Compare Semrush Holdings, Inc. (SEMR) vs AppLovin Corporation (APP) Stock

AppLovin Corporation (APP) offers the better valuation at 44.6x trailing P/E (28.0x 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.

On trailing P/E, AppLovin Corporation (APP) is the cheapest at 44.6x versus Semrush Holdings, Inc. at 213.7x. On forward P/E, AppLovin Corporation is actually cheaper at 28.0x.

Over the past 5 years, AppLovin Corporation (APP) delivered a total return of +566.8%, compared to -15.6% for Semrush Holdings, Inc. (SEMR). A $10,000 investment in APP five years ago would be worth approximately $67K today (assuming dividends reinvested). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: APP returned +566.8% versus SEMR's -15.6%. 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), Semrush Holdings, Inc. (SEMR) is the lower-risk stock at 1.25β versus AppLovin Corporation's 2.17β — meaning APP is approximately 74% more volatile than SEMR relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, Semrush Holdings, Inc. (SEMR) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 5% versus 166% for AppLovin Corporation — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.

AppLovin Corporation (APP) is the more profitable company, earning 60.8% net margin versus 2.2% for Semrush 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 2.2% for SEMR. 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.

On forward earnings alone, AppLovin Corporation (APP) trades at 28.0x forward P/E versus 28.2x for Semrush Holdings, Inc. — 0.2x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis. Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for APP: 58.9% to $690.93.

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, Semrush Holdings, Inc. (SEMR) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β 1.25)). AppLovin Corporation (APP) carries a higher beta of 2.17 — meaning larger drawdowns in market downturns, which matters significantly when you cannot wait years for a recovery. Both have compounded well over 10 years (SEMR: -15.6%, APP: +566.8%), 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 Technology 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.