DigitalOcean (DOCN) vs Alphabet (GOOG)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 9, 2026.
Summary
DigitalOcean (DOCN) has outperformed Alphabet (GOOG) over the past year, gaining 227.4% versus a gain of 40.5%. Over five years, GOOG leads with a +143.4% price change compared with +42.8% for DOCN. Alphabet is the larger company by market cap ($4.22 trillion vs $14.57 billion), about 289.5 times the size, while DigitalOcean is growing revenue faster (+15.5% vs +15.1%).
On valuation, Alphabet trades at a lower forward P/E (22.9x vs 67.3x for DigitalOcean). Alphabet pays a dividend yielding 0.25%, while DigitalOcean does not currently pay one. Alphabet converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 32.8% versus 28.8%.
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 | DOCN | GOOG |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $123.90 | $344.86 |
| Market cap | $14.57B | $4.22T |
| 1-day change | -2.66% | -0.72% |
| YTD return | +157.48% | +9.90% |
| 1-year return | +227.43% | +40.50% |
| 5-year return | +42.83% | +143.42% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 57.10 | 17.30 |
| Forward P/E | 67.28 | 22.88 |
| EPS (TTM) | $2.17 | $19.93 |
| Dividend yield | 0.00% | 0.25% |
| Annual dividend | $0.00 | $0.85 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $901.43M | $402.84B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | +15.48% | +15.09% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $259.26M | $132.17B |
| Gross margin | 59.86% | 59.65% |
| Operating margin | 17.42% | 32.03% |
| Net margin | 28.76% | 32.81% |
| 52-week high | $187.50 | $404.47 |
| 52-week low | $37.09 | $236.69 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -33.92% | -14.74% |
| Analyst consensus | none | strong_buy |
| Avg. price target upside | +41.40% | +21.69% |
| Average volume | 2.80M | 17.82M |
| Shares outstanding | 117.58M | 5.53B |
| Employees | 1,462 | 198,933 |
| Sector | Technology | Technology |
| Industry | Computer Software: Programming Data Processing | Computer Software: Programming Data Processing |
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
- Alphabet is about 289.5 times larger than DigitalOcean by market value ($4.22T vs $14.57B).
- DOCN has outperformed GOOG by 186.9 percentage points over the past year.
- DigitalOcean trades at a higher earnings multiple (57.1x vs 17.3x trailing P/E).
About DigitalOcean
DOCN stock →DigitalOcean Holdings, Inc., through its subsidiaries, operates an agentic inference cloud platform in North America, Europe, Asia, and internationally. The company provides AI and Digital Native Enterprises build, run, and scale intelligent applications for growing technology companies.
Technology · Computer Software: Programming Data Processing · 1,462 employees
About Alphabet
GOOG stock →Alphabet Inc. offers various products and platforms in the United States, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, the Asia-Pacific, Canada, and Latin America.
Technology · Computer Software: Programming Data Processing · 198,933 employees
DOCN vs GOOG FAQ
Which is bigger, DigitalOcean or Alphabet?
Alphabet (GOOG) is larger, with a market capitalization of $4.22T compared with $14.57B for DigitalOcean (DOCN).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, DOCN or GOOG?
DOCN returned +227.43% over the past 12 months, compared with +40.50% for GOOG (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, DOCN or GOOG?
GOOG has the lower trailing P/E at 17.3, versus 57.1 for DOCN. 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, DigitalOcean or Alphabet?
Alphabet pays a dividend yielding 0.25%, while DigitalOcean does not currently pay a regular dividend.
Are DigitalOcean and Alphabet in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Computer Software: Programming Data Processing industry within the Technology sector.