Automatic Data Processing (ADP) vs Workday (WDAY)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 8, 2026.
Summary
Automatic Data Processing (ADP) has outperformed Workday (WDAY) over the past year, losing 9.9% versus a loss of 21.0%. Over five years, ADP leads with a +24.0% price change compared with -31.4% for WDAY. Automatic Data Processing is the larger company by market cap ($105.72 billion vs $44.81 billion), about 2.4 times the size, while Workday is growing revenue faster (+13.1% vs +6.7%).
On valuation, Workday trades at a lower forward P/E (14.0x vs 19.9x for Automatic Data Processing). Automatic Data Processing pays a dividend yielding 2.49%, while Workday does not currently pay one. Automatic Data Processing converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 20.1% versus 7.3%.
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 | WDAY |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $266.80 | $185.92 |
| Market cap | $105.72B | $44.81B |
| 1-day change | +1.06% | +0.90% |
| YTD return | +2.63% | -14.21% |
| 1-year return | -9.88% | -20.98% |
| 5-year return | +23.96% | -31.42% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 24.39 | 37.86 |
| Forward P/E | 19.91 | 14.05 |
| EPS (TTM) | $10.94 | $4.91 |
| Dividend yield | 2.49% | 0.00% |
| Annual dividend | $6.64 | $0.00 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $21.95B | $9.55B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | +6.74% | +13.09% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $4.41B | $693.00M |
| Gross margin | 46.42% | — |
| Operating margin | — | 7.55% |
| Net margin | 20.11% | 7.26% |
| 52-week high | $291.34 | $247.40 |
| 52-week low | $188.16 | $110.36 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -8.42% | -24.85% |
| Analyst consensus | hold | buy |
| Avg. price target upside | +7.35% | +12.02% |
| Average volume | 2.24M | 3.89M |
| Shares outstanding | 396.25M | 196.00M |
| Employees | 67,000 | 20,896 |
| Sector | Technology | Technology |
| Industry | EDP Services | EDP 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
- Automatic Data Processing is about 2.4 times larger than Workday by market value ($105.72B vs $44.81B).
- ADP has outperformed WDAY by 11.1 percentage points over the past year.
- Workday trades at a higher earnings multiple (37.9x vs 24.4x trailing P/E).
- Automatic Data Processing offers a meaningfully higher dividend yield (2.49% vs 0.00%).
- Automatic Data Processing is more profitable, keeping 20.1 cents of every revenue dollar as net income versus 7.3 cents for Workday.
- Workday grew revenue faster in its latest fiscal year (+13.09% 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 Workday
WDAY stock →Workday, Inc. provides enterprise cloud applications in the United States and internationally.
Technology · EDP Services · 20,896 employees
ADP vs WDAY FAQ
Which is bigger, Automatic Data Processing or Workday?
Automatic Data Processing (ADP) is larger, with a market capitalization of $105.72B compared with $44.81B for Workday (WDAY).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, ADP or WDAY?
ADP returned -9.88% over the past 12 months, compared with -20.98% for WDAY (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, ADP or WDAY?
ADP has the lower trailing P/E at 24.4, versus 37.9 for WDAY. 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 Workday?
Automatic Data Processing pays a dividend yielding 2.49%, while Workday does not currently pay a regular dividend.
Are Automatic Data Processing and Workday in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the EDP Services industry within the Technology sector.