Apple vs Meta (AAPL vs META)

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

Apple (AAPL) and Meta (META) are companies from different sectors (hardware and devices and internet, media and entertainment) that many people compare. Here are Apple and Meta 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 Meta.

Apple vs Meta: the figures

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

3 key differences between Apple and Meta

1. Valuation: Apple trades at 38.9x its annual earnings and Meta at 21.5x; the market pays more for each dollar of Apple profit, usually because it expects more growth.
2. Growth: Meta grew sales +26.1% year on year in its latest quarter, against +11.7% for Apple.
3. Size: Apple is worth $5.08 trillion on the stock market, about 3.2 times Meta ($1.61 trillion).

Apple or Meta: which fits your profile

• If you want growth: Meta 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): Meta 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: Meta 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 Meta 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 Meta 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.

Meta (META)

Meta Platforms makes nearly all of its money from advertising in its Family of Apps segment, which includes Facebook, Instagram, Messenger, WhatsApp and Threads. The Reality Labs segment sells Quest virtual reality headsets and Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses and develops augmented reality technology. Full Meta analysis.

Frequently asked questions: Apple vs Meta

Is Apple or Meta the better stock?

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

Which pays a higher dividend, Apple or Meta?

As of November 4, 2026, Meta yields 0.34% and Apple yields 0.33%. Also check how much of their profit Apple and Meta pay out: if it is more than they earn, it cannot last.

Which is more expensive, Apple or Meta?

On P/E, Apple (38.9x) is more expensive than Meta (21.5x) 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 Meta?

Yes. Many people spread their money across several companies, such as Apple and Meta, 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 Meta.

More comparisons with Apple or Meta

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

More companies like Apple and Meta: hardware and devices stocks and internet, media and entertainment stocks. Educational content about Apple and Meta, not investment advice.