CVLT vs NTAP

For growth investors, Commvault Systems, Inc.

(CVLT) is the stronger pick with 18. 9% revenue growth year-over-year, versus 4. 9% for NetApp, Inc. (NTAP). NetApp, Inc. (NTAP) offers the better valuation at 19. 9x trailing P/E (14. 2x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate Commvault Systems, Inc. (CVLT) a "Buy" — based on 33 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, NetApp, Inc.

(NTAP) is the cheapest at 19. 9x versus Commvault Systems, Inc. at 65. 4x. On forward P/E, NetApp, Inc. is actually cheaper at 14. 2x.

Over the past 5 years, NetApp, Inc.

(NTAP) delivered a total return of +54. 9%, compared to +51. 7% for Commvault Systems, Inc. (CVLT). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: NTAP returned +465. 7% versus CVLT's +139. 7%. 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), Commvault Systems, Inc.

(CVLT) is the lower-risk stock at 1. 21β versus NetApp, Inc. 's 1. 34β — meaning NTAP is approximately 11% more volatile than CVLT relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, NetApp, Inc. (NTAP) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 3% versus 122% for Commvault Systems, Inc. — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.

By revenue growth (latest reported year), Commvault Systems, Inc.

(CVLT) is pulling ahead at 18. 9% versus 4. 9% for NetApp, Inc. (NTAP). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: NetApp, Inc. grew EPS 22. 5% year-over-year, compared to -6. 0% for Commvault Systems, Inc.. Over a 3-year CAGR, CVLT leads at 14. 7% 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.

NetApp, Inc.

(NTAP) is the more profitable company, earning 18. 0% net margin versus 6. 0% for Commvault Systems, Inc. — meaning it keeps 18. 0% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: NTAP leads at 20. 3% versus 8. 9% for CVLT. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — CVLT leads at 80. 3%, 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, NetApp, Inc.

(NTAP) trades at 14. 2x forward P/E versus 24. 7x for Commvault Systems, Inc. — 10. 6x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis. Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for CVLT: 37. 0% to $141. 64.

In this comparison, NTAP (1.

8% yield) pays a dividend. CVLT does not pay a meaningful dividend and should not be held primarily for income.

For long-horizon retirement investors, NetApp, Inc.

(NTAP) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (1. 8% yield, +465. 7% 10Y return). Both have compounded well over 10 years (NTAP: +465. 7%, CVLT: +139. 7%), 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 Technology sector, making this a peer-level intra-sector comparison — the same macro tailwinds and headwinds will affect both.

In terms of investment character: CVLT is a small-cap high-growth stock; NTAP is a mid-cap quality compounder stock. NTAP pays a dividend while CVLT does not, making them suitable for different income and tax situations. 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.