Real Estate [Crowdfunding Platforms](/blog/real-estate-crowdfunding-guide) Compared: Fundrise vs. CrowdStreet vs. Realty Mogul vs. Yieldstreet (2026)

Real estate crowdfunding democratized access to institutional-quality deals that were once available only to wealthy accredited investors. Today, platforms range from non-accredited options with $10 minimums to institutional deal marketplaces requiring $100,000+ per investment.

With dozens of platforms competing for your capital, the question isn't whether to invest — it's which platform matches your goals, risk tolerance, and accreditation status.

This guide compares the four largest platforms in depth: Fundrise, CrowdStreet, Realty Mogul, and Yieldstreet. We'll examine what each platform does well, where they fall short, and which investor profile each one serves best.

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Platform Comparison at a Glance

Note: Returns are historical and not guaranteed. Always review current platform disclosures.

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Fundrise: The Non-Accredited Investor's Gateway

What It Is

Fundrise pioneered the "democratized" [real estate investing](/blog/brrrr-strategy-guide) model. Since 2012, it has allowed retail investors to participate in real estate portfolios through proprietary eREITs (electronic [Real Estate Investment](/blog/dscr-loan-fix-and-flip) Trusts) and eFunds.

Rather than investing in individual properties, Fundrise investors buy shares in diversified funds that hold portfolios of properties. The platform makes all investment decisions — you provide capital and receive returns.

Who Can Invest

Anyone (accredited or not) can invest through Fundrise. This makes it unique among platforms and explains its massive retail user base (~400,000+ investors as of 2026).

Investment Options

Starter Portfolio ($10 minimum): Fully diversified across all Fundrise funds. Best for beginners wanting exposure without significant capital commitment.

Core Plans ($1,000 minimum): Three portfolio strategies:

• Supplemental Income: Higher income-oriented allocations
• Balanced Investing: Mix of income and appreciation
• Long-Term Growth: Appreciation-focused, more development exposure

Advanced Plans ($10,000+): More customization, including access to specific funds targeting certain asset classes (e.g., the Fundrise Innovation Fund, which holds private growth companies — a departure from pure real estate)

Premium ($100,000+): Priority access, direct access to Fundrise team

Fees

• Asset management fee: 0.85% annually on AUM
• Advisory fee: 0.15% annually on account value
• Total: ~1% on most accounts; may be higher in certain specialized funds

Liquidity

Fundrise offers a quarterly redemption program, but this is not guaranteed liquidity. During periods of market stress or high redemption volume, the platform can limit redemptions. Early redemption within 5 years incurs a 1% penalty on shares valued at less than original purchase price.

This is meaningfully better liquidity than syndications or most competitors, but should not be confused with stock-like liquidity.

Historical Performance

Fundrise has published net returns ranging from 5% to 23% annually across different years and funds. 2022 was a rough year for Fundrise (as for most real estate); more recent performance in 2023–2025 has been mixed. Always evaluate multiple years of performance across multiple market cycles.

Best For

• Non-accredited investors
• Beginner real estate investors who want diversified exposure
• Investors with under $25,000 to deploy
• Those who prefer passive management over deal selection

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CrowdStreet: The Accredited Investor Marketplace

What It Is

CrowdStreet operates as a marketplace connecting accredited investors directly with real estate operators (sponsors) offering individual deals. Unlike Fundrise, CrowdStreet is not a fund — you select specific deals to invest in and form a direct relationship with each sponsor.

Who Can Invest

Accredited investors only. CrowdStreet requires you to verify accredited status before investing. To qualify as accredited, you must have either:

• Net worth exceeding $1,000,000 (excluding primary residence), or
• Annual income exceeding $200,000 (single) or $300,000 (joint) in the past two years with expectation of the same

Investment Options

CrowdStreet offers individual commercial real estate deals:

• Multifamily apartment communities
• Industrial and warehouse properties
• Office and mixed-use (though office volume has declined)
• Senior living and healthcare facilities
• Retail and hospitality

Each deal is presented with its own PPM, projected returns, business plan, and sponsor track record. Investors must evaluate each deal individually — CrowdStreet does not make investment decisions on your behalf.

CrowdStreet Funds: The platform also offers managed funds that pool capital across multiple deals, providing diversification for those who don't want to select individual investments.

Minimum Investment

$25,000 per deal is typical, though some offerings require $50,000 or more.

Fees

CrowdStreet charges sponsors (not investors) for listing on the platform. Investors pay deal-specific fees established by each sponsor (typically acquisition fees, management fees, and carried interest). The fee structure varies by deal and is disclosed in each offering's documents.

Liquidity

Illiquid. CrowdStreet investments typically have 3–7 year hold periods with no guaranteed exit mechanism. Some deals have completed ahead of schedule; others have extended holds in challenging markets.

Due Diligence

CrowdStreet does vet sponsors and deals before listing, but it is not a guarantee of quality. The platform explicitly states that it does not provide investment advice and that all investments carry risk of loss. Investors are responsible for their own due diligence.

For CrowdStreet due diligence, review our real estate syndication due diligence guide.

Best For

• Accredited investors with $25,000+ per deal
• Those who want to select individual commercial real estate investments
• Investors with real estate knowledge to evaluate deals independently
• Portfolio builders seeking diversification across multiple sponsors and markets

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Realty Mogul: Flexibility for Both Accredited and Non-Accredited Investors

What It Is

Realty Mogul takes a hybrid approach: it offers both non-accredited investor products (through its MogulREIT offerings) and accredited investor direct deals.

Who Can Invest

• Non-accredited investors: Can access MogulREIT I (commercial real estate debt) and MogulREIT II (equity investments)
• Accredited investors: Can access individual private placements and [1031 exchange](/blog/1031-exchange-guide) opportunities

Investment Options

MogulREIT I: Focused on real estate debt investments (loans to commercial property owners). Targets current income rather than appreciation. Non-accredited friendly.

MogulREIT II: Focused on equity investments in commercial real estate. More appreciation-oriented.

Private Placements (Accredited Only): Individual deals with minimums of $15,000–$35,000+. Asset types include multifamily, NNN retail, self-storage, and mobile home parks.

1031 Exchange DSTs: Realty Mogul has become a significant platform for Delaware Statutory Trusts (DSTs) used in 1031 exchanges — a notable differentiator from competitors.

Fees

• MogulREIT: 0.5% management fee + 1% origination fee on debt investments
• Private placements: Varies by deal (sponsor fees apply)

Liquidity

• MogulREIT: Some redemption provisions (quarterly for MogulREIT I), but limited
• Private placements: Illiquid (3–10 year hold)

Best For

• Non-accredited investors wanting commercial real estate exposure via REITs
• Accredited investors interested in 1031 exchange DST options
• Investors interested in real estate debt strategies
• Those wanting a hybrid approach between diversified funds and individual deals

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Yieldstreet: Alternatives Beyond Pure Real Estate

What It Is

Yieldstreet positions itself as an "alternative investments" platform, of which real estate is a major component but not the exclusive focus. The platform also offers access to private credit, marine finance, legal finance, and other alternative asset classes.

Who Can Invest

Both accredited and non-accredited investors, depending on the offering. The Yieldstreet Prism Fund is open to non-accredited investors; most individual real estate offerings require accreditation.

Investment Options

Prism Fund (Non-Accredited): A multi-asset alternative investment fund holding various asset classes including real estate.

Individual Real Estate Offerings: Commercial [real estate equity](/blog/equity-vs-appreciation) and debt, ground leases, development projects.

Alternative Products: Art finance, marine finance, legal settlement finance — diversification beyond real estate.

Minimum Investment

$10,000 for most individual offerings; $2,500 for the Prism Fund.

Fees

Approximately 1.5–2.5% annual management fees depending on the product. Individual offering fees vary.

Liquidity

Limited. Some products offer periodic redemption windows; individual deals are illiquid for the investment term.

Best For

• Investors seeking portfolio diversification beyond traditional real estate
• Those wanting access to alternative asset classes alongside real estate
• Non-accredited investors who want alternatives exposure
• Investors comfortable with a broader investment universe

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How to Choose the Right Platform

If You're Non-Accredited With Under $10,000:

→ Fundrise (minimum $10, diversified, professionally managed)

If You're Non-Accredited With $10,000–$50,000:

→ Fundrise or Realty Mogul MogulREIT — both offer diversified products accessible to non-accredited investors.

If You're Accredited With $25,000–$100,000 Per Deal:

→ CrowdStreet or Realty Mogul private placements — individual deal selection with direct sponsor relationships.

If You Want 1031 Exchange Options:

→ Realty Mogul — strongest DST marketplace among major platforms.

If You Want Diversification Beyond Real Estate:

→ Yieldstreet — alternative asset access alongside real estate.

If You're Building a Large Portfolio ($250,000+):

Consider using multiple platforms to diversify sponsor relationships and deal types. Direct [syndication investing](/blog/real-estate-syndication-101) (bypassing platforms entirely) also becomes viable at this capital level.

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What Crowdfunding Platforms Don't Offer

Real estate crowdfunding provides passive exposure and platform diversification, but it's not suitable for every goal:

• No leverage benefit: Most platform investments are at the fund level — you don't personally control financing
• No tax optimization: Platform-level REITs may not pass through depreciation benefits as efficiently as direct ownership
• No control: You don't choose properties, tenants, renovations, or exit timing
• Platform risk: If a platform fails or faces regulatory issues, your investment may be affected

For investors who want direct ownership with control over financing, timing, and tax strategy, [DSCR loans](/blog/dscr-loan-guide) for directly owned investment properties may better serve your goals.

Compare real estate crowdfunding vs. direct DSCR investing →

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Related Articles

• Real Estate Crowdfunding Guide
• Real Estate Syndication 101
• [[Passive Real Estate Investing](/blog/passive-real-estate-investing-guide) Guide](/blog/passive-real-estate-investing-guide)
• REIT Investing Guide
• Real Estate Investing vs. Stocks in 2026
• Real Estate Syndication Due Diligence