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Which Home Equity Investment Wins in 2026?

Hometap vs Unison compared side by side: amounts, terms, credit requirements, and fees. See which home equity investment wins, and get both free estimates.

Hometap vs Unison comes down to one question: how long do you plan to stay in your home?

Hometap offers the largest amounts (up to $600K) on a 10 year term with credit accepted from 585, so it wins if you expect to sell or refinance within a decade. Unison runs a 30 year term and shares in your home's losses as well as its gains, so it wins if you are staying put long term.

Both charge no monthly payments and no interest, and both estimates are free with a soft credit check only.

Quick verdict

Offers on the same house regularly differ by thousands between these two, and checking is free with no credit impact. Get the Hometap estimate and the Unison estimate, compare the cash offered against the share they take, and pick the better deal for your exact home.

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Hometap
Up to $600K · 10-year term
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Unison
Up to $500K · 30-year term
Get Started
Key Takeaways
  • No monthly payments, ever. You only repay when you sell or at the end of your 10-year term.
  • Up to $600K available. The highest investment cap in the HEI industry.
  • Credit score from 585. No income or DTI requirements either.
  • Home improvement credit. Hometap excludes equity you added through upgrades from their share.
  • 10-year term. Settle anytime with no prepayment penalties.
  • Share of future value. Hometap takes 5-25% of your home's value at settlement.
  • Select states only. Currently available in 16 states
Pros & Cons
  • No payments until you sell or settle
  • No income or DTI requirements
  • Investment homes, condos, multi-family qualify
  • Home improvement credit preserves upgrade value
  • LTV up to 75%, high vs. other HEI providers
  • Fair credit accepted from 585
  • Only available in 16 states
  • May take 3+ weeks to receive funds
Key Takeaways
  • 30-year term, longest in the industry. Never rushed to sell or refinance.
  • Up to $500K available. Access a meaningful lump sum from your equity.
  • 24 states + D.C. Widest coverage of any HEI company.
  • Down market protection. Unison shares in depreciation. Pay back less if your home loses value.
  • No monthly payments or interest. Nothing added to your monthly budget.
  • 5% discount on starting value. Factor this into your cost comparison.
  • Higher origination fees. Approximately 3.9%, higher than Hometap.
Pros & Cons
  • Longest 30-year term in the industry
  • No monthly payments or interest
  • 24 states plus D.C.
  • Down market depreciation sharing
  • No prepayment penalty
  • Higher origination fees at 3.9%
  • Complex equity share formula
  • 5% discount applied to starting home value
  • May complicate future refinancing

Hometap vs Unison: quick comparison

Side-by-side look at the top HEI companies for 2026.

Up to $600K
Funding
$15K – $600K
Monthly Payments
None
Term Length
10 years
Min. Credit Score
585
30-Year Term
Funding
Up to $500K
Monthly Payments
None
Term Length
30 years
Min. Credit Score
620

*Unison equity share varies by circumstances. Terms accurate as of July 2026.

In-depth reviews

Our editors spent 40+ hours evaluating terms, transparency, customer experience, and long-term value.

Hometap

4.8/5 customer rating

$2B+ invested. 25,000+ homeowners served. Access $15K to $600K with no monthly payments and no impact to your credit score.

Credit Score
585+
Funding Range
$15K-$600K
Equity Share
10-25%
Contract Term
10 years
Monthly Payment
$0
Pros & Cons
Pros
  • Largest investment amounts, up to $600K
  • Available in 16+ states
  • No monthly payments, ever
  • No income or DTI requirements
  • Sell or refinance anytime, no exit penalty
  • Transparent pricing, no hidden fees
Cons
  • Not available in all 50 states
  • Settlement required at sale or 10-year term end
  • Lump-sum repayment, plan your exit
Our Verdict
Our verdict

Hometap is the gold standard for home equity investments. With $2B+ deployed to 25,000+ homeowners, they offer the best mix of large investment amounts, transparent pricing, and flexible exit terms. If you need substantial cash without monthly payments, start here.

Unison

4.5 / 5.0 · Expert rating

Industry pioneer since 2006 with the longest 30-year term available. Widest coverage. 24 states and D.C.

Credit Score
620+
Funding Range
Up to $500K
Equity Share
Variable
Contract Term
30 years
Monthly Payment
$0
Pros & Cons
Pros
  • Longest 30-year term in the industry
  • Most states, 24 plus D.C.
  • Industry pioneer since 2006
  • Up to $500K available
  • No monthly payments or interest
  • Shares in depreciation, down market protection
Cons
  • Higher origination fees at 3.9%
  • Complex equity share formula
  • 5% discount applied to home value at start
  • May complicate future refinancing
Our Verdict
Our verdict

Unison pioneered the HEI category in 2006 and offers unmatched flexibility with its 30-year term, you're never rushed to sell or refinance. With the widest state availability and a lower 620 credit bar, they're the best option for homeowners planning to stay long-term.

What Is a Home Equity Investment?

An HEI gives you a lump sum from your home's equity today. No loan. No monthly payments. No interest. In exchange, the company takes a share of your home's future value when you eventually sell or settle. Your mortgage, title, and monthly budget stay untouched.

Get Cash
Lump sum upfront, use it however you want
Keep Your Home
You own it fully. Mortgage stays untouched.
Settle Later
Repay when you sell, refi, or term ends

HEI vs. HELOC vs. Home Equity Loan

HEI
HELOC
HE Loan
Monthly payment
$0
Yes
Yes
Interest charges
None
Yes
Yes
Credit score impact
None
Yes
Yes
Affects DTI ratio
No
Yes
Yes
Tradeoff
Share of appreciation
Interest cost
Fixed payments

Is an HEI right for you?

Good fit if…
  • ✓ You need cash without new monthly bills
  • ✓ You plan to stay 5+ years
  • ✓ You want to keep your mortgage rate
  • ✓ Credit below what HELOCs require
Skip if…
  • ✗ You plan to sell soon
  • ✗ Your home is in a fast-rising market
  • ✗ You plan to refinance soon
  • ✗ You want to convert to a rental

Hometap and Unison are both free to check. Soft credit check only, no impact to your score.

See If I Qualify →
Frequently asked questions

Everything you need to know before applying.

Is Hometap or Unison better?+
It depends on your timeline. Hometap is better if you plan to sell or refinance within 10 years: it offers larger amounts (up to $600K), accepts credit from 585, and has a faster estimate process. Unison is better if you are staying long term: its 30-year term means you are never rushed to settle, and it shares in your home's losses as well as gains. Offers on the same house can differ by thousands, so the smart move is getting both free estimates and comparing. For the deep dive on Unison's terms, fees, and fine print, read our full Unison review.
What is a Home Equity Investment (HEI)?+
A Home Equity Investment lets you access cash from your home's equity without taking out a loan. You receive a lump sum in exchange for sharing a percentage of your home's future appreciation. No monthly payments, no interest, and you keep your existing mortgage. When you sell or reach the end of the term, you settle by repaying the original investment plus your share of any appreciation. For a full breakdown of the tradeoffs, see our guide to home equity agreement pros and cons.
How much money can I get from an HEI?+
Most HEI companies offer between $25,000 and $600,000 depending on your home's value, location, and the company's limits. Generally you can access 10-30% of your home's equity. Hometap offers the highest maximum at $600K. To see your own number, run the free home equity calculator, it takes about 2 minutes and does not affect your credit.
HEI vs HELOC vs home equity loan, what's the difference?+
Unlike a HELOC or home equity loan, an HEI requires no monthly payments and charges no interest. You're sharing future appreciation rather than borrowing. HEIs are ideal if you want to avoid added monthly obligations or don't qualify for traditional lending. The trade-off: if your home appreciates significantly, your settlement cost will be higher than a fixed-rate loan.
How does HEI settlement work?+
Settlement happens when you sell, refinance, or reach the end of your term. You repay the original investment plus your share of appreciation. Hometap allows early settlement at any time with no prepayment penalties. Unison allows the same over their 30-year term.
Which HEI company is right for me?+
Hometap is the best choice for most homeowners. Highest maximum ($600K), transparent pricing, and an industry-leading track record. If you plan to stay many years and need maximum settlement flexibility, Unison's 30-year term is unmatched. Comparing beyond these two? See our full roundup of the best home equity investment companies.

Which one is right for you?

Both are free to check. Soft credit check only, no impact to your score.

Hometap
Choose Hometap if…
  • You need the largest possible payout, up to $600K
  • Your credit score is 585 or higher
  • You want the most proven track record, $2B+ invested
  • You may want to sell or refinance early with no penalty
Check My Eligibility →
Unison
Choose Unison if…
  • You plan to stay in your home long-term
  • You want 30 years to settle instead of 10
  • You want protection if home values drop
  • You are in one of their 24 covered states
Check My Eligibility →

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Brian Meiggs
Brian Meiggs is the founder of My Millennial Guide, where he’s been helping readers take control of their money for over a decade. As a seasoned personal finance writer and entrepreneur, Brian shares practical strategies on saving, investing, and building wealth through side hustles and smart financial habits. His work and insights have been featured in Business Insider, Entrepreneur, Yahoo Finance, and other major publications. Brian’s mission is simple — to help everyday people make smarter money decisions and create financial freedom for themselves.