Meta Platforms, Inc. (META) vs PayPal Holdings, Inc. (PYPL)
A side-by-side comparison of Meta Platforms, Inc. and PayPal Holdings, Inc. across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of July 28, 2026. Differences are shown without an overall score or investment verdict.
Different business models: META is classified in Communication Services; PYPL is classified in Financial Services. Margin, capital intensity, and valuation differences should be interpreted in that sector context.
META
Meta Platforms, Inc.
$593.41Communication ServicesDelayed quote: Jul 28, 2026, 4:00 PM EDT
PYPL
PayPal Holdings, Inc.
$58.32Financial ServicesDelayed quote: Jul 28, 2026, 4:00 PM EDT
Total return — META vs PYPL
growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 11yMETA +589.6%PYPL +59.9%META compounded faster
META PYPL
META vs PYPL: by the numbers
- •META is the larger company ($1.51T vs $51.44B market cap).
- •PYPL trades at the lower trailing earnings multiple (10.52 vs 21.60 P/E), one valuation lens rather than an overall verdict.
- •META converts more revenue to profit (32.84% vs 14.36% net margin).
- •META grew revenue faster over the past five years (17.89% vs 7.43% CAGR).
- •PYPL pays the higher dividend yield (0.75% vs 0.35%).
Metrics side by side
Valuation
| Metric | META | PYPL |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 21.60 | 10.52 |
| Forward P/E | 18.03 | 10.56 |
| P/S ratio | 7.08 | 1.53 |
| P/B ratio | 6.25 | 2.58 |
| PEG ratio | 1.16 | 0.30 |
| EV / EBITDA | 14.51 | N/A |
| FCF yield | 3.17% | N/A |
Profitability
| Metric | META | PYPL |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 81.94% | 45.75% |
| Operating margin | 41.21% | 18.78% |
| Net margin | 32.84% | 14.36% |
| ROE | 28.97% | 24.73% |
| ROIC | 17.95% | 14.95% |
Dividends
| Metric | META | PYPL |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | 0.35% | 0.75% |
| Payout ratio | 8.76% | 7.69% |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | META | PYPL |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue CAGR (5Y) | 17.89% | 7.43% |
| EPS CAGR (5Y) | 18.60% | 8.81% |
| FCF CAGR (5Y) | 14.84% | N/A |
| Total return CAGR (5Y) | 10.03% | -27.93% |
Frequently asked
- Which has the lower trailing P/E, META or PYPL?
- PYPL has the lower trailing P/E: META trades at 21.60 and PYPL at 10.52. P/E is one valuation measure and does not by itself establish which business is cheaper.
- Which has grown faster, META or PYPL?
- Over the past five years, META grew revenue faster — META at a 17.89% CAGR versus PYPL at 7.43%.
- Does META or PYPL pay a bigger dividend?
- META yields 0.35% and PYPL yields 0.75% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
- Is META or PYPL more profitable?
- META runs the higher net margin — META at 32.84% versus PYPL at 14.36%.
- How have META and PYPL total returns compared?
- Over the past 10 years, META delivered 17.02% and PYPL delivered 4.66% annualized total return. Past performance doesn't predict future results.
Go deeper
Dig into the metrics
Meta Platforms P/E ratioPayPal P/E ratioMeta Platforms dividend yieldPayPal dividend yieldMeta Platforms ROEPayPal ROEMeta Platforms operating marginPayPal operating marginMeta Platforms revenue growthPayPal revenue growthMeta Platforms free cash flowPayPal free cash flow
Meta Platforms & PayPal appear in these rankings
Fastest Revenue Growth StocksHighest ROE StocksHighest Operating Margin StocksHighest FCF Yield Stocks
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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 July 28, 2026.