Amazon vs Alphabet (AMZN vs GOOGL)
Amazon (AMZN) vs Alphabet (GOOGL) in plain English: P/E, growth, margins, debt and dividend side by side, key differences and which fits each investor profile.
Amazon (AMZN) and Alphabet (GOOGL) are companies from different sectors (retail and internet, media and entertainment) that many people compare. Here are Amazon and Alphabet 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 Amazon or Alphabet.
Amazon vs Alphabet: the figures
| Figure | Amazon | Alphabet |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $266.03 (November 4, 2026) | $288.93 (November 4, 2026) |
| Market cap | $2.88 trillion | $3.55 trillion |
| P/E (TTM) | 21.5x | 15.1x |
| Forward P/E | 24.4x | 18.6x |
| Revenue growth (quarter) | +12.1% | +24.7% |
| Net margin (TTM) | 16.9% | 50.0% |
| Net debt / EBITDA | 1.0x | Net cash |
| Dividend yield | 0.00% | 0.31% |
| Beta | 1.50 | 1.23 |
Amazon and Alphabet figures from Yahoo Finance, the same source the Fintols analysis uses, retrieved on November 4, 2026; N/A means that Amazon or Alphabet figure is not available, and we never estimate it.
3 key differences between Amazon and Alphabet
- Profitability: for every 100 of sales, Alphabet keeps 50.0 as net profit and Amazon keeps 16.9.
- Valuation: Amazon trades at 21.5x its annual earnings and Alphabet at 15.1x; the market pays more for each dollar of Amazon profit, usually because it expects more growth.
- Growth: Alphabet grew sales +24.7% year on year in its latest quarter, against +12.1% for Amazon.
Amazon or Alphabet: which fits your profile
- If you want growth: Alphabet 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): Alphabet pays the higher dividend relative to its price.
- If you prefer caution: Alphabet has less debt relative to its profit, which usually gives more room in a bad year.
- If price is what matters most to you: Alphabet trades on the lower P/E; check first whether that is an opportunity or a sign of a business that grows less.
Neither Amazon nor Alphabet 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 Amazon and Alphabet make money
Amazon (AMZN)
Amazon reports three segments. North America, its largest by sales, and International include its online store, fees from third-party sellers, advertising and subscriptions like Prime. AWS, its cloud computing arm, sells storage, computing and AI services to businesses and generates most of the company's operating profit. Full Amazon analysis.
Alphabet (GOOGL)
Alphabet, Google's parent, makes most of its money from ads on Google Search, YouTube and partner sites, reported within Google Services, which also includes Google Play, subscriptions and Pixel devices. Google Cloud sells cloud infrastructure, Workspace and AI services, while Other Bets houses ventures such as Waymo. Full Alphabet analysis.
Frequently asked questions: Amazon vs Alphabet
Is Amazon or Alphabet the better stock?
Choosing between Amazon and Alphabet depends on what you are looking for. Alphabet is growing faster right now, and Alphabet trades on the lower P/E. Fintols does not tell you whether to buy Amazon or Alphabet: it shows you the differences so you can decide.
Which pays a higher dividend, Amazon or Alphabet?
As of November 4, 2026, Alphabet yields 0.31% and Amazon pays none. Also check how much of their profit Amazon and Alphabet pay out: if it is more than they earn, it cannot last.
Which is more expensive, Amazon or Alphabet?
On P/E, Amazon (21.5x) is more expensive than Alphabet (15.1x) 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 Amazon and Alphabet?
Yes. Many people spread their money across several companies, such as Amazon and Alphabet, 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 Amazon or Alphabet.
More comparisons with Amazon or Alphabet
More companies like Amazon and Alphabet: retail stocks and internet, media and entertainment stocks. Educational content about Amazon and Alphabet, not investment advice.