Automatic Data Processing (ADP) vs Datadog (DDOG)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 8, 2026.
Summary
Datadog (DDOG) has outperformed Automatic Data Processing (ADP) over the past year, gaining 75.6% versus a loss of 9.9%. Over five years, DDOG leads with a +75.6% price change compared with +24.0% for ADP. Automatic Data Processing is the larger company by market cap ($104.61 billion vs $97.43 billion), about 1.1 times the size, while Datadog is growing revenue faster (+27.7% vs +6.7%).
On valuation, Automatic Data Processing trades at a lower forward P/E (19.7x vs 91.2x for Datadog). Automatic Data Processing pays a dividend yielding 2.52%, while Datadog does not currently pay one. Automatic Data Processing converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 20.1% versus 3.1%.
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 | DDOG |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $264.00 | $271.34 |
| Market cap | $104.61B | $97.43B |
| 1-day change | +0.63% | -2.48% |
| YTD return | +2.63% | +99.53% |
| 1-year return | -9.88% | +75.60% |
| 5-year return | +23.96% | +75.65% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 23.98 | 542.68 |
| Forward P/E | 19.70 | 91.22 |
| EPS (TTM) | $11.01 | $0.50 |
| Dividend yield | 2.52% | 0.00% |
| Annual dividend | $6.64 | $0.00 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $21.95B | $3.43B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | +6.74% | +27.68% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $4.41B | $107.74M |
| Gross margin | 46.42% | 79.96% |
| Operating margin | — | -1.29% |
| Net margin | 20.11% | 3.14% |
| 52-week high | $292.80 | $292.72 |
| 52-week low | $188.16 | $98.01 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -9.84% | -7.30% |
| Analyst consensus | hold | strong_buy |
| Avg. price target upside | +8.48% | +5.80% |
| Average volume | 2.25M | 4.13M |
| Shares outstanding | 396.25M | 334.90M |
| Employees | 67,000 | 8,100 |
| 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
- DDOG has outperformed ADP by 85.5 percentage points over the past year.
- Datadog trades at a higher earnings multiple (542.7x vs 24.0x trailing P/E).
- Automatic Data Processing offers a meaningfully higher dividend yield (2.52% vs 0.00%).
- Automatic Data Processing is more profitable, keeping 20.1 cents of every revenue dollar as net income versus 3.1 cents for Datadog.
- Datadog grew revenue faster in its latest fiscal year (+27.68% vs +6.74%).
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 Datadog
DDOG stock →Datadog, Inc. operates an observability and security platform for cloud applications in the United States and internationally.
Technology · Computer Software: Prepackaged Software · 8,100 employees
ADP vs DDOG FAQ
Which is bigger, Automatic Data Processing or Datadog?
Automatic Data Processing (ADP) is larger, with a market capitalization of $104.61B compared with $97.43B for Datadog (DDOG).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, ADP or DDOG?
DDOG returned +75.60% over the past 12 months, compared with -9.88% for ADP (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, ADP or DDOG?
ADP has the lower trailing P/E at 24.0, versus 542.7 for DDOG. 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 Datadog?
Automatic Data Processing pays a dividend yielding 2.52%, while Datadog does not currently pay a regular dividend.
Are Automatic Data Processing and Datadog 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 Datadog.