AppLovin Corporation (APP) vs QUALCOMM Incorporated (QCOM)

APP leads on 10 of 16 compared metrics, though QCOM is the cheaper stock.

A side-by-side comparison of AppLovin Corporation and QUALCOMM Incorporated across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of June 30, 2026. The ● marks the stronger figure on each row (cheaper multiple, higher margin/return).

Compare
AppLovin Corporation logo
APP
AppLovin Corporation
$173.09B
$515.23Technology
QUALCOMM Incorporated logo
QCOM
QUALCOMM Incorporated
$194.77B
$184.79Technology

Total return — APP vs QCOM

growth of $100 · last 5y
APP +665.0%QCOM +40.1%APP compounded faster
Log scale — wide-divergence pair
101001k10kStart $10020222023202420252026$765$140
APP QCOM

APP vs QCOM: by the numbers

  • •QCOM is the larger company ($194.77B vs $173.09B market cap).
  • •QCOM trades at the lower earnings multiple (20.25 vs 42.85 P/E).
  • •APP converts more revenue to profit (64.29% vs 22.31% net margin).
  • •APP grew revenue faster over the past five years (27.99% vs 8.63% CAGR).
  • •QCOM pays a dividend (1.95% yield) while APP does not currently pay one.

Which is better, APP or QCOM?

Metric tally: APP 10 · QCOM 6

It depends on what you're optimizing for:

ValueQCOM(lower P/E)
GrowthAPP(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)
QualityAPP(higher ROIC)

Metrics side by side

Valuation

MetricAPPQCOM
P/E ratio42.8520.25●
Forward P/E23.0417.54●
P/S ratio27.414.55●
P/B ratio71.487.42●
PEG ratio0.62●3.53
EV / EBITDA34.6316.13●
FCF yield2.61%6.18%●

Profitability

MetricAPPQCOM
Gross margin88.37%●54.80%
Operating margin77.09%●25.52%
Net margin64.29%●22.31%
ROE167.67%●36.38%
ROIC60.71%●13.15%

Dividends

MetricAPPQCOM
Dividend yield—1.95%
Payout ratio—72.73%

Growth (annualized)

MetricAPPQCOM
Revenue CAGR (5Y)27.99%●8.63%
EPS CAGR (5Y)73.54%●5.74%
FCF CAGR (5Y)79.57%●9.39%
Total return CAGR (5Y)43.04%●8.08%

Frequently asked

Which is better, APP or QCOM?
It depends on your goal. value: QCOM (lower P/E); growth: APP (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); quality: APP (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, APP leads 10 to 6.
Is APP or QCOM cheaper?
On trailing earnings, QCOM is cheaper: APP trades at a 42.85 P/E and QCOM at 20.25.
Which has grown faster, APP or QCOM?
Over the past five years, APP grew revenue faster — APP at a 27.99% CAGR versus QCOM at 8.63%.
Does APP or QCOM pay a bigger dividend?
QCOM pays a dividend (1.95% yield) while APP does not currently pay one.
Is APP or QCOM more profitable?
APP runs the higher net margin — APP at 64.29% versus QCOM at 22.31%.
Which has been the better investment, APP or QCOM?
Over the past 5-year, APP delivered the higher annualized total return — APP at 43.04% versus QCOM at 16.56%. Past performance doesn't predict future results.

Go deeper

Full APP analysisFull QCOM analysisInteractive comparison tool

Dig into the metrics

AppLovin P/E ratioQUALCOMM P/E ratioAppLovin dividend yieldQUALCOMM dividend yieldAppLovin ROEQUALCOMM ROEAppLovin operating marginQUALCOMM operating marginAppLovin revenue growthQUALCOMM revenue growthAppLovin free cash flowQUALCOMM free cash flow

AppLovin & QUALCOMM appear in these rankings

Fastest Revenue Growth StocksHighest ROE StocksHighest ROIC StocksHighest Operating Margin Stocks

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 June 30, 2026.