MediaAlpha (MAX) vs NerdWallet (NRDS)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 8, 2026.
Summary
NerdWallet (NRDS) has outperformed MediaAlpha (MAX) over the past year, losing 13.1% versus a loss of 13.7%. NerdWallet is the larger company by market cap ($591.3 million vs $546.2 million), about 1.1 times the size. On valuation, NerdWallet trades at a lower forward P/E (4.1x vs 6.2x for MediaAlpha).
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 | MAX | NRDS |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $10.31 | $9.25 |
| Market cap | $546.18M | $591.29M |
| 1-day change | +6.62% | +1.82% |
| YTD return | -25.33% | -32.95% |
| 1-year return | -13.74% | -13.15% |
| 5-year return | -49.95% | — |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 6.36 | 10.28 |
| Forward P/E | 6.16 | 4.10 |
| EPS (TTM) | $1.62 | $0.90 |
| Dividend yield | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Annual dividend | $0.00 | $0.00 |
| 52-week high | $14.70 | $16.24 |
| 52-week low | $7.09 | $7.33 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -29.86% | -43.04% |
| Analyst consensus | none | buy |
| Avg. price target upside | +49.66% | +24.32% |
| Average volume | 859.73K | 689.74K |
| Shares outstanding | 52.98M | 32.24M |
| Employees | 147 | 650 |
| Sector | Consumer Discretionary | Technology |
| Industry | Business Services | EDP Services |
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
- NerdWallet trades at a higher earnings multiple (10.3x vs 6.4x trailing P/E).
- The two companies sit in different sectors: MediaAlpha in Consumer Discretionary and NerdWallet in Technology.
About MediaAlpha
MAX stock →MediaAlpha, Inc., through its subsidiaries, operates an insurance customer acquisition platform in the United States. Its technology platform offers end customer acquisition for insurance carriers, agents, distributors, and other clients in a range of verticals, including property and casualty insurance, health insurance, and life insurance.
Consumer Discretionary · Business Services · 147 employees
About NerdWallet
NRDS stock →NerdWallet, Inc. operates a digital platform that provides financial guidance to consumers and small and mid-sized businesses (SMB) in the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, and Canada.
Technology · EDP Services · 650 employees
MAX vs NRDS FAQ
Which is bigger, MediaAlpha or NerdWallet?
NerdWallet (NRDS) is larger, with a market capitalization of $591.29M compared with $546.18M for MediaAlpha (MAX).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, MAX or NRDS?
NRDS returned -13.15% over the past 12 months, compared with -13.74% for MAX (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, MAX or NRDS?
MAX has the lower trailing P/E at 6.4, versus 10.3 for NRDS. A lower P/E is not by itself a sign of a better investment; it can reflect slower expected growth or higher risk.
Are MediaAlpha and NerdWallet in the same industry?
No. MediaAlpha is in the Consumer Discretionary sector, while NerdWallet is in Technology.