Paycom Software (PAYC) vs Paylocity (PCTY)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 9, 2026.
Summary
Paycom Software (PAYC) has outperformed Paylocity (PCTY) over the past year, gaining 12.1% versus a loss of 0.8%. Over five years, PCTY leads with a -46.0% price change compared with -55.7% for PAYC. Paycom Software is the larger company by market cap ($10.36 billion vs $8.47 billion), about 1.2 times the size, while Paylocity is growing revenue faster (+11.0% vs +8.9%).
On valuation, Paylocity trades at a lower forward P/E (15.7x vs 16.5x for Paycom Software). Paycom Software pays a dividend yielding 0.65%, while Paylocity does not currently pay one. Paycom Software converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 22.1% versus 15.2%.
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 | PAYC | PCTY |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $229.90 | $153.02 |
| Market cap | $10.36B | $8.47B |
| 1-day change | +2.83% | +3.38% |
| YTD return | +44.26% | +0.34% |
| 1-year return | +12.10% | -0.78% |
| 5-year return | -55.68% | -45.97% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 24.33 | 31.10 |
| Forward P/E | 16.46 | 15.74 |
| EPS (TTM) | $9.45 | $4.92 |
| Dividend yield | 0.65% | 0.00% |
| Annual dividend | $1.50 | $0.00 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $2.05B | $1.77B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | +8.95% | +11.04% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $453.40M | $269.74M |
| Gross margin | 83.17% | 69.19% |
| Operating margin | 27.65% | 21.79% |
| Net margin | 22.10% | 15.23% |
| 52-week high | $244.98 | $161.93 |
| 52-week low | $104.90 | $92.99 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -6.16% | -5.50% |
| Analyst consensus | hold | strong_buy |
| Avg. price target upside | -4.20% | +12.53% |
| Average volume | 782.32K | 691.85K |
| Shares outstanding | 45.07M | 55.37M |
| Employees | 5,770 | 6,900 |
| 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
- PAYC has outperformed PCTY by 12.9 percentage points over the past year.
- Paylocity trades at a higher earnings multiple (31.1x vs 24.3x trailing P/E).
- Paycom Software is more profitable, keeping 22.1 cents of every revenue dollar as net income versus 15.2 cents for Paylocity.
About Paycom Software
PAYC stock →Paycom Software, Inc. provides cloud-based human capital management (HCM) solution delivered as software-as-a-service for small to mid-sized companies in the United States.
Technology · Computer Software: Prepackaged Software · 5,770 employees
About Paylocity
PCTY stock →Paylocity Holding Corporation provides cloud-based human capital management, finance, and IT software solutions in the United States. The company offers payroll solutions comprising payroll and tax services, global payroll, on-demand payment, garnishments, and elevate payroll; human resources (HR) solutions consisting of human resources, employee self-service, workflows and documents, HR compliance dashboard, and elevate HR and HR edge; time and labor solutions, including time and attendance, scheduling, and time collection; and talent solutions, such as recruiting, onboarding, learning, performance, compensation, and market pay.
Technology · Computer Software: Prepackaged Software · 6,900 employees
PAYC vs PCTY FAQ
Which is bigger, Paycom Software or Paylocity?
Paycom Software (PAYC) is larger, with a market capitalization of $10.36B compared with $8.47B for Paylocity (PCTY).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, PAYC or PCTY?
PAYC returned +12.10% over the past 12 months, compared with -0.78% for PCTY (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, PAYC or PCTY?
PAYC has the lower trailing P/E at 24.3, versus 31.1 for PCTY. 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, Paycom Software or Paylocity?
Paycom Software pays a dividend yielding 0.65%, while Paylocity does not currently pay a regular dividend.
Are Paycom Software and Paylocity in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Computer Software: Prepackaged Software industry within the Technology sector.