vs
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Updated 2026-07-24
Apple Inc. (AAPL) vs Alphabet Inc. (GOOGL): Stock Comparison 2026
How this AAPL vs GOOGL comparison is calculated
All metrics are based on trailing twelve months (TTM) financial data, consensus analyst estimates, and standardized valuation ratios. Data is sourced from Financial Modeling Prep and SEC EDGAR. Figures are normalized to ensure a fair comparison between Apple Inc. and Alphabet Inc.. Analyst price targets and ratings are aggregated from Wall Street consensus as of 2026-07-24.
Quick verdict: Apple Inc. vs Alphabet Inc. in 2026
Alphabet Inc. (GOOGL) emerges as the leader in revenue expansion, showcasing a significantly higher year-over-year growth rate. From a valuation perspective, GOOGL also presents a more attractive earnings multiple and overall fundamental discount compared to Apple Inc.. Furthermore, Alphabet Inc. demonstrates superior bottom-line efficiency and profitability margins. Wall Street analysts appear to favor Alphabet Inc., assigning it a higher percentage of “Buy” ratings and a considerably greater potential upside to its consensus price target. Not investment advice.
Best for Value: GOOGL
Best for Income: Neither
Apple Inc. vs Alphabet Inc.: key metrics side by side
A full side-by-side look at Apple Inc. (AAPL) and Alphabet Inc. (GOOGL) across earnings multiples, profitability, revenue momentum, and analyst sentiment β data updated 2026-07-24.
| Metric | AAPL | GOOGL |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue (TTM) | $416.16B | $402.96B |
| Revenue growth YoY | 6.4% | 15.1% GOOGL wins |
| Gross margin | 47.86% | 60.9% GOOGL wins |
| Net margin | 27.15% | 54.76% GOOGL wins |
| EBITDA margin | 35.52% | 73.05% GOOGL wins |
| ROE | N/A% | N/A% |
| FCF yield | 2.7% AAPL wins | 1.38% |
| P/E ratio | 39.25x | 15.8x GOOGL wins |
| P/B ratio | 44.95x | 6.04x GOOGL wins |
| Debt / equity | 0.8x | 0.18x GOOGL wins |
| Dividend yield | 0.0% | 0.0% |
| Buy rating % | 64.0% | 85.5% GOOGL wins |
| Analyst consensus | Buy | Buy |
| Price target upside | +4.7% | +33.2% GOOGL wins |
| DCF upside | -55.5% AAPL wins | -60.5% |
| FMP rating | B | B+ |
Relative valuation: AAPL vs GOOGL
When evaluating the relative attractiveness of Apple Inc. and Alphabet Inc. from a valuation standpoint, a significant divergence emerges. Apple Inc. currently trades at an earnings multiple of 39.25x, which is substantially higher than GOOGL’s more modest 15.8x. This considerable price-to-earnings gap suggests that investors are pricing in much higher growth expectations or a premium for stability and brand strength into AAPL shares, based on current consensus data. Additionally, the price-to-book ratio further highlights this disparity, with Apple Inc. commanding a lofty 44.95x compared to Alphabet Inc.’s significantly lower 6.04x, indicating a more tempered valuation for the internet giant relative to its book equity.
Considering discounted cash flow (DCF) analysis, both companies appear to trade above their intrinsic value, which may vary depending on estimates. Alphabet Inc. shows a DCF downside of -60.5%, suggesting it is currently overvalued by that margin according to this model. Meanwhile, Apple Inc. presents a DCF downside of -55.5%, indicating a slightly less severe overvaluation compared to GOOGL by this specific metric. Despite AAPL’s DCF showing a marginally better “upside” (or rather, less downside), the broader fundamental discount across P/E and P/B ratios clearly positions GOOGL as the more attractively valued stock in this comparison for investors seeking a lower entry multiple.
Revenue momentum: Apple Inc. vs Alphabet Inc.
Examining the topline expansion of these technology titans reveals a clear leader in revenue momentum. Alphabet Inc. has demonstrated a robust year-over-year revenue growth rate of 15.1%, showcasing its ability to expand its market presence and diversify its offerings effectively. This substantial increase in GOOGL’s sales pipeline stands in stark contrast to Apple Inc., which reported a more moderate revenue growth of 6.4%. While AAPL’s growth is respectable for a company of its immense scale, it does not match the accelerated pace observed with Alphabet Inc.’s operations.
Beyond just sales figures, a look at operating leverage through EBITDA margins further distinguishes the two. Alphabet Inc. boasts an impressive EBITDA margin of 73.05%, indicating exceptional efficiency in converting revenue into operating profit before non-cash expenses. Apple Inc., while certainly profitable, operates with an EBITDA margin of 35.52%. This substantial difference underscores GOOGL’s inherent business model advantages, likely stemming from its high-margin advertising and cloud services. The stronger growth trajectory and superior operating leverage for Alphabet Inc. suggest a more dynamic expansion phase, though this gap in performance may not persist indefinitely if market conditions or strategic initiatives by Apple Inc. significantly change.
Profitability and cash generation: AAPL vs GOOGL
In terms of profitability and the efficiency with which these behemoths convert sales into profit, Alphabet Inc. demonstrates a significant edge. GOOGL’s net margin stands at an impressive 54.76%, indicating that over half of every dollar in revenue translates directly into net income. This bottom-line efficiency is a testament to the company’s powerful business segments and operational control. Apple Inc., while highly profitable in its own right, reports a net margin of 27.15%, which is strong but considerably lower than that of Alphabet Inc. This gap highlights a fundamental divergence in the cost structures and pricing power of their respective core businesses.
When we consider cash conversion and how much free cash flow each company generates relative to its market capitalization, the picture shifts slightly. Apple Inc. exhibits a free cash flow yield of 2.7%, suggesting it provides a higher cash return per dollar of stock price. Alphabet Inc. follows with a free cash flow yield of 1.38%. This indicates that despite GOOGL’s higher net margins, AAPL currently delivers more free cash flow in proportion to its enterprise value, which can be attractive for investors focused on tangible cash returns. Both companies unfortunately report N/A% for Return on Equity (ROE) in the provided data, preventing a direct comparison on that specific measure of shareholder value creation.
Wall Street view: Apple Inc. vs Alphabet Inc. analyst ratings
The sentiment among Wall Street analysts leans distinctly towards Alphabet Inc., indicating a stronger conviction in its future performance. A substantial 85.5% of analysts covering GOOGL have assigned it a “Buy” rating, reflecting a broad positive outlook for the search and cloud giant. Their consensus price target for Alphabet Inc. is $423.44, which implies an impressive potential upside of +33.2% from its current trading price. This robust analyst support and significant projected upside suggest strong anticipated momentum for GOOGL shares.
In comparison, Apple Inc. receives a “Buy” rating from 64.0% of covering analysts, which is still a majority positive view but notably lower than that of Alphabet Inc.. The consensus target for AAPL is set at $340.68, offering a more modest potential upside of +4.7%. While Apple Inc. maintains a “Buy” consensus overall, the comparatively lower percentage of strong recommendations and the limited price target upside suggest that analysts see less near-term appreciation potential for AAPL relative to GOOGL. These targets and ratings may vary depending on future estimate revisions and shifts in market dynamics.
Which investor profile fits AAPL vs GOOGL?
For growth-oriented investors, Alphabet Inc. (GOOGL) appears to be the more compelling choice. With a robust year-over-year revenue growth of 15.1% and an exceptional EBITDA margin of 73.05%, Alphabet Inc. demonstrates superior operational momentum and efficiency in its core businesses. While Apple Inc. also continues to expand its revenue, with a 6.4% growth rate, GOOGL’s acceleration is markedly more pronounced, suggesting a more dynamic trajectory for those prioritizing rapid topline and earnings expansion. The strength in GOOGL’s advertising and cloud segments positions it well for continued market penetration and innovation.
Value investors, those seeking fundamentally discounted assets, would likely find Alphabet Inc. (GOOGL) more attractive. GOOGL trades at an earnings multiple of 15.8x and a price-to-book of 6.04x, which are considerably lower than Apple Inc.’s P/E of 39.25x and P/B of 44.95x. This stark difference indicates that AAPL carries a significant valuation premium compared to GOOGL. While both companies show a negative DCF upside, meaning they are trading above their calculated intrinsic values, Alphabet Inc.’s DCF downside of -60.5% is only slightly higher than Apple Inc.’s -55.5%, yet its valuation multiples are dramatically lower. This makes GOOGL potentially more appealing for those looking for a lower entry point based on current fundamentals.
For income investors, neither Apple Inc. nor Alphabet Inc. currently offers a compelling dividend yield, as both companies have a 0.0% dividend yield. Both technology giants have historically prioritized reinvestment into their businesses, share buybacks, and strategic acquisitions rather than distributing regular cash dividends to shareholders. Therefore, investors whose primary objective is generating consistent income from their portfolio would need to look elsewhere, as neither AAPL nor GOOGL is structured to serve that particular investment strategy at this time. This is not investment advice. Always do your own research.
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For informational purposes only. Not investment advice. Data sourced from Financial Modeling Prep and SEC EDGAR. Always conduct your own research before making investment decisions.
