AppLovin Corporation (APP) vs Cadence Design Systems, Inc. (CDNS)
A side-by-side comparison of AppLovin Corporation and Cadence Design Systems, Inc. across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of August 7, 2026. Differences are shown without an overall score or investment verdict.
APP
AppLovin Corporation
$342.44TechnologyDelayed quote: Aug 7, 2026, 1:25 PM EDT
CDNS
Cadence Design Systems, Inc.
$338.76TechnologyDelayed quote: Aug 7, 2026, 1:25 PM EDT
Total return — APP vs CDNS
growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 5yAPP +414.8%CDNS +135.9%APP compounded faster
APP CDNS
APP vs CDNS: by the numbers
- •APP is the larger company ($115.04B vs $93.29B market cap).
- •APP trades at the lower trailing earnings multiple (25.80 vs 67.28 P/E), one valuation lens rather than an overall verdict.
- •APP converts more revenue to profit (64.58% vs 23.61% net margin).
- •APP grew revenue faster over the past five years (25.84% vs 15.04% CAGR).
Metrics side by side
Valuation
| Metric | APP | CDNS |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 25.80 | 67.28 |
| Forward P/E | 21.01 | 41.57 |
| P/S ratio | 16.61 | 15.94 |
| P/B ratio | 35.86 | 13.57 |
| PEG ratio | 0.62 | 14.86 |
| EV / EBITDA | 21.00 | 44.24 |
| FCF yield | 3.97% | 1.80% |
Profitability
| Metric | APP | CDNS |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 88.46% | 88.50% |
| Operating margin | 77.44% | 30.83% |
| Net margin | 64.58% | 23.61% |
| ROE | 139.42% | 20.09% |
| ROIC | 60.71% | 14.11% |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | APP | CDNS |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue CAGR (5Y) | 25.84% | 15.04% |
| EPS CAGR (5Y) | 73.54% | 13.62% |
| FCF CAGR (5Y) | 73.58% | 15.03% |
| Total return CAGR (5Y) | 41.76% | 17.51% |
Frequently asked
- Which has the lower trailing P/E, APP or CDNS?
- APP has the lower trailing P/E: APP trades at 25.80 and CDNS at 67.28. P/E is one valuation measure and does not by itself establish which business is cheaper.
- Which has grown faster, APP or CDNS?
- Over the past five years, APP grew revenue faster — APP at a 25.84% CAGR versus CDNS at 15.04%.
- Is APP or CDNS more profitable?
- APP runs the higher net margin — APP at 64.58% versus CDNS at 23.61%.
- How have APP and CDNS total returns compared?
- Over the past 5 years, APP delivered 41.76% and CDNS delivered 29.93% annualized total return. Past performance doesn't predict future results.
Go deeper
Dig into the metrics
AppLovin P/E ratioCadence Design Systems P/E ratioAppLovin dividend yieldCadence Design Systems dividend yieldAppLovin ROECadence Design Systems ROEAppLovin operating marginCadence Design Systems operating marginAppLovin revenue growthCadence Design Systems revenue growthAppLovin free cash flowCadence Design Systems free cash flow
AppLovin & Cadence Design Systems 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 August 7, 2026.