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 September 13, 2026. Differences are shown without an overall score or investment verdict.
APP
AppLovin Corporation
$328.73TechnologyDelayed quote: Sep 22, 2026, 4:00 PM EDT
CDNS
Cadence Design Systems, Inc.
$302.95TechnologyDelayed quote: Sep 22, 2026, 4:00 PM EDT
Total return — APP vs CDNS
growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 5yAPP +396.9% (+37.8%/yr)CDNS +98.9% (+14.7%/yr)APP compounded faster over this window
APP CDNS
APP vs CDNS: by the numbers
- •APP is the larger company ($110.43B vs $83.43B market cap).
- •APP trades at the lower trailing earnings multiple (25.27 vs 60.23 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 | 25.27 | 60.23 |
| Forward P/E | 20.83 | 37.22 |
| P/S ratio | 16.17 | 14.29 |
| P/B ratio | 34.91 | 12.17 |
| EV / EBITDA | 20.45 | 39.74 |
| FCF yield | 4.07% | 2.01% |
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 | 63.79% | 13.29% |
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) | 33.14% | 11.63% |
Frequently asked
- Which has the lower trailing P/E, APP or CDNS?
- APP has the lower trailing P/E: APP trades at 25.27 and CDNS at 60.23. 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 33.14% and CDNS delivered 11.63% 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 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 September 13, 2026.