@Mike Cumbie under that scenario and not taking any stock price changes into account it would be essentially equal. Slightly positive on the eXp side, but negligible. If you take the past 12 months actuals and they took part in the Agent Equity Program (AEP) it would be closer to a $15k gain with eXp.
This is what the agent will have to decide. They can continue on that path building their business (and their broker's business). When they retire or exit in 5, 10, 20 years they have nothing to sell other than a database. With eXp, especially if they take part in AEP, they are building a sellable asset. Maybe the stock goes to $1. Maybe it goes to $150. It's still equity they can count towards their retirement plan and it required no additional effort. And it can (and should) be liquidated at some point depending on the agents financial goals.
Add on revenue sharing over the same time period, the comp plan is unmatched.
I'm brokerage agnostic. I was at only one other brokerage before, a flat fee shop. When given the opportunity to build wealth and passive income through my license, especially with an rapidly growing disruptive company, it was a no brainer. It's not for everyone though.