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TYL vs PAYC
Revenue, margins, valuation, and 5-year total return — side by side.
Software - Application
TYL vs PAYC — Key Financials
Market cap, revenue, margins, and valuation side-by-side.
| Company Snapshot | ||
|---|---|---|
| Industry | Software - Application | Software - Application |
| Market Cap | $13.52B | $6.86B |
| Revenue (TTM) | $2.38B | $2.09B |
| Net Income (TTM) | $316M | $470M |
| Gross Margin | 45.6% | 81.0% |
| Operating Margin | 15.5% | 28.3% |
| Forward P/E | 25.4x | 12.0x |
| Total Debt | $676M | $152M |
| Cash & Equiv. | $1.02B | $370M |
TYL vs PAYC — Long-Term Stock Performance
Price return indexed to 100 at period start. Dividends excluded.
| Stock | May 20 | May 26 | Return |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tyler Technologies,… (TYL) | 100 | 85.4 | -14.6% |
| Paycom Software, In… (PAYC) | 100 | 42.5 | -57.5% |
Price return only. Dividends and distributions are not included.
Quick Verdict: TYL vs PAYC
Each card shows where this stock fits in a portfolio — not just who wins on paper.
TYL is the clearest fit if your priority is income & stability and growth exposure.
- Dividend streak 1 yrs, beta 0.48
- Rev growth 9.1%, EPS growth 19.0%, 3Y rev CAGR 8.0%
- Lower volatility, beta 0.48, Low D/E 18.3%, current ratio 1.05x
PAYC carries the broadest edge in this set and is the clearest fit for long-term compounding and valuation efficiency.
- 250.2% 10Y total return vs TYL's 125.2%
- PEG 0.51 vs TYL's 2.84
- Lower P/E (12.0x vs 25.4x), PEG 0.51 vs 2.84
See the full category breakdown
| Category | Winner | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Growth | 9.1% revenue growth vs PAYC's 8.9% | |
| Value | Lower P/E (12.0x vs 25.4x), PEG 0.51 vs 2.84 | |
| Quality / Margins | 22.4% margin vs TYL's 13.3% | |
| Stability / Safety | Beta 0.48 vs PAYC's 0.59 | |
| Dividends | 1.2% yield; 3-year raise streak; the other pay no meaningful dividend | |
| Momentum (1Y) | -42.0% vs PAYC's -43.9% | |
| Efficiency (ROA) | 9.1% ROA vs TYL's 5.9%, ROIC 30.7% vs 8.1% |
TYL vs PAYC — Revenue Breakdown by Segment
How each company's revenue is distributed across its business units
TYL vs PAYC — Financial Metrics
Side-by-side numbers across 2 stocks — who leads on profitability, valuation, growth, and risk.
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
PAYC leads this category, winning 4 of 6 comparable metrics.
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
TYL and PAYC operate at a comparable scale, with $2.4B and $2.1B in trailing revenue. PAYC is the more profitable business, keeping 22.4% of every revenue dollar as net income compared to TYL's 13.3%.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| RevenueTrailing 12 months | $2.4B | $2.1B |
| EBITDAEarnings before interest/tax | $501M | $753M |
| Net IncomeAfter-tax profit | $316M | $470M |
| Free Cash FlowCash after capex | $688M | $444M |
| Gross MarginGross profit ÷ Revenue | +45.6% | +81.0% |
| Operating MarginEBIT ÷ Revenue | +15.5% | +28.3% |
| Net MarginNet income ÷ Revenue | +13.3% | +22.4% |
| FCF MarginFCF ÷ Revenue | +28.9% | +21.2% |
| Rev. Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | +8.6% | +7.8% |
| EPS Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | +2.2% | +22.6% |
Valuation Metrics
PAYC leads this category, winning 6 of 7 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
At 15.6x trailing earnings, PAYC trades at a 65% valuation discount to TYL's 44.5x P/E. Adjusting for growth (PEG ratio), PAYC offers better value at 0.58x vs TYL's 4.97x — a lower PEG means you pay less per unit of expected earnings growth.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| Market CapShares × price | $13.5B | $6.9B |
| Enterprise ValueMkt cap + debt − cash | $13.2B | $6.6B |
| Trailing P/EPrice ÷ TTM EPS | 44.53x | 15.63x |
| Forward P/EPrice ÷ next-FY EPS est. | 25.40x | 12.02x |
| PEG RatioP/E ÷ EPS growth rate | 4.97x | 0.58x |
| EV / EBITDAEnterprise value multiple | 26.07x | 8.93x |
| Price / SalesMarket cap ÷ Revenue | 5.80x | 3.34x |
| Price / BookPrice ÷ Book value/share | 3.79x | 4.09x |
| Price / FCFMarket cap ÷ FCF | 21.21x | 16.80x |
Profitability & Efficiency
PAYC leads this category, winning 7 of 9 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
PAYC delivers a 31.0% return on equity — every $100 of shareholder capital generates $31 in annual profit, vs $9 for TYL. PAYC carries lower financial leverage with a 0.09x debt-to-equity ratio, signaling a more conservative balance sheet compared to TYL's 0.18x. On the Piotroski fundamental quality scale (0–9), TYL scores 7/9 vs PAYC's 4/9, reflecting strong financial health.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| ROE (TTM)Return on equity | +8.7% | +31.0% |
| ROA (TTM)Return on assets | +5.9% | +9.1% |
| ROICReturn on invested capital | +8.1% | +30.7% |
| ROCEReturn on capital employed | +8.9% | +27.1% |
| Piotroski ScoreFundamental quality 0–9 | 7 | 4 |
| Debt / EquityFinancial leverage | 0.18x | 0.09x |
| Net DebtTotal debt minus cash | -$339M | -$218M |
| Cash & Equiv.Liquid assets | $1.0B | $370M |
| Total DebtShort + long-term debt | $676M | $152M |
| Interest CoverageEBIT ÷ Interest expense | 78.85x | 332.23x |
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
TYL leads this category, winning 4 of 6 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
A $10,000 investment in TYL five years ago would be worth $7,955 today (with dividends reinvested), compared to $4,010 for PAYC. Over the past 12 months, TYL leads with a -42.0% total return vs PAYC's -43.9%. The 3-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) favors TYL at -6.1% vs PAYC's -21.8% — a key indicator of consistent wealth creation.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| YTD ReturnYear-to-date | -26.4% | -16.9% |
| 1-Year ReturnPast 12 months | -42.0% | -43.9% |
| 3-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | -17.2% | -52.2% |
| 5-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | -20.4% | -59.9% |
| 10-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +125.2% | +250.2% |
| CAGR (3Y)Annualised 3-year return | -6.1% | -21.8% |
Risk & Volatility
TYL leads this category, winning 2 of 2 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
TYL is the less volatile stock with a 0.48 beta — it tends to amplify market swings less than PAYC's 0.59 beta. A beta below 1.0 means the stock typically moves less than the S&P 500. TYL currently trades 51.6% from its 52-week high vs PAYC's 47.2% drawdown — a narrower gap to the peak suggests stronger recent price momentum.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| Beta (5Y)Sensitivity to S&P 500 | 0.48x | 0.59x |
| 52-Week HighHighest price in past year | $621.34 | $267.76 |
| 52-Week LowLowest price in past year | $283.72 | $104.90 |
| % of 52W HighCurrent price vs 52-week peak | +51.6% | +47.2% |
| RSI (14)Momentum oscillator 0–100 | 43.4 | 58.8 |
| Avg Volume (50D)Average daily shares traded | 497K | 1.4M |
Analyst Outlook
PAYC leads this category, winning 1 of 1 comparable metric.
Analyst Outlook
Wall Street rates TYL as "Buy" and PAYC as "Hold". Consensus price targets imply 41.4% upside for TYL (target: $453) vs 18.2% for PAYC (target: $149). PAYC is the only dividend payer here at 1.20% yield — a key consideration for income-focused portfolios.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| Analyst RatingConsensus buy/hold/sell | Buy | Hold |
| Price TargetConsensus 12-month target | $453.45 | $149.36 |
| # AnalystsCovering analysts | 36 | 36 |
| Dividend YieldAnnual dividend ÷ price | — | +1.2% |
| Dividend StreakConsecutive years of raises | 1 | 3 |
| Dividend / ShareAnnual DPS | — | $1.51 |
| Buyback YieldShare repurchases ÷ mkt cap | 0.0% | +4.7% |
PAYC leads in 4 of 6 categories (Income & Cash Flow, Valuation Metrics). TYL leads in 2 (Total Returns, Risk & Volatility).
TYL vs PAYC: Frequently Asked Questions
10 questions · data-driven answers · updated daily
01Is TYL or PAYC a better buy right now?
For growth investors, Tyler Technologies, Inc.
(TYL) is the stronger pick with 9. 1% revenue growth year-over-year, versus 8. 9% for Paycom Software, Inc. (PAYC). Paycom Software, Inc. (PAYC) offers the better valuation at 15. 6x trailing P/E (12. 0x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate Tyler Technologies, Inc. (TYL) a "Buy" — based on 36 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 — TYL or PAYC?
On trailing P/E, Paycom Software, Inc.
(PAYC) is the cheapest at 15. 6x versus Tyler Technologies, Inc. at 44. 5x. On forward P/E, Paycom Software, Inc. is actually cheaper at 12. 0x. The PEG ratio (P/E divided by earnings growth rate) is the most growth-adjusted single valuation metric: Paycom Software, Inc. wins at 0. 51x versus Tyler Technologies, Inc. 's 2. 84x — a PEG below 1. 0 traditionally signals the market is underpricing earnings growth.
03Which is the better long-term investment — TYL or PAYC?
Over the past 5 years, Tyler Technologies, Inc.
(TYL) delivered a total return of -20. 4%, compared to -59. 9% for Paycom Software, Inc. (PAYC). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: PAYC returned +250. 2% versus TYL's +125. 2%. 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 — TYL or PAYC?
By beta (market sensitivity over 5 years), Tyler Technologies, Inc.
(TYL) is the lower-risk stock at 0. 48β versus Paycom Software, Inc. 's 0. 59β — meaning PAYC is approximately 22% more volatile than TYL relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, Paycom Software, Inc. (PAYC) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 9% versus 18% for Tyler Technologies, Inc. — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.
05Which is growing faster — TYL or PAYC?
By revenue growth (latest reported year), Tyler Technologies, Inc.
(TYL) is pulling ahead at 9. 1% versus 8. 9% for Paycom Software, Inc. (PAYC). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: Tyler Technologies, Inc. grew EPS 19. 0% year-over-year, compared to -9. 4% for Paycom Software, Inc.. Over a 3-year CAGR, PAYC leads at 14. 3% 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.
06Which has better profit margins — TYL or PAYC?
Paycom Software, Inc.
(PAYC) is the more profitable company, earning 22. 1% net margin versus 13. 5% for Tyler Technologies, Inc. — meaning it keeps 22. 1% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: PAYC leads at 27. 6% versus 15. 3% for TYL. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — PAYC leads at 78. 6%, 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.
07Is TYL or PAYC 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, Paycom Software, Inc. (PAYC) is the more undervalued stock at a PEG of 0. 51x versus Tyler Technologies, Inc. 's 2. 84x. A PEG below 1. 0 is traditionally considered the threshold for growth-adjusted undervaluation. On forward earnings alone, Paycom Software, Inc. (PAYC) trades at 12. 0x forward P/E versus 25. 4x for Tyler Technologies, Inc. — 13. 4x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis. Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for TYL: 41. 4% to $453. 45.
08Which pays a better dividend — TYL or PAYC?
In this comparison, PAYC (1.
2% yield) pays a dividend. TYL does not pay a meaningful dividend and should not be held primarily for income.
09Is TYL or PAYC better for a retirement portfolio?
For long-horizon retirement investors, Paycom Software, Inc.
(PAYC) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β 0. 59), 1. 2% yield, +250. 2% 10Y return). Both have compounded well over 10 years (PAYC: +250. 2%, TYL: +125. 2%), 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.
10What are the main differences between TYL and PAYC?
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: TYL is a mid-cap quality compounder stock; PAYC is a small-cap deep-value stock. PAYC pays a dividend while TYL 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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