APP
AppLovin Corporation
Software - Application
Market Cap$157.65B
5Y Perf.+708.2%
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Stock Comparison
APP vs DV
Revenue, margins, valuation, and 5-year total return — side by side.
DV
DoubleVerify Holdings, Inc.
Software - Application
Market Cap$1.81B
5Y Perf.-68.3%
APP vs DV — Key Financials
Market cap, revenue, margins, and valuation side-by-side.
| Company Snapshot | APP | DV |
|---|---|---|
| Industry | Software - Application | Software - Application |
| Market Cap | $157.65B | $1.81B |
| Revenue (TTM) | $6.16B | $764M |
| Net Income (TTM) | $3.96B | $55M |
| Gross Margin | 88.4% | 82.2% |
| Operating Margin | 77.1% | 11.5% |
| Forward P/E | 29.8x | 21.1x |
| Total Debt | $3.54B | $100M |
| Cash & Equiv. | $2.49B | $259M |
APP vs DV — Long-Term Stock Performance
Price return indexed to 100 at period start. Dividends excluded.
APP
DV
| Stock | Apr 21 | May 26 | Return |
|---|---|---|---|
| AppLovin Corporation (APP) | 100 | 808.2 | +708.2% |
| DoubleVerify Holdin… (DV) | 100 | 31.7 | -68.3% |
Price return only. Dividends and distributions are not included.
Quick Verdict: APP vs DV
Each card shows where this stock fits in a portfolio — not just who wins on paper.
Bottom line: APP leads in 4 of 7 categories, making it the strongest pick for growth and revenue expansion and profitability and margin quality. DoubleVerify Holdings, Inc. is the stronger pick specifically for valuation and capital efficiency and capital preservation and lower volatility. As sector peers, any of these can serve as alternatives in the same allocation.
APP
AppLovin Corporation
The Growth Play
APP carries the broadest edge in this set and is the clearest fit for growth exposure and long-term compounding.
- Rev growth 16.4%, EPS growth 115.2%, 3Y rev CAGR 24.8%
- 6.2% 10Y total return vs DV's -68.0%
- 16.4% revenue growth vs DV's 13.9%
Best for: growth exposure and long-term compounding
DV
DoubleVerify Holdings, Inc.
The Income Pick
DV is the clearest fit if your priority is income & stability and sleep-well-at-night.
- beta 1.03
- Lower volatility, beta 1.03, Low D/E 8.8%, current ratio 4.27x
- Beta 1.03, current ratio 4.27x
Best for: income & stability and sleep-well-at-night
See the full category breakdown
| Category | Winner | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Growth | APP | 16.4% revenue growth vs DV's 13.9% |
| Value | DV | Lower P/E (21.1x vs 29.8x) |
| Quality / Margins | APP | 64.3% margin vs DV's 7.2% |
| Stability / Safety | DV | Beta 1.03 vs APP's 2.44, lower leverage |
| Dividends | Tie | Neither stock pays a meaningful dividend |
| Momentum (1Y) | APP | +53.9% vs DV's -17.5% |
| Efficiency (ROA) | APP | 58.1% ROA vs DV's 4.2%, ROIC 87.8% vs 6.4% |
APP vs DV — Revenue Breakdown by Segment
How each company's revenue is distributed across its business units
FY 2025
Segment breakdown not available.
APP vs DV — Financial Metrics
Side-by-side numbers across 2 stocks — who leads on profitability, valuation, growth, and risk.
BEST OVERALLAPPLAGGINGDV
DVDoubleVerify Holdings…
2leads
APPAppLovin Corporation
3leads
6 Total Categories
CATEGORYLEADERvs DVMETRICS WON
Income & Cash FlowRevenue, margins, and cash flow strength
APP5/6
Valuation MetricsMultiples, price ratios, and targets
DV6/6
Profitability & EfficiencyROE, ROIC, leverage, and quality scores
APP5/9
Total Returns1Y, 3Y, 5Y total returns with dividends
APP5/6
Risk & VolatilityBeta, volatility, and downside exposure
DV2/2
Analyst OutlookRatings, price targets, and dividends
—
—
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
APP leads this category, winning 5 of 6 comparable metrics.
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
APP is the larger business by revenue, generating $6.2B annually — 8.1x DV's $764M. APP is the more profitable business, keeping 64.3% of every revenue dollar as net income compared to DV's 7.2%. On growth, APP holds the edge at +24.2% YoY revenue growth, suggesting stronger near-term business momentum.
| Metric | APPAppLovin Corporat… | DVDoubleVerify Hold… |
|---|---|---|
| RevenueTrailing 12 months | $6.2B | $764M |
| EBITDAEarnings before interest/tax | $4.9B | $148M |
| Net IncomeAfter-tax profit | $4.0B | $55M |
| Free Cash FlowCash after capex | $4.4B | $135M |
| Gross MarginGross profit ÷ Revenue | +88.4% | +82.2% |
| Operating MarginEBIT ÷ Revenue | +77.1% | +11.5% |
| Net MarginNet income ÷ Revenue | +64.3% | +7.2% |
| FCF MarginFCF ÷ Revenue | +71.4% | +17.7% |
| Rev. Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | +24.2% | +9.6% |
| EPS Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | +113.2% | +3.0% |
APP leads this category, winning 5 of 6 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
DV leads this category, winning 6 of 6 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
At 37.2x trailing earnings, DV trades at a 23% valuation discount to APP's 48.1x P/E. On an enterprise value basis, DV's 12.1x EV/EBITDA is more attractive than APP's 36.5x.
| Metric | APPAppLovin Corporat… | DVDoubleVerify Hold… |
|---|---|---|
| Market CapShares × price | $157.6B | $1.8B |
| Enterprise ValueMkt cap + debt − cash | $158.7B | $1.6B |
| Trailing P/EPrice ÷ TTM EPS | 48.09x | 37.17x |
| Forward P/EPrice ÷ next-FY EPS est. | 29.77x | 21.09x |
| PEG RatioP/E ÷ EPS growth rate | — | 2.04x |
| EV / EBITDAEnterprise value multiple | 36.51x | 12.13x |
| Price / SalesMarket cap ÷ Revenue | 28.76x | 2.41x |
| Price / BookPrice ÷ Book value/share | 75.11x | 1.64x |
| Price / FCFMarket cap ÷ FCF | 39.98x | 10.46x |
DV leads this category, winning 6 of 6 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
APP leads this category, winning 5 of 9 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
APP delivers a 2.2% return on equity — every $100 of shareholder capital generates $2 in annual profit, vs $5 for DV. DV carries lower financial leverage with a 0.09x debt-to-equity ratio, signaling a more conservative balance sheet compared to APP's 1.66x. On the Piotroski fundamental quality scale (0–9), APP scores 8/9 vs DV's 5/9, reflecting strong financial health.
| Metric | APPAppLovin Corporat… | DVDoubleVerify Hold… |
|---|---|---|
| ROE (TTM)Return on equity | +2.2% | +5.0% |
| ROA (TTM)Return on assets | +58.1% | +4.2% |
| ROICReturn on invested capital | +87.8% | +6.4% |
| ROCEReturn on capital employed | +77.3% | +6.6% |
| Piotroski ScoreFundamental quality 0–9 | 8 | 5 |
| Debt / EquityFinancial leverage | 1.66x | 0.09x |
| Net DebtTotal debt minus cash | $1.1B | -$159M |
| Cash & Equiv.Liquid assets | $2.5B | $259M |
| Total DebtShort + long-term debt | $3.5B | $100M |
| Interest CoverageEBIT ÷ Interest expense | 32.17x | 43.16x |
APP leads this category, winning 5 of 9 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
APP leads this category, winning 5 of 6 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
A $10,000 investment in APP five years ago would be worth $82,352 today (with dividends reinvested), compared to $3,259 for DV. Over the past 12 months, APP leads with a +53.9% total return vs DV's -17.5%. The 3-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) favors APP at 198.5% vs DV's -25.7% — a key indicator of consistent wealth creation.
| Metric | APPAppLovin Corporat… | DVDoubleVerify Hold… |
|---|---|---|
| YTD ReturnYear-to-date | -24.2% | +2.7% |
| 1-Year ReturnPast 12 months | +53.9% | -17.5% |
| 3-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +2560.8% | -59.0% |
| 5-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +723.5% | -67.4% |
| 10-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +619.1% | -68.0% |
| CAGR (3Y)Annualised 3-year return | +198.5% | -25.7% |
APP leads this category, winning 5 of 6 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
DV leads this category, winning 2 of 2 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
DV is the less volatile stock with a 1.03 beta — it tends to amplify market swings less than APP's 2.44 beta. A beta below 1.0 means the stock typically moves less than the S&P 500. DV currently trades 66.3% from its 52-week high vs APP's 62.9% drawdown — a narrower gap to the peak suggests stronger recent price momentum.
| Metric | APPAppLovin Corporat… | DVDoubleVerify Hold… |
|---|---|---|
| Beta (5Y)Sensitivity to S&P 500 | 2.44x | 1.03x |
| 52-Week HighHighest price in past year | $745.61 | $16.82 |
| 52-Week LowLowest price in past year | $290.96 | $7.64 |
| % of 52W HighCurrent price vs 52-week peak | +62.9% | +66.3% |
| RSI (14)Momentum oscillator 0–100 | 58.5 | 70.9 |
| Avg Volume (50D)Average daily shares traded | 4.4M | 2.6M |
DV leads this category, winning 2 of 2 comparable metrics.
Analyst Outlook
Insufficient data to determine a leader in this category.
Analyst Outlook
Wall Street rates APP as "Buy" and DV as "Buy". Consensus price targets imply 38.6% upside for APP (target: $650) vs 35.4% for DV (target: $15).
| Metric | APPAppLovin Corporat… | DVDoubleVerify Hold… |
|---|---|---|
| Analyst RatingConsensus buy/hold/sell | Buy | Buy |
| Price TargetConsensus 12-month target | $649.86 | $15.10 |
| # AnalystsCovering analysts | 26 | 33 |
| Dividend YieldAnnual dividend ÷ price | — | — |
| Dividend StreakConsecutive years of raises | — | — |
| Dividend / ShareAnnual DPS | — | — |
| Buyback YieldShare repurchases ÷ mkt cap | +1.4% | +7.9% |
Insufficient data to determine a leader in this category.
Key Takeaway
APP leads in 3 of 6 categories (Income & Cash Flow, Profitability & Efficiency). DV leads in 2 (Valuation Metrics, Risk & Volatility).
Best OverallAppLovin Corporation (APP)Leads 3 of 6 categories
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APP vs DV: Frequently Asked Questions
10 questions · data-driven answers · updated daily
01Is APP or DV a better buy right now?
For growth investors, AppLovin Corporation (APP) is the stronger pick with 16.
4% revenue growth year-over-year, versus 13. 9% for DoubleVerify Holdings, Inc. (DV). DoubleVerify Holdings, Inc. (DV) offers the better valuation at 37. 2x trailing P/E (21. 1x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate AppLovin Corporation (APP) a "Buy" — based on 26 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.
02Which has the better valuation — APP or DV?
On trailing P/E, DoubleVerify Holdings, Inc.
(DV) is the cheapest at 37. 2x versus AppLovin Corporation at 48. 1x. On forward P/E, DoubleVerify Holdings, Inc. is actually cheaper at 21. 1x.
03Which is the better long-term investment — APP or DV?
Over the past 5 years, AppLovin Corporation (APP) delivered a total return of +723.
5%, compared to -67. 4% for DoubleVerify Holdings, Inc. (DV). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: APP returned +619. 1% versus DV's -68. 0%. Past returns do not guarantee future results, and the stock with the higher historical return may already have its best growth priced in.
04Which is safer — APP or DV?
By beta (market sensitivity over 5 years), DoubleVerify Holdings, Inc.
(DV) is the lower-risk stock at 1. 03β versus AppLovin Corporation's 2. 44β — meaning APP is approximately 137% more volatile than DV relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, DoubleVerify Holdings, Inc. (DV) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 9% versus 166% for AppLovin Corporation — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.
05Which is growing faster — APP or DV?
By revenue growth (latest reported year), AppLovin Corporation (APP) is pulling ahead at 16.
4% versus 13. 9% for DoubleVerify Holdings, Inc. (DV). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: AppLovin Corporation grew EPS 115. 2% year-over-year, compared to -6. 3% for DoubleVerify Holdings, Inc.. Over a 3-year CAGR, APP leads at 24. 8% annualised revenue growth. 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.
06Which has better profit margins — APP or DV?
AppLovin Corporation (APP) is the more profitable company, earning 60.
8% net margin versus 6. 8% for DoubleVerify Holdings, Inc. — meaning it keeps 60. 8% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: APP leads at 75. 8% versus 10. 6% for DV. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — APP leads at 87. 9%, 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.
07Is APP or DV more undervalued right now?
On forward earnings alone, DoubleVerify Holdings, Inc.
(DV) trades at 21. 1x forward P/E versus 29. 8x for AppLovin Corporation — 8. 7x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis. Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for APP: 38. 6% to $649. 86.
08Which pays a better dividend — APP or DV?
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.
09Is APP or DV better for a retirement portfolio?
For long-horizon retirement investors, DoubleVerify Holdings, Inc.
(DV) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β 1. 03)). AppLovin Corporation (APP) carries a higher beta of 2. 44 — meaning larger drawdowns in market downturns, which matters significantly when you cannot wait years for a recovery. Both have compounded well over 10 years (DV: -68. 0%, APP: +619. 1%), 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.
10What are the main differences between APP and DV?
Both stocks operate in the Technology sector, making this a peer-level intra-sector comparison — the same macro tailwinds and headwinds will affect both.
In terms of investment character: APP is a mid-cap high-growth stock; DV is a small-cap quality compounder stock. 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.
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Revenue Growth>
%
(APP: 24.2% · DV: 9.6%)Net Margin>
%
(APP: 64.3% · DV: 7.2%)P/E Ratio<
x
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