Automatic Data Processing (ADP) vs Snowflake (SNOW)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 7, 2026.
Summary
Snowflake (SNOW) has outperformed Automatic Data Processing (ADP) over the past year, gaining 42.7% versus a loss of 9.5%. Over five years, ADP leads with a +24.5% price change compared with +0.4% for SNOW. Snowflake is the larger company by market cap ($117.43 billion vs $104.61 billion), about 1.1 times the size.
On valuation, Automatic Data Processing trades at a lower forward P/E (19.7x vs 110.8x for Snowflake). Automatic Data Processing pays a dividend yielding 2.52%, while Snowflake does not currently pay one. Automatic Data Processing converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 20.1% versus -28.4%.
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 | SNOW |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $264.00 | $332.85 |
| Market cap | $104.61B | $117.43B |
| 1-day change | +0.63% | -0.92% |
| YTD return | +3.07% | +52.72% |
| 1-year return | -9.50% | +42.67% |
| 5-year return | +24.48% | +0.43% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 24.13 | — |
| Forward P/E | 19.70 | 110.76 |
| EPS (TTM) | $10.94 | $-3.18 |
| Dividend yield | 2.52% | 0.00% |
| Annual dividend | $6.64 | $0.00 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $21.95B | $4.68B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | +6.74% | +29.16% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $4.41B | $-1.33B |
| Gross margin | 46.42% | 67.17% |
| Operating margin | — | -30.64% |
| Net margin | 20.11% | -28.43% |
| 52-week high | $292.80 | $384.56 |
| 52-week low | $188.16 | $118.30 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -9.84% | -13.45% |
| Analyst consensus | hold | strong_buy |
| Avg. price target upside | +8.48% | +27.73% |
| Average volume | 2.25M | 4.78M |
| Shares outstanding | 396.25M | 352.80M |
| Employees | 67,000 | 9,394 |
| Sector | Technology | Technology |
| Industry | Software - Application | Software - Application |
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
- SNOW has outperformed ADP by 52.2 percentage points over the past year.
- 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 -28.4 cents for Snowflake.
- Snowflake grew revenue faster in its latest fiscal year (+29.16% vs +6.74%).
About Automatic Data Processing
ADP stock →Automatic Data Processing, Inc. provides cloud-based human capital management (HCM) solutions worldwide.
Technology · Software - Application · 67,000 employees
About Snowflake
SNOW stock →Snowflake Inc. provides a cloud-based data platform for various organizations in the United States and internationally.
Technology · Software - Application · 9,394 employees
ADP vs SNOW FAQ
Which is bigger, Automatic Data Processing or Snowflake?
Snowflake (SNOW) is larger, with a market capitalization of $117.43B compared with $104.61B for Automatic Data Processing (ADP).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, ADP or SNOW?
SNOW returned +42.67% over the past 12 months, compared with -9.50% for ADP (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which pays a higher dividend, Automatic Data Processing or Snowflake?
Automatic Data Processing pays a dividend yielding 2.52%, while Snowflake does not currently pay a regular dividend.
Are Automatic Data Processing and Snowflake in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Software - Application industry within the Technology sector.