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.

Compare

Total returnDUOL vs PCTY

growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 5y
DUOL +4.4% (+0.9%/yr)PCTY -27.8% (-6.3%/yr)DUOL compounded faster over this window
100200300400Start $10020222023202420252026$104$72
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

MetricDUOLPCTY
P/E ratio17.3228.83
Forward P/E52.5116.07
P/S ratio5.884.29
P/B ratio4.776.22
EV / EBITDA31.6414.96
FCF yield6.02%5.90%

Profitability

MetricDUOLPCTY
Gross margin72.34%69.19%
Operating margin14.18%21.79%
Net margin35.87%15.23%
ROE29.14%22.08%
ROIC10.85%18.36%

Growth (annualized)

MetricDUOLPCTY
Revenue CAGR (5Y)40.70%22.75%
EPS CAGR (5Y)N/A30.87%
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.

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.