Autodesk vs Workday (ADSK vs WDAY)

Autodesk (ADSK) vs Workday (WDAY) in plain English: P/E, growth, margins, debt and dividend side by side, key differences and which fits each investor profile.

Autodesk (ADSK) and Workday (WDAY) compete in software and cloud. Here are Autodesk and Workday 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 Autodesk or Workday.

Autodesk vs Workday: the figures

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

3 key differences between Autodesk and Workday

1. Profitability: for every 100 of sales, Autodesk keeps 21.1 as net profit and Workday keeps 12.3.
2. Valuation: Workday trades at 41.1x its annual earnings and Autodesk at 35.0x; the market pays more for each dollar of Workday profit, usually because it expects more growth.
3. Volatility: Autodesk stock moves more (beta 1.25) than Workday (beta 1.01); the higher the beta, the more it amplifies market swings.

Autodesk or Workday: which fits your profile

• If you want growth: Autodesk 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 prefer caution: Autodesk has less debt relative to its profit, which usually gives more room in a bad year.
• If price is what matters most to you: Autodesk trades on the lower P/E; check first whether that is an opportunity or a sign of a business that grows less.

Neither Autodesk nor Workday 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 Autodesk and Workday make money

Autodesk (ADSK)

Autodesk sells subscriptions to design software such as AutoCAD, Revit for architects and engineers, Fusion for manufacturing and Maya for film and games. It breaks out revenue by product family: Architecture, Engineering and Construction is the largest, followed by AutoCAD, Manufacturing, and Media and Entertainment, across the Americas, Europe and Asia. Full Autodesk analysis.

Workday (WDAY)

Workday sells cloud software subscriptions that large and midsize organizations use to run human resources, from payroll and hiring to talent management, as well as their finance operations. Subscriptions account for nearly all revenue, with the remainder from implementation services. Customers are companies and public agencies, mostly in the United States. Full Workday analysis.

Frequently asked questions: Autodesk vs Workday

Is Autodesk or Workday the better stock?

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

Which pays a higher dividend, Autodesk or Workday?

Neither pays a dividend as of November 4, 2026: Autodesk and Workday put what they earn into growth or other forms of shareholder return.

Which is more expensive, Autodesk or Workday?

On P/E, Workday (41.1x) is more expensive than Autodesk (35.0x) 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 Autodesk and Workday?

Yes. Many people spread their money across several companies, such as Autodesk and Workday, 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 Autodesk or Workday.

More comparisons with Autodesk or Workday

• Autodesk vs Synopsys
• Autodesk vs Cadence
• Synopsys vs Workday
• Cadence vs Workday

More companies like Autodesk and Workday: software and cloud stocks. Educational content about Autodesk and Workday, not investment advice.