AppFolio (APPF) vs Paylocity (PCTY)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 10, 2026.
Summary
Paylocity (PCTY) has outperformed AppFolio (APPF) over the past year, gaining 0.6% versus a loss of 12.4%. Over five years, APPF leads with a +56.1% price change compared with -45.6% for PCTY. Paylocity is the larger company by market cap ($8.52 billion vs $7.16 billion), about 1.2 times the size, while AppFolio is growing revenue faster (+19.7% vs +11.0%).
On valuation, Paylocity trades at a lower forward P/E (15.8x vs 24.0x for AppFolio). Paylocity converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 15.2% versus 14.8%.
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 | APPF | PCTY |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $202.20 | $153.96 |
| Market cap | $7.16B | $8.52B |
| 1-day change | +2.41% | +0.61% |
| YTD return | -13.09% | +0.96% |
| 1-year return | -12.36% | +0.64% |
| 5-year return | +56.11% | -45.64% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 44.93 | 31.29 |
| Forward P/E | 24.01 | 15.84 |
| EPS (TTM) | $4.50 | $4.92 |
| Dividend yield | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Annual dividend | $0.00 | $0.00 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $950.82M | $1.77B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | +19.72% | +11.04% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $140.92M | $269.74M |
| Gross margin | 63.68% | 69.19% |
| Operating margin | 16.08% | 21.79% |
| Net margin | 14.82% | 15.23% |
| 52-week high | $265.02 | $161.93 |
| 52-week low | $142.56 | $92.99 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -23.70% | -4.92% |
| Analyst consensus | buy | strong_buy |
| Avg. price target upside | +17.97% | +11.85% |
| Average volume | 369.51K | 693.65K |
| Shares outstanding | 24.09M | 55.37M |
| Employees | 1,702 | 6,900 |
| Sector | Technology | Technology |
| Industry | Computer Software: Prepackaged Software | 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
- PCTY has outperformed APPF by 13.0 percentage points over the past year.
- AppFolio trades at a higher earnings multiple (44.9x vs 31.3x trailing P/E).
- AppFolio grew revenue faster in its latest fiscal year (+19.72% vs +11.04%).
About AppFolio
APPF stock →AppFolio, Inc., together with its subsidiaries, provides cloud-based platform for the real estate industry in the United States. The company provides a cloud-based platform that assist with accounting, reporting, marketing, leasing, maintenance, workflow automation, and communication services.
Technology · Computer Software: Prepackaged Software · 1,702 employees
About Paylocity
PCTY stock →Paylocity Holding Corporation provides cloud-based human capital management, finance, and IT software solutions in the United States. The company offers payroll solutions comprising payroll and tax services, global payroll, on-demand payment, garnishments, and elevate payroll; human resources (HR) solutions consisting of human resources, employee self-service, workflows and documents, HR compliance dashboard, and elevate HR and HR edge; time and labor solutions, including time and attendance, scheduling, and time collection; and talent solutions, such as recruiting, onboarding, learning, performance, compensation, and market pay.
Technology · Computer Software: Prepackaged Software · 6,900 employees
APPF vs PCTY FAQ
Which is bigger, AppFolio or Paylocity?
Paylocity (PCTY) is larger, with a market capitalization of $8.52B compared with $7.16B for AppFolio (APPF).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, APPF or PCTY?
PCTY returned +0.64% over the past 12 months, compared with -12.36% for APPF (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, APPF or PCTY?
PCTY has the lower trailing P/E at 31.3, versus 44.9 for APPF. A lower P/E is not by itself a sign of a better investment; it can reflect slower expected growth or higher risk.
Are AppFolio and Paylocity in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Computer Software: Prepackaged Software industry within the Technology sector.