AppLovin Corporation (APP) vs Western Digital Corporation (WDC)
APP leads on 11 of 15 compared metrics, though WDC is the cheaper stock.
A side-by-side comparison of AppLovin Corporation and Western Digital Corporation across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of July 7, 2026. The ● marks the stronger figure on each row (cheaper multiple, higher margin/return).
APP
AppLovin Corporation
$538.46Technology
WDC
Western Digital Corporation
$532.37Technology
Total return — APP vs WDC
growth of $100 · last 5yAPP +734.0%WDC +1012.6%WDC compounded faster
APP WDC
APP vs WDC: by the numbers
- •WDC is the larger company ($183.50B vs $180.89B market cap).
- •WDC trades at the lower earnings multiple (33.81 vs 46.72 P/E).
- •APP converts more revenue to profit (64.29% vs 55.07% net margin).
- •APP grew revenue faster over the past five years (27.99% vs -6.28% CAGR).
- •WDC pays a dividend (0.10% yield) while APP does not currently pay one.
Which is better, APP or WDC?
Metric tally: APP 11 · WDC 4It depends on what you're optimizing for:
ValueWDC(lower P/E)
GrowthAPP(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)
QualityAPP(higher ROIC)
Metrics side by side
Valuation
| Metric | APP | WDC |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 46.72 | 33.81● |
| Forward P/E | 33.76● | 57.82 |
| P/S ratio | 29.88 | 18.44● |
| P/B ratio | 77.93 | 22.43● |
| PEG ratio | 0.62● | 2.62 |
| EV / EBITDA | 37.74● | 54.38 |
| FCF yield | 2.39%● | 1.34% |
Profitability
| Metric | APP | WDC |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 88.37%● | 45.43% |
| Operating margin | 77.09%● | 30.78% |
| Net margin | 64.29%● | 55.07% |
| ROE | 167.67%● | 67.00% |
| ROIC | 60.71%● | 21.53% |
Dividends
| Metric | APP | WDC |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | — | 0.10% |
| Payout ratio | — | 11.30% |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | APP | WDC |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue CAGR (5Y) | 27.99%● | -6.28% |
| EPS CAGR (5Y) | 73.54%● | 12.92% |
| FCF CAGR (5Y) | 79.57% | 78.08% |
| Total return CAGR (5Y) | 52.00% | 61.85%● |
Frequently asked
- Which is better, APP or WDC?
- It depends on your goal. value: WDC (lower P/E); growth: APP (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); quality: APP (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, APP leads 11 to 4.
- Is APP or WDC cheaper?
- On trailing earnings, WDC is cheaper: APP trades at a 46.72 P/E and WDC at 33.81.
- Which has grown faster, APP or WDC?
- Over the past five years, APP grew revenue faster — APP at a 27.99% CAGR versus WDC at -6.28%.
- Does APP or WDC pay a bigger dividend?
- WDC pays a dividend (0.10% yield) while APP does not currently pay one.
- Is APP or WDC more profitable?
- APP runs the higher net margin — APP at 64.29% versus WDC at 55.07%.
- Which has been the better investment, APP or WDC?
- Over the past 5-year, APP delivered the higher annualized total return — APP at 52.00% versus WDC at 34.33%. Past performance doesn't predict future results.
Go deeper
Dig into the metrics
AppLovin P/E ratioWestern Digital P/E ratioAppLovin dividend yieldWestern Digital dividend yieldAppLovin ROEWestern Digital ROEAppLovin operating marginWestern Digital operating marginAppLovin revenue growthWestern Digital revenue growthAppLovin free cash flowWestern Digital free cash flow
AppLovin & Western Digital 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 7, 2026.