APLD vs CIFR

For growth investors, Applied Digital Corporation (APLD) is the stronger pick with 57.

7% revenue growth year-over-year, versus 48. 0% for Cipher Mining Inc. (CIFR). Analysts rate Applied Digital Corporation (APLD) a "Buy" — based on 13 analyst ratings — the highest consensus in this comparison. The "better buy" depends entirely on your goals: growth investors should weight revenue trajectory, value investors should weight P/E and PEG, and income investors should weight dividend yield and streak.

Over the past 5 years, Applied Digital Corporation (APLD) delivered a total return of +811.

3%, compared to +120. 2% for Cipher Mining Inc. (CIFR). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: APLD returned +811. 3% versus CIFR's +121. 3%. Past returns do not guarantee future results, and the stock with the higher historical return may already have its best growth priced in.

By beta (market sensitivity over 5 years), Applied Digital Corporation (APLD) is the lower-risk stock at 3.

23β versus Cipher Mining Inc. 's 3. 87β — meaning CIFR is approximately 20% more volatile than APLD relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, Applied Digital Corporation (APLD) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 111% versus 3% for Cipher Mining Inc. — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.

By revenue growth (latest reported year), Applied Digital Corporation (APLD) is pulling ahead at 57.

7% versus 48. 0% for Cipher Mining Inc. (CIFR). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: Applied Digital Corporation grew EPS 11. 5% year-over-year, compared to -1435. 7% for Cipher Mining Inc.. Higher growth typically commands a higher valuation multiple — check whether the premium P/E or P/S is justified by the growth rate using the PEG ratio.

Applied Digital Corporation (APLD) is the more profitable company, earning -107.

2% net margin versus -367. 2% for Cipher Mining Inc. — meaning it keeps -107. 2% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: APLD leads at -33. 5% versus -150. 7% for CIFR. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — CIFR leads at 28. 4%, reflecting greater pricing power or product mix advantage. Stronger margins indicate durable pricing power, lower cost of revenue, or higher mix of software/services. They are one of the clearest signs of business quality.

None of the stocks in this comparison currently pay a material dividend.

All are effectively zero-yield and should be held for capital appreciation rather than income.

For long-horizon retirement investors, Applied Digital Corporation (APLD) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (+811.

3% 10Y return). Cipher Mining Inc. (CIFR) carries a higher beta of 3. 87 — meaning larger drawdowns in market downturns, which matters significantly when you cannot wait years for a recovery. Both have compounded well over 10 years (APLD: +811. 3%, CIFR: +121. 3%), confirming both are viable long-term holds — but the lower-volatility option typically results in less emotional selling during corrections. Retirement portfolios generally favour predictability over maximum returns. Consult a financial advisor before making allocation decisions.

These companies operate in different sectors (APLD (Technology) and CIFR (Financial Services)), which means they face different economic cycles, regulatory environments, and macro sensitivities — making direct comparison nuanced.

These fundamental differences mean investors should not choose between them on a single metric — the "better stock" depends entirely on which of these characteristics aligns with your investment strategy.