Paychex (PAYX) vs PayPal (PYPL)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 8, 2026.
Summary
Paychex (PAYX) has outperformed PayPal (PYPL) over the past year, losing 20.1% versus a loss of 26.4%. Over five years, PAYX leads with a -14.8% price change compared with -79.5% for PYPL. PayPal is the larger company by market cap ($47.01 billion vs $36.15 billion), about 1.3 times the size, while Paychex is growing revenue faster (+16.9% vs +4.3%).
On valuation, PayPal trades at a lower forward P/E (9.5x vs 15.9x for Paychex). Paychex offers the higher dividend yield (4.47% vs 1.02%). Paychex converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 27.0% versus 15.8%.
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 | PAYX | PYPL |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $101.55 | $54.95 |
| Market cap | $36.15B | $47.01B |
| 1-day change | +0.52% | +0.62% |
| YTD return | -9.48% | -5.88% |
| 1-year return | -20.05% | -26.35% |
| 5-year return | -14.77% | -79.52% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 20.03 | 10.39 |
| Forward P/E | 15.90 | 9.50 |
| EPS (TTM) | $5.07 | $5.29 |
| Dividend yield | 4.47% | 1.02% |
| Annual dividend | $4.54 | $0.56 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $6.51B | $33.17B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | +16.88% | +4.32% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $1.76B | $5.23B |
| Gross margin | 74.29% | — |
| Operating margin | 38.55% | 18.28% |
| Net margin | 27.03% | 15.78% |
| 52-week high | $129.24 | $79.22 |
| 52-week low | $85.45 | $38.46 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -21.43% | -30.63% |
| Analyst consensus | hold | hold |
| Avg. price target upside | +12.19% | +3.59% |
| Average volume | 3.01M | 14.04M |
| Shares outstanding | 355.98M | 855.46M |
| Employees | 17,600 | 23,800 |
| Sector | Industrials | Industrials |
| Industry | Diversified Commercial Services | Diversified Commercial 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
- Paychex trades at a higher earnings multiple (20.0x vs 10.4x trailing P/E).
- Paychex offers a meaningfully higher dividend yield (4.47% vs 1.02%).
- Paychex is more profitable, keeping 27.0 cents of every revenue dollar as net income versus 15.8 cents for PayPal.
- Paychex grew revenue faster in its latest fiscal year (+16.88% vs +4.32%).
About Paychex
PAYX stock →Paychex, Inc., together with its subsidiaries, provides human capital management solutions (HCM) for human resources, payroll processing, employee benefits, and insurance services for small to medium-sized businesses in the United States, Europe, Canada, India, and Israel. It offers technology and advisory solutions; and payroll tax administration services.
Industrials · Diversified Commercial Services · 17,600 employees
About PayPal
PYPL stock →PayPal Holdings, Inc. operates a technology platform that enables digital payments for merchants and consumers worldwide.
Industrials · Diversified Commercial Services · 23,800 employees
PAYX vs PYPL FAQ
Which is bigger, Paychex or PayPal?
PayPal (PYPL) is larger, with a market capitalization of $47.01B compared with $36.15B for Paychex (PAYX).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, PAYX or PYPL?
PAYX returned -20.05% over the past 12 months, compared with -26.35% for PYPL (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, PAYX or PYPL?
PYPL has the lower trailing P/E at 10.4, versus 20.0 for PAYX. 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, Paychex or PayPal?
Paychex has the higher yield at 4.47%, compared with 1.02% for PayPal.
Are Paychex and PayPal in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Diversified Commercial Services industry within the Industrials sector.