Cadence Design Systems, Inc. (CDNS) vs Salesforce, Inc. (CRM)
CRM leads on 9 of 16 compared metrics.
A side-by-side comparison of Cadence Design Systems, Inc. and Salesforce, Inc. across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of June 13, 2026. The ● marks the stronger figure on each row (cheaper multiple, higher margin/return).
CDNS
Cadence Design Systems, Inc.
$384.96Technology
CRM
Salesforce, Inc.
$165.89Technology
Not enough overlapping price history to compare CDNS and CRM.
CDNS vs CRM: by the numbers
- •CRM is the larger company ($135.86B vs $106.18B market cap).
- •CRM trades at the lower earnings multiple (19.22 vs 89.73 P/E).
- •CDNS converts more revenue to profit (21.18% vs 18.73% net margin).
- •CDNS grew revenue faster over the past five years (14.78% vs 13.89% CAGR).
- •CRM pays a dividend (1.28% yield) while CDNS does not currently pay one.
Which is better, CDNS or CRM?
Metric tally: CDNS 7 · CRM 9It depends on what you're optimizing for:
ValueCRM(lower P/E)
GrowthCDNS(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)
QualityCDNS(higher ROIC)
Valuation
| Metric | CDNS | CRM |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 89.73 | 19.22● |
| Forward P/E | 41.13 | 11.75● |
| P/S ratio | 19.06 | 3.37● |
| P/B ratio | 16.06 | 4.22● |
| PEG ratio | 14.88 | 1.24● |
| EV / EBITDA | 56.46 | 13.63● |
| FCF yield | 1.36% | 10.14%● |
Profitability
| Metric | CDNS | CRM |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 88.85%● | 77.64% |
| Operating margin | 31.11%● | 21.94% |
| Net margin | 21.18%● | 18.73% |
| ROE | 17.85% | 23.44%● |
| ROIC | 14.11%● | 8.76% |
Dividends
| Metric | CDNS | CRM |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | — | 1.28% |
| Payout ratio | — | 27.11% |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | CDNS | CRM |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue CAGR (5Y) | 14.78%● | 13.89% |
| EPS CAGR (5Y) | 13.62%● | 11.87% |
| FCF CAGR (5Y) | 11.44% | 21.18%● |
| Total return CAGR (5Y) | 24.38%● | -6.82% |
Frequently asked
- Which is better, CDNS or CRM?
- It depends on your goal. value: CRM (lower P/E); growth: CDNS (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); quality: CDNS (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, CRM leads 9 to 7.
- Is CDNS or CRM cheaper?
- On trailing earnings, CRM is cheaper: CDNS trades at a 89.73 P/E and CRM at 19.22.
- Which has grown faster, CDNS or CRM?
- Over the past five years, CDNS grew revenue faster — CDNS at a 14.78% CAGR versus CRM at 13.89%.
- Does CDNS or CRM pay a bigger dividend?
- CRM pays a dividend (1.28% yield) while CDNS does not currently pay one.
- Is CDNS or CRM more profitable?
- CDNS runs the higher net margin — CDNS at 21.18% versus CRM at 18.73%.
- Which has been the better investment, CDNS or CRM?
- Over the past 10-year, CDNS delivered the higher annualized total return — CDNS at 31.59% versus CRM at 7.51%. Past performance doesn't predict future results.
Go deeper
Dig into the metrics
Cadence Design Systems P/E ratioSalesforce P/E ratioCadence Design Systems dividend yieldSalesforce dividend yieldCadence Design Systems ROESalesforce ROECadence Design Systems operating marginSalesforce operating marginCadence Design Systems revenue growthSalesforce revenue growthCadence Design Systems free cash flowSalesforce free cash flow
Cadence Design Systems & Salesforce 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 June 13, 2026.