UPLD vs JAMF vs MSFT vs QLYS

For growth investors, Microsoft Corporation (MSFT) is the stronger pick with 14.

9% revenue growth year-over-year, versus -21. 1% for Upland Software, Inc. (UPLD). Qualys, Inc. (QLYS) offers the better valuation at 17. 5x trailing P/E (12. 9x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate Microsoft Corporation (MSFT) a "Buy" — based on 81 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, Qualys, Inc.

(QLYS) is the cheapest at 17. 5x versus Microsoft Corporation at 30. 9x. On forward P/E, Qualys, Inc. is actually cheaper at 12. 9x. The PEG ratio (P/E divided by earnings growth rate) is the most growth-adjusted single valuation metric: Qualys, Inc. wins at 0. 66x versus Microsoft Corporation's 1. 35x — a PEG below 1. 0 traditionally signals the market is underpricing earnings growth.

Over the past 5 years, Microsoft Corporation (MSFT) delivered a total return of +72.

5%, compared to -97. 8% for Upland Software, Inc. (UPLD). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: MSFT returned +787. 7% versus UPLD's -86. 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), Qualys, Inc.

(QLYS) is the lower-risk stock at 0. 53β versus Upland Software, Inc. 's 1. 88β — meaning UPLD is approximately 254% more volatile than QLYS relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, Qualys, Inc. (QLYS) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 17% versus 3% for Upland Software, Inc. — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.

By revenue growth (latest reported year), Microsoft Corporation (MSFT) is pulling ahead at 14.

9% versus -21. 1% for Upland Software, Inc. (UPLD). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: Upland Software, Inc. grew EPS 63. 4% year-over-year, compared to 15. 6% for Microsoft Corporation. Over a 3-year CAGR, JAMF leads at 19. 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 -17. 9% for Upland Software, 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 -11. 0% for JAMF. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — QLYS leads at 82. 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, Qualys, Inc. (QLYS) is the more undervalued stock at a PEG of 0. 66x versus Microsoft Corporation's 1. 35x. A PEG below 1. 0 is traditionally considered the threshold for growth-adjusted undervaluation. On forward earnings alone, Qualys, Inc. (QLYS) trades at 12. 9x forward P/E versus 25. 3x for Microsoft Corporation — 12. 5x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis. Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for QLYS: 41. 5% to $134. 30.

In this comparison, MSFT (0.

8% yield) pays a dividend. UPLD, JAMF, QLYS do not pay a meaningful dividend and should not be held primarily for income.

For long-horizon retirement investors, Microsoft Corporation (MSFT) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β 0.

89), 0. 8% yield, +787. 7% 10Y return). Upland Software, Inc. (UPLD) carries a higher beta of 1. 88 — meaning larger drawdowns in market downturns, which matters significantly when you cannot wait years for a recovery. Both have compounded well over 10 years (MSFT: +787. 7%, UPLD: -86. 1%), 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.

In terms of investment character: UPLD is a small-cap quality compounder stock; JAMF is a small-cap quality compounder stock; MSFT is a mega-cap quality compounder stock; QLYS is a small-cap deep-value stock. MSFT pays a dividend while UPLD, JAMF, QLYS 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.