Salesforce, Inc. (CRM) vs Fortinet, Inc. (FTNT)
FTNT leads on 8 of 15 compared metrics, though CRM is the cheaper stock.
A side-by-side comparison of Salesforce, Inc. and Fortinet, 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).
Total return — CRM vs FTNT
growth of $100 · last 17yCRM +960.0%FTNT +8556.8%FTNT compounded faster
Log scale — wide-divergence pair
CRM FTNT
CRM vs FTNT: by the numbers
- •CRM is the larger company ($135.86B vs $107.19B market cap).
- •CRM trades at the lower earnings multiple (19.22 vs 56.49 P/E).
- •FTNT converts more revenue to profit (27.49% vs 18.73% net margin).
- •FTNT grew revenue faster over the past five years (21.13% vs 13.89% CAGR).
- •CRM pays a dividend (1.28% yield) while FTNT does not currently pay one.
Which is better, CRM or FTNT?
Metric tally: CRM 7 · FTNT 8It depends on what you're optimizing for:
ValueCRM(lower P/E)
GrowthFTNT(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)
QualityFTNT(higher ROIC)
Valuation
| Metric | CRM | FTNT |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 19.22● | 56.49 |
| Forward P/E | 11.75● | 42.79 |
| P/S ratio | 3.37● | 15.29 |
| P/B ratio | 4.22● | 109.80 |
| PEG ratio | 1.24● | 4.54 |
| EV / EBITDA | 13.63● | 39.77 |
| FCF yield | 10.14%● | 2.24% |
Profitability
| Metric | CRM | FTNT |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 77.64% | 80.67%● |
| Operating margin | 21.94% | 31.06%● |
| Net margin | 18.73% | 27.49%● |
| ROE | 23.44% | 197.48%● |
| ROIC | 8.76% | 28.75%● |
Dividends
| Metric | CRM | FTNT |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | 1.28% | — |
| Payout ratio | 27.11% | — |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | CRM | FTNT |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue CAGR (5Y) | 13.89% | 21.13%● |
| EPS CAGR (5Y) | 11.87% | 32.39%● |
| FCF CAGR (5Y) | 21.18% | 21.24% |
| Total return CAGR (5Y) | -6.82% | 26.14%● |
Frequently asked
- Which is better, CRM or FTNT?
- It depends on your goal. value: CRM (lower P/E); growth: FTNT (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); quality: FTNT (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, FTNT leads 8 to 7.
- Is CRM or FTNT cheaper?
- On trailing earnings, CRM is cheaper: CRM trades at a 19.22 P/E and FTNT at 56.49.
- Which has grown faster, CRM or FTNT?
- Over the past five years, FTNT grew revenue faster — CRM at a 13.89% CAGR versus FTNT at 21.13%.
- Does CRM or FTNT pay a bigger dividend?
- CRM pays a dividend (1.28% yield) while FTNT does not currently pay one.
- Is CRM or FTNT more profitable?
- FTNT runs the higher net margin — CRM at 18.73% versus FTNT at 27.49%.
- Which has been the better investment, CRM or FTNT?
- Over the past 10-year, FTNT delivered the higher annualized total return — CRM at 7.51% versus FTNT at 36.02%. Past performance doesn't predict future results.
Go deeper
Dig into the metrics
Salesforce P/E ratioFortinet P/E ratioSalesforce dividend yieldFortinet dividend yieldSalesforce ROEFortinet ROESalesforce operating marginFortinet operating marginSalesforce revenue growthFortinet revenue growthSalesforce free cash flowFortinet free cash flow
Salesforce & Fortinet 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.