Compare Zeta Global Holdings Corp. (ZETA) 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 Zeta Global Holdings Corp. (ZETA) a "Buy" — based on 15 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 forward P/E, Zeta Global Holdings Corp. is actually cheaper at 17.8x — notably different from the trailing picture, reflecting expected earnings growth.

Over the past 5 years, AppLovin Corporation (APP) delivered a total return of +566.8%, compared to +90.7% for Zeta Global Holdings Corp. (ZETA). 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 ZETA's +90.7%. 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), Zeta Global Holdings Corp. (ZETA) is the lower-risk stock at 2.05β versus AppLovin Corporation's 2.17β — meaning APP is approximately 6% more volatile than ZETA relative to the S&P 500.

AppLovin Corporation (APP) is the more profitable company, earning 60.8% net margin versus -2.4% for Zeta Global Holdings Corp. — 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 0.4% for ZETA. 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, Zeta Global Holdings Corp. (ZETA) trades at 17.8x forward P/E versus 28.0x for AppLovin Corporation — 10.2x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis. Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for ZETA: 70.3% to $28.86.

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, AppLovin Corporation (APP) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (+566.8% 10Y return). Zeta Global Holdings Corp. (ZETA) carries a higher beta of 2.05 — meaning larger drawdowns in market downturns, which matters significantly when you cannot wait years for a recovery. Both have compounded well over 10 years (APP: +566.8%, ZETA: +90.7%), 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.