Comprehensive Stock Comparison
Compare Shopify Inc. (SHOP) vs Salesforce, Inc. (CRM) Stock
Analyze side-by-side fundamentals, valuation, growth, and profitability to decide which stock is the better buy.
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Quick Verdict
| Category | Winner | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Growth | SHOP | 30.1% revenue growth vs CRM's 9.6% |
| Value | CRM | Lower P/E (16.5x vs 65.9x), PEG 1.35 vs 2.25 |
| Quality / Margins | CRM | 18.0% net margin vs SHOP's 10.7% |
| Stability / Safety | CRM | Beta 1.04 vs SHOP's 2.23 |
| Dividends | CRM | 0.9% yield; 2-year raise streak; SHOP pays no meaningful dividend |
| Momentum (1Y) | SHOP | +7.8% vs CRM's -34.0% |
| Efficiency (ROA) | SHOP | 8.1% ROA vs CRM's 6.6%, ROIC 9.4% vs 10.9% |
Who Each Stock Is For
Income & stability
Growth exposure
Long-term compounding (10Y)
Sleep-well-at-night portfolio
Valuation efficiency (growth/$)
Defensive / Recession hedge
Business Model
What each company does and how it makes money
Shopify is a comprehensive commerce platform that enables businesses of all sizes to create online stores, manage sales across multiple channels, and handle operations like payments, shipping, and inventory. It generates revenue primarily through subscription fees for its platform tiers — which account for about 30% of revenue — and merchant solutions like payment processing, shipping, and capital advances that make up the remaining 70%. The company's key advantage is its integrated ecosystem that combines easy-to-use store creation tools with a vast app marketplace and fulfillment network, creating high switching costs for merchants as they grow their businesses.
Salesforce is a cloud-based customer relationship management (CRM) software company that helps businesses manage sales, service, marketing, and commerce operations. It generates revenue primarily through subscription fees for its SaaS platform—with sales cloud (~30%), service cloud (~25%), and platform/other (~45%) being its main segments. Its competitive moat lies in its massive ecosystem of integrated applications, enterprise data architecture, and high switching costs for customers deeply embedded in its platform.
Revenue Breakdown by Segment
How each company's revenue is distributed across its business units
Financial Metrics Comparison
Side-by-side fundamentals across 2 stocks. BestLagging
Financial Scorecard
CRM leads in 2 of 6 categories (Financial Metrics, Valuation Metrics). SHOP leads in 1 (Total Returns). 2 tied.
Financial Metrics (TTM)
CRM is the larger business by revenue, generating $41.5B annually — 3.6x SHOP's $11.6B. CRM is the more profitable business, keeping 18.0% of every revenue dollar as net income compared to SHOP's 10.7%. On growth, SHOP holds the edge at +30.6% YoY revenue growth, suggesting stronger near-term business momentum.
| Metric | SHOPShopify Inc. | CRMSalesforce, Inc. |
|---|---|---|
| RevenueTrailing 12 months | $11.6B | $41.5B |
| EBITDAEarnings before interest/tax | $1.5B | $11.4B |
| Net IncomeAfter-tax profit | $1.2B | $7.5B |
| Free Cash FlowCash after capex | $2.0B | $14.4B |
| Gross MarginGross profit ÷ Revenue | +48.1% | +77.7% |
| Operating MarginEBIT ÷ Revenue | +12.7% | +21.5% |
| Net MarginNet income ÷ Revenue | +10.7% | +18.0% |
| FCF MarginFCF ÷ Revenue | +17.4% | +34.7% |
| Rev. Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | +30.6% | +12.1% |
| EPS Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | -42.0% | +18.3% |
Valuation Metrics
At 25.0x trailing earnings, CRM trades at a 81% valuation discount to SHOP's 128.4x P/E. Adjusting for growth (PEG ratio), CRM offers better value at 2.04x vs SHOP's 4.38x — a lower PEG means you pay less per unit of expected earnings growth.
| Metric | SHOPShopify Inc. | CRMSalesforce, Inc. |
|---|---|---|
| Market CapShares × price | $157.4B | $187.4B |
| Enterprise ValueMkt cap + debt − cash | $156.1B | $186.8B |
| Trailing P/EPrice ÷ TTM EPS | 128.44x | 24.97x |
| Forward P/EPrice ÷ next-FY EPS est. | 65.90x | 16.54x |
| PEG RatioP/E ÷ EPS growth rate | 4.38x | 2.04x |
| EV / EBITDAEnterprise value multiple | 104.11x | 20.95x |
| Price / SalesMarket cap ÷ Revenue | 13.62x | 4.51x |
| Price / BookPrice ÷ Book value/share | 11.69x | 3.15x |
| Price / FCFMarket cap ÷ FCF | 78.44x | 13.01x |
Profitability & Efficiency
CRM delivers a 12.6% return on equity — every $100 of shareholder capital generates $13 in annual profit, vs $9 for SHOP. SHOP carries lower financial leverage with a 0.01x debt-to-equity ratio, signaling a more conservative balance sheet compared to CRM's 0.11x. On the Piotroski fundamental quality scale (0–9), CRM scores 8/9 vs SHOP's 6/9, reflecting strong financial health.
| Metric | SHOPShopify Inc. | CRMSalesforce, Inc. |
|---|---|---|
| ROE (TTM)Return on equity | +9.1% | +12.6% |
| ROA (TTM)Return on assets | +8.1% | +6.6% |
| ROICReturn on invested capital | +9.4% | +10.9% |
| ROCEReturn on capital employed | +11.0% | +11.9% |
| Piotroski ScoreFundamental quality 0–9 | 6 | 8 |
| Debt / EquityFinancial leverage | 0.01x | 0.11x |
| Net DebtTotal debt minus cash | -$1.4B | -$590M |
| Cash & Equiv.Liquid assets | $1.5B | $7.3B |
| Total DebtShort + long-term debt | $188M | $6.7B |
| Interest CoverageEBIT ÷ Interest expense | — | 44.14x |
Total Returns (with DRIP)
A $10,000 investment in SHOP five years ago would be worth $9,216 today (with dividends reinvested), compared to $9,104 for CRM. Over the past 12 months, SHOP leads with a +7.8% total return vs CRM's -34.0%. The 3-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) favors SHOP at 43.2% vs CRM's 6.6% — a key indicator of consistent wealth creation.
| Metric | SHOPShopify Inc. | CRMSalesforce, Inc. |
|---|---|---|
| YTD ReturnYear-to-date | -23.2% | -23.2% |
| 1-Year ReturnPast 12 months | +7.8% | -34.0% |
| 3-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +193.5% | +21.1% |
| 5-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | -7.8% | -9.0% |
| 10-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +5294.6% | +192.3% |
| CAGR (3Y)Annualised 3-year return | +43.2% | +6.6% |
Risk & Volatility
CRM is the less volatile stock with a 1.04 beta — it tends to amplify market swings less than SHOP's 2.23 beta. A beta below 1.0 means the stock typically moves less than the S&P 500.
| Metric | SHOPShopify Inc. | CRMSalesforce, Inc. |
|---|---|---|
| Beta (5Y)Sensitivity to S&P 500 | 2.23x | 1.04x |
| 52-Week HighHighest price in past year | $182.19 | $303.07 |
| 52-Week LowLowest price in past year | $69.84 | $174.57 |
| % of 52W HighCurrent price vs 52-week peak | +66.3% | +64.3% |
| RSI (14)Momentum oscillator 0–100 | 48.7 | 47.5 |
| Avg Volume (50D)Average daily shares traded | 10.0M | 8.6M |
Analyst Outlook
Wall Street rates SHOP as "Buy" and CRM as "Buy". Consensus price targets imply 53.5% upside for CRM (target: $299) vs 36.8% for SHOP (target: $165). CRM is the only dividend payer here at 0.85% yield — a key consideration for income-focused portfolios.
| Metric | SHOPShopify Inc. | CRMSalesforce, Inc. |
|---|---|---|
| Analyst RatingConsensus buy/hold/sell | Buy | Buy |
| Price TargetConsensus 12-month target | $165.16 | $299.00 |
| # AnalystsCovering analysts | 63 | 97 |
| Dividend YieldAnnual dividend ÷ price | — | +0.9% |
| Dividend StreakConsecutive years of raises | — | 2 |
| Dividend / ShareAnnual DPS | — | $1.66 |
| Buyback YieldShare repurchases ÷ mkt cap | 0.0% | +6.7% |
Historical Charts
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Chart 1Total Return — 5 Years (Rebased to 100)
| Stock | Mar 20 | Feb 26 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shopify Inc. (SHOP) | 100 | 270.68 | +170.7% |
| Salesforce, Inc. (CRM) | 100 | 119.26 | +19.3% |
Shopify Inc. (SHOP) returned -8% over 5 years vs Salesforce, Inc. (CRM)'s -9%.
Chart 2Revenue Growth — 10 Years
| Stock | 2017 | 2026 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shopify Inc. (SHOP) | $673M | $11.6B | +1616.3% |
| Salesforce, Inc. (CRM) | $8.4B | $41.5B | +394.8% |
Salesforce, Inc.'s revenue grew from $8.4B (2017) to $41.5B (2026) — a 19.4% CAGR.
Chart 3Net Margin Trend — 10 Years
| Stock | 2017 | 2026 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shopify Inc. (SHOP) | -5.9% | 10.7% | +279.3% |
| Salesforce, Inc. (CRM) | 3.8% | 18.0% | +366.6% |
Salesforce, Inc.'s net margin went from 4% (2017) to 18% (2026).
Chart 4P/E Ratio History — 8 Years
| Stock | 2017 | 2026 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shopify Inc. (SHOP) | 435.4 | 171.2 | -60.7% |
| Salesforce, Inc. (CRM) | 393.2 | 25 | -93.6% |
Shopify Inc. has traded in a 61x–435x P/E range over 4 years; current trailing P/E is ~128x. Salesforce, Inc. has traded in a 25x–393x P/E range over 7 years; current trailing P/E is ~25x.
Chart 5EPS Growth — 10 Years
| Stock | 2017 | 2026 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shopify Inc. (SHOP) | -0.04 | 0.94 | +2348.8% |
| Salesforce, Inc. (CRM) | 0.26 | 7.8 | +2900.0% |
Salesforce, Inc.'s EPS grew from $0.26 (2017) to $7.80 (2026) — a 46% CAGR.
Chart 6Free Cash Flow — 5 Years
Shopify Inc. generated $2B FCF in 2025 (+314% vs 2021). Salesforce, Inc. generated $14B FCF in 2026 (+252% vs 2021).
SHOP vs CRM: Frequently Asked Questions
9 questions · data-driven answers · updated daily
01Is SHOP or CRM a better buy right now?
Salesforce, Inc. (CRM) offers the better valuation at 25.0x trailing P/E (16.5x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate Shopify Inc. (SHOP) a "Buy" — based on 63 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 — SHOP or CRM?
On trailing P/E, Salesforce, Inc. (CRM) is the cheapest at 25.0x versus Shopify Inc. at 128.4x. On forward P/E, Salesforce, Inc. is actually cheaper at 16.5x. The PEG ratio (P/E divided by earnings growth rate) is the most growth-adjusted single valuation metric: Salesforce, Inc. wins at 1.35x versus Shopify Inc.'s 2.25x — a reasonable growth-adjusted valuation.
03Which is the better long-term investment — SHOP or CRM?
Over the past 5 years, Shopify Inc. (SHOP) delivered a total return of -7.8%, compared to -9.0% for Salesforce, Inc. (CRM). A $10,000 investment in SHOP five years ago would be worth approximately $9K today (assuming dividends reinvested). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: SHOP returned +52.9% versus CRM's +192.3%. 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 — SHOP or CRM?
By beta (market sensitivity over 5 years), Salesforce, Inc. (CRM) is the lower-risk stock at 1.04β versus Shopify Inc.'s 2.23β — meaning SHOP is approximately 115% more volatile than CRM relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, Shopify Inc. (SHOP) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 1% versus 11% for Salesforce, Inc. — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.
05Which has better profit margins — SHOP or CRM?
Salesforce, Inc. (CRM) is the more profitable company, earning 18.0% net margin versus 10.7% for Shopify Inc. — meaning it keeps 18.0% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: CRM leads at 21.5% versus 12.7% for SHOP. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — CRM leads at 77.7%, 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.
06Is SHOP or CRM more undervalued right now?
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, Salesforce, Inc. (CRM) is the more undervalued stock at a PEG of 1.35x versus Shopify Inc.'s 2.25x. A PEG below 1.5 suggests fair-to-attractive pricing relative to expected growth. On forward earnings alone, Salesforce, Inc. (CRM) trades at 16.5x forward P/E versus 65.9x for Shopify Inc. — 49.4x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis. Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for CRM: 53.5% to $299.00.
07Which pays a better dividend — SHOP or CRM?
In this comparison, CRM (0.9% yield) pays a dividend. SHOP does not pay a meaningful dividend and should not be held primarily for income.
08Is SHOP or CRM better for a retirement portfolio?
For long-horizon retirement investors, Salesforce, Inc. (CRM) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β 1.04), 0.9% yield, +192.3% 10Y return). Shopify Inc. (SHOP) carries a higher beta of 2.23 — meaning larger drawdowns in market downturns, which matters significantly when you cannot wait years for a recovery. Both have compounded well over 10 years (CRM: +192.3%, SHOP: +52.9%), 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.
09What are the main differences between SHOP and CRM?
Both stocks operate in the Technology sector, making this a peer-level intra-sector comparison — the same macro tailwinds and headwinds will affect both. CRM pays a dividend while SHOP 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.
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