OpenAgent

OpenAgent: comparing real estate agents in Australia

OpenAgent is an Australian digital platform active since 2013 that makes it easier to buy, sell and own property. Its main service is connecting homeowners with real estate agents, using an algorithm that analyses every property sale in Australia and cross-references neighbourhood transaction data —who sold what, when, how quickly and for how much— with its consultants' personal assessment of the agents.

How the service works

The system combines automated analysis of sales data with personalised recommendations prepared by consultants. The company states that it does not work with every agent in the country: it only brings into its network those who accept its terms and pass an assessment based on sales data, customer reviews and its own performance metrics. If a requested agent is not part of the network, the OpenAgent team contacts them to bring them on board before passing on the customer's details; if they decline, their details are passed directly to the user.

Tools and resources for homeowners

The platform offers users a set of tools and guides focused on buying and selling property:

• OpenEstimates: a quick digital estimate of a property's value.
• Property reports sent by email.
• Request a free appraisal from a local expert.
• Commission calculator, selling costs calculator and capital gains calculator.
• Guides for sellers and buyers, a guide to the hidden costs of selling a home, a beginners guide to property investment and an ultimate reno roadmap.
• A 7-day property selling course.
• Suburb profiles and market trends for Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne, plus trends for the user's local suburb.
• A property glossary and a blog with market news and analysis.

OpenAdvantage: early access to off-market properties

OpenAdvantage is a service that offers early access to properties before they come onto the market for sale. It complements the property search and agent comparison features in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Australia wide.

Business model and terms for the seller

The service is free for the seller. OpenAgent earns its revenue from the real estate agent who closes the sale, through a variable referral fee of 20% to 30% (plus GST) on the agent's commission. According to the company, agents who work with it must accept terms that expressly prohibit passing those referral or subscription fees on to the client.

Some agents pay for a premium subscription that guarantees their appearance in the recommendation set; to be eligible they must meet certain quality standards measured by user feedback, sales volume and other proprietary data, and they are identified as 'Premier Agents'. Others can pay to 'sponsor a suburb' and appear labelled as 'Sponsored'.

Origin and reach

The company was founded by Zoe, who after completing five property transactions in two years turned that experience into a series of innovations that gave rise to the business. OpenAgent states that 2.6 million Australians used its services in the period from 28/07/2025 to 27/07/2026, according to Google Analytics data, and presents itself as the number one agent comparison site, based on Similar Web data on visits between 1/06/2024 and 30/05/2025.