Automatic Data Processing, Inc. (ADP) vs ServiceNow, Inc. (NOW)
ADP leads on 11 of 16 compared metrics.
A side-by-side comparison of Automatic Data Processing, Inc. and ServiceNow, 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).
ADP
Automatic Data Processing, Inc.
$255.26TechnologyAt close: Jul 17, 2026, 4:00 PM ET
NOW
ServiceNow, Inc.
$103.24TechnologyAt close: Jul 17, 2026, 4:00 PM ET
Total return — ADP vs NOW
growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 14yADP +639.3%NOW +1998.4%NOW compounded faster
ADP NOW
ADP vs NOW: by the numbers
- •NOW is the larger company ($106.47B vs $102.04B market cap).
- •ADP trades at the lower earnings multiple (23.79 vs 61.45 P/E).
- •ADP converts more revenue to profit (20.12% vs 12.59% net margin).
- •NOW grew revenue faster over the past five years (23.64% vs 8.08% CAGR).
- •ADP pays a dividend (2.60% yield) while NOW does not currently pay one.
Which is better, ADP or NOW?
Metric tally: ADP 11 · NOW 5It depends on what you're optimizing for:
ValueADP(lower P/E)
GrowthNOW(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)
QualityADP(higher ROIC)
Metrics side by side
Valuation
| Metric | ADP | NOW |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 23.79● | 61.45 |
| Forward P/E | 23.05● | 24.86 |
| P/S ratio | 4.75● | 7.69 |
| P/B ratio | 16.17 | 9.15● |
| PEG ratio | 3.20● | 4.04 |
| EV / EBITDA | 22.38● | 39.49 |
| FCF yield | 5.02%● | 4.32% |
Profitability
| Metric | ADP | NOW |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 47.48% | 76.56%● |
| Operating margin | 19.20%● | 13.44% |
| Net margin | 20.12%● | 12.59% |
| ROE | 68.43%● | 14.98% |
| ROIC | 24.66%● | 8.98% |
Dividends
| Metric | ADP | NOW |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | 2.60% | — |
| Payout ratio | 66.27% | — |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | ADP | NOW |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue CAGR (5Y) | 8.08% | 23.64%● |
| EPS CAGR (5Y) | 11.83% | 69.74%● |
| FCF CAGR (5Y) | 14.52% | 24.23%● |
| Total return CAGR (5Y) | 6.73%● | -1.49% |
Frequently asked
- Which is better, ADP or NOW?
- It depends on your goal. value: ADP (lower P/E); growth: NOW (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); quality: ADP (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, ADP leads 11 to 5.
- Is ADP or NOW cheaper?
- On trailing earnings, ADP is cheaper: ADP trades at a 23.79 P/E and NOW at 61.45.
- Which has grown faster, ADP or NOW?
- Over the past five years, NOW grew revenue faster — ADP at a 8.08% CAGR versus NOW at 23.64%.
- Does ADP or NOW pay a bigger dividend?
- ADP pays a dividend (2.60% yield) while NOW does not currently pay one.
- Is ADP or NOW more profitable?
- ADP runs the higher net margin — ADP at 20.12% versus NOW at 12.59%.
- Which has been the better investment, ADP or NOW?
- Over the past 10-year, NOW delivered the higher annualized total return — ADP at 12.83% versus NOW at 21.93%. Past performance doesn't predict future results.
Go deeper
Dig into the metrics
Automatic Data Processing P/E ratioServiceNow P/E ratioAutomatic Data Processing dividend yieldServiceNow dividend yieldAutomatic Data Processing ROEServiceNow ROEAutomatic Data Processing operating marginServiceNow operating marginAutomatic Data Processing revenue growthServiceNow revenue growthAutomatic Data Processing free cash flowServiceNow free cash flow
Automatic Data Processing & ServiceNow 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.