Salesforce (CRM) vs ServiceNow (NOW)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 8, 2026.
Summary
Salesforce (CRM) has outperformed ServiceNow (NOW) over the past year, losing 6.3% versus a loss of 23.8%. Over five years, NOW leads with a +3.9% price change compared with -23.0% for CRM. Salesforce is the larger company by market cap ($184.81 billion vs $142.54 billion), about 1.3 times the size, while ServiceNow is growing revenue faster (+20.9% vs +9.6%).
On valuation, Salesforce trades at a lower forward P/E (14.0x vs 27.5x for ServiceNow). Salesforce pays a dividend yielding 0.76%, while ServiceNow does not currently pay one. Salesforce converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 18.0% versus 13.2%.
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 | CRM | NOW |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $224.56 | $137.87 |
| Market cap | $184.81B | $142.54B |
| 1-day change | -0.19% | -0.07% |
| YTD return | -15.23% | -10.00% |
| 1-year return | -6.33% | -23.76% |
| 5-year return | -23.01% | +3.95% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 20.55 | 86.17 |
| Forward P/E | 14.02 | 27.54 |
| EPS (TTM) | $10.93 | $1.60 |
| Dividend yield | 0.76% | 0.00% |
| Annual dividend | $1.71 | $0.00 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $41.52B | $13.28B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | +9.58% | +20.88% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $7.46B | $1.75B |
| Gross margin | 77.68% | 77.53% |
| Operating margin | 20.06% | 13.74% |
| Net margin | 17.96% | 13.16% |
| 52-week high | $269.11 | $192.97 |
| 52-week low | $146.32 | $81.24 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -16.55% | -28.55% |
| Analyst consensus | buy | strong_buy |
| Avg. price target upside | +26.18% | +6.43% |
| Average volume | 13.52M | 17.92M |
| Shares outstanding | 823.00M | 1.03B |
| Employees | 83,334 | 29,187 |
| Sector | Technology | Technology |
| Industry | Software - Application | 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
- CRM has outperformed NOW by 17.4 percentage points over the past year.
- ServiceNow trades at a higher earnings multiple (86.2x vs 20.5x trailing P/E).
- ServiceNow grew revenue faster in its latest fiscal year (+20.88% vs +9.58%).
About Salesforce
CRM stock →Salesforce, Inc. provides customer relationship management technology services that connect companies and customers together in the United States, Europe, and the Asia Pacific.
Technology · Software - Application · 83,334 employees
About ServiceNow
NOW stock →ServiceNow, Inc. provides cloud-based solution for digital workflows in the North America, Brazil, Europe, the Middle East and Africa, Asia Pacific, and internationally.
Technology · Computer Software: Prepackaged Software · 29,187 employees
CRM vs NOW FAQ
Which is bigger, Salesforce or ServiceNow?
Salesforce (CRM) is larger, with a market capitalization of $184.81B compared with $142.54B for ServiceNow (NOW).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, CRM or NOW?
CRM returned -6.33% over the past 12 months, compared with -23.76% for NOW (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, CRM or NOW?
CRM has the lower trailing P/E at 20.5, versus 86.2 for NOW. 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, Salesforce or ServiceNow?
Salesforce pays a dividend yielding 0.76%, while ServiceNow does not currently pay a regular dividend.
Are Salesforce and ServiceNow in the same industry?
Both are in the Technology sector, but in different industries: Software - Application for Salesforce and Computer Software: Prepackaged Software for ServiceNow.