Automatic Data Processing (ADP) vs Salesforce (CRM)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 8, 2026.
Summary
Salesforce (CRM) has outperformed Automatic Data Processing (ADP) over the past year, losing 5.3% versus a loss of 6.9%. Over five years, ADP leads with a +27.1% price change compared with -21.9% for CRM. Salesforce is the larger company by market cap ($187.48 billion vs $107.28 billion), about 1.7 times the size.
On valuation, Salesforce trades at a lower forward P/E (14.2x vs 20.2x for Automatic Data Processing). Automatic Data Processing offers the higher dividend yield (2.45% vs 0.75%). Automatic Data Processing converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 20.1% versus 18.0%.
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 | ADP | CRM |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $270.73 | $227.80 |
| Market cap | $107.28B | $187.48B |
| 1-day change | +2.55% | +1.44% |
| YTD return | +5.25% | -14.01% |
| 1-year return | -6.87% | -5.25% |
| 5-year return | +27.12% | -21.90% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 24.75 | 20.84 |
| Forward P/E | 20.20 | 14.22 |
| EPS (TTM) | $10.94 | $10.93 |
| Dividend yield | 2.45% | 0.75% |
| Annual dividend | $6.64 | $1.71 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $21.95B | $41.52B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | +6.74% | +9.58% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $4.41B | $7.46B |
| Gross margin | 46.42% | 77.68% |
| Operating margin | — | 20.06% |
| Net margin | 20.11% | 17.96% |
| 52-week high | $291.34 | $269.11 |
| 52-week low | $188.16 | $146.32 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -7.07% | -15.35% |
| Analyst consensus | hold | buy |
| Avg. price target upside | +5.79% | +24.39% |
| Average volume | 2.24M | 13.27M |
| Shares outstanding | 396.25M | 823.00M |
| Employees | 67,000 | 83,334 |
| Sector | Technology | Technology |
| Industry | EDP Services | Computer Software: Prepackaged Software |
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
- Automatic Data Processing offers a meaningfully higher dividend yield (2.45% vs 0.75%).
About Automatic Data Processing
ADP stock →Automatic Data Processing, Inc. provides cloud-based human capital management (HCM) solutions worldwide.
Technology · EDP Services · 67,000 employees
About Salesforce
CRM stock →Salesforce, Inc. provides customer relationship management technology services that connect companies and customers together in the United States, Europe, and the Asia Pacific.
Technology · Computer Software: Prepackaged Software · 83,334 employees
ADP vs CRM FAQ
Which is bigger, Automatic Data Processing or Salesforce?
Salesforce (CRM) is larger, with a market capitalization of $187.48B compared with $107.28B for Automatic Data Processing (ADP).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, ADP or CRM?
CRM returned -5.25% over the past 12 months, compared with -6.87% for ADP (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, ADP or CRM?
CRM has the lower trailing P/E at 20.8, versus 24.7 for ADP. 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, Automatic Data Processing or Salesforce?
Automatic Data Processing has the higher yield at 2.45%, compared with 0.75% for Salesforce.
Are Automatic Data Processing and Salesforce in the same industry?
Both are in the Technology sector, but in different industries: EDP Services for Automatic Data Processing and Computer Software: Prepackaged Software for Salesforce.