CrowdStrike (CRWD) vs Palo Alto Networks (PANW)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 9, 2026.
Summary
CrowdStrike (CRWD) has outperformed Palo Alto Networks (PANW) over the past year, gaining 106.3% versus a gain of 83.0%. Over five years, PANW leads with a +370.8% price change compared with +285.2% for CRWD. Palo Alto Networks is the larger company by market cap ($325.97 billion vs $269.31 billion), about 1.2 times the size.
On valuation, Palo Alto Networks trades at a lower forward P/E (81.7x vs 163.8x for CrowdStrike). Palo Alto Networks converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 2.7% versus -3.4%.
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 | CRWD | PANW |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $263.01 | $398.50 |
| Market cap | $269.31B | $325.97B |
| 1-day change | -0.92% | -1.74% |
| YTD return | +124.43% | +116.34% |
| 1-year return | +106.30% | +82.97% |
| 5-year return | +285.21% | +370.81% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | — | 996.25 |
| Forward P/E | 163.78 | 81.68 |
| EPS (TTM) | $0.05 | $0.40 |
| Dividend yield | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Annual dividend | $0.00 | $0.00 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $4.81B | $11.48B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | +21.71% | +24.50% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $-162.50M | $307.00M |
| Gross margin | 74.67% | 70.36% |
| Operating margin | -6.10% | 6.05% |
| Net margin | -3.38% | 2.67% |
| 52-week high | $286.99 | $432.33 |
| 52-week low | $85.68 | $139.57 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -8.36% | -7.83% |
| Analyst consensus | buy | buy |
| Avg. price target upside | -9.60% | -0.40% |
| Average volume | 9.61M | 6.14M |
| Shares outstanding | 1.02B | 818.00M |
| Employees | 11,706 | 21,921 |
| Sector | Technology | Technology |
| Industry | Computer Software: Prepackaged Software | Computer peripheral equipment |
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
- CRWD has outperformed PANW by 23.3 percentage points over the past year.
- Palo Alto Networks is more profitable, keeping 2.7 cents of every revenue dollar as net income versus -3.4 cents for CrowdStrike.
About CrowdStrike
CRWD stock →CrowdStrike Holdings, Inc. provides cybersecurity solutions in the United States and internationally.
Technology · Computer Software: Prepackaged Software · 11,706 employees
About Palo Alto Networks
PANW stock →Palo Alto Networks, Inc. provides cybersecurity solutions in the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, the Asia Pacific, and Japan.
Technology · Computer peripheral equipment · 21,921 employees
CRWD vs PANW FAQ
Which is bigger, CrowdStrike or Palo Alto Networks?
Palo Alto Networks (PANW) is larger, with a market capitalization of $325.97B compared with $269.31B for CrowdStrike (CRWD).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, CRWD or PANW?
CRWD returned +106.30% over the past 12 months, compared with +82.97% for PANW (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Are CrowdStrike and Palo Alto Networks in the same industry?
Both are in the Technology sector, but in different industries: Computer Software: Prepackaged Software for CrowdStrike and Computer peripheral equipment for Palo Alto Networks.