It really depends on what you mean by "protection" here.  In an open listing the broker has the right to bring prospective buyers to see the home. If the buyer purchases your home, the broker gets a commission. The seller can give an open listing to as many brokers as they wish. In a net listing agreement the seller lists their property for sale at a specified net amount to be paid to them, and then authorizes the broker to retain as commission the difference between the price at which the property is sold and the specified net amount to be received by seller. In some states such agreements have been prohibited in order to prevent unfair dealing on the part of the broker.The broker can manipulate the net listing more easily if they have an uneducated seller.   The open listing is more like "open commerce" where each broker can sell the property  and the first one to get a contract "wins." You decide how you mean protection here and then apply these principles.  Good luck.