Top 7 Business Brokers to Watch in 2025: The Essential Guide

Starting a new business involves exploring many ideas — from various small business options to online ventures—but building one from the ground up is often challenging. When venturing into eCommerce, you need to decide which products to source and find reliable manufacturers, among other hurdles that typically involve learning through trial and error.

Alternatively, you can skip much of the initial hassle by purchasing an already successful business.

This option is supported by numerous brokers and online platforms that specialize in the buying and selling of established online companies. Reputable brokers help protect your interests when acquiring existing businesses and assist sellers in valuing and finalizing the sale of their businesses accurately.

Finding the right broker—whether for buying or selling—can be daunting and carries serious implications if not chosen wisely.

This article features a curated list of top business brokers, helping you identify trustworthy partners and understand their offered services. We evaluate each broker based on expertise, confidentiality, industry connections, availability, track record, and other critical factors.

By the end of this guide, you’ll be better equipped to decide if hiring a broker is the right move for you or if you’re comfortable navigating the process independently.

Here’s a list of some of the best brokers currently available to assist in buying or selling a business.

Business Exits specializes in selling companies with annual revenues up to $50 million. Their success rate exceeds 90%, making them highly recommended for business owners seeking to sell. Their team excels at securing top dollar for your company by understanding industry nuances and buyer needs. They also provide a free valuation service, helping you determine the right asking price, which is crucial for a successful sale.

If you want the best possible outcome for your business sale, Business Exits is your best bet.

Start your journey with Business Exits.

Synergy Business Brokers specializes in mergers and acquisitions, working with companies generating annual sales from $700,000 up to $70 million. Their team prioritizes listening carefully to clients’ questions and concerns throughout the process to tailor their approach effectively. They assist clients in understanding what steps are necessary to prepare for sale and offer a complimentary consultation to assess your business’s value and suggest an appropriate asking price if you’re considering selling.

By engaging their services, you can maximize your business’s sale price. They operate on a no-fee basis until your sale is complete, at which point they take a percentage of the final sale. Their extensive presence across states like New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Texas, Louisiana, and Nevada makes them a highly reputable choice for business brokerage. Additionally, they develop comprehensive marketing strategies to attract the most qualified buyers, ensuring optimal sale outcomes.

Transworld Business Advisors offers a broad range of resources to assist in selling your business successfully. They are recognized globally for their expertise in marketing, sales, mergers, acquisitions, and franchise consulting. Their team simplifies the selling process, making it easier and less stressful for entrepreneurs. With a focus on three main areas—business brokerage, franchise consulting, and franchise development—they ensure that clients are in capable hands whether they are buying or selling.

Their comprehensive services include helping businesses find new buyers and providing strategic advice for entrepreneurs wishing to sell independently. Their experts evaluate your company’s best sale strategies based on your goals, helping you navigate the complex process of mergers, acquisitions, and franchise creation.

First Choice Business Brokers specializes in understanding the details of the businesses you are interested in purchasing. Their team of experienced professionals, with over 25 years of expertise in business brokerage, mergers, acquisitions, and franchise consulting, is dedicated to guiding you through your business transactions. They maintain an extensive network of qualified buyers and sellers worldwide, making it easier to find the right match. Their reach is further enhanced by a global network of sales experts who assist in buying or selling. They have facilitated the sale of businesses valued at over $8.5 billion through their marketing listings, providing both buyers and sellers the convenience and confidence of a nationwide professional service. You can be assured that their brokers come from diverse fields such as accounting, law, banking, real estate, and insurance, ensuring a well-rounded approach. No matter the type of business you’re looking to buy or sell, expert professionals with your best interests at heart are ready to assist.

Woodbridge International has been operating for over 28 years, making them one of the most experienced and longest-standing firms in the global business brokerage industry. They serve a wide range of business sizes and sectors. Unlike competitors that rely mainly on professional networks, Woodbridge International emphasizes extensive marketing efforts to reach the broadest pool of potential buyers. They facilitate a competitive auction process with approval from their clients, which often drives up the final sale price and secures a better match between buyer and seller. Their initial 30-day underwriting process minimizes unexpected issues after closing, highlighting their commitment to a smooth transaction. Focused on providing top-tier customer service, they stand out for their dedication to an exceptional client experience.

VR Business Brokers has over fifty years of experience successfully matching buyers with the right businesses across various industries. They pride themselves on providing personalized, family-like service, ensuring their clients receive guidance and support throughout every step of the process. Their proven track record demonstrates their dedication to fairly representing privately owned businesses and helping clients achieve optimal sale prices.and building strong, long-lasting relationships with their clients.

When you’re interested in acquiring a successful business, their website features sophisticated search tools that let you start with a broad view and quickly narrow down to the perfect company.

Their excellent business practices have helped them foster lasting connections with a large base of loyal customers over the years.

Peterson Acquisitions is a firm dedicated to small business acquisitions across the U.S. They provide services such as business valuation, buyer verification, marketing, and negotiation of sales.

If you’re aiming to sell your business for the best possible value, there are important considerations, often not obvious to those new to business sales.

Acquiring companies must be handled carefully, or you risk ending up with a poor match that could reduce your market value. Peterson Acquisitions strives to understand your goals and help you reach them—including overcoming any hurdles along the way.

Their unique background directly translates into practical assistance for business owners like you looking to sell your company.

Business brokers, or brokerage firms, act as intermediaries that facilitate mergers and acquisitions between buyers and sellers—either charging a fee or taking a share of the sale proceeds.

Selling a business can be highly profitable, but ensuring the ownership transfers correctly requires careful handling. Business brokers play a vital role in this process.

They also bring legal expertise to negotiations, helping to ensure deals are fair and binding. It’s important to understand that business brokers differ from M&A advisors, who typically work with larger firms with complex financial structures, often in public markets.

Most business brokers focus on medium to small-sized companies that have been operating for several years, and they often handle deals privately, away from public scrutiny, to avoid jeopardizing negotiations.

Because of the uncertainty and hesitation that can come with business transactions, brokers help ease fears by providing transparent, realistic expectations.

They also support clients with:

Using a business broker increases the chances of a smooth sale or purchase, ensuring you get the best possible outcome.

Key factors to consider include the following:

Always verify that the broker holds valid licensing from the state they operate in. This is a critical step before signing any agreement. Confirm that all licenses are current, including dues and fees. Also, clarify any extra costs beyond the commission rate—some brokers charge flat fees, others include percentage-based charges or hidden fees.

Check whether they hold any special licenses required for specific types of transactions or states, as this may vary. Ensuring these details upfront helps you partner with a reputable, qualified broker from the start.

Your broker must understand your business thoroughly to effectively sell it. They should be able to communicate your company’s value clearly to potential buyers and identify any issues that could complicate the sale. A good broker actively works towards your best interests, not just listing your business and waiting for a buyer. This proactive approach can make all the difference in securing a favorable deal.The distinction between obtaining a fair value for your company and ending up with nothing is critical. For instance, when dealing with commercial real estate, hiring a knowledgeable broker can make the difference in securing the highest possible sale price. This principle applies across all industries.

A business broker should be able to provide references and examples of their past transactions. They tend to prefer working with profitable, high-demand businesses. An effective way to assess their credibility is by seeking referrals from recent clients. Some former clients may also be willing to share testimonials or case studies illustrating how the broker successfully facilitated the sale.

Reviewing a broker’s track record helps you gauge their success rate. While business listings can give an overview of the number of deals they’ve handled, focus on verifying that these businesses were profitable at the time of sale. Contactting references directly and asking about their experience can also be very informative. If references decline to share information or if most former clients rate the broker poorly, it might be wise to explore other options.

Experienced business brokers bring numerous benefits. Their knowledge of current market trends, marketing strategies, and legal procedures involved in selling businesses can dramatically improve your chances of a successful sale. A seasoned broker can also provide valuable insights into what buyers seek, helping position your business attractively. The more experience a broker has, the higher the likelihood they’ll find a suitable buyer and close the sale efficiently.

Availability is another key factor. Your broker should be responsive and ready to answer questions, ensuring the process moves smoothly without unnecessary delays. They should guide you through legal documentation like purchase agreements, non-disclosure forms, and sales contracts. Additionally, if you’re buying a business, reputable brokers often continue to support you after the sale to assist with the transition into new ownership.

A trustworthy broker should prioritize your interests rather than just making a quick sale. They must put your needs first, offering honest advice and avoiding pressure tactics. It’s important they identify potential buyers suitable for your company and provide all necessary information for informed decision-making. If a broker focuses solely on closing the deal without regard to your company’s long-term value, complications could arise later. Since brokers often earn commissions from sales, early discussions about fee structures are vital for transparency and avoiding surprises at closing.

Strategic planning is essential beyond just maximizing sale price. If your goal is to retire or leave the industry permanently, you’ll benefit from working with a broker who understands long-term transition strategies. Such professionals can advise on different exit options and their respective advantages, making it easier to determine the optimal timing for sale. Even if you intend to stay involved in some capacity post-sale, having a clear exit plan ensures everything proceeds smoothly and you can depart confidently with everything under control.

The International Business Brokers Association is a respected professional group for brokers. They enforce a strict code of ethics, and members are held accountable. Confirming whether your broker is an IBBA member can be done through their website. While non-members aren’t necessarily unprofessional, working with an IBBA-certified broker often offers added reassurance. The IBBA also offers training courses to help brokers enhance their skills, so choosing a member can be advantageous.

In conclusion, finding the right business broker requires careful research. By applying these tips, you stand a better chance of engaging a professional who aligns with your goals. Top brokers currently include Business Exits—recognized as the best overall—Synergy Business Brokers for maximizing sale prices, and Transworld Business Advisors for specialized assistance. If you think any notable brokers were overlooked, please share your suggestions in the comments.

Further resources on StepThroughThePortal.com highlight the importance of a solid business plan for success. Utilizing business planning software can enhance your strategy, while workflow management tools help maintain operational efficiency.