Apple (AAPL) vs Alphabet (GOOGL)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 8, 2026.
Summary
Alphabet (GOOGL) has outperformed Apple (AAPL) over the past year, gaining 42.6% versus a gain of 31.3%. Over five years, GOOGL leads with a +147.9% price change compared with +132.4% for AAPL. Apple is the larger company by market cap ($4.98 trillion vs $4.26 trillion), about 1.2 times the size, while Alphabet is growing revenue faster (+15.1% vs +6.4%).
On valuation, Alphabet trades at a lower forward P/E (23.1x vs 35.6x for Apple). Apple offers the higher dividend yield (0.31% vs 0.24%). Alphabet converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 32.8% versus 26.9%.
Summary generated from market data by MetaCap's automated system. Methodology
Relative performance
Percent change in share price from the first common trading day shown; excludes dividends.
Head-to-head
| Metric | AAPL | GOOGL |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $341.00 | $348.15 |
| Market cap | $4.98T | $4.26T |
| 1-day change | +1.29% | -0.67% |
| YTD return | +23.84% | +11.98% |
| 1-year return | +31.27% | +42.62% |
| 5-year return | +132.44% | +147.93% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 39.11 | 17.47 |
| Forward P/E | 35.57 | 23.10 |
| EPS (TTM) | $8.72 | $19.93 |
| Dividend yield | 0.31% | 0.24% |
| Annual dividend | $1.05 | $0.85 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $416.16B | $402.84B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | +6.43% | +15.09% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $112.01B | $132.17B |
| Gross margin | 46.91% | 59.65% |
| Operating margin | 31.97% | 32.03% |
| Net margin | 26.92% | 32.81% |
| 52-week high | $345.34 | $408.61 |
| 52-week low | $243.42 | $235.84 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -1.26% | -14.80% |
| Analyst consensus | buy | strong_buy |
| Avg. price target upside | -3.79% | +23.36% |
| Average volume | 45.41M | 27.00M |
| Shares outstanding | 14.59B | 5.87B |
| Employees | 150,000 | 198,933 |
| Sector | Technology | Technology |
| Industry | Computer Manufacturing | Computer Software: Programming Data Processing |
Highlighted cells mark the higher value for growth, returns, margins and yield, and the lower value for P/E ratios. Highlighting is a mechanical comparison, not a recommendation.
Key differences
- GOOGL has outperformed AAPL by 11.4 percentage points over the past year.
- Apple trades at a higher earnings multiple (39.1x vs 17.5x trailing P/E).
- Alphabet is more profitable, keeping 32.8 cents of every revenue dollar as net income versus 26.9 cents for Apple.
- Alphabet grew revenue faster in its latest fiscal year (+15.09% vs +6.43%).
About Apple
AAPL stock →Apple Inc. designs, manufactures, and markets smartphones, personal computers, tablets, wearables, and accessories worldwide.
Technology · Computer Manufacturing · 150,000 employees
About Alphabet
GOOGL stock →Alphabet Inc. offers various products and platforms in the United States, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, the Asia-Pacific, Canada, and Latin America.
Technology · Computer Software: Programming Data Processing · 198,933 employees
AAPL vs GOOGL FAQ
Which is bigger, Apple or Alphabet?
Apple (AAPL) is larger, with a market capitalization of $4.98T compared with $4.26T for Alphabet (GOOGL).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, AAPL or GOOGL?
GOOGL returned +42.62% over the past 12 months, compared with +31.27% for AAPL (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, AAPL or GOOGL?
GOOGL has the lower trailing P/E at 17.5, versus 39.1 for AAPL. A lower P/E is not by itself a sign of a better investment; it can reflect slower expected growth or higher risk.
Which pays a higher dividend, Apple or Alphabet?
Apple has the higher yield at 0.31%, compared with 0.24% for Alphabet.
Are Apple and Alphabet in the same industry?
Both are in the Technology sector, but in different industries: Computer Manufacturing for Apple and Computer Software: Programming Data Processing for Alphabet.