'/%3e%3cpath%20d='M110.5%2074.84L61.56%20113.3V150.04H0V87.4L110.5%200V74.84Z'%20fill='url(%23paint1_linear_1102_1766)'/%3e%3cpath%20d='M159.44%20150.04L159.44%20205.81H159.2L110.5%20166.53L61.8001%20205.81H61.5601L61.56%20150.04L110.5%20110.57L159.44%20150.04Z'%20fill='url(%23paint2_linear_1102_1766)'/%3e%3cpath%20d='M110.5%20110.57V166.53L61.8001%20205.81H61.5601L61.56%20150.04L110.5%20110.57Z'%20fill='url(%23paint3_linear_1102_1766)'/%3e%3cpath%20d='M159.44%20206H61.5601L61.8001%20205.81L110.5%20166.53L159.2%20205.81L159.44%20206Z'%20fill='url(%23paint4_linear_1102_1766)'/%3e%3cdefs%3e%3clinearGradient%20id='paint0_linear_1102_1766'%20x1='166'%20y1='-19.908'%20x2='145.641'%20y2='227.731'%20gradientUnits='userSpaceOnUse'%3e%3cstop%20stop-color='%23B5AAFF'/%3e%3cstop%20offset='0.723958'%20stop-color='%238977FF'/%3e%3c/linearGradient%3e%3clinearGradient%20id='paint1_linear_1102_1766'%20x1='64'%20y1='15.7891'%20x2='172.309'%20y2='257.652'%20gradientUnits='userSpaceOnUse'%3e%3cstop%20stop-color='%239383FF'/%3e%3cstop%20offset='0.75'%20stop-color='%234D3FED'/%3e%3c/linearGradient%3e%3clinearGradient%20id='paint2_linear_1102_1766'%20x1='171.462'%20y1='36.6188'%20x2='8.598'%20y2='270.272'%20gradientUnits='userSpaceOnUse'%3e%3cstop%20offset='0.229167'%20stop-color='%23B5AAFF'/%3e%3cstop%20offset='0.994792'%20stop-color='%238977FF'/%3e%3c/linearGradient%3e%3clinearGradient%20id='paint3_linear_1102_1766'%20x1='55.7219'%20y1='-31.3876'%20x2='76.8187'%20y2='349.172'%20gradientUnits='userSpaceOnUse'%3e%3cstop%20offset='0.307292'%20stop-color='%239383FF'/%3e%3cstop%20offset='0.854167'%20stop-color='%234D3FED'/%3e%3c/linearGradient%3e%3clinearGradient%20id='paint4_linear_1102_1766'%20x1='110'%20y1='271'%20x2='76.5255'%20y2='202.314'%20gradientUnits='userSpaceOnUse'%3e%3cstop%20stop-color='%23B5AAFF'/%3e%3cstop%20offset='0.90625'%20stop-color='%238977FF'/%3e%3c/linearGradient%3e%3c/defs%3e%3c/svg%3e)
'/%3e%3cpath%20d='M110.5%2074.84L61.56%20113.3V150.04H0V87.4L110.5%200V74.84Z'%20fill='url(%23paint1_linear_1102_1752)'/%3e%3cpath%20d='M159.44%20150.04L159.44%20205.81H159.2L110.5%20166.53L61.8001%20205.81H61.5601L61.56%20150.04L110.5%20110.57L159.44%20150.04Z'%20fill='url(%23paint2_linear_1102_1752)'/%3e%3cpath%20d='M110.5%20110.57V166.53L61.8001%20205.81H61.5601L61.56%20150.04L110.5%20110.57Z'%20fill='url(%23paint3_linear_1102_1752)'/%3e%3cpath%20d='M159.44%20206H61.5601L61.8001%20205.81L110.5%20166.53L159.2%20205.81L159.44%20206Z'%20fill='url(%23paint4_linear_1102_1752)'/%3e%3cdefs%3e%3clinearGradient%20id='paint0_linear_1102_1752'%20x1='166'%20y1='-19.908'%20x2='145.641'%20y2='227.731'%20gradientUnits='userSpaceOnUse'%3e%3cstop%20stop-color='%23B5AAFF'/%3e%3cstop%20offset='0.723958'%20stop-color='%238977FF'/%3e%3c/linearGradient%3e%3clinearGradient%20id='paint1_linear_1102_1752'%20x1='64'%20y1='15.7891'%20x2='172.309'%20y2='257.652'%20gradientUnits='userSpaceOnUse'%3e%3cstop%20stop-color='%239383FF'/%3e%3cstop%20offset='0.75'%20stop-color='%234D3FED'/%3e%3c/linearGradient%3e%3clinearGradient%20id='paint2_linear_1102_1752'%20x1='171.462'%20y1='36.6188'%20x2='8.598'%20y2='270.272'%20gradientUnits='userSpaceOnUse'%3e%3cstop%20offset='0.229167'%20stop-color='%23B5AAFF'/%3e%3cstop%20offset='0.994792'%20stop-color='%238977FF'/%3e%3c/linearGradient%3e%3clinearGradient%20id='paint3_linear_1102_1752'%20x1='55.7219'%20y1='-31.3876'%20x2='76.8187'%20y2='349.172'%20gradientUnits='userSpaceOnUse'%3e%3cstop%20offset='0.307292'%20stop-color='%239383FF'/%3e%3cstop%20offset='0.854167'%20stop-color='%234D3FED'/%3e%3c/linearGradient%3e%3clinearGradient%20id='paint4_linear_1102_1752'%20x1='110'%20y1='271'%20x2='76.5255'%20y2='202.314'%20gradientUnits='userSpaceOnUse'%3e%3cstop%20stop-color='%23B5AAFF'/%3e%3cstop%20offset='0.90625'%20stop-color='%238977FF'/%3e%3c/linearGradient%3e%3c/defs%3e%3c/svg%3e)
Real Estate Platform Comparison· Updated May 5, 2026
Groundfloor vs. Yieldstreet (Willow Wealth) 2026 Real Estate Investing Comparison
A side-by-side breakdown of returns, liquidity, fees, and trustworthiness to help you decide where to invest your money.
Groundfloor is a strong, transparent option for investors who want short-term, real-estate-backed yield without picking properties. ~10% historical returns, zero investor fees, and 6–18 month terms are excellent — but you're a lender, not an owner, so upside is capped and default risk is real.
Yieldstreet — now Willow Wealth — is one of the largest alternative-investment marketplaces in the U.S., with $6 billion+ cumulative invested across real estate, private credit, art, and venture. But ~$208M in cumulative investor losses, a 30%+ real estate default rate, and a recent rebrand make it hard to recommend without significant caveats.
At a Glance
Groundfloor vs. Yieldstreet (Willow Wealth) — Key Stats
Pros & Cons
What each platform does well and poorly
Zero investor fees
Groundfloor charges investors nothing — no AUM, no transaction fees, no closing costs. Borrowers pay 2–4.5% origination plus closing fees, so the entire interest yield flows to investors.
$10 per-loan minimum
Investors can spread $100 across ten loans, making real diversification accessible. Groundfloor's account minimum is $100 and individual loans go down to $10.
Short hold periods (6–18 months)
Most Groundfloor loans mature in 6–18 months — dramatically shorter than the 5–7 year holds typical of equity-style platforms — making it a useful complement to longer-duration real estate.
Transparent, A–G grading
Every loan is graded A–G with corresponding interest rates and risk factors. Loan documents, project details, and borrower track records are published before funding.
Capped upside
You're a lender. If a property doubles in value, you still only earn the interest rate on the loan. None of the appreciation upside flows to investors.
Lump-sum and deferred payouts
Many loans are deferred-payment, meaning interest accrues but isn't paid until the loan is fully repaid. That hurts compounding versus monthly- or daily-payout platforms.
Default risk is real
Groundfloor's reported default rate has historically been higher than peer platforms. Recoveries through foreclosure can take time and erode returns. The collateral is the property itself.
No early withdrawal
Once you fund a loan, capital is locked until the loan repays. There's no secondary market for Groundfloor LROs.
Broad alternative-asset access
Real estate, private credit, art, venture capital, legal finance, and structured products on one platform — useful for accredited investors who want diversification across multiple alt-asset classes.
Institutional fund partnerships
Through Willow 360, accredited investors can access funds from Carlyle, Goldman Sachs, and StepStone in a managed-portfolio format — institutional access typical retail investors can't get directly.
Long track record
The platform has 500,000+ members and $6 billion+ cumulative invested since 2015 — by far the largest alternative-investment retail brand in our comparison set.
Cumulative investor losses reported in the press
CNBC reporting in late 2025 totaled approximately $208 million of cumulative investor losses across the Yieldstreet platform — combining $41M in new Houston/Nashville real estate defaults disclosed in December, $89M in marine-loan wipeouts disclosed in September, and $78M in previously reported losses. The company rebranded to Willow Wealth in October 2025.
Elevated real estate default rate per independent reviewers
Independent reviewers (notably the Real Estate Crowdfunding Review) have estimated the platform's real estate portfolio default rate at roughly 30%, materially higher than the 2–8% range typical of peer platforms. Real estate exposure here has historically been riskier than many peer platforms.
Accredited-only on most offerings
Most direct deals are limited to accredited investors. The Alternative Income Fund (Prism Fund) is the main option for non-accredited investors but represents a small slice of the platform's offerings.
Layered fees
Annual management fees range from 1% to 4% depending on offering. Many deals also charge first-year setup fees ($100–$150 per SPV/note) and administrative fees on top.
Rebrand complicates research
The October 2025 rebrand from Yieldstreet to Willow Wealth means many older reviews still reference the old brand. Some historical performance disclosures were reorganized after the rebrand, making apples-to-apples comparison harder.
Deep Dive
Detailed comparison
What You're Investing In
Three core products: Groundfloor Original (individual loans graded A–G), Stairs by Groundfloor (a savings-style product paying a steady rate), and Notes (short-duration debt instruments). All are real estate debt — no equity ownership.
Direct deals across real estate equity, real estate debt, private credit, art, legal finance, venture capital, and structured notes. Plus the Alternative Income Fund (open to non-accredited) and Willow 360 managed portfolios (accredited only).
Property Locations
Groundfloor lends in 45+ U.S. states, giving investors broad geographic diversification across one platform.
Real estate deals are sourced across U.S. markets with a mix of commercial and multifamily exposure. Specific geographies vary deal-by-deal.
Expected Returns
Groundfloor's historical average return is approximately 10% per year. A diversified portfolio across all available loans has historically produced around 10.7% annualized. Loans pay between roughly 5.5% (A grade) and 25%+ (G grade), and investors earn the same rate the borrower pays. Capital not deployed within 45 days returns to the investor with no interest.
Yieldstreet (Willow Wealth) reports a historical net annualized return of approximately 7.4% since 2015 — a figure built primarily during the Yieldstreet era. Realized performance varies dramatically by asset class and individual deal. Independent reviews note a 30%+ real estate default rate that materially increases risk-adjusted return calculations.
Fees
Zero investor fees. Borrowers pay 2–4.5% origination plus other closing fees, all visible inside the offering documents but not charged to investors.
1–4% annual management fees, depending on offering. Many deals also carry first-year setup fees (~$100–$150 per SPV or note) plus administrative fees of approximately 0.5%. Originator fees on some deals add another 0.5%.
Liquidity
Holding period equals the loan term — typically 6–18 months. Investors can target shorter durations by buying into in-progress loans.
Varies by deal. Notes can mature in months; real estate deals run multiple years; venture capital and legal finance can extend longer. Most offerings are illiquid by design.
Who Can Invest
Open to non-accredited and accredited U.S. investors. International investors can participate but must email support to fund accounts and meet a $5,000 minimum transfer.
Most direct offerings are limited to accredited investors. The Alternative Income Fund (formerly Prism Fund) accepts non-accredited investors with a $10,000 minimum. Willow 360 managed portfolios require accredited status with a $25,000 minimum.
The Verdict
Which is better — Groundfloor or Yieldstreet (Willow Wealth)?
Groundfloor is one of the cleanest options in real estate crowdfunding. Zero investor fees, ~10% historical returns, short 6–18 month durations, and full transparency on every loan make it a strong fit for investors who want yield backed by real estate without picking properties or signing up for a 5+ year lock-up. The trade-off is real: you're a lender with capped upside and default exposure, not an owner with a stake in appreciation.
Full Groundfloor review →Yieldstreet — now Willow Wealth — is one of the largest alternative-investment platforms in the U.S. with a genuine breadth of asset classes other platforms can't match. But cumulative investor losses of ~$208 million, a 30%+ real estate default rate, the recent rebrand, and the post-rebrand reorganization of historical performance data make it a platform to approach with significant caution. Investors who want straightforward fractional real estate exposure will find better fit at smaller, more focused platforms.
Full Yieldstreet (Willow Wealth) review →Bottom Line
Groundfloor scores higher (4.0/5) and edges out Yieldstreet (Willow Wealth) on our investment quality criteria.
Groundfloor is a strong, transparent option for investors who want short-term, real-estate-backed yield without picking properties. ~10% historical returns, zero investor fees, and 6–18 month terms are excellent — but you're a lender, not an owner, so upside is capped and default risk is real.
Frequently Asked Questions
Groundfloor vs. Yieldstreet (Willow Wealth) FAQ
Which is better — Groundfloor or Yieldstreet (Willow Wealth)?
Based on our scoring criteria — returns, fees, liquidity, transparency, minimums, and track record — Groundfloor (4.0/5) scores higher than Yieldstreet (Willow Wealth) (2.0/5). Groundfloor is a strong, transparent option for investors who want short-term, real-estate-backed yield without picking properties. ~10% historical returns, zero investor fees, and 6–18 month terms are excellent — but you're a lender, not an owner, so upside is capped and default risk is real.
What is the minimum investment for Groundfloor vs. Yieldstreet (Willow Wealth)?
Groundfloor's minimum investment is $10 per loan ($100 account minimum). Yieldstreet (Willow Wealth)'s minimum investment is $5,000–$10,000 (most direct deals); $25,000 (Willow 360).
How do Groundfloor and Yieldstreet (Willow Wealth) compare on liquidity?
Groundfloor: Holding period equals the loan term — typically 6–18 months. Investors can target shorter durations by buying into in-progress loans. Yieldstreet (Willow Wealth): Varies by deal. Notes can mature in months; real estate deals run multiple years; venture capital and legal finance can extend longer. Most offerings are illiquid by design.
What returns can investors expect from Groundfloor vs. Yieldstreet (Willow Wealth)?
Groundfloor reports average yearly returns of ~10% historical average. Yieldstreet (Willow Wealth) reports average yearly returns of ~7.4% net annualized (Yieldstreet era, since 2015). Past performance does not guarantee future results.
One of the most flexible ways to invest in real estate
Start building generational wealth with Lofty
$50 minimums · Daily rent payouts · No lock-up periods · 24/7 exchange