Apple Inc. (AAPL) vs Microsoft Corporation (MSFT)
MSFT leads on 11 of 17 compared metrics.
A side-by-side comparison of Apple Inc. and Microsoft Corporation across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of June 13, 2026. The ● marks the stronger figure on each row (cheaper multiple, higher margin/return).
Total return — AAPL vs MSFT
growth of $100 · last 30yAAPL +132310.1%MSFT +4915.9%AAPL compounded faster
Log scale — wide-divergence pair
AAPL MSFT
AAPL vs MSFT: by the numbers
- •AAPL is the larger company ($4.28T vs $2.90T market cap).
- •MSFT trades at the lower earnings multiple (23.26 vs 35.20 P/E).
- •MSFT converts more revenue to profit (39.34% vs 27.15% net margin).
- •MSFT grew revenue faster over the past five years (14.75% vs 6.76% CAGR).
- •MSFT pays the higher dividend yield (0.91% vs 0.36%).
Which is better, AAPL or MSFT?
Metric tally: AAPL 6 · MSFT 11It depends on what you're optimizing for:
ValueMSFT(lower P/E)
GrowthMSFT(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)
IncomeMSFT(higher dividend yield)
QualityAAPL(higher ROIC)
Valuation
| Metric | AAPL | MSFT |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 35.20 | 23.26● |
| Forward P/E | 30.22 | 20.11● |
| P/S ratio | 9.52 | 9.14● |
| P/B ratio | 40.37 | 7.02● |
| PEG ratio | 1.51● | 2.34 |
| EV / EBITDA | 27.12 | 14.60● |
| FCF yield | 3.00%● | 2.51% |
Profitability
| Metric | AAPL | MSFT |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 47.86% | 68.31%● |
| Operating margin | 32.64% | 46.80%● |
| Net margin | 27.15% | 39.34%● |
| ROE | 115.10%● | 30.22% |
| ROIC | 51.97%● | 21.63% |
Dividends
| Metric | AAPL | MSFT |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | 0.36% | 0.91%● |
| Payout ratio | 14.02% | 25.99% |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | AAPL | MSFT |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue CAGR (5Y) | 6.76% | 14.75%● |
| EPS CAGR (5Y) | 17.73% | 18.68%● |
| FCF CAGR (5Y) | 7.38%● | 6.27% |
| Total return CAGR (5Y) | 18.58%● | 9.56% |
Frequently asked
- Which is better, AAPL or MSFT?
- It depends on your goal. value: MSFT (lower P/E); growth: MSFT (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); income: MSFT (higher dividend yield); quality: AAPL (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, MSFT leads 11 to 6.
- Is AAPL or MSFT cheaper?
- On trailing earnings, MSFT is cheaper: AAPL trades at a 35.20 P/E and MSFT at 23.26.
- Which has grown faster, AAPL or MSFT?
- Over the past five years, MSFT grew revenue faster — AAPL at a 6.76% CAGR versus MSFT at 14.75%.
- Does AAPL or MSFT pay a bigger dividend?
- AAPL yields 0.36% and MSFT yields 0.91% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
- Is AAPL or MSFT more profitable?
- MSFT runs the higher net margin — AAPL at 27.15% versus MSFT at 39.34%.
- Which has been the better investment, AAPL or MSFT?
- Over the past 10-year, AAPL delivered the higher annualized total return — AAPL at 29.17% versus MSFT at 23.98%. Past performance doesn't predict future results.
Go deeper
Dig into the metrics
Apple P/E ratioMicrosoft P/E ratioApple dividend yieldMicrosoft dividend yieldApple ROEMicrosoft ROEApple operating marginMicrosoft operating marginApple revenue growthMicrosoft revenue growthApple free cash flowMicrosoft free cash flow
Apple & Microsoft appear in these rankings
Highest ROE StocksHighest ROIC StocksHighest Operating Margin StocksBest 10-Year Total Return Stocks
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Figures are sourced from reported fundamentals and the latest end-of-day price. This comparison is informational only and is not investment advice. Past performance does not predict future results. See our methodology. Compiled by TGMCharts Research · data verified June 13, 2026.