F5 (FFIV) 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
Palo Alto Networks (PANW) has outperformed F5 (FFIV) over the past year, gaining 83.0% versus a gain of 34.8%. Over five years, PANW leads with a +370.8% price change compared with +125.9% for FFIV. Palo Alto Networks is the larger company by market cap ($332.98 billion vs $26.37 billion), about 12.6 times the size.
On valuation, F5 trades at a lower forward P/E (25.8x vs 83.4x for Palo Alto Networks). F5 converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 22.4% versus 2.7%.
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 | FFIV | PANW |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $465.62 | $407.07 |
| Market cap | $26.37B | $332.98B |
| 1-day change | +0.86% | +2.15% |
| YTD return | +80.86% | +116.34% |
| 1-year return | +34.76% | +82.97% |
| 5-year return | +125.94% | +370.81% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 37.10 | — |
| Forward P/E | 25.76 | 83.43 |
| EPS (TTM) | $12.55 | $0.40 |
| Dividend yield | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Annual dividend | $0.00 | $0.00 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $3.09B | $11.48B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | +9.66% | +24.50% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $692.38M | $307.00M |
| Gross margin | 81.41% | 70.36% |
| Operating margin | 24.80% | 6.05% |
| Net margin | 22.42% | 2.67% |
| 52-week high | $472.25 | $432.33 |
| 52-week low | $223.76 | $139.57 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -1.40% | -5.84% |
| Analyst consensus | none | buy |
| Avg. price target upside | -6.34% | -2.49% |
| Average volume | 582.62K | 6.08M |
| Shares outstanding | 56.63M | 818.00M |
| Employees | 6,512 | 21,921 |
| Sector | Telecommunications | Technology |
| Industry | Computer Communications Equipment | 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
- Palo Alto Networks is about 12.6 times larger than F5 by market value ($332.98B vs $26.37B).
- PANW has outperformed FFIV by 48.2 percentage points over the past year.
- F5 is more profitable, keeping 22.4 cents of every revenue dollar as net income versus 2.7 cents for Palo Alto Networks.
- Palo Alto Networks grew revenue faster in its latest fiscal year (+24.50% vs +9.66%).
- The two companies sit in different sectors: F5 in Telecommunications and Palo Alto Networks in Technology.
About F5
FFIV stock →F5, Inc. provides multicloud application security and delivery solutions in the United States, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and the Asia Pacific region.
Telecommunications · Computer Communications Equipment · 6,512 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
FFIV vs PANW FAQ
Which is bigger, F5 or Palo Alto Networks?
Palo Alto Networks (PANW) is larger, with a market capitalization of $332.98B compared with $26.37B for F5 (FFIV).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, FFIV or PANW?
PANW returned +82.97% over the past 12 months, compared with +34.76% for FFIV (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Are F5 and Palo Alto Networks in the same industry?
No. F5 is in the Telecommunications sector, while Palo Alto Networks is in Technology.