Dropbox (DBX) vs Paylocity (PCTY)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 8, 2026.
Summary
Dropbox (DBX) has outperformed Paylocity (PCTY) over the past year, gaining 13.6% versus a loss of 3.4%. Over five years, DBX leads with a +9.2% price change compared with -47.7% for PCTY. Paylocity is the larger company by market cap ($8.44 billion vs $7.38 billion), about 1.1 times the size.
On valuation, Dropbox trades at a lower forward P/E (10.3x vs 15.7x for Paylocity). Dropbox converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 20.2% versus 15.2%.
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 | DBX | PCTY |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $33.96 | $152.40 |
| Market cap | $7.38B | $8.44B |
| 1-day change | +2.66% | +2.96% |
| YTD return | +18.99% | -2.94% |
| 1-year return | +13.64% | -3.40% |
| 5-year return | +9.21% | -47.74% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 18.76 | 30.97 |
| Forward P/E | 10.28 | 15.68 |
| EPS (TTM) | $1.81 | $4.92 |
| Dividend yield | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Annual dividend | $0.00 | $0.00 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $2.52B | $1.77B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | -1.07% | +11.04% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $508.40M | $269.74M |
| Gross margin | 80.13% | 69.19% |
| Operating margin | 27.33% | 21.79% |
| Net margin | 20.17% | 15.23% |
| 52-week high | $38.17 | $161.93 |
| 52-week low | $21.70 | $92.99 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -11.03% | -5.89% |
| Analyst consensus | underperform | strong_buy |
| Avg. price target upside | -6.36% | +13.00% |
| Average volume | 4.18M | 691.07K |
| Shares outstanding | 142.30M | 55.37M |
| Employees | 2,113 | 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
- DBX has outperformed PCTY by 17.0 percentage points over the past year.
- Paylocity trades at a higher earnings multiple (31.0x vs 18.8x trailing P/E).
- Paylocity grew revenue faster in its latest fiscal year (+11.04% vs -1.07%).
About Dropbox
DBX stock →Dropbox, Inc. provides a content collaboration platform in the United States and internationally.
Technology · Computer Software: Prepackaged Software · 2,113 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
DBX vs PCTY FAQ
Which is bigger, Dropbox or Paylocity?
Paylocity (PCTY) is larger, with a market capitalization of $8.44B compared with $7.38B for Dropbox (DBX).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, DBX or PCTY?
DBX returned +13.64% over the past 12 months, compared with -3.40% for PCTY (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, DBX or PCTY?
DBX has the lower trailing P/E at 18.8, versus 31.0 for PCTY. A lower P/E is not by itself a sign of a better investment; it can reflect slower expected growth or higher risk.
Are Dropbox and Paylocity in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Computer Software: Prepackaged Software industry within the Technology sector.