A realtor and a real estate agent are similar in that they are both professionals who help people buy, sell, and rent properties. However, there are a few key differences between the two.

First, not all real estate agents are realtors. To be a realtor, a real estate agent must be a member of the National Association of Realtors (NAR), which is a professional trade association. This means that realtors have agreed to abide by the NAR's code of ethics, which is a set of standards that promote high levels of professionalism and integrity.

Second, realtors have access to certain benefits and resources that are not available to non-realtors. For example, realtors can access the Multiple Listing Service (MLS), which is a database of properties for sale that is only available to members of the NAR. This can give realtors an advantage when it comes to finding properties for their clients.

Overall, the main difference between a realtor and a real estate agent is that a realtor is a member of the NAR and has access to certain benefits and resources that are not available to non-members.