Comprehensive Stock Comparison
Compare SS&C Technologies Holdings, Inc. (SSNC) 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 | CRM | 9.6% revenue growth vs SSNC's 6.6% |
| Value | SSNC | Lower P/E (11.0x vs 16.5x) |
| Quality / Margins | CRM | 18.0% net margin vs SSNC's 13.9% |
| Stability / Safety | SSNC | Beta 0.89 vs CRM's 1.04, lower leverage |
| Dividends | SSNC | 1.3% yield, 12-year raise streak, vs CRM's 0.9% |
| Momentum (1Y) | SSNC | -14.3% vs CRM's -34.0% |
| Efficiency (ROA) | CRM | 6.6% ROA vs SSNC's 4.4%, ROIC 10.9% vs 10.8% |
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
SS&C Technologies is a financial technology company that provides specialized software and software-enabled services to the financial services and healthcare industries. It generates revenue primarily through recurring software licensing fees and service contracts — with its financial services segment contributing roughly 90% of revenue — while its healthcare solutions make up the remainder. The company's competitive advantage lies in its deep domain expertise and comprehensive technology stack that creates high switching costs for clients who rely on its systems for mission-critical operations.
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
SSNC leads in 4 of 6 categories (Valuation Metrics, Total Returns). CRM leads in 2 (Financial Metrics, Profitability & Efficiency).
Financial Metrics (TTM)
CRM is the larger business by revenue, generating $41.5B annually — 6.8x SSNC's $6.1B. Profitability is closely matched — net margins range from 18.0% (CRM) to 13.9% (SSNC). On growth, CRM holds the edge at +12.1% YoY revenue growth, suggesting stronger near-term business momentum.
| Metric | SSNCSS&C Technologies… | CRMSalesforce, Inc. |
|---|---|---|
| RevenueTrailing 12 months | $6.1B | $41.5B |
| EBITDAEarnings before interest/tax | $2.1B | $11.4B |
| Net IncomeAfter-tax profit | $852M | $7.5B |
| Free Cash FlowCash after capex | $1.6B | $14.4B |
| Gross MarginGross profit ÷ Revenue | +48.6% | +77.7% |
| Operating MarginEBIT ÷ Revenue | +23.2% | +21.5% |
| Net MarginNet income ÷ Revenue | +13.9% | +18.0% |
| FCF MarginFCF ÷ Revenue | +26.4% | +34.7% |
| Rev. Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | +7.0% | +12.1% |
| EPS Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | +27.7% | +18.3% |
Valuation Metrics
At 23.9x trailing earnings, SSNC trades at a 4% valuation discount to CRM's 25.0x P/E. Adjusting for growth (PEG ratio), CRM offers better value at 2.04x vs SSNC's 3.96x — a lower PEG means you pay less per unit of expected earnings growth.
| Metric | SSNCSS&C Technologies… | CRMSalesforce, Inc. |
|---|---|---|
| Market CapShares × price | $18.3B | $187.4B |
| Enterprise ValueMkt cap + debt − cash | $18.1B | $186.8B |
| Trailing P/EPrice ÷ TTM EPS | 23.90x | 24.97x |
| Forward P/EPrice ÷ next-FY EPS est. | 10.97x | 16.54x |
| PEG RatioP/E ÷ EPS growth rate | 3.96x | 2.04x |
| EV / EBITDAEnterprise value multiple | 12.60x | 20.95x |
| Price / SalesMarket cap ÷ Revenue | 2.92x | 4.51x |
| Price / BookPrice ÷ Book value/share | 2.75x | 3.15x |
| Price / FCFMarket cap ÷ FCF | 11.02x | 13.01x |
Profitability & Efficiency
CRM delivers a 12.6% return on equity — every $100 of shareholder capital generates $13 in annual profit, vs $12 for SSNC. SSNC carries lower financial leverage with a 0.03x 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 SSNC's 5/9, reflecting strong financial health.
| Metric | SSNCSS&C Technologies… | CRMSalesforce, Inc. |
|---|---|---|
| ROE (TTM)Return on equity | +12.2% | +12.6% |
| ROA (TTM)Return on assets | +4.4% | +6.6% |
| ROICReturn on invested capital | +10.8% | +10.9% |
| ROCEReturn on capital employed | +9.5% | +11.9% |
| Piotroski ScoreFundamental quality 0–9 | 5 | 8 |
| Debt / EquityFinancial leverage | 0.03x | 0.11x |
| Net DebtTotal debt minus cash | -$224M | -$590M |
| Cash & Equiv.Liquid assets | $462M | $7.3B |
| Total DebtShort + long-term debt | $238M | $6.7B |
| Interest CoverageEBIT ÷ Interest expense | 3.27x | 44.14x |
Total Returns (with DRIP)
A $10,000 investment in SSNC five years ago would be worth $11,876 today (with dividends reinvested), compared to $9,104 for CRM. Over the past 12 months, SSNC leads with a -14.3% total return vs CRM's -34.0%. The 3-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) favors SSNC at 10.0% vs CRM's 6.6% — a key indicator of consistent wealth creation.
| Metric | SSNCSS&C Technologies… | CRMSalesforce, Inc. |
|---|---|---|
| YTD ReturnYear-to-date | -12.2% | -23.2% |
| 1-Year ReturnPast 12 months | -14.3% | -34.0% |
| 3-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +33.2% | +21.1% |
| 5-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +18.8% | -9.0% |
| 10-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +179.4% | +192.3% |
| CAGR (3Y)Annualised 3-year return | +10.0% | +6.6% |
Risk & Volatility
SSNC is the less volatile stock with a 0.89 beta — it tends to amplify market swings less than CRM's 1.04 beta. A beta below 1.0 means the stock typically moves less than the S&P 500. SSNC currently trades 82.7% from its 52-week high vs CRM's 64.3% drawdown — a narrower gap to the peak suggests stronger recent price momentum.
| Metric | SSNCSS&C Technologies… | CRMSalesforce, Inc. |
|---|---|---|
| Beta (5Y)Sensitivity to S&P 500 | 0.89x | 1.04x |
| 52-Week HighHighest price in past year | $91.07 | $303.07 |
| 52-Week LowLowest price in past year | $69.00 | $174.57 |
| % of 52W HighCurrent price vs 52-week peak | +82.7% | +64.3% |
| RSI (14)Momentum oscillator 0–100 | 47.7 | 47.5 |
| Avg Volume (50D)Average daily shares traded | 1.6M | 8.6M |
Analyst Outlook
Wall Street rates SSNC as "Buy" and CRM as "Buy". Consensus price targets imply 53.5% upside for CRM (target: $299) vs 34.3% for SSNC (target: $101). For income investors, SSNC offers the higher dividend yield at 1.33% vs CRM's 0.85%.
| Metric | SSNCSS&C Technologies… | CRMSalesforce, Inc. |
|---|---|---|
| Analyst RatingConsensus buy/hold/sell | Buy | Buy |
| Price TargetConsensus 12-month target | $101.14 | $299.00 |
| # AnalystsCovering analysts | 24 | 97 |
| Dividend YieldAnnual dividend ÷ price | +1.3% | +0.9% |
| Dividend StreakConsecutive years of raises | 12 | 2 |
| Dividend / ShareAnnual DPS | $1.00 | $1.66 |
| Buyback YieldShare repurchases ÷ mkt cap | +5.7% | +6.7% |
Historical Charts
Charts are rendered on first load. Hover for details.
Chart 1Total Return — 5 Years (Rebased to 100)
| Stock | Mar 20 | Feb 26 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| SS&C Technologies H… (SSNC) | 100 | 142.65 | +42.7% |
| Salesforce, Inc. (CRM) | 100 | 119.26 | +19.3% |
SS&C Technologies H… (SSNC) returned +19% over 5 years vs Salesforce, Inc. (CRM)'s -9%. A $10,000 investment in SSNC 5 years ago would be worth $11,876 today (including dividends reinvested).
Chart 2Revenue Growth — 10 Years
| Stock | 2017 | 2026 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| SS&C Technologies H… (SSNC) | $1.7B | $6.3B | +274.4% |
| 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| SS&C Technologies H… (SSNC) | 19.6% | 12.7% | -35.3% |
| 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 — 10 Years
| Stock | 2017 | 2026 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| SS&C Technologies H… (SSNC) | 26.1 | 27.8 | +6.5% |
| Salesforce, Inc. (CRM) | 393.2 | 25 | -93.6% |
SS&C Technologies Holdings, Inc. has traded in a 21x–107x P/E range over 9 years; current trailing P/E is ~24x. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| SS&C Technologies H… (SSNC) | 1.55 | 3.15 | +103.2% |
| 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
SS&C Technologies Holdings, Inc. generated $2B FCF in 2025 (+29% vs 2021). Salesforce, Inc. generated $14B FCF in 2026 (+252% vs 2021).
SSNC vs CRM: Frequently Asked Questions
9 questions · data-driven answers · updated daily
01Is SSNC or CRM a better buy right now?
SS&C Technologies Holdings, Inc. (SSNC) offers the better valuation at 23.9x trailing P/E (11.0x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate SS&C Technologies Holdings, Inc. (SSNC) a "Buy" — based on 24 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 — SSNC or CRM?
On trailing P/E, SS&C Technologies Holdings, Inc. (SSNC) is the cheapest at 23.9x versus Salesforce, Inc. at 25.0x. On forward P/E, SS&C Technologies Holdings, Inc. is actually cheaper at 11.0x. 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 SS&C Technologies Holdings, Inc.'s 1.82x — a reasonable growth-adjusted valuation.
03Which is the better long-term investment — SSNC or CRM?
Over the past 5 years, SS&C Technologies Holdings, Inc. (SSNC) delivered a total return of +18.8%, compared to -9.0% for Salesforce, Inc. (CRM). A $10,000 investment in SSNC five years ago would be worth approximately $12K today (assuming dividends reinvested). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: CRM returned +192.3% versus SSNC's +179.4%. 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 — SSNC or CRM?
By beta (market sensitivity over 5 years), SS&C Technologies Holdings, Inc. (SSNC) is the lower-risk stock at 0.89β versus Salesforce, Inc.'s 1.04β — meaning CRM is approximately 16% more volatile than SSNC relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, SS&C Technologies Holdings, Inc. (SSNC) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 3% versus 11% for Salesforce, Inc. — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.
05Which has better profit margins — SSNC or CRM?
Salesforce, Inc. (CRM) is the more profitable company, earning 18.0% net margin versus 12.7% for SS&C Technologies Holdings, Inc. — meaning it keeps 18.0% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: SSNC leads at 22.9% versus 21.5% for CRM. 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 SSNC 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 SS&C Technologies Holdings, Inc.'s 1.82x. A PEG below 1.5 suggests fair-to-attractive pricing relative to expected growth. On forward earnings alone, SS&C Technologies Holdings, Inc. (SSNC) trades at 11.0x forward P/E versus 16.5x for Salesforce, Inc. — 5.6x 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 — SSNC or CRM?
All stocks in this comparison pay dividends. SS&C Technologies Holdings, Inc. (SSNC) offers the highest yield at 1.3%, versus 0.9% for Salesforce, Inc. (CRM).
08Is SSNC or CRM better for a retirement portfolio?
For long-horizon retirement investors, SS&C Technologies Holdings, Inc. (SSNC) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β 0.89), 1.3% yield, +179.4% 10Y return). Both have compounded well over 10 years (SSNC: +179.4%, CRM: +192.3%), 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 SSNC 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. 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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