Adobe Inc. (ADBE) vs Automatic Data Processing, Inc. (ADP)
ADBE leads on 12 of 16 compared metrics.
A side-by-side comparison of Adobe Inc. and Automatic Data Processing, Inc. across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of July 18, 2026. The ● marks the stronger figure on each row (cheaper multiple, higher margin/return).
ADBE
Adobe Inc.
$237.25TechnologyAt close: Jul 17, 2026, 4:00 PM ET
ADP
Automatic Data Processing, Inc.
$255.26TechnologyAt close: Jul 17, 2026, 4:00 PM ET
Total return — ADBE vs ADP
growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 30yADBE +6332.9%ADP +2979.3%ADBE compounded faster
ADBE ADP
ADBE vs ADP: by the numbers
- •ADP is the larger company ($102.04B vs $94.31B market cap).
- •ADBE trades at the lower earnings multiple (13.57 vs 23.79 P/E).
- •ADBE converts more revenue to profit (28.69% vs 20.12% net margin).
- •ADBE grew revenue faster over the past five years (12.38% vs 8.08% CAGR).
- •ADP pays a dividend (2.60% yield) while ADBE does not currently pay one.
Which is better, ADBE or ADP?
Metric tally: ADBE 12 · ADP 4It depends on what you're optimizing for:
ValueADBE(lower P/E)
GrowthADBE(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)
QualityADBE(higher ROIC)
Metrics side by side
Valuation
| Metric | ADBE | ADP |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 13.57● | 23.79 |
| Forward P/E | 9.73● | 23.05 |
| P/S ratio | 3.79● | 4.75 |
| P/B ratio | 8.28● | 16.17 |
| PEG ratio | 0.55● | 3.20 |
| EV / EBITDA | 9.90● | 22.38 |
| FCF yield | 11.15%● | 5.02% |
Profitability
| Metric | ADBE | ADP |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 89.12%● | 47.48% |
| Operating margin | 36.07%● | 19.20% |
| Net margin | 28.69%● | 20.12% |
| ROE | 62.76% | 68.43%● |
| ROIC | 36.69%● | 24.66% |
Dividends
| Metric | ADBE | ADP |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | — | 2.60% |
| Payout ratio | — | 66.27% |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | ADBE | ADP |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue CAGR (5Y) | 12.38%● | 8.08% |
| EPS CAGR (5Y) | 8.86% | 11.83%● |
| FCF CAGR (5Y) | 12.31% | 14.52%● |
| Total return CAGR (5Y) | -17.10% | 6.73%● |
Frequently asked
- Which is better, ADBE or ADP?
- It depends on your goal. value: ADBE (lower P/E); growth: ADBE (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); quality: ADBE (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, ADBE leads 12 to 4.
- Is ADBE or ADP cheaper?
- On trailing earnings, ADBE is cheaper: ADBE trades at a 13.57 P/E and ADP at 23.79.
- Which has grown faster, ADBE or ADP?
- Over the past five years, ADBE grew revenue faster — ADBE at a 12.38% CAGR versus ADP at 8.08%.
- Does ADBE or ADP pay a bigger dividend?
- ADP pays a dividend (2.60% yield) while ADBE does not currently pay one.
- Is ADBE or ADP more profitable?
- ADBE runs the higher net margin — ADBE at 28.69% versus ADP at 20.12%.
- Which has been the better investment, ADBE or ADP?
- Over the past 10-year, ADP delivered the higher annualized total return — ADBE at 9.26% versus ADP at 12.83%. Past performance doesn't predict future results.
Go deeper
Dig into the metrics
Adobe P/E ratioAutomatic Data Processing P/E ratioAdobe dividend yieldAutomatic Data Processing dividend yieldAdobe ROEAutomatic Data Processing ROEAdobe operating marginAutomatic Data Processing operating marginAdobe revenue growthAutomatic Data Processing revenue growthAdobe free cash flowAutomatic Data Processing free cash flow
Adobe & Automatic Data Processing appear in these rankings
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 July 18, 2026.