Apple (AAPL) vs Meta Platforms (META)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 8, 2026.
Summary
Apple (AAPL) has outperformed Meta Platforms (META) over the past year, gaining 31.9% versus a gain of 1.2%. Over five years, AAPL leads with a +132.4% price change compared with +122.1% for META. Apple is the larger company by market cap ($4.97 trillion vs $1.84 trillion), about 2.7 times the size, while Meta Platforms is growing revenue faster (+22.2% vs +6.4%).
On valuation, Meta Platforms trades at a lower forward P/E (20.9x vs 35.5x for Apple). Apple offers the higher dividend yield (0.31% vs 0.29%). Meta Platforms converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 30.1% 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 | META |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $340.42 | $720.89 |
| Market cap | $4.97T | $1.84T |
| 1-day change | +1.11% | -0.06% |
| YTD return | +25.22% | +9.27% |
| 1-year return | +31.92% | +1.15% |
| 5-year return | +132.44% | +122.11% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 39.04 | 27.16 |
| Forward P/E | 35.51 | 20.87 |
| EPS (TTM) | $8.72 | $26.54 |
| Dividend yield | 0.31% | 0.29% |
| Annual dividend | $1.05 | $2.10 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $416.16B | $200.97B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | +6.43% | +22.17% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $112.01B | $60.46B |
| Gross margin | 46.91% | 82.00% |
| Operating margin | 31.97% | 41.44% |
| Net margin | 26.92% | 30.08% |
| 52-week high | $345.34 | $779.82 |
| 52-week low | $243.42 | $520.26 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -1.42% | -7.56% |
| Analyst consensus | buy | strong_buy |
| Avg. price target upside | -3.62% | +10.27% |
| Average volume | 45.41M | 19.23M |
| Shares outstanding | 14.59B | 2.21B |
| Employees | 150,000 | 75,472 |
| 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
- Apple is about 2.7 times larger than Meta Platforms by market value ($4.97T vs $1.84T).
- AAPL has outperformed META by 30.8 percentage points over the past year.
- Apple trades at a higher earnings multiple (39.0x vs 27.2x trailing P/E).
- Meta Platforms grew revenue faster in its latest fiscal year (+22.17% 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 Meta Platforms
META stock →Meta Platforms, Inc. engages in the development of products that enable people to connect and share with friends and family through mobile devices, personal computers, virtual reality (VR) headsets, and AI glasses in the United States, Canada, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and internationally.
Technology · Computer Software: Programming Data Processing · 75,472 employees
AAPL vs META FAQ
Which is bigger, Apple or Meta Platforms?
Apple (AAPL) is larger, with a market capitalization of $4.97T compared with $1.84T for Meta Platforms (META).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, AAPL or META?
AAPL returned +31.92% over the past 12 months, compared with +1.15% for META (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, AAPL or META?
META has the lower trailing P/E at 27.2, versus 39.0 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 Meta Platforms?
Apple has the higher yield at 0.31%, compared with 0.29% for Meta Platforms.
Are Apple and Meta Platforms 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 Meta Platforms.