APP vs. PLTR: AppLovin vs. Palantir Stock Comparison
How do AppLovin (APP) and Palantir (PLTR) stack up? This page sets them side by side across company profile, performance and risk, profitability, growth, financial strength, dividends, and valuation, with selected fundamentals also measured against each stock's industry-group peers.
Company Profile
AppLovin (APP) and Palantir (PLTR) are both classified in the Application Software sub-industry within the broader Software industry, placing them in the closest GICS peer bucket.
| Profile Item | APP | PLTR |
|---|---|---|
| Name | AppLovin Corporation Class A Common Stock | Palantir Technologies Inc. |
| Country/Region | United States | United States |
| GICS Sector | Information Technology | Information Technology |
| GICS Industry Group | Software & Services | Software & Services |
| GICS Industry | Software | Software |
| GICS Sub-Industry | Application Software | Application Software |
| Market Capitalization | 160.27 billion USD | 270.73 billion USD |
| Currency | USD | USD |
| Exchange | Nasdaq | Nasdaq |
| Listing Date | April 15, 2021 | September 30, 2020 |
| Security Type | Common Stock | Common Stock |
Price Performance
Cumulative Growth
Trailing Returns
Performance Metrics
| Metric | APP | PLTR |
|---|---|---|
| Total Return (1Y) | 37.31% | -21.71% |
Risk Profile
Drawdown History
Risk Metrics
| Metric | APP | PLTR |
|---|---|---|
| Volatility (1Y, Annualized) | 71.28% | 52.13% |
| Beta (5Y) | 2.51 | 1.60 |
| Avg. Volume (3M) | 4.88M | 44.89M |
Risk-Adjusted Performance
Risk-Return Positioning
Profitability
ROE (TTM)
Both companies show strong equity returns, but AppLovin (APP) at 266.44% is the standout with ROE above its industry range; Palantir (PLTR) at 32.59% also sits in the top quartile.
APP
Software & Services industry group
266.44%
- APP
- 266.44%
- Max
- 53.38%
- Q3
- 16.53%
- Median
- 5.38%
- Q1
- -13.43%
- Min
- -55.27%
PLTR
Software & Services industry group
32.59%
- Max
- 53.38%
- PLTR
- 32.59%
- Q3
- 16.53%
- Median
- 5.38%
- Q1
- -13.43%
- Min
- -55.27%
Net Margin (TTM)
AppLovin (APP) at 64.29% keeps the most of each sales dollar — above its industry’s net margin range — and Palantir (PLTR) at 43.67% also retains a top-quartile share.
APP
Software & Services industry group
64.29%
- APP
- 64.29%
- Max
- 44.20%
- Q3
- 14.93%
- Median
- 3.32%
- Q1
- -5.99%
- Min
- -34.99%
PLTR
Software & Services industry group
43.67%
- Max
- 44.20%
- PLTR
- 43.67%
- Q3
- 14.93%
- Median
- 3.32%
- Q1
- -5.99%
- Min
- -34.99%
Operating Margin (TTM)
AppLovin (APP) at 78.15% shows unusually strong operating efficiency — above its industry’s operating margin range — and Palantir (PLTR) at 46.18% also operates in the top quartile.
APP
Software & Services industry group
78.15%
- APP
- 78.15%
- Max
- 60.45%
- Q3
- 16.49%
- Median
- 4.46%
- Q1
- -12.92%
- Min
- -53.94%
PLTR
Software & Services industry group
46.18%
- Max
- 60.45%
- PLTR
- 46.18%
- Q3
- 16.49%
- Median
- 4.46%
- Q1
- -12.92%
- Min
- -53.94%
Profitability Metrics
| Metric | APP | PLTR |
|---|---|---|
| ROE (TTM) | 266.44% | 32.59% |
| ROA (TTM) | 44.24% | 14.70% |
| Net Margin (TTM) | 64.29% | 43.67% |
| Operating Margin (TTM) | 78.15% | 46.18% |
| Gross Margin (TTM) | 88.37% | 84.07% |
Growth
Revenue Growth
Revenue Growth Metrics
| Metric | APP | PLTR |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue Growth (YoY) | 69.99% | 56.18% |
| Revenue Growth (3Y CAGR) | 24.84% | 32.92% |
EPS Growth
EPS Growth Metrics
| Metric | APP | PLTR |
|---|---|---|
| EPS Growth (YoY) | 115.23% | 231.06% |
| EPS Growth (3Y CAGR) | -- | -- |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio (MRQ)
Both AppLovin (APP) at 3.24 and Palantir (PLTR) at 6.91 post current ratio above their industries’ typical mid-ranges — short-term liquidity appears comfortable, though unusually high readings can point to idle current assets.
APP
Software & Services industry group
3.24
- Max
- 5.55
- APP
- 3.24
- Q3
- 2.88
- Median
- 1.72
- Q1
- 1.07
- Min
- 0.03
PLTR
Software & Services industry group
6.91
- PLTR
- 6.91
- Max
- 5.55
- Q3
- 2.88
- Median
- 1.72
- Q1
- 1.07
- Min
- 0.03
Debt / Equity (MRQ)
Palantir (PLTR) at 0.02 keeps leverage in the lower quartile, while AppLovin (APP) at 1.63 sits in the higher-leverage quartile.
APP
Software & Services industry group
1.63
- Max
- 2.31
- APP
- 1.63
- Q3
- 1.06
- Median
- 0.32
- Q1
- 0.06
- Min
- 0.00
PLTR
Software & Services industry group
0.02
- Max
- 2.31
- Q3
- 1.06
- Median
- 0.32
- Q1
- 0.06
- PLTR
- 0.02
- Min
- 0.00
Financial Strength Metrics
| Metric | APP | PLTR |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 3.24 | 6.91 |
| Debt / Equity (MRQ) | 1.63 | 0.02 |
| Net Debt / EBITDA | 0.22 | -3.87 |
Dividends
Dividend Yield (TTM)
Neither AppLovin (APP) nor Palantir (PLTR) pays a dividend this period — they may reinvest, use buybacks, or simply not return cash through dividends.
APP
Software & Services industry group
0.00%
- APP
- 0.00%
- Max
- 0.00%
- Q3
- 0.00%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
PLTR
Software & Services industry group
0.00%
- PLTR
- 0.00%
- Max
- 0.00%
- Q3
- 0.00%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)
Neither AppLovin (APP) nor Palantir (PLTR) pays a dividend this period — they may reinvest, use buybacks, or simply not return cash through dividends.
APP
Software & Services industry group
0.00%
- APP
- 0.00%
- Max
- 0.00%
- Q3
- 0.00%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
PLTR
Software & Services industry group
0.00%
- PLTR
- 0.00%
- Max
- 0.00%
- Q3
- 0.00%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
Dividend Metrics
| Metric | APP | PLTR |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 0.00% | 0.00% |
Valuation
P/E Ratio (TTM)
AppLovin (APP) at 41.49 is near its industry’s usual P/E ratio, while Palantir (PLTR) at 126.89 sits above its peer range — an unusually expensive price for PLTR’s trailing earnings.
APP
Software & Services industry group
41.49
- Max
- 114.57
- Q3
- 59.78
- APP
- 41.49
- Median
- 29.42
- Q1
- 16.20
- Min
- 0.40
PLTR
Software & Services industry group
126.89
- PLTR
- 126.89
- Max
- 114.57
- Q3
- 59.78
- Median
- 29.42
- Q1
- 16.20
- Min
- 0.40
P/S Ratio (TTM)
Investors are paying well above the peer range per dollar of sales for both AppLovin (APP) at 26.00 and Palantir (PLTR) at 51.82 — each P/S ratio clears its industry’s benchmark range.
APP
Software & Services industry group
26.00
- APP
- 26.00
- Max
- 17.86
- Q3
- 8.79
- Median
- 4.10
- Q1
- 2.13
- Min
- 0.03
PLTR
Software & Services industry group
51.82
- PLTR
- 51.82
- Max
- 17.86
- Q3
- 8.79
- Median
- 4.10
- Q1
- 2.13
- Min
- 0.03
P/B Ratio (MRQ)
Measured against book value, both AppLovin (APP) at 67.88 and Palantir (PLTR) at 32.04 look expensive — each P/B ratio sits above its industry’s benchmark range.
APP
Software & Services industry group
67.88
- APP
- 67.88
- Max
- 17.72
- Q3
- 8.62
- Median
- 3.82
- Q1
- 1.97
- Min
- -7.65
PLTR
Software & Services industry group
32.04
- PLTR
- 32.04
- Max
- 17.72
- Q3
- 8.62
- Median
- 3.82
- Q1
- 1.97
- Min
- -7.65
Valuation Metrics
| Metric | APP | PLTR |
|---|---|---|
| P/E Ratio (TTM) | 41.49 | 126.89 |
| P/S Ratio (TTM) | 26.00 | 51.82 |
| P/B Ratio (MRQ) | 67.88 | 32.04 |
| Free Cash Flow Yield (TTM) | 1.98% | 0.65% |