MediaAlpha (MAX) vs ZipRecruiter (ZIP)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 8, 2026.
Summary
ZipRecruiter (ZIP) has outperformed MediaAlpha (MAX) over the past year, losing 2.3% versus a loss of 13.7%. Over five years, MAX leads with a -49.9% price change compared with -85.9% for ZIP. MediaAlpha is the larger company by market cap ($548.8 million vs $316.6 million), about 1.7 times the size.
On valuation, MediaAlpha trades at a lower forward P/E (6.2x vs 26.6x for ZipRecruiter).
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 | ZIP |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $10.36 | $3.85 |
| Market cap | $548.83M | $316.57M |
| 1-day change | +7.14% | +1.05% |
| YTD return | -25.33% | -2.31% |
| 1-year return | -13.74% | -2.31% |
| 5-year return | -49.95% | -85.93% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 6.40 | 11.67 |
| Forward P/E | 6.19 | 26.63 |
| EPS (TTM) | $1.62 | $0.33 |
| Dividend yield | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Annual dividend | $0.00 | $0.00 |
| 52-week high | $14.70 | $5.61 |
| 52-week low | $7.09 | $1.65 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -29.52% | -31.37% |
| Analyst consensus | none | none |
| Avg. price target upside | +48.94% | +23.38% |
| Average volume | 859.73K | 801.58K |
| Shares outstanding | 52.98M | 69.20M |
| Employees | 147 | 800 |
| Sector | Consumer Discretionary | Technology |
| Industry | Business Services | 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
- ZIP has outperformed MAX by 11.4 percentage points over the past year.
- ZipRecruiter trades at a higher earnings multiple (11.7x vs 6.4x trailing P/E).
- The two companies sit in different sectors: MediaAlpha in Consumer Discretionary and ZipRecruiter 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 ZipRecruiter
ZIP stock →ZipRecruiter, Inc. operates an online marketplace that connects job seekers and employers in the United States and internationally.
Technology · Computer Software: Programming Data Processing · 800 employees
MAX vs ZIP FAQ
Which is bigger, MediaAlpha or ZipRecruiter?
MediaAlpha (MAX) is larger, with a market capitalization of $548.83M compared with $316.57M for ZipRecruiter (ZIP).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, MAX or ZIP?
ZIP returned -2.31% 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 ZIP?
MAX has the lower trailing P/E at 6.4, versus 11.7 for ZIP. 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 ZipRecruiter in the same industry?
No. MediaAlpha is in the Consumer Discretionary sector, while ZipRecruiter is in Technology.