NFLX vs AAPL vs MSFT vs GOOGL

For growth investors, Netflix, Inc.

(NFLX) is the stronger pick with 15. 9% revenue growth year-over-year, versus 6. 4% for Apple Inc. (AAPL). Microsoft Corporation (MSFT) offers the better valuation at 30. 3x trailing P/E (24. 9x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate Netflix, Inc. (NFLX) a "Buy" — based on 99 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, Microsoft Corporation (MSFT) is the cheapest at 30.

3x versus Apple Inc. at 38. 5x. On forward P/E, Netflix, Inc. is actually cheaper at 24. 8x — notably different from the trailing picture, reflecting expected earnings growth. The PEG ratio (P/E divided by earnings growth rate) is the most growth-adjusted single valuation metric: Netflix, Inc. wins at 0. 75x versus Apple Inc. 's 1. 89x — a PEG below 1. 0 traditionally signals the market is underpricing earnings growth.

Over the past 5 years, Alphabet Inc.

(GOOGL) delivered a total return of +241. 8%, compared to +71. 5% for Microsoft Corporation (MSFT). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: AAPL returned +1175% versus MSFT's +768. 1%. 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), Netflix, Inc.

(NFLX) is the lower-risk stock at 0. 39β versus Alphabet Inc. 's 1. 26β — meaning GOOGL is approximately 224% more volatile than NFLX relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, Alphabet Inc. (GOOGL) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 14% versus 152% for Apple Inc. — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.

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

(NFLX) is pulling ahead at 15. 9% versus 6. 4% for Apple Inc. (AAPL). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: Alphabet Inc. grew EPS 34. 5% year-over-year, compared to 15. 6% for Microsoft Corporation. Over a 3-year CAGR, NFLX leads at 12. 6% 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.

Microsoft Corporation (MSFT) is the more profitable company, earning 36.

1% net margin versus 24. 3% for Netflix, Inc. — meaning it keeps 36. 1% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: MSFT leads at 45. 6% versus 29. 5% for NFLX. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — MSFT leads at 68. 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.

The PEG ratio (forward P/E divided by expected earnings growth rate) is the most precise measure of undervaluation relative to growth potential.

By this metric, Netflix, Inc. (NFLX) is the more undervalued stock at a PEG of 0. 75x versus Apple Inc. 's 1. 89x. A PEG below 1. 0 is traditionally considered the threshold for growth-adjusted undervaluation. On forward earnings alone, Netflix, Inc. (NFLX) trades at 24. 8x forward P/E versus 33. 8x for Apple Inc. — 9. 0x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis. Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for MSFT: 33. 3% to $551. 75.

In this comparison, MSFT (0.

8% yield), AAPL (0. 4% yield), GOOGL (0. 2% yield) pay a dividend. NFLX does not pay a meaningful dividend and should not be held primarily for income.

For long-horizon retirement investors, Netflix, Inc.

(NFLX) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β 0. 39), +872. 1% 10Y return). Both have compounded well over 10 years (NFLX: +872. 1%, GOOGL: +1002%), 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 (NFLX (Communication Services) and AAPL (Technology) and MSFT (Technology) and GOOGL (Communication Services)), which means they face different economic cycles, regulatory environments, and macro sensitivities — making direct comparison nuanced.

In terms of investment character: NFLX is a large-cap high-growth stock; AAPL is a mega-cap quality compounder stock; MSFT is a mega-cap quality compounder stock; GOOGL is a mega-cap high-growth stock. MSFT pays a dividend while NFLX, AAPL, GOOGL do 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.