Salesforce vs Microsoft (CRM vs MSFT)
Salesforce (CRM) vs Microsoft (MSFT) in plain English: P/E, growth, margins, debt and dividend side by side, key differences and which fits each investor profile.
Salesforce (CRM) and Microsoft (MSFT) compete in software and cloud. Here are Salesforce and Microsoft 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 Salesforce or Microsoft.
Salesforce vs Microsoft: the figures
| Figure | Salesforce | Microsoft |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $227.11 (November 4, 2026) | $555.80 (November 4, 2026) |
| Market cap | $186.9 billion | $4.13 trillion |
| P/E (TTM) | 20.8x | 29.0x |
| Forward P/E | 14.2x | 23.0x |
| Revenue growth (quarter) | +10.8% | +18.8% |
| Net margin (TTM) | 22.0% | 41.2% |
| Net debt / EBITDA | 2.4x | 0.3x |
| Dividend yield | 0.79% | 0.75% |
| Beta | 1.23 | 1.04 |
Salesforce and Microsoft figures from Yahoo Finance, the same source the Fintols analysis uses, retrieved on November 4, 2026; N/A means that Salesforce or Microsoft figure is not available, and we never estimate it.
3 key differences between Salesforce and Microsoft
- Profitability: for every 100 of sales, Microsoft keeps 41.2 as net profit and Salesforce keeps 22.0.
- Size: Microsoft is worth $4.13 trillion on the stock market, about 22.1 times Salesforce ($186.9 billion).
- Valuation: Microsoft trades at 29.0x its annual earnings and Salesforce at 20.8x; the market pays more for each dollar of Microsoft profit, usually because it expects more growth.
Salesforce or Microsoft: which fits your profile
- If you want growth: Microsoft 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): Salesforce pays the higher dividend relative to its price.
- If you prefer caution: Microsoft has less debt relative to its profit, which usually gives more room in a bad year.
- If price is what matters most to you: Salesforce trades on the lower P/E; check first whether that is an opportunity or a sign of a business that grows less.
Neither Salesforce nor Microsoft 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 Salesforce and Microsoft make money
Salesforce (CRM)
Salesforce sells cloud software subscriptions for managing customer relationships. It reports revenue by offering: Service Cloud, the largest, Sales Cloud, Platform and Other including Slack and Agentforce, Marketing and Commerce, and Integration and Analytics, home to MuleSoft and Tableau. The Americas are its biggest market, ahead of Europe and Asia. Full Salesforce analysis.
Microsoft (MSFT)
Microsoft reports three segments. Intelligent Cloud, the largest, includes the Azure cloud platform and server products. Productivity and Business Processes covers Office subscriptions, LinkedIn and Dynamics business software. More Personal Computing includes Windows licenses, Xbox consoles and games, Surface devices and Bing search advertising. Full Microsoft analysis.
Frequently asked questions: Salesforce vs Microsoft
Is Salesforce or Microsoft the better stock?
Choosing between Salesforce and Microsoft depends on what you are looking for. Microsoft is growing faster right now, and Salesforce trades on the lower P/E. Fintols does not tell you whether to buy Salesforce or Microsoft: it shows you the differences so you can decide.
Which pays a higher dividend, Salesforce or Microsoft?
As of November 4, 2026, Salesforce yields 0.79% and Microsoft yields 0.75%. Also check how much of their profit Salesforce and Microsoft pay out: if it is more than they earn, it cannot last.
Which is more expensive, Salesforce or Microsoft?
On P/E, Microsoft (29.0x) is more expensive than Salesforce (20.8x) 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 Salesforce and Microsoft?
Yes. Many people spread their money across several companies, such as Salesforce and Microsoft, 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 Salesforce or Microsoft.
More comparisons with Salesforce or Microsoft
More companies like Salesforce and Microsoft: software and cloud stocks. Educational content about Salesforce and Microsoft, not investment advice.