Stock compare · SEC 10-K data · delayed price October 2, 2026

MSFT vs AAPL: is Microsoft or Apple the better stock?

MSFT scores higher on fundamentals: Microsoft (MSFT) earns 74/100 on WealthyBud’s Investor Score versus 53/100 for Apple (AAPL). Microsoft reported $331.8B revenue at a 40.3% net margin (FY2026), growing +17.8%; Apple reported $416.2B at 26.9%, growing +6.4% (FY2025). At delayed prices, MSFT trades at 28.6× earnings and AAPL at 43.4×. Research, not investment advice.

How do MSFT and AAPL compare at a glance?

The table puts Microsoft and Apple side by side on 20 figures from each company's latest SEC 10-K, plus market cap, P/E, P/S and yield at a delayed share price. The stronger figure in each row is bold; for P/E, P/S and debt, lower counts as stronger.

MSFT vs AAPL fundamentals — SEC 10-K data, delayed price as of October 2, 2026 (stronger figure in bold)
MetricMSFTAAPL
Fiscal year (latest 10-K)FY2026FY2025
Revenue$331.8B$416.2B
Net income$133.7B$112.0B
Gross margin67.9%46.9%
Operating margin46.8%32.0%
Net margin40.3%26.9%
Revenue growth (YoY)+17.8%+6.4%
3-year revenue CAGR+16.1%+1.8%
Diluted EPS growth+31.6%+22.7%
Return on equity30%152%
Return on assets17.6%31.2%
Market cap (delayed)$3.82T$4.86T
P/E ratio28.643.4
Price / sales11.511.7
Dividend yield0.71%0.31%
Cash$20.9B$35.9B
Long-term debt$31.1B$78.3B
Debt to equity0.071.06
Current ratio1.230.89
Investor Score74/10053/100

Microsoft's fiscal year ends June 30 and Apple's ends in late September, so the latest 10-K for each covers a different 12 months.

Which is more profitable, Microsoft or Apple?

Microsoft is the more profitable business on margins: a 46.8% operating margin and 40.3% net margin in FY2026, versus 32.0% and 26.9% for Apple in FY2025. Apple posts the higher return on equity, 152% against 30%, because its shareholders' equity is far smaller ($73.7B vs $442.4B).

Which company is growing faster?

Microsoft grew revenue +17.8% in its latest fiscal year and +16.1% a year over three years. Apple grew +6.4% and +1.8% a year over the same span. Diluted EPS rose +31.6% at MSFT and +22.7% at AAPL.

Five fiscal years of revenue, MSFT vs AAPL (SEC 10-K)
Fiscal year (MSFT / AAPL)MSFTAAPL
FY2026 / FY2025$331.8B$416.2B
FY2025 / FY2024$281.7B$391.0B
FY2024 / FY2023$245.1B$383.3B
FY2023 / FY2022$211.9B$394.3B
FY2022 / FY2021$198.3B$365.8B

Is MSFT or AAPL cheaper to buy?

At delayed prices as of October 2, 2026, MSFT trades at 28.6 times earnings and 11.5 times sales with a $3.82T market cap; AAPL trades at 43.4 times earnings and 11.7 times sales at $4.86T. Dividend yields are 0.71% and 0.31%.

Which has the stronger balance sheet?

Microsoft ended FY2026 with $20.9B in cash, $31.1B of long-term debt and a 0.07 debt-to-equity ratio. Apple had $35.9B in cash, $78.3B of long-term debt and a 1.06 ratio. Current ratios are 1.23 and 0.89.

How do MSFT and AAPL score on the Investor Score?

MSFT scores 74/100 (#3 of 103) and AAPL scores 53/100 (#38 of 103) on WealthyBud's Investor Score as of October 2, 2026. Subscores for MSFT: growth 82, profitability 91, returns on capital 76, balance-sheet strength 76, value (valuation) 31. For AAPL: growth 48, profitability 57, returns on capital 98, balance-sheet strength 28, value (valuation) 18. Percentile ranks, not advice.

MSFT vs AAPL FAQ

Is MSFT or AAPL the better stock?
On WealthyBud's fundamentals-based Investor Score, MSFT scores 74/100 and AAPL scores 53/100 as of October 2, 2026. MSFT leads on margins, growth and balance-sheet strength in the latest 10-Ks; AAPL leads on return on equity. The score is research, not a buy or sell call.
Which company makes more revenue, Microsoft or Apple?
Apple reported $416.2B in FY2025 revenue and Microsoft reported $331.8B in FY2026, per their SEC 10-K filings. Microsoft earned more net income: $133.7B versus $112.0B.
Which is cheaper, MSFT or AAPL?
By price to earnings, MSFT trades at 28.6 and AAPL at 43.4 using delayed prices as of October 2, 2026, so MSFT is cheaper on earnings. On price to sales they are close: 11.5 versus 11.7.
Which pays a higher dividend, MSFT or AAPL?
MSFT declared $3.64 per share in FY2026, a 0.71% yield at the delayed price; AAPL declared $1.02, a 0.31% yield. Both yields are low next to dividend-focused stocks.
Which has more debt, Microsoft or Apple?
Apple carries $78.3B of long-term debt against $73.7B of equity (debt to equity 1.06); Microsoft carries $31.1B against $442.4B (debt to equity 0.07), per their latest 10-Ks.
Why do the fiscal years differ?
Microsoft's fiscal year ends June 30 and Apple's ends in late September, so the latest 10-K for each covers a different 12 months. Figures on this page use each company's own latest annual report.
Fundamentals from each company's latest Form 10-K (SEC EDGAR). Valuation uses a delayed price. The Investor Score is a data-derived research opinion. Not investment advice.

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Owen Delacroix Technology Sector Analyst

Owen Delacroix is a technology sector analyst who covers large-cap technology and semiconductor equities, focusing on cash-flow quality and valuation discipline. He builds his coverage from public SEC filings rather than analyst consensus estimates.

Editorial persona: WealthyBud bylines are editorial personas, not real individuals. Pages are produced by the WealthyBud research team from the public data cited on each page.