Apple vs Cisco (AAPL vs CSCO)

Apple (AAPL) vs Cisco (CSCO) in plain English: P/E, growth, margins, debt and dividend side by side, key differences and which fits each investor profile.

Apple (AAPL) and Cisco (CSCO) compete in hardware and devices. Here are Apple and Cisco side by side with their real figures as of November 4, 2026: what sets them apart, which fits each kind of investor and the most common questions, without telling you whether to buy Apple or Cisco.

Apple vs Cisco: the figures

Apple and Cisco figures from Yahoo Finance, the same source the Fintols analysis uses, retrieved on November 4, 2026; N/A means that Apple or Cisco figure is not available, and we never estimate it.

3 key differences between Apple and Cisco

1. Size: Apple is worth $5.08 trillion on the stock market, about 12.4 times Cisco ($408.5 billion).
2. Profitability: for every 100 of sales, Apple keeps 27.6 as net profit and Cisco keeps 21.0.
3. Valuation: Apple trades at 38.9x its annual earnings and Cisco at 31.1x; the market pays more for each dollar of Apple profit, usually because it expects more growth.

Apple or Cisco: which fits your profile

• If you want growth: Cisco is growing faster today, so it fits better with investors who put business growth first, usually accepting a higher P/E and a bumpier ride.
• If you want income (dividends): Cisco pays the higher dividend relative to its price.
• If you prefer caution: Apple has less debt relative to its profit, which usually gives more room in a bad year.
• If price is what matters most to you: Cisco trades on the lower P/E; check first whether that is an opportunity or a sign of a business that grows less.

Neither Apple nor Cisco wins on everything, and owning both is also an option: spreading money across several companies or an index fund reduces what rides on each one.

How Apple and Cisco make money

Apple (AAPL)

Apple breaks out sales by product: iPhone, its largest source of revenue, plus Mac, iPad, Wearables such as Apple Watch and AirPods, and Services, which covers the App Store, iCloud, Apple Music and advertising. It sells worldwide, with the Americas, Europe and Greater China as its biggest regions. Full Apple analysis.

Cisco (CSCO)

Cisco sells networking hardware and software to businesses, telecom carriers and governments. Networking, including switches, routers and Wi-Fi, is its largest product category, followed by Security, Collaboration with Webex, and Observability, featuring Splunk and ThousandEyes, plus support services. It reports the Americas, its largest region, EMEA and Asia Pacific. Full Cisco analysis.

Frequently asked questions: Apple vs Cisco

Is Apple or Cisco the better stock?

Choosing between Apple and Cisco depends on what you are looking for. Cisco is growing faster right now, and Cisco trades on the lower P/E. Fintols does not tell you whether to buy Apple or Cisco: it shows you the differences so you can decide.

Which pays a higher dividend, Apple or Cisco?

As of November 4, 2026, Cisco yields 1.63% and Apple yields 0.33%. Also check how much of their profit Apple and Cisco pay out: if it is more than they earn, it cannot last.

Which is more expensive, Apple or Cisco?

On P/E, Apple (38.9x) is more expensive than Cisco (31.1x) as of November 4, 2026. A higher P/E can be justified if earnings grow faster, so compare it with each company's growth in the table.

Can I own both Apple and Cisco?

Yes. Many people spread their money across several companies, such as Apple and Cisco, or use index funds so they do not depend on just one. If you are starting out, decide how much you want to invest and for how long before buying Apple or Cisco.

More comparisons with Apple or Cisco

• Apple vs Arista Networks
• Apple vs Dell
• Apple vs Microsoft
• Arista Networks vs Cisco

More companies like Apple and Cisco: hardware and devices stocks. Educational content about Apple and Cisco, not investment advice.