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Microsoft (MSFT) Competitors

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$415.00 -5.77 (-1.37%)
Closing price 05/8/2026 03:59 PM Eastern
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$415.12 +0.13 (+0.03%)
As of 05/8/2026 07:59 PM Eastern
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MSFT vs. AAPL, AMD, AMZN, GOOG, and GOOGL

Should you be buying Microsoft stock or one of its competitors? The main competitors of Microsoft include Apple (AAPL), Advanced Micro Devices (AMD), Amazon.com (AMZN), Alphabet (GOOG), and Alphabet (GOOGL).

How does Microsoft compare to Apple?

Apple (NASDAQ:AAPL) and Microsoft (NASDAQ:MSFT) are both large-cap computer and technology companies, but which is the better stock? We will contrast the two businesses based on the strength of their profitability, earnings, dividends, media sentiment, analyst recommendations, institutional ownership, risk and valuation.

Apple has higher revenue and earnings than Microsoft. Microsoft is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Apple, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

CompanyGross RevenuePrice/Sales RatioNet IncomeEarnings Per SharePrice/Earnings Ratio
Apple$416.16B10.35$112.01B$8.2735.46
Microsoft$281.72B10.94$101.83B$16.8024.70

Microsoft has a net margin of 39.34% compared to Apple's net margin of 27.15%. Apple's return on equity of 146.69% beat Microsoft's return on equity.

Company Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets
Apple27.15% 146.69% 34.02%
Microsoft 39.34%31.94%18.47%

Apple currently has a consensus target price of $305.74, suggesting a potential upside of 4.26%. Microsoft has a consensus target price of $562.69, suggesting a potential upside of 35.59%. Given Microsoft's stronger consensus rating and higher possible upside, analysts clearly believe Microsoft is more favorable than Apple.

Company Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score
Apple
1 Sell rating(s)
11 Hold rating(s)
22 Buy rating(s)
1 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.66
Microsoft
0 Sell rating(s)
7 Hold rating(s)
38 Buy rating(s)
1 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.87

67.7% of Apple shares are held by institutional investors. Comparatively, 71.1% of Microsoft shares are held by institutional investors. 0.1% of Apple shares are held by company insiders. Comparatively, 0.0% of Microsoft shares are held by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that endowments, large money managers and hedge funds believe a stock is poised for long-term growth.

In the previous week, Apple had 8 more articles in the media than Microsoft. MarketBeat recorded 290 mentions for Apple and 282 mentions for Microsoft. Apple's average media sentiment score of 0.81 beat Microsoft's score of 0.76 indicating that Apple is being referred to more favorably in the media.

Company Very Positive Positive Neutral Negative Very Negative Overall Sentiment
Apple
167 Very Positive mention(s)
41 Positive mention(s)
54 Neutral mention(s)
19 Negative mention(s)
8 Very Negative mention(s)
Positive
Microsoft
148 Very Positive mention(s)
35 Positive mention(s)
47 Neutral mention(s)
35 Negative mention(s)
9 Very Negative mention(s)
Positive

Apple pays an annual dividend of $1.04 per share and has a dividend yield of 0.4%. Microsoft pays an annual dividend of $3.64 per share and has a dividend yield of 0.9%. Apple pays out 12.6% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Microsoft pays out 21.7% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Both companies have healthy payout ratios and should be able to cover their dividend payments with earnings for the next several years. Apple has raised its dividend for 14 consecutive years and Microsoft has raised its dividend for 23 consecutive years. Microsoft is clearly the better dividend stock, given its higher yield and longer track record of dividend growth.

Apple has a beta of 1.06, suggesting that its share price is 6% more volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Microsoft has a beta of 1.1, suggesting that its share price is 10% more volatile than the S&P 500.

Summary

Microsoft beats Apple on 10 of the 19 factors compared between the two stocks.

How does Microsoft compare to Advanced Micro Devices?

Advanced Micro Devices (NASDAQ:AMD) and Microsoft (NASDAQ:MSFT) are both large-cap computer and technology companies, but which is the superior stock? We will compare the two companies based on the strength of their earnings, valuation, media sentiment, analyst recommendations, risk, dividends, institutional ownership and profitability.

Microsoft has higher revenue and earnings than Advanced Micro Devices. Microsoft is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Advanced Micro Devices, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

CompanyGross RevenuePrice/Sales RatioNet IncomeEarnings Per SharePrice/Earnings Ratio
Advanced Micro Devices$34.64B21.43$4.34B$3.05149.24
Microsoft$281.72B10.94$101.83B$16.8024.70

Microsoft has a net margin of 39.34% compared to Advanced Micro Devices' net margin of 13.37%. Microsoft's return on equity of 31.94% beat Advanced Micro Devices' return on equity.

Company Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets
Advanced Micro Devices13.37% 9.55% 7.68%
Microsoft 39.34%31.94%18.47%

Advanced Micro Devices has a beta of 2.4, indicating that its share price is 140% more volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Microsoft has a beta of 1.1, indicating that its share price is 10% more volatile than the S&P 500.

In the previous week, Advanced Micro Devices had 55 more articles in the media than Microsoft. MarketBeat recorded 337 mentions for Advanced Micro Devices and 282 mentions for Microsoft. Advanced Micro Devices' average media sentiment score of 0.80 beat Microsoft's score of 0.76 indicating that Advanced Micro Devices is being referred to more favorably in the media.

Company Very Positive Positive Neutral Negative Very Negative Overall Sentiment
Advanced Micro Devices
180 Very Positive mention(s)
46 Positive mention(s)
62 Neutral mention(s)
25 Negative mention(s)
9 Very Negative mention(s)
Positive
Microsoft
148 Very Positive mention(s)
35 Positive mention(s)
47 Neutral mention(s)
35 Negative mention(s)
9 Very Negative mention(s)
Positive

Advanced Micro Devices currently has a consensus target price of $388.84, suggesting a potential downside of 14.58%. Microsoft has a consensus target price of $562.69, suggesting a potential upside of 35.59%. Given Microsoft's stronger consensus rating and higher probable upside, analysts plainly believe Microsoft is more favorable than Advanced Micro Devices.

Company Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score
Advanced Micro Devices
0 Sell rating(s)
12 Hold rating(s)
30 Buy rating(s)
2 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.77
Microsoft
0 Sell rating(s)
7 Hold rating(s)
38 Buy rating(s)
1 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.87

71.3% of Advanced Micro Devices shares are held by institutional investors. Comparatively, 71.1% of Microsoft shares are held by institutional investors. 0.5% of Advanced Micro Devices shares are held by insiders. Comparatively, 0.0% of Microsoft shares are held by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that endowments, large money managers and hedge funds believe a company is poised for long-term growth.

Summary

Microsoft beats Advanced Micro Devices on 9 of the 17 factors compared between the two stocks.

How does Microsoft compare to Amazon.com?

Amazon.com (NASDAQ:AMZN) and Microsoft (NASDAQ:MSFT) are related large-cap companies, but which is the superior stock? We will compare the two companies based on the strength of their earnings, valuation, media sentiment, analyst recommendations, risk, dividends, institutional ownership and profitability.

72.2% of Amazon.com shares are held by institutional investors. Comparatively, 71.1% of Microsoft shares are held by institutional investors. 8.9% of Amazon.com shares are held by insiders. Comparatively, 0.0% of Microsoft shares are held by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that endowments, large money managers and hedge funds believe a company is poised for long-term growth.

Microsoft has lower revenue, but higher earnings than Amazon.com. Microsoft is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Amazon.com, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

CompanyGross RevenuePrice/Sales RatioNet IncomeEarnings Per SharePrice/Earnings Ratio
Amazon.com$716.92B4.09$77.67B$8.3632.61
Microsoft$281.72B10.94$101.83B$16.8024.70

Amazon.com has a beta of 1.46, indicating that its share price is 46% more volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Microsoft has a beta of 1.1, indicating that its share price is 10% more volatile than the S&P 500.

Microsoft has a net margin of 39.34% compared to Amazon.com's net margin of 12.22%. Microsoft's return on equity of 31.94% beat Amazon.com's return on equity.

Company Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets
Amazon.com12.22% 19.92% 9.86%
Microsoft 39.34%31.94%18.47%

In the previous week, Amazon.com had 75 more articles in the media than Microsoft. MarketBeat recorded 357 mentions for Amazon.com and 282 mentions for Microsoft. Amazon.com's average media sentiment score of 0.79 beat Microsoft's score of 0.76 indicating that Amazon.com is being referred to more favorably in the media.

Company Very Positive Positive Neutral Negative Very Negative Overall Sentiment
Amazon.com
192 Very Positive mention(s)
71 Positive mention(s)
43 Neutral mention(s)
28 Negative mention(s)
13 Very Negative mention(s)
Positive
Microsoft
148 Very Positive mention(s)
35 Positive mention(s)
47 Neutral mention(s)
35 Negative mention(s)
9 Very Negative mention(s)
Positive

Amazon.com currently has a consensus target price of $313.09, suggesting a potential upside of 14.84%. Microsoft has a consensus target price of $562.69, suggesting a potential upside of 35.59%. Given Microsoft's higher probable upside, analysts plainly believe Microsoft is more favorable than Amazon.com.

Company Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score
Amazon.com
0 Sell rating(s)
3 Hold rating(s)
56 Buy rating(s)
0 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.95
Microsoft
0 Sell rating(s)
7 Hold rating(s)
38 Buy rating(s)
1 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.87

Summary

Amazon.com beats Microsoft on 9 of the 17 factors compared between the two stocks.

How does Microsoft compare to Alphabet?

Alphabet (NASDAQ:GOOG) and Microsoft (NASDAQ:MSFT) are both large-cap computer and technology companies, but which is the better investment? We will compare the two businesses based on the strength of their earnings, risk, media sentiment, analyst recommendations, institutional ownership, dividends, valuation and profitability.

27.3% of Alphabet shares are owned by institutional investors. Comparatively, 71.1% of Microsoft shares are owned by institutional investors. 13.0% of Alphabet shares are owned by company insiders. Comparatively, 0.0% of Microsoft shares are owned by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that endowments, hedge funds and large money managers believe a company will outperform the market over the long term.

Alphabet has higher revenue and earnings than Microsoft. Microsoft is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Alphabet, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

CompanyGross RevenuePrice/Sales RatioNet IncomeEarnings Per SharePrice/Earnings Ratio
Alphabet$402.84B11.92$132.17B$13.1130.29
Microsoft$281.72B10.94$101.83B$16.8024.70

Alphabet has a beta of 1.25, meaning that its share price is 25% more volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Microsoft has a beta of 1.1, meaning that its share price is 10% more volatile than the S&P 500.

Microsoft has a net margin of 39.34% compared to Alphabet's net margin of 37.92%. Alphabet's return on equity of 38.99% beat Microsoft's return on equity.

Company Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets
Alphabet37.92% 38.99% 27.41%
Microsoft 39.34%31.94%18.47%

In the previous week, Microsoft had 77 more articles in the media than Alphabet. MarketBeat recorded 282 mentions for Microsoft and 205 mentions for Alphabet. Alphabet's average media sentiment score of 0.95 beat Microsoft's score of 0.76 indicating that Alphabet is being referred to more favorably in the media.

Company Very Positive Positive Neutral Negative Very Negative Overall Sentiment
Alphabet
143 Very Positive mention(s)
11 Positive mention(s)
31 Neutral mention(s)
14 Negative mention(s)
4 Very Negative mention(s)
Positive
Microsoft
148 Very Positive mention(s)
35 Positive mention(s)
47 Neutral mention(s)
35 Negative mention(s)
9 Very Negative mention(s)
Positive

Alphabet pays an annual dividend of $0.84 per share and has a dividend yield of 0.2%. Microsoft pays an annual dividend of $3.64 per share and has a dividend yield of 0.9%. Alphabet pays out 6.4% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Microsoft pays out 21.7% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Both companies have healthy payout ratios and should be able to cover their dividend payments with earnings for the next several years. Alphabet has raised its dividend for 1 consecutive years and Microsoft has raised its dividend for 23 consecutive years. Microsoft is clearly the better dividend stock, given its higher yield and longer track record of dividend growth.

Alphabet currently has a consensus price target of $362.73, suggesting a potential downside of 8.64%. Microsoft has a consensus price target of $562.69, suggesting a potential upside of 35.59%. Given Microsoft's higher possible upside, analysts plainly believe Microsoft is more favorable than Alphabet.

Company Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score
Alphabet
0 Sell rating(s)
4 Hold rating(s)
28 Buy rating(s)
6 Strong Buy rating(s)
3.05
Microsoft
0 Sell rating(s)
7 Hold rating(s)
38 Buy rating(s)
1 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.87

Summary

Alphabet beats Microsoft on 12 of the 20 factors compared between the two stocks.

How does Microsoft compare to Alphabet?

Microsoft (NASDAQ:MSFT) and Alphabet (NASDAQ:GOOGL) are both large-cap computer and technology companies, but which is the superior business? We will compare the two businesses based on the strength of their risk, profitability, dividends, institutional ownership, valuation, analyst recommendations, earnings and media sentiment.

Microsoft pays an annual dividend of $3.64 per share and has a dividend yield of 0.9%. Alphabet pays an annual dividend of $0.84 per share and has a dividend yield of 0.2%. Microsoft pays out 21.7% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Alphabet pays out 6.4% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Both companies have healthy payout ratios and should be able to cover their dividend payments with earnings for the next several years. Microsoft has increased its dividend for 23 consecutive years and Alphabet has increased its dividend for 1 consecutive years. Microsoft is clearly the better dividend stock, given its higher yield and longer track record of dividend growth.

Microsoft has a net margin of 39.34% compared to Alphabet's net margin of 37.92%. Alphabet's return on equity of 38.99% beat Microsoft's return on equity.

Company Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets
Microsoft39.34% 31.94% 18.47%
Alphabet 37.92%38.99%27.41%

71.1% of Microsoft shares are owned by institutional investors. Comparatively, 40.0% of Alphabet shares are owned by institutional investors. 0.0% of Microsoft shares are owned by company insiders. Comparatively, 11.6% of Alphabet shares are owned by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that endowments, large money managers and hedge funds believe a company will outperform the market over the long term.

In the previous week, Microsoft had 81 more articles in the media than Alphabet. MarketBeat recorded 282 mentions for Microsoft and 201 mentions for Alphabet. Alphabet's average media sentiment score of 0.93 beat Microsoft's score of 0.76 indicating that Alphabet is being referred to more favorably in the news media.

Company Very Positive Positive Neutral Negative Very Negative Overall Sentiment
Microsoft
148 Very Positive mention(s)
35 Positive mention(s)
47 Neutral mention(s)
35 Negative mention(s)
9 Very Negative mention(s)
Positive
Alphabet
137 Very Positive mention(s)
14 Positive mention(s)
28 Neutral mention(s)
10 Negative mention(s)
1 Very Negative mention(s)
Positive

Microsoft has a beta of 1.1, indicating that its stock price is 10% more volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Alphabet has a beta of 1.26, indicating that its stock price is 26% more volatile than the S&P 500.

Microsoft presently has a consensus target price of $562.69, suggesting a potential upside of 35.59%. Alphabet has a consensus target price of $407.86, suggesting a potential upside of 1.79%. Given Microsoft's higher possible upside, equities analysts plainly believe Microsoft is more favorable than Alphabet.

Company Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score
Microsoft
0 Sell rating(s)
7 Hold rating(s)
38 Buy rating(s)
1 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.87
Alphabet
0 Sell rating(s)
5 Hold rating(s)
47 Buy rating(s)
2 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.94

Alphabet has higher revenue and earnings than Microsoft. Microsoft is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Alphabet, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

CompanyGross RevenuePrice/Sales RatioNet IncomeEarnings Per SharePrice/Earnings Ratio
Microsoft$281.72B10.94$101.83B$16.8024.70
Alphabet$402.84B12.03$132.17B$13.1130.56

Summary

Alphabet beats Microsoft on 13 of the 20 factors compared between the two stocks.

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New MarketBeat Followers Over Time

This chart shows the number of new MarketBeat users adding MSFT and its top 5 competitors to their watchlist. Each company is represented with a line over a 90 day period.
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Media Sentiment Over Time

This chart shows the average media sentiment of NASDAQ and its competitors over the past 90 days as caculated by MarketBeat. The averaged score is equivalent to the following: Very Negative Sentiment <= -1.5, Negative Sentiment > -1.5 and <= -0.5, Neutral Sentiment > -0.5 and < 0.5, Positive Sentiment >= 0.5 and < 1.5, and Very Positive Sentiment >= 1.5.
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MSFT vs. The Competition

MetricMicrosoftCOMP IndustryComputer SectorNASDAQ Exchange
Market Cap$3.13T$147.58B$38.45B$12.12B
Dividend Yield0.87%1.93%3.16%5.20%
P/E Ratio24.7022.05165.2525.39
Price / Sales10.945.23624.6775.96
Price / Cash23.0017.8346.3453.47
Price / Book7.4428.859.546.81
Net Income$101.83B$5.11B$1.03B$333.04M
7 Day Performance0.14%2.94%4.57%3.17%
1 Month Performance11.24%11.57%15.16%7.14%
1 Year Performance-5.41%-13.62%170.74%41.22%

Microsoft Competitors List

CompanyMarketRankShare PriceAnalysts' Price Target1Y Price PerformanceMarket CapRevenueP/E RatioEmployee CountIndicator(s)
MSFT
Microsoft
4.9785 of 5 stars
$415.00
-1.4%
$562.69
+35.6%
N/A$3.13T$281.72B24.70228,000
AAPL
Apple
4.3379 of 5 stars
$282.11
+1.9%
$304.31
+7.9%
N/A$4.14T$416.16B34.11166,000
AMD
Advanced Micro Devices
3.6134 of 5 stars
$355.16
+4.0%
$303.84
-14.5%
N/A$579.03B$34.64B134.0231,000
AMZN
Amazon.com
4.4841 of 5 stars
$272.74
+0.3%
$313.09
+14.8%
N/A$2.93T$716.92B32.621,576,000
GOOG
Alphabet
4.1054 of 5 stars
$382.04
+0.6%
$362.73
-5.1%
N/A$4.62T$422.50B29.14190,200

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This page (NASDAQ:MSFT) was last updated on 5/9/2026 by MarketBeat.com Staff.
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