Duolingo, Inc. (DUOL) vs Paycom Software, Inc. (PAYC)
DUOL and PAYC are evenly matched — 7 metrics each of 14.
A side-by-side comparison of Duolingo, Inc. and Paycom Software, Inc. across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of June 16, 2026. The ● marks the stronger figure on each row (cheaper multiple, higher margin/return).
Total return — DUOL vs PAYC
growth of $100 · last 5yDUOL -8.6%PAYC -65.9%DUOL compounded faster
DUOL PAYC
DUOL vs PAYC: by the numbers
- •PAYC is the larger company ($7.35B vs $5.92B market cap).
- •DUOL trades at the lower earnings multiple (14.79 vs 15.57 P/E).
- •DUOL converts more revenue to profit (38.44% vs 22.44% net margin).
- •DUOL grew revenue faster over the past five years (42.21% vs 19.16% CAGR).
- •PAYC pays a dividend (1.11% yield) while DUOL does not currently pay one.
Which is better, DUOL or PAYC?
Metric tally: DUOL 7 · PAYC 7It depends on what you're optimizing for:
ValueDUOL(lower P/E)
GrowthDUOL(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)
QualityPAYC(higher ROIC)
Metrics side by side
Valuation
| Metric | DUOL | PAYC |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 14.79● | 15.57 |
| Forward P/E | 44.83 | 12.36● |
| P/S ratio | 5.66 | 3.29● |
| P/B ratio | 4.47● | 8.50 |
| PEG ratio | 0.06● | 0.58 |
| EV / EBITDA | 23.76 | 8.95● |
| FCF yield | 6.68%● | 6.42% |
Profitability
| Metric | DUOL | PAYC |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 72.14% | 79.74%● |
| Operating margin | 14.78% | 28.30%● |
| Net margin | 38.44%● | 22.44% |
| ROE | 30.35% | 57.87%● |
| ROIC | 9.80% | 18.38%● |
Dividends
| Metric | DUOL | PAYC |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | — | 1.11% |
| Payout ratio | — | 18.45% |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | DUOL | PAYC |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue CAGR (5Y) | 42.21%● | 19.16% |
| EPS CAGR (5Y) | — | 26.70% |
| FCF CAGR (5Y) | 91.58%● | 25.72% |
| Total return CAGR (5Y) | — | -16.24% |
Frequently asked
- Which is better, DUOL or PAYC?
- It depends on your goal. value: DUOL (lower P/E); growth: DUOL (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); quality: PAYC (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, they are evenly matched.
- Is DUOL or PAYC cheaper?
- On trailing earnings, DUOL is cheaper: DUOL trades at a 14.79 P/E and PAYC at 15.57.
- Which has grown faster, DUOL or PAYC?
- Over the past five years, DUOL grew revenue faster — DUOL at a 42.21% CAGR versus PAYC at 19.16%.
- Does DUOL or PAYC pay a bigger dividend?
- PAYC pays a dividend (1.11% yield) while DUOL does not currently pay one.
- Is DUOL or PAYC more profitable?
- DUOL runs the higher net margin — DUOL at 38.44% versus PAYC at 22.44%.
Go deeper
Dig into the metrics
Duolingo P/E ratioPaycom Software P/E ratioDuolingo dividend yieldPaycom Software dividend yieldDuolingo ROEPaycom Software ROEDuolingo operating marginPaycom Software operating marginDuolingo revenue growthPaycom Software revenue growthDuolingo free cash flowPaycom Software free cash flow
Duolingo & Paycom Software 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 16, 2026.