Airbnb (ABNB) vs PayPal (PYPL)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 7, 2026.
Summary
Airbnb (ABNB) has outperformed PayPal (PYPL) over the past year, gaining 34.0% versus a loss of 26.4%. Over five years, ABNB leads with a -5.1% price change compared with -79.5% for PYPL. Airbnb is the larger company by market cap ($96.18 billion vs $47.01 billion), about 2.0 times the size.
On valuation, PayPal trades at a lower forward P/E (9.5x vs 26.0x for Airbnb). PayPal pays a dividend yielding 1.02%, while Airbnb does not currently pay one. Airbnb converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 20.5% versus 15.8%.
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 | ABNB | PYPL |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $160.63 | $54.95 |
| Market cap | $96.18B | $47.01B |
| 1-day change | +0.15% | +0.62% |
| YTD return | +18.35% | -5.88% |
| 1-year return | +34.03% | -26.35% |
| 5-year return | -5.05% | -79.52% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 36.59 | 10.35 |
| Forward P/E | 25.95 | 9.50 |
| EPS (TTM) | $4.39 | $5.31 |
| Dividend yield | 0.00% | 1.02% |
| Annual dividend | $0.00 | $0.56 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $12.24B | $33.17B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | +10.26% | +4.32% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $2.51B | $5.23B |
| Gross margin | 82.96% | — |
| Operating margin | 20.78% | 18.28% |
| Net margin | 20.51% | 15.78% |
| 52-week high | $193.45 | $79.22 |
| 52-week low | $110.81 | $38.46 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -16.97% | -30.63% |
| Analyst consensus | buy | hold |
| Avg. price target upside | +14.29% | +3.59% |
| Average volume | 4.72M | 14.04M |
| Shares outstanding | 419.53M | 855.46M |
| Employees | 8,200 | 23,800 |
| Sector | Consumer Discretionary | Industrials |
| Industry | Diversified Commercial Services | Diversified Commercial Services |
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
- Airbnb is about 2.0 times larger than PayPal by market value ($96.18B vs $47.01B).
- ABNB has outperformed PYPL by 60.4 percentage points over the past year.
- Airbnb trades at a higher earnings multiple (36.6x vs 10.3x trailing P/E).
- PayPal offers a meaningfully higher dividend yield (1.02% vs 0.00%).
- Airbnb grew revenue faster in its latest fiscal year (+10.26% vs +4.32%).
- The two companies sit in different sectors: Airbnb in Consumer Discretionary and PayPal in Industrials.
About Airbnb
ABNB stock →Airbnb, Inc., together with its subsidiaries, operates a platform for stays, experiences, and services worldwide. The company's marketplace connects hosts and guests online or through mobile devices to book spaces, experiences, and services.
Consumer Discretionary · Diversified Commercial Services · 8,200 employees
About PayPal
PYPL stock →PayPal Holdings, Inc. operates a technology platform that enables digital payments for merchants and consumers worldwide.
Industrials · Diversified Commercial Services · 23,800 employees
ABNB vs PYPL FAQ
Which is bigger, Airbnb or PayPal?
Airbnb (ABNB) is larger, with a market capitalization of $96.18B compared with $47.01B for PayPal (PYPL).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, ABNB or PYPL?
ABNB returned +34.03% over the past 12 months, compared with -26.35% for PYPL (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, ABNB or PYPL?
PYPL has the lower trailing P/E at 10.3, versus 36.6 for ABNB. 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, Airbnb or PayPal?
PayPal pays a dividend yielding 1.02%, while Airbnb does not currently pay a regular dividend.
Are Airbnb and PayPal in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Diversified Commercial Services industry within the Consumer Discretionary sector.