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.

Compare

Total returnAPP vs CDNS

growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 5y
APP +396.9% (+37.8%/yr)CDNS +98.9% (+14.7%/yr)APP compounded faster over this window
05001kStart $10020222023202420252026$497$199
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

MetricAPPCDNS
P/E ratio25.2760.23
Forward P/E20.8337.22
P/S ratio16.1714.29
P/B ratio34.9112.17
EV / EBITDA20.4539.74
FCF yield4.07%2.01%

Profitability

MetricAPPCDNS
Gross margin88.46%88.50%
Operating margin77.44%30.83%
Net margin64.58%23.61%
ROE139.42%20.09%
ROIC63.79%13.29%

Growth (annualized)

MetricAPPCDNS
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.

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.