Duolingo, Inc. (DUOL) vs Paylocity Holding Corporation (PCTY)
A side-by-side comparison of Duolingo, Inc. and Paylocity Holding Corporation across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of September 11, 2026. Differences are shown without an overall score or investment verdict.
DUOL
Duolingo, Inc.
$144.43TechnologyDelayed quote: Sep 11, 2026, 10:20 AM EDT
PCTY
Paylocity Holding Corporation
$141.87TechnologyDelayed quote: Sep 11, 2026, 10:20 AM EDT
Total return — DUOL vs PCTY
growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 5yDUOL +4.4% (+0.9%/yr)PCTY -27.8% (-6.3%/yr)DUOL compounded faster over this window
DUOL PCTY
DUOL vs PCTY: by the numbers
- •PCTY is the larger company ($7.60B vs $6.73B market cap).
- •DUOL trades at the lower trailing earnings multiple (17.32 vs 28.83 P/E), one valuation lens rather than an overall verdict.
- •DUOL converts more revenue to profit (35.87% vs 15.23% net margin).
- •DUOL grew revenue faster over the past five years (40.70% vs 22.75% CAGR).
Metrics side by side
Valuation
| Metric | DUOL | PCTY |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 17.32 | 28.83 |
| Forward P/E | 52.51 | 16.07 |
| P/S ratio | 5.88 | 4.29 |
| P/B ratio | 4.77 | 6.22 |
| EV / EBITDA | 31.64 | 14.96 |
| FCF yield | 6.02% | 5.90% |
Profitability
| Metric | DUOL | PCTY |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 72.34% | 69.19% |
| Operating margin | 14.18% | 21.79% |
| Net margin | 35.87% | 15.23% |
| ROE | 29.14% | 22.08% |
| ROIC | 10.85% | 18.36% |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | DUOL | PCTY |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue CAGR (5Y) | 40.70% | 22.75% |
| EPS CAGR (5Y) | N/A | 30.87% |
| FCF CAGR (5Y) | 91.58% | 38.86% |
| Total return CAGR (5Y) | -3.49% | -11.67% |
Frequently asked
- Which has the lower trailing P/E, DUOL or PCTY?
- DUOL has the lower trailing P/E: DUOL trades at 17.32 and PCTY at 28.83. P/E is one valuation measure and does not by itself establish which business is cheaper.
- Which has grown faster, DUOL or PCTY?
- Over the past five years, DUOL grew revenue faster — DUOL at a 40.70% CAGR versus PCTY at 22.75%.
- Is DUOL or PCTY more profitable?
- DUOL runs the higher net margin — DUOL at 35.87% versus PCTY at 15.23%.
- How have DUOL and PCTY total returns compared?
- Over the past 5 years, DUOL delivered -3.49% and PCTY delivered -11.67% annualized total return. Past performance doesn't predict future results.
Go deeper
Dig into the metrics
Duolingo P/E ratioPaylocity P/E ratioDuolingo ROEPaylocity ROEDuolingo operating marginPaylocity operating marginDuolingo revenue growthPaylocity revenue growthDuolingo free cash flowPaylocity free cash flow
Duolingo & Paylocity 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 September 11, 2026.