MetaCap

Paylocity (PCTY) vs Zeta Global (ZETA)

Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 10, 2026.

Summary

Zeta Global (ZETA) has outperformed Paylocity (PCTY) over the past year, gaining 62.4% versus a gain of 0.6%. Over five years, ZETA leads with a +316.8% price change compared with -45.6% for PCTY. Paylocity is the larger company by market cap ($8.52 billion vs $8.25 billion), about 1.0 times the size, while Zeta Global is growing revenue faster (+29.7% vs +11.0%).

On valuation, Paylocity trades at a lower forward P/E (15.8x vs 27.4x for Zeta Global). Paylocity converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 15.2% versus -2.4%.

Summary generated from market data by MetaCap's automated system. Methodology

Relative performance

PCTY+0.64%ZETA+62.44%
+71%+14%-43%
Oct 9, 20251 yearOct 9, 2026
PCTY-44.12%ZETA+285.66%
+334%+125%-84%
Oct 4, 20215 yearsOct 5, 2026

Percent change in share price from the first common trading day shown; excludes dividends.

Head-to-head

PCTY versus ZETA key metrics
MetricPCTYZETA
Share price$153.96$33.09
Market cap$8.52B$8.25B
1-day change+0.61%+0.18%
YTD return+0.96%+62.60%
1-year return+0.64%+62.44%
5-year return-45.64%+316.75%
P/E ratio (TTM)31.29—
Forward P/E15.8427.38
EPS (TTM)$4.92$-0.01
Dividend yield0.00%0.00%
Annual dividend$0.00$0.00
Revenue (latest FY)$1.77B$1.30B
Revenue growth (YoY)+11.04%+29.72%
Net income (latest FY)$269.74M$-31.51M
Gross margin69.19%60.63%
Operating margin21.79%0.41%
Net margin15.23%-2.42%
52-week high$161.93$34.80
52-week low$92.99$14.37
Distance from 52-week high-4.92%-4.91%
Analyst consensusstrong_buybuy
Avg. price target upside+11.85%-1.99%
Average volume689.77K7.55M
Shares outstanding55.37M225.62M
Employees6,9003,300
SectorTechnologyTechnology
IndustryComputer Software: Prepackaged SoftwareComputer 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

  • ZETA has outperformed PCTY by 61.8 percentage points over the past year.
  • Paylocity is more profitable, keeping 15.2 cents of every revenue dollar as net income versus -2.4 cents for Zeta Global.
  • Zeta Global grew revenue faster in its latest fiscal year (+29.72% vs +11.04%).

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

About Zeta Global

ZETA stock →

Zeta Global Holdings Corp. operates an omnichannel data-driven cloud platform that provides enterprises with consumer intelligence and marketing automation software in the United States and internationally.

Technology · Computer Software: Prepackaged Software · 3,300 employees

PCTY vs ZETA FAQ

Which is bigger, Paylocity or Zeta Global?

Paylocity (PCTY) is larger, with a market capitalization of $8.52B compared with $8.25B for Zeta Global (ZETA).

Which stock has performed better over the past year, PCTY or ZETA?

ZETA returned +62.44% over the past 12 months, compared with +0.64% for PCTY (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.

Are Paylocity and Zeta Global in the same industry?

Yes. Both are classified in the Computer Software: Prepackaged Software industry within the Technology sector.

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