MAX vs QNST

For growth investors, QuinStreet, Inc.

(QNST) is the stronger pick with 78. 3% revenue growth year-over-year, versus 28. 8% for MediaAlpha, Inc. (MAX). MediaAlpha, Inc. (MAX) offers the better valuation at 23. 0x trailing P/E (8. 5x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate MediaAlpha, Inc. (MAX) a "Buy" — based on 9 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.

On trailing P/E, MediaAlpha, Inc.

(MAX) is the cheapest at 23. 0x versus QuinStreet, Inc. at 161. 3x. On forward P/E, MediaAlpha, Inc. is actually cheaper at 8. 5x.

Over the past 5 years, QuinStreet, Inc.

(QNST) delivered a total return of -28. 9%, compared to -76. 8% for MediaAlpha, Inc. (MAX). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: QNST returned +278. 5% versus MAX's -71. 8%. 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), MediaAlpha, Inc.

(MAX) is the lower-risk stock at 1. 01β versus QuinStreet, Inc. 's 1. 23β — meaning QNST is approximately 22% more volatile than MAX relative to the S&P 500.

By revenue growth (latest reported year), QuinStreet, Inc.

(QNST) is pulling ahead at 78. 3% versus 28. 8% for MediaAlpha, Inc. (MAX). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: QuinStreet, Inc. grew EPS 114. 2% year-over-year, compared to 25. 8% for MediaAlpha, Inc.. Over a 3-year CAGR, MAX leads at 34. 4% 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.

MediaAlpha, Inc.

(MAX) is the more profitable company, earning 2. 3% net margin versus 0. 4% for QuinStreet, Inc. — meaning it keeps 2. 3% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: MAX leads at 7. 0% versus 0. 6% for QNST. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — MAX leads at 14. 8%, 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.

On forward earnings alone, MediaAlpha, Inc.

(MAX) trades at 8. 5x forward P/E versus 10. 2x for QuinStreet, Inc. — 1. 7x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis. Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for MAX: 25. 4% to $11. 25.

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, QuinStreet, Inc.

(QNST) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β 1. 23), +278. 5% 10Y return). Both have compounded well over 10 years (QNST: +278. 5%, MAX: -71. 8%), 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.

Both stocks operate in the Communication Services sector, making this a peer-level intra-sector comparison — the same macro tailwinds and headwinds will affect both.

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.