Cognex (CGNX) vs Onto Innovation (ONTO)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 22, 2026.
Summary
Onto Innovation (ONTO) has outperformed Cognex (CGNX) over the past year, gaining 65.4% versus a gain of 20.3%. Over five years, ONTO leads with a +180.4% price change compared with -33.7% for CGNX. Onto Innovation is the larger company by market cap ($10.90 billion vs $9.77 billion), about 1.1 times the size, while Cognex is growing revenue faster (+8.7% vs +1.8%).
On valuation, Onto Innovation trades at a lower forward P/E (19.0x vs 28.7x for Cognex). Cognex pays a dividend yielding 0.58%, while Onto Innovation does not currently pay one. Onto Innovation converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 13.6% versus 11.5%.
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 | CGNX | ONTO |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $58.05 | $222.14 |
| Market cap | $9.77B | $10.90B |
| 1-day change | +2.25% | +1.15% |
| YTD return | +61.34% | +40.72% |
| 1-year return | +20.26% | +65.38% |
| 5-year return | -33.73% | +180.44% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 55.82 | 82.58 |
| Forward P/E | 28.71 | 18.99 |
| EPS (TTM) | $1.04 | $2.69 |
| Dividend yield | 0.58% | 0.00% |
| Annual dividend | $0.335 | $0.00 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $994.36M | $1.01B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | +8.73% | +1.82% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $114.44M | $136.76M |
| Gross margin | 66.92% | 49.72% |
| Operating margin | 16.35% | 13.22% |
| Net margin | 11.51% | 13.60% |
| 52-week high | $72.88 | $386.46 |
| 52-week low | $34.60 | $118.97 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -20.35% | -42.52% |
| Analyst consensus | buy | none |
| Avg. price target upside | +36.73% | +74.44% |
| Average volume | 1.92M | 1.02M |
| Shares outstanding | 168.22M | 49.07M |
| Employees | 2,745 | 1,867 |
| Sector | Industrials | Industrials |
| Industry | Industrial Machinery/Components | Industrial Machinery/Components |
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
- ONTO has outperformed CGNX by 45.1 percentage points over the past year.
- Onto Innovation trades at a higher earnings multiple (82.6x vs 55.8x trailing P/E).
- Cognex grew revenue faster in its latest fiscal year (+8.73% vs +1.82%).
About Cognex
CGNX stock →Cognex Corporation provides machine vision products that capture and analyze visual information to automate manufacturing and distribution tasks in the United States, Europe, Greater China, and internationally. Its machine vision products are used to automate the manufacture and distribution of discrete items, such as mobile phones, automotive components, and e-commerce packages, by locating, identifying, inspecting, and measuring them.
Industrials · Industrial Machinery/Components · 2,745 employees
About Onto Innovation
ONTO stock →Onto Innovation Inc. engages in the design, development, manufacture, and support of process control tools that perform macro-defect inspection and metrology in the United States, Taiwan, South Korea, Japan, China, Southeast Asia, Asia, and Europe.
Industrials · Industrial Machinery/Components · 1,867 employees
CGNX vs ONTO FAQ
Which is bigger, Cognex or Onto Innovation?
Onto Innovation (ONTO) is larger, with a market capitalization of $10.90B compared with $9.77B for Cognex (CGNX).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, CGNX or ONTO?
ONTO returned +65.38% over the past 12 months, compared with +20.26% for CGNX (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, CGNX or ONTO?
CGNX has the lower trailing P/E at 55.8, versus 82.6 for ONTO. 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, Cognex or Onto Innovation?
Cognex pays a dividend yielding 0.58%, while Onto Innovation does not currently pay a regular dividend.
Are Cognex and Onto Innovation in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Industrial Machinery/Components industry within the Industrials sector.