Cost compared with Unlock
Effective annual cost for $100,000 against a $750,000 home with a $300,000 mortgage. Highlighted: cheaper than Unlock in that scenario.
| Provider | Typical: 4% growth, 7 years | Flat prices: 0%, 7 years | Fast growth: 8%, 7 years | Early sale: 4%, 3 years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unlock | 15.9% | 11.5% | 20.4% | 22.6% |
| CHEIFS | 13.7% | 13.0% | 13.7% | 14.7% |
| Hometap | 14.1% | 9.7% | 18.5% | 22.7% |
| Point | 14.3% | 8.3% | 18.9% | 20.2% |
| Unison | 14.7% | 3.5% | 23.1% | 21.6% |
| Splitero | 15.9% | 11.5% | 20.4% | 22.3% |
Computed from each provider's published terms with the HEI Calculator engine; terms verified September 23, 2026. Try your own numbers in the Unlock calculator.
When to pick an alternative instead
- CHEIFS: costs less in the typical case (13.7% vs 15.9% a year); costs less if your home grows fast (13.7% vs 20.4% a year); costs less if you sell within 3 years (14.7% vs 22.6% a year); gives you more time to settle (no end date vs 10); funds larger amounts (up to $2M vs $500K). Unlock vs CHEIFS
- Hometap: costs less in the typical case (14.1% vs 15.9% a year); costs less if prices stay flat (9.7% vs 11.5% a year); costs less if your home grows fast (18.5% vs 20.4% a year); allows more leverage (75% vs 70%); serves more states (27 vs 26); funds larger amounts (up to $600K vs $500K). Unlock vs Hometap
- Point: costs less in the typical case (14.3% vs 15.9% a year); costs less if prices stay flat (8.3% vs 11.5% a year); costs less if your home grows fast (18.9% vs 20.4% a year); costs less if you sell within 3 years (20.2% vs 22.6% a year); gives you more time to settle (30 years vs 10); allows more leverage (an assumed 80% vs 70%); serves more states (32 vs 26); funds larger amounts (up to $600K vs $500K). Unlock vs Point
- Unison: costs less in the typical case (14.7% vs 15.9% a year); costs less if prices stay flat (3.5% vs 11.5% a year); costs less if you sell within 3 years (21.6% vs 22.6% a year); gives you more time to settle (30 years vs 10); allows more leverage (an assumed 80% vs 70%). Unlock vs Unison
- Splitero: costs less if you sell within 3 years (22.3% vs 22.6% a year); gives you more time to settle (30 years vs 10); allows more leverage (an assumed 80% vs 70%); funds larger amounts (up to $600K vs $500K). Unlock vs Splitero
Not sure you qualify for Unlock?
Check Unlock's requirements against your own home, state, and credit, or see every provider that fits you on HEI Offers.
Questions
What is the best alternative to Unlock?
It depends on your plans. In our typical example ($100,000 against a $750,000 home with a $300,000 mortgage, 4% growth, 7 years), the lowest-cost alternative is CHEIFS at 13.7% a year, versus 15.9% for Unlock. If your home grows fast or you sell early, the ranking can change; see the table above.
Who are Unlock's competitors?
The other main home equity investment providers are CHEIFS, Hometap, Point, Unison, and Splitero. All six are modeled with the same cost engine on HEI Compare.
Is there an alternative to Unlock that isn't an HEI?
Yes. A HELOC, home equity loan, cash-out refinance, or reverse mortgage can cost less if you qualify. See every option compared.
Comparing Unlock with others?
See which providers fit your home, state, and credit, or send us an offer you already have for a free second opinion. Prefer to model it yourself? Run the HEI Calculator.
See which providers fit youGet a free offer reviewHEI Compare, HEI Calculator, HEI Facts, and HEI Offers are sister sites run by the same independent team, using the same provider terms and the same cost model. About us.