ServiceNow, Inc. (NOW) vs Palo Alto Networks, Inc. (PANW)
A side-by-side comparison of ServiceNow, Inc. and Palo Alto Networks, Inc. across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of August 14, 2026. Differences are shown without an overall score or investment verdict.
NOW
ServiceNow, Inc.
$124.00TechnologyDelayed quote: Aug 14, 2026, 4:00 PM EDT
PANW
Palo Alto Networks, Inc.
$384.27TechnologyDelayed quote: Aug 14, 2026, 4:00 PM EDT
Total return — NOW vs PANW
growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 10yNOW +739.9% (+23.7%/yr)PANW +1652.2% (+33.2%/yr)PANW compounded faster over this window
NOW PANW
NOW vs PANW: by the numbers
- •PANW is the larger company ($313.18B vs $128.20B market cap).
- •NOW trades at the lower trailing earnings multiple (79.53 vs 344.35 P/E), one valuation lens rather than an overall verdict.
- •NOW converts more revenue to profit (11.34% vs 7.95% net margin).
- •NOW grew revenue faster over the past five years (23.29% vs 21.62% CAGR).
Metrics side by side
Valuation
| Metric | NOW | PANW |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 79.53 | 344.35 |
| Forward P/E | 31.25 | 104.95 |
| P/S ratio | 8.96 | 27.78 |
| P/B ratio | 10.54 | 10.65 |
| EV / EBITDA | 50.13 | 154.50 |
| FCF yield | 3.47% | 1.46% |
Profitability
| Metric | NOW | PANW |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 74.77% | 71.94% |
| Operating margin | 11.40% | 9.65% |
| Net margin | 11.34% | 7.95% |
| ROE | 13.34% | 3.05% |
| ROIC | 8.98% | 5.67% |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | NOW | PANW |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue CAGR (5Y) | 23.29% | 21.62% |
| EPS CAGR (5Y) | 69.74% | N/A |
| FCF CAGR (5Y) | 24.63% | 25.30% |
| Total return CAGR (5Y) | 1.60% | 44.75% |
Frequently asked
- Which has the lower trailing P/E, NOW or PANW?
- NOW has the lower trailing P/E: NOW trades at 79.53 and PANW at 344.35. P/E is one valuation measure and does not by itself establish which business is cheaper.
- Which has grown faster, NOW or PANW?
- Over the past five years, NOW grew revenue faster — NOW at a 23.29% CAGR versus PANW at 21.62%.
- Is NOW or PANW more profitable?
- NOW runs the higher net margin — NOW at 11.34% versus PANW at 7.95%.
- How have NOW and PANW total returns compared?
- Over the past 10 years, NOW delivered 23.71% and PANW delivered 34.00% annualized total return. Past performance doesn't predict future results.
Go deeper
Dig into the metrics
ServiceNow P/E ratioPalo Alto Networks P/E ratioServiceNow ROEPalo Alto Networks ROEServiceNow operating marginPalo Alto Networks operating marginServiceNow revenue growthPalo Alto Networks revenue growthServiceNow free cash flowPalo Alto Networks free cash flow
ServiceNow & Palo Alto Networks 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 August 14, 2026.