The short answer
In a typical case ($100,000 against a $750,000 home with a $300,000 mortgage, 4% appreciation, settled after 7 years), the providers we can model cost 14.1% to 15.9% a year, compared with about 8.5% for a HELOC. Hometap is lowest in that example, but the ranking changes with your home's growth and how long you hold.
See this example in the calculator, or run your own numbers.
Side by side
Typical cost is the effective annual cost in the example above. Tap a provider for the full review.
| Provider | How you repay | Typical cost | Cash | Max of home value | Equity you keep | Fee | Cost cap | Term | Min credit |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Point | Share of gain (from a start value 27% below appraisal) | 14.3%a year | $30K to $600K | Not published | Not published | Up to 3.9% (minimum $2,000) | 18% a year | Up to 30 years | 500 |
| Hometap | Share of total value | 14.1%a year | $15K to $600K | 27% | 25% after funding | Up to 4.5%† | 18.5% a year, compounded monthly | 10 years | 585 |
| Unlock | Share of total value | 15.9%a year | $15K to $500K | Not published | 30% after funding | Up to 4.9%† | 19.9% a year | 10 years | 500 |
| Unison | Share of change in value, up or down | 14.7%a year | Up to $500K | 15% | Not published | Up to 3.9% | None published | Up to 30 years | Not published |
| Splitero | Share of gain | Needs a quoteshare not published | $50K to $600K | Not published | 30% after funding | Origination fee, minimum $1,500 | Yes, level not published | Up to 30 years | 500 |
| CHEIFS | Share of total value | At most 13.7%to 15.7% under its cap; share not published | $70K minimum | Not published | Not published | Up to 2.99% | 12.99% a year or 14.99%, by program | Not published | Not published |
† From a third-party review, not the provider's own site. Terms verified September 23, 2026. Sources for every term.
Best for
Based on published terms and our standard example, not on anyone paying us.
Hometap
14.1% a year at 4% growth over 7 years, in our model.
If your home doesn't appreciateUnison
3.5% a year at 0% growth over 7 years.
If your home appreciates fastHometap
18.5% a year at 8% growth over 7 years.
If you might settle earlyPoint
20.2% a year if you settle after 3 years.
Longest time to settlePoint, Unison, Splitero
Up to 30 years before you have to settle.
Lowest credit minimumPoint, Unlock, Splitero
Published minimum credit score of 500.
Most cash relative to home valueHometap
Up to 27% of your home's value.
Lowest published cost capCHEIFS
12.99% or 14.99% a year.
How costs change with your home's growth
Effective annual cost, settling after 7 years. The cheapest in each column is highlighted.
| Provider | 0% a year | 2% a year | 4% a year | 6% a year | 8% a year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Point | 8.3% | 11.3% | 14.3% | 17.1% | 18.9% |
| Hometap | 9.7% | 11.9% | 14.1% | 16.3% | 18.5% |
| Unlock | 11.5% | 13.7% | 15.9% | 18.1% | 20.4% |
| Unison | 3.5% | 9.6% | 14.7% | 19.1% | 23.1% |
Same example as above. The cheapest provider changes as appreciation rises, which is why a single "best" list can mislead. Try your own numbers.
Head-to-head
Where each pair crosses over.
Point vs Hometap
Point is cheaper below about 3.6% annual growth, Hometap between 3.6% and 8.5%, and Point again above 8.5%, where its cost cap takes over (settling after 7 years).
Compare →Point vs Unlock
Point is cheaper at every growth rate we tested (-3% to 10% a year) over 7 years.
Compare →Point vs Unison
Unison is cheaper below about 3.6% annual growth; Point is cheaper above it (settling after 7 years).
Compare →Hometap vs Unlock
Hometap is cheaper at every growth rate we tested (-3% to 10% a year) over 7 years.
Compare →Hometap vs Unison
Unison is cheaper below about 3.6% annual growth; Hometap is cheaper above it (settling after 7 years).
Compare →Unlock vs Unison
Unison is cheaper below about 5.1% annual growth; Unlock is cheaper above it (settling after 7 years).
Compare →HEI vs other ways to tap equity
How to choose
- Decide how long you'll hold it. Some agreements must be settled within 10 years; others allow 30. Settling within a few years is often expensive because caps and discounted starting values front-load cost.
- Be honest about appreciation. An HEI costs more the faster your home grows. Check a flat case and a strong-growth case.
- Check eligibility. Equity requirements, maximum amounts, and credit minimums rule some providers out before price matters.
- Compare on one number. Convert every quote to an effective annual cost with the HEI Calculator, then weigh it against a HELOC if one is available to you.
Frequently asked questions
Which home equity investment company is cheapest?
It depends on how much your home appreciates and when you settle. In our standard example ($100,000 against a $750,000 home with a $300,000 mortgage, 4% growth, 7 years), Hometap is lowest at 14.1% a year, but Unison is cheapest if your home doesn't appreciate and Point if you settle within 3 years. Compare on your own numbers.
What's the difference between an HEI and an HEA?
Mostly the name. Providers call the same basic product a home equity investment (HEI), home equity agreement (HEA), or shared equity agreement. The differences that matter are in the structure, such as share of gain vs share of value. See the full comparison.
Is an HEI cheaper than a HELOC?
Usually not, if you qualify for a HELOC. In our standard example, the providers we can model cost 14.1% to 15.9% a year versus about 8.5% for a HELOC. An HEI makes sense when a monthly payment isn't workable or a HELOC isn't available to you.
How do you get these numbers?
We apply each provider's published terms to the same example and convert the result to an effective annual cost. The terms, sources, and verification dates are on HEI Calculator's provider terms page.
Do these companies pay HEI Compare?
No. We don't sell home equity investments, and no provider pays for placement or rankings.
Run your own numbers
Every figure here uses a standard example. The calculator runs your home, your mortgage, and your assumptions through every provider at once.
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