Alphabet (GOOG) vs Meta Platforms (META)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 8, 2026.
Summary
Alphabet (GOOG) has outperformed Meta Platforms (META) over the past year, gaining 40.5% versus a gain of 0.4%. Over five years, GOOG leads with a +145.2% price change compared with +122.0% for META. Alphabet is the larger company by market cap ($4.22 trillion vs $1.84 trillion), about 2.3 times the size, while Meta Platforms is growing revenue faster (+22.2% vs +15.1%).
On valuation, Meta Platforms trades at a lower forward P/E (20.9x vs 22.9x for Alphabet). Meta Platforms offers the higher dividend yield (0.29% vs 0.25%). Alphabet converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 32.8% versus 30.1%.
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 | GOOG | META |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $344.86 | $720.89 |
| Market cap | $4.22T | $1.84T |
| 1-day change | -0.72% | -0.06% |
| YTD return | +9.90% | +9.21% |
| 1-year return | +40.50% | +0.42% |
| 5-year return | +145.19% | +121.98% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 17.30 | 27.16 |
| Forward P/E | 22.88 | 20.87 |
| EPS (TTM) | $19.93 | $26.54 |
| Dividend yield | 0.25% | 0.29% |
| Annual dividend | $0.85 | $2.10 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $402.84B | $200.97B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | +15.09% | +22.17% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $132.17B | $60.46B |
| Gross margin | 59.65% | 82.00% |
| Operating margin | 32.03% | 41.44% |
| Net margin | 32.81% | 30.08% |
| 52-week high | $404.47 | $779.82 |
| 52-week low | $236.69 | $520.26 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -14.74% | -7.56% |
| Analyst consensus | strong_buy | strong_buy |
| Avg. price target upside | +21.69% | +10.27% |
| Average volume | 17.87M | 19.23M |
| Shares outstanding | 5.53B | 2.21B |
| Employees | 198,933 | 75,472 |
| 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 2.3 times larger than Meta Platforms by market value ($4.22T vs $1.84T).
- GOOG has outperformed META by 40.1 percentage points over the past year.
- Meta Platforms trades at a higher earnings multiple (27.2x vs 17.3x trailing P/E).
- Meta Platforms grew revenue faster in its latest fiscal year (+22.17% vs +15.09%).
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
About Meta Platforms
META stock →Meta Platforms, Inc. engages in the development of products that enable people to connect and share with friends and family through mobile devices, personal computers, virtual reality (VR) headsets, and AI glasses in the United States, Canada, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and internationally.
Technology · Computer Software: Programming Data Processing · 75,472 employees
GOOG vs META FAQ
Which is bigger, Alphabet or Meta Platforms?
Alphabet (GOOG) is larger, with a market capitalization of $4.22T compared with $1.84T for Meta Platforms (META).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, GOOG or META?
GOOG returned +40.50% over the past 12 months, compared with +0.42% for META (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, GOOG or META?
GOOG has the lower trailing P/E at 17.3, versus 27.2 for META. 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, Alphabet or Meta Platforms?
Meta Platforms has the higher yield at 0.29%, compared with 0.25% for Alphabet.
Are Alphabet and Meta Platforms in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Computer Software: Programming Data Processing industry within the Technology sector.