight Simple Sale helps you explore two options: Selling directly to a cash buyer or listing with an agent.

The company can get you multiple cash offers to choose from and help you close in as little as 10–30 days. However, reviews indicate that many sellers end up listing with a partner agent after finding that no investors are available in their area.

HomeLight agents have great reviews, but if you need to sell quickly — or want to avoid fielding calls from agents trying to earn your business — other alternatives may be a better fit. See our full HomeLight Simple Sale review.

Pros

  • Convenient option comparison (agent listing or cash offer)
  • Generally positive reviews (fewer for cash offer program)
  • Offers within a week, closing possible in 10 days

Cons

  • Online estimate may exceed actual investor offers
  • Complaints of excessive agent calls after requesting cash offers
  • Most reviews focus on agent matching, not cash offer program

Process: Submit your property information online and talk to a Home Consultant. HomeLight fields offers from multiple cash buyers, allowing you to compare. If you accept, you choose your own closing date. Learn how HomeLight Simple Sale works.

Closing timeline: You’ll receive your offer within a week and you can close in as little as 10 days. You’re free to choose your own closing date.

Fees & other costs: HomeLight Simple Sale is free to use and there are no commissions or closing costs associated with a cash offer. If you sell with a realtor, expect to pay a traditional listing fee of 2.5–3%.

Purchase criteria: Any property is eligible. If no investors are available to make offers, you have the option of listing as is with a HomeLight partner agent.

Locations: HomeLight Simple Sale is available nationwide. However, offers may be limited in some areas.

Did you use HomeLight? Leave a review for the chance to win a $250 Amazon gift card.

7. Flyhomes

Buy before you sell

Flyhomes

Learn More
On listwithclever.com
4.9
1,610 reviews

Customer Rating

4.88/5 (1,610 reviews)

Service Fee

Varies

Time to Close

Varies

Pros and cons

Why we chose it

Specifics

Pros

  • Tap your home equity to secure a new house before you sell your old one
  • Guaranteed backup offer if your home doesn't sell in 180 days
  • Boost your buying power by removing the home sale contingency and excluding remaining mortgage debt from your DTI
  • Choose your own listing agent

Cons

  • You’ll accrue costs for two properties until your existing home sells
  • You'll pay origination fees and short-term interest (est. 9.990% APR) on the bridge loan
  • Guaranteed Backup Offer costs a separate $2,500

Flyhomes enables you to make an attractive cash offer on a new home, while their buyer guarantees take some of the stress out of buying before you sell.

Flyhomes offers a bridge loan (a short-term loan) that allows you to make a cash offer on a new house before selling your old one. Fees are lower than those charged by other buy-before-you-sell programs, although interest rates vary and may be high.

Flyhomes has a couple attractive buyer guarantees, including a 120-day backup cash offer on your old home. In some cases, if you change your mind about the new property you want to buy after your offer has already been accepted, Flyhomes can even buy the house instead (subject to conditions).

Offer process: Flyhomes, through their mortgage arm Flyhomes Mortgage, will provide you with a short-term loan based on how much equity you have in your current house. You then use that loan to make a cash offer on a new house. When your new home sells, you apply to get the short-term loan refinanced into a long-term loan (i.e., your mortgage). If your house doesn’t sell within 180 days, you can accept Flyhomes' backup offer or keep it on the market for longer.

Closing timeline: Close on your new home in as little as 10 days. You then have 180 days to sell your current home and repay the bridge loan.

Fees & other costs: Buyer/sellers pay a $2,500 Guaranteed Backup Offer fee, plus loan origination fees, short-term interest on the bridge loan, brokerage fees, and standard closing costs. Fees are rolled up into the bridge loan and due at closing. title, and transfer fees.

Purchase criteria: Most properties qualify so long as they're in Flyhomes’ service area. You'll need to get approved for a short-term loan and mortgage.

Locations: Statewide in AL, AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, DE, FL, GA, ID, IL, IN, IA, KS, LA, ME, MD, MA, MN, MS, MO, MT, NE, NV, NH, NJ, NM, NY, NC, ND, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VT, VA, WA, West VA, WY

What to know about Opendoor and its competitors

If you’re considering selling to Opendoor or one of its competitors, here are a few key points to consider:

  • While iBuyers tend to pay about 8—14% less than market value, their offers are still considerably higher than the typical payout from an investor — who might only offer about 70% of your home's after-repair value.
  • iBuyers' purchase criteria is usually stricter than traditional investors' — homes in rural areas or in need of major repairs or updating may not qualify.
  • iBuyers like Opendoor and Offerpad charge service fees of 5–8%, compared to the 2.5–3% you'd typically pay a listing agent.
  • iBuyers also make deductions for the full cost of any repairs or improvements it thinks your home requires. Fees vary based on the results of the company's home inspection, and can significantly lower your final payout.
  • If your home meets an iBuyer's initial purchase criteria, you'll get an offer within 24–48 hours. You'll get a final, adjusted offer after the company conducts its home inspection. If you accept the offer, you can schedule your closing date within a window of a few weeks to a couple of months, depending on your needs.

Other Opendoor alternatives

Buy-before-you-sell services like Orchard and Knock front you the cash to buy your next home before you sell your current one. That way, you can avoid paying two mortgages at once and skip the stress of trying to line up the closing dates.

The downside of using a buy-before-you-sell option is that they charge service fees — either as a percentage of your home sale price or as short-term interest on your equity advance — on top of realtor commissions and closing costs. So while convenient, it could make your buying/selling experience a lot more expensive.

The cost may be worth it for people who have found their dream home but aren’t able to make an offer until their own home sells.

'We buy houses' companies

Companies that buy houses for cash give fast cash offers on less-than-perfect homes — including homes with structural problems, liens, or difficult tenants. If your home doesn’t qualify for an iBuyer or trade-in service because of age, serious structural issues, or financial issues, selling to a 'we buy houses' company or local investor could be the right alternative.

Like iBuyers, cash home-buying companies let you avoid repairs and showings. You won’t pay service fees, agent commissions, or closing costs either. They can usually make offers within 24–48 hours and close in as little as 1–3 weeks.

On the downside, cash buyers typically pay only about 70% of the home’s potential value (after factoring in repairs). However, some investors pay more under certain conditions, so you'll want to compare multiple offers before signing anything.

If your home has selling potential, it might also be worth talking to a local real estate agent about selling your house as-is before going to a cash buyer.

Top listing agent

Even if you intend to sell your home as is, hiring a realtor to list your home on the MLS — the main database for home listings and residential property information — gives you the best chance to earn the maximum amount for your home.

However, selling your home with an agent usually takes longer than selling to an iBuyer and costs more in realtor fees and closing costs than selling to an investor. You may also need to put in some work to prep your home for photos and showings. And there's no guarantee your home will sell for more.

Still, working with a real estate agent gives you access to their knowledge of the local market and a world of local market data available through the agent-only MLS — including what other homes like yours are selling for, and how quickly.

If you're interested in going this route, we recommend working with a brokerage offering competitive commission rates.

Bottom line

It’s best to weigh the pros and cons of working with Opendoor against your priorities list to make sure the iBuyer meets your selling requirements. Shopping around to compare Opendoor competitors or using a free platform like Clever Offers to do a lot of that leg work for you can give you the assurance that you're making the right choice for selling your home.

FAQ about Opendoor competitors

Does Zillow still buy homes?

On November 2, 2021, Zillow announced that it would permanently shut down its iBuying service, Zillow Offers. From July 2021 through September 2021, Zillow Offers lost more than $420 million, which is approximately how much the company earned overall in the 12 months before July.

On an earnings call with investors, Zillow admitted that its home-buying model was flawed and that it bought too many homes at too high a price. Today, Zillow partners with Opendoor in several markets so home sellers can see Opendoor's estimated cash offer alongside Zillow's Zestimate.

What happened to RedfinNow?

Redfin shut down its iBuying program, RedfinNow, in November, 2022. At its height, RedfinNow operated in 31 markets across the US. If a home met RedfinNow’s purchase criteria, the seller could receive an offer within a few days without hiring an agent or showing their home.

However, the company's 5–13% service fees were higher than fees of better-known competitors like Offerpad and Opendoor. The service also had poor reviews from customers on sites like Trustpilot.

Is Opendoor too good to be true?

Opendoor streamlines the traditional home-selling experience, eliminating the need for home showings, negotiations with buyers, and the uncertainty of whether your home will sell. It does this for a 5% fee (on top of closing costs and repair credits), which some sellers think is worth it. However, you’ll almost always make more money by selling your home with a realtor on the open market. Find out more about how Opendoor works.

Does Opendoor pay a fair price?

Opendoor pays less than what you'd get on the open market with a real estate agent. The company used to make competitive offers on homes, but our analysis of Opendoor listings shows that its offers have continually declined since 2022. Plus, Opendoor often significantly lowers its initial cash offer after it inspects a home and determines repair costs. See if Opendoor's offer is worth it.

Which is better, Opendoor vs. Offerpad?

Opendoor and Offerpad offer similar iBuying services. Both companies give sellers a fast cash offer on their home and the ability to close on a flexible timeline. However, Opendoor has lower service fee of 5% (compared to Offerpad's 8%), generally charges less for repairs, and is available in more markets. Offerpad provides perks like free local moves and a three-day grace period if you need to stay in your house after closing. See how Opendoor and Offerpad compare.

Article Sources

[2] Redfin – "All-Hands Email on November Layoff". Updated November 2022.

Authors & Editorial History

Our experts continually research, evaluate, and monitor real estate companies and industry trends. We update our articles when new information becomes available.

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