ServiceNow (NOW) vs SAP (SAP)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 8, 2026.
Summary
SAP (SAP) has outperformed ServiceNow (NOW) over the past year, losing 23.3% versus a loss of 23.8%. Over five years, SAP leads with a +43.9% price change compared with +3.9% for NOW. SAP is the larger company by market cap ($242.53 billion vs $142.54 billion), about 1.7 times the size.
On valuation, SAP trades at a lower forward P/E (21.7x vs 27.5x for ServiceNow). SAP pays a dividend yielding 1.19%, while ServiceNow does not currently pay one. SAP converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 17.1% versus 13.2%.
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 | NOW | SAP |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $137.87 | $210.13 |
| Market cap | $142.54B | $242.53B |
| 1-day change | -0.07% | -0.16% |
| YTD return | -10.00% | -13.49% |
| 1-year return | -23.76% | -23.26% |
| 5-year return | +3.95% | +43.90% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 86.17 | 27.01 |
| Forward P/E | 27.54 | 21.69 |
| EPS (TTM) | $1.60 | $7.78 |
| Dividend yield | 0.00% | 1.19% |
| Annual dividend | $0.00 | $2.50 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $13.28B | $28.20B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | +20.88% | — |
| Net income (latest FY) | $1.75B | $4.83B |
| Gross margin | 77.53% | 69.95% |
| Operating margin | 13.74% | 20.79% |
| Net margin | 13.16% | 17.12% |
| 52-week high | $192.97 | $281.37 |
| 52-week low | $81.24 | $144.97 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -28.55% | -25.32% |
| Analyst consensus | strong_buy | buy |
| Avg. price target upside | +6.43% | +20.16% |
| Average volume | 17.92M | 2.59M |
| Shares outstanding | 1.03B | 1.15B |
| Employees | 29,187 | 112,019 |
| Sector | Technology | Technology |
| Industry | Computer Software: Prepackaged Software | Computer Software: Prepackaged Software |
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
- ServiceNow trades at a higher earnings multiple (86.2x vs 27.0x trailing P/E).
- SAP offers a meaningfully higher dividend yield (1.19% vs 0.00%).
About ServiceNow
NOW stock →ServiceNow, Inc. provides cloud-based solution for digital workflows in the North America, Brazil, Europe, the Middle East and Africa, Asia Pacific, and internationally.
Technology · Computer Software: Prepackaged Software · 29,187 employees
About SAP
SAP stock →SAP SE, together with its subsidiaries, provides enterprise application and business solutions worldwide. It offers SAP Business AI; SAP S/4HANA that provides software capabilities for finance, risk and project management, procurement, manufacturing, supply chain and asset management, and research and development; SAP SuccessFactors solutions for human resources, including HR, time, payroll, talent and employee experience management, and analytics and planning; and spend management solutions that covers direct and indirect spend, travel and expense, and external workforce management.
Technology · Computer Software: Prepackaged Software · 112,019 employees
NOW vs SAP FAQ
Which is bigger, ServiceNow or SAP?
SAP (SAP) is larger, with a market capitalization of $242.53B compared with $142.54B for ServiceNow (NOW).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, NOW or SAP?
SAP returned -23.26% over the past 12 months, compared with -23.76% for NOW (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, NOW or SAP?
SAP has the lower trailing P/E at 27.0, versus 86.2 for NOW. 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, ServiceNow or SAP?
SAP pays a dividend yielding 1.19%, while ServiceNow does not currently pay a regular dividend.
Are ServiceNow and SAP in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Computer Software: Prepackaged Software industry within the Technology sector.