Quick verdict: AKAM vs GEN in 2026

In our comprehensive AKAM vs GEN stock comparison for 2026, Gen Digital Inc. (GEN) demonstrates a compelling overall edge, leading in profitability, valuation, and analyst sentiment. Akamai Technologies, Inc. (AKAM) takes the lead in revenue growth, exhibiting stronger momentum in expanding its top line. However, GEN is highlighted as the value leader, the margin leader, and overwhelmingly the analyst favorite with substantial implied upside. This is not investment advice.

AKAM vs GEN: key metrics side by side

Full side-by-side comparison of AKAM and GEN across valuation, profitability, growth and analyst sentiment. Data updated 2026-04-01.

AKAM vs GEN valuation comparison

When considering the AKAM vs GEN valuation, a clear distinction emerges. Akamai Technologies (AKAM) currently trades at a P/E ratio of 36.64x, which is significantly higher than Gen Digital’s (GEN) P/E of 19.2x. This suggests that investors are currently willing to pay a higher premium for AKAM’s earnings compared to GEN, potentially reflecting different growth expectations or perceived stability. On a price-to-book (P/B) basis, AKAM appears cheaper at 3.33x compared to GEN’s 4.97x.

However, the discounted cash flow (DCF) analysis presents a more compelling picture for GEN regarding potential upside. GEN boasts a substantial DCF upside of +164.2%, indicating that its intrinsic value, based on future cash flow projections, is considerably higher than its current market price. In contrast, AKAM’s DCF suggests an upside of +39.3%. While both stocks are rated ‘B’ by FMP, GEN’s lower P/E and much higher DCF upside strongly position it as the more attractively valued stock in this AKAM vs GEN valuation comparison for long-term investors seeking value.

AKAM vs GEN growth comparison

In the AKAM vs GEN growth comparison, Akamai Technologies (AKAM) currently demonstrates stronger top-line momentum. AKAM reported a year-over-year revenue growth of 5.4%, outperforming Gen Digital (GEN), which posted a revenue growth of 3.6%. This indicates that AKAM is expanding its business at a faster rate, which could be appealing to growth-oriented investors looking for companies increasing their market share and operations.

Despite AKAM’s superior revenue growth, it’s worth noting the differing margin profiles. AKAM has a net margin of 10.74% and an EBITDA margin of 32.83%. GEN, on the other hand, operates with higher efficiency, boasting a net margin of 12.76% and a robust EBITDA margin of 46.14%. While GEN’s growth rate is more modest, its ability to translate revenue into higher profits is evident. Therefore, while AKAM shows stronger momentum in revenue expansion, GEN’s growth is more profitable.

AKAM vs GEN profitability

Examining AKAM vs GEN profitability reveals that Gen Digital (GEN) holds a significant advantage in translating revenue into profit. GEN’s net margin stands at 12.76%, which is notably higher than Akamai’s (AKAM) net margin of 10.74%. This indicates that for every dollar of revenue, GEN retains more as net profit. Furthermore, GEN’s operational efficiency is highlighted by its impressive EBITDA margin of 46.14%, far exceeding AKAM’s 32.83%. These figures suggest that GEN has more effective cost management and stronger pricing power within its business model.

When looking at cash generation, GEN also outperforms. GEN boasts a free cash flow (FCF) yield of 13.06%, which is substantially higher than AKAM’s FCF yield of 4.2%. This means GEN generates considerably more cash relative to its market capitalization, providing greater financial flexibility for reinvestment, debt reduction, or potential shareholder returns. Both companies have an N/A% for Return on Equity (ROE), preventing a direct comparison on that specific metric. Overall, GEN clearly generates more cash and is more profitable on a margin basis.

Analyst ratings: AKAM vs GEN

The analyst community shows a distinct preference in their ratings for AKAM vs GEN. For Akamai Technologies (AKAM), out of 52 analysts covering the stock, 48.1% currently issue a “Buy” rating. The consensus among these analysts is a “Hold,” with an average price target of $111.18. This target implies a -3.2% downside from AKAM’s current price of $114.85, suggesting that the street largely believes AKAM is fairly valued or may experience a slight pullback based on current projections.

In contrast, Gen Digital (GEN) enjoys a more favorable outlook from analysts. Of the 21 analysts covering GEN, a higher percentage, 52.4%, recommend a “Buy.” The consensus rating for GEN is a stronger “Buy,” reflecting greater confidence in its future performance. The average price target for GEN is $31.5, which implies a substantial +67.3% upside from its current price of $18.83. This indicates that analysts collectively see significant upside potential for GEN, making it the preferred choice from an analyst sentiment perspective in this AKAM vs GEN comparison.

Should I buy AKAM or GEN stock in 2026?

When deciding should I buy AKAM or GEN stock in 2026, growth investors might lean towards Akamai Technologies (AKAM). With a revenue growth rate of 5.4% year-over-year, AKAM currently exhibits stronger top-line expansion compared to Gen Digital’s (GEN) 3.6%. While this growth comes with comparatively lower net and EBITDA margins, AKAM’s ability to increase its revenue at a faster pace could be attractive for those prioritizing market expansion and future potential over immediate profitability metrics.

For value investors, Gen Digital (GEN) appears to offer a more compelling opportunity. GEN’s P/E ratio of 19.2x is considerably lower than AKAM’s 36.64x, indicating it is trading at a more attractive multiple relative to its earnings. Furthermore, the discounted cash flow (DCF) analysis suggests a remarkable +164.2% upside for GEN, dwarfing AKAM’s +39.3% DCF upside. Despite AKAM having a lower P/B ratio, GEN’s superior profitability, free cash flow generation, and higher implied DCF upside make it a strong candidate for investors focused on intrinsic value and undervaluation in this AKAM vs GEN fundamentals and valuation analysis.

Regarding income, neither AKAM nor GEN are significant dividend payers. AKAM currently offers a 0% dividend yield, meaning it does not return capital to shareholders through regular dividends. GEN, while not a substantial income play, does offer a minimal dividend yield of 0.03%. For investors whose primary objective is generating regular income from their portfolio, both stocks would generally be unsuitable choices. However, for a minor income advantage, GEN holds the edge. This is not investment advice; always conduct your own thorough research.

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