Upwork Inc. (UPWK) vs Werner Enterprises, Inc. (WERN)

UPWK leads on 9 of 12 compared metrics.

A side-by-side comparison of Upwork Inc. and Werner Enterprises, Inc. across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of June 15, 2026. The ● marks the stronger figure on each row (cheaper multiple, higher margin/return).

Compare

Total return — UPWK vs WERN

growth of $100 · last 8y
UPWK -59.9%WERN +23.6%WERN compounded faster
100200300Start $1002020202220242026$40$124
UPWK WERN

UPWK vs WERN: by the numbers

  • WERN is the larger company ($2.64B vs $1.05B market cap).
  • UPWK is profitable (13.81% net margin) while WERN runs a net loss (-0.28%).
  • UPWK grew revenue faster over the past five years (14.37% vs 5.09% CAGR).
  • WERN pays a dividend (1.27% yield) while UPWK does not currently pay one.

Which is better, UPWK or WERN?

Metric tally: UPWK 9 · WERN 3

It depends on what you're optimizing for:

GrowthUPWK(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)
QualityUPWK(higher ROIC)

Metrics side by side

Valuation

MetricUPWKWERN
P/E ratio10.61
Forward P/E4.8446.20
P/S ratio1.460.86
P/B ratio2.021.95
EV / EBITDA6.9111.28
FCF yield19.46%

Profitability

MetricUPWKWERN
Gross margin77.54%8.41%
Operating margin15.60%2.14%
Net margin13.81%-0.28%
ROE19.16%-0.63%
ROIC9.66%2.71%

Dividends

MetricUPWKWERN
Dividend yield1.27%

Growth (annualized)

MetricUPWKWERN
Revenue CAGR (5Y)14.37%5.09%
EPS CAGR (5Y)-25.51%
FCF CAGR (5Y)78.14%2.10%
Total return CAGR (5Y)-30.01%0.85%

Frequently asked

Which is better, UPWK or WERN?
It depends on your goal. growth: UPWK (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); quality: UPWK (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, UPWK leads 9 to 3.
Which has grown faster, UPWK or WERN?
Over the past five years, UPWK grew revenue faster — UPWK at a 14.37% CAGR versus WERN at 5.09%.
Does UPWK or WERN pay a bigger dividend?
WERN pays a dividend (1.27% yield) while UPWK does not currently pay one.
Is UPWK or WERN more profitable?
UPWK runs the higher net margin — UPWK at 13.81% versus WERN at -0.28%.
Which has been the better investment, UPWK or WERN?
Over the past 5-year, WERN delivered the higher annualized total return — UPWK at -30.01% versus WERN at 7.26%. 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 15, 2026.