Kforce Inc. (KFRC) vs Upwork Inc. (UPWK)

UPWK leads on 10 of 14 compared metrics.

A side-by-side comparison of Kforce Inc. and Upwork Inc. across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of June 14, 2026. The ● marks the stronger figure on each row (cheaper multiple, higher margin/return).

Compare

Total return — KFRC vs UPWK

growth of $100 · last 8y
KFRC +36.5%UPWK -59.9%KFRC compounded faster
100200300Start $1002020202220242026$137$40
KFRC UPWK

KFRC vs UPWK: by the numbers

  • UPWK is the larger company ($1.05B vs $892M market cap).
  • UPWK trades at the lower earnings multiple (10.61 vs 25.64 P/E).
  • UPWK converts more revenue to profit (13.81% vs 2.60% net margin).
  • UPWK grew revenue faster over the past five years (14.37% vs -1.39% CAGR).
  • KFRC pays a dividend (3.16% yield) while UPWK does not currently pay one.

Which is better, KFRC or UPWK?

Metric tally: KFRC 4 · UPWK 10

It depends on what you're optimizing for:

ValueUPWK(lower P/E)
GrowthUPWK(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)
QualityKFRC(higher ROIC)

Metrics side by side

Valuation

MetricKFRCUPWK
P/E ratio25.6410.61
Forward P/E20.774.84
P/S ratio0.651.46
P/B ratio7.332.02
EV / EBITDA18.366.91
FCF yield5.04%19.46%

Profitability

MetricKFRCUPWK
Gross margin27.22%77.54%
Operating margin3.80%15.60%
Net margin2.60%13.81%
ROE29.49%19.16%
ROIC14.55%9.66%

Dividends

MetricKFRCUPWK
Dividend yield3.16%
Payout ratio80.61%

Growth (annualized)

MetricKFRCUPWK
Revenue CAGR (5Y)-1.39%14.37%
EPS CAGR (5Y)-6.00%
FCF CAGR (5Y)-18.81%78.14%
Total return CAGR (5Y)-1.68%-30.01%

Frequently asked

Which is better, KFRC or UPWK?
It depends on your goal. value: UPWK (lower P/E); growth: UPWK (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); quality: KFRC (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, UPWK leads 10 to 4.
Is KFRC or UPWK cheaper?
On trailing earnings, UPWK is cheaper: KFRC trades at a 25.64 P/E and UPWK at 10.61.
Which has grown faster, KFRC or UPWK?
Over the past five years, UPWK grew revenue faster — KFRC at a -1.39% CAGR versus UPWK at 14.37%.
Does KFRC or UPWK pay a bigger dividend?
KFRC pays a dividend (3.16% yield) while UPWK does not currently pay one.
Is KFRC or UPWK more profitable?
UPWK runs the higher net margin — KFRC at 2.60% versus UPWK at 13.81%.
Which has been the better investment, KFRC or UPWK?
Over the past 5-year, KFRC delivered the higher annualized total return — KFRC at 13.04% versus UPWK at -30.01%. 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 June 14, 2026.