APP vs ZD: Applovin and Ziff Davis compared
The short version
From the latest prices and each company's SEC filings. Who's ahead on each measure, not which to buy.
- Applovin is the larger company, worth $102.8B, about 48.0 times Ziff Davis.
- Applovin grew revenue faster over the last year (+52.8% vs -2.7%).
- Applovin keeps more of each dollar of revenue as operating profit (77.4% vs 5.5%).
- On earnings, Applovin is the cheaper stock (26.6x vs 49.7x).
Side by side
The stronger figure is shaded where higher (or, for valuation multiples, lower) reads as better. How the implied growth works.
| Measure | APP | ZD |
|---|---|---|
| Market cap | $102.8B | $2.1B |
| Share price | $277.04 | $56.52 |
| Revenue (last fiscal year) | $5.5B | $1.5B |
| Free cash flow (last fiscal year) | — | $288M |
| Revenue growth, last year | +52.8% | -2.7% |
| Revenue growth per year, last 5 fiscal years | +18.4% | +0.6% |
| Operating margin | 77.4% | 5.5% |
| Net margin | 64.6% | 48.6% |
| Return on equity | 139.4% | 28.8% |
| P/E (trailing) | 26.6x | 49.7x |
| Price / free cash flow | 26.1x | 7.45x |
| EV / EBITDA | 16.9x | 13.5x |
| FCF growth the price implies | — | -8.2% |
| Dividend yield | — | — |
| Debt / equity | 1.61x | 0.79x |
| Fundamental grade | B | B |
| Superinvestors holding it | 8 | 4 |
| Insider purchases, last 12 months | 8 | 0 |
Results from SEC filings
Revenue and free cash flow by fiscal year, from each company's 10-K filings.
Applovin
| Year | Revenue | Free cash flow | Op. margin |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $2.8B | $356M | 5.4% |
| 2022 | $2.8B | $406M | -1.7% |
| 2023 | $1.8B | $1.1B | 41.9% |
| 2024 | $3.2B | $2.1B | 59.3% |
| 2025 | $5.5B | — | 75.8% |
Ziff Davis
| Year | Revenue | Free cash flow | Op. margin |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $1.4B | $403M | 11.8% |
| 2022 | $1.4B | $230M | 14.3% |
| 2023 | $1.4B | $211M | 9.7% |
| 2024 | $1.4B | $284M | 8.1% |
| 2025 | $1.5B | $288M | 12.6% |
Where the revenue comes from
Applovin · by segments, 2024
Advertising$3.2B68%
Apps$1.5B32%
Ziff Davis · by segments, 2025
Health & Wellness$402M28%
Technology & Shopping$357M25%
Cybersecurity & Martech$278M19%
Connectivity$231M16%
Gaming & Entertainment$184M13%
Compare them in fullFifteen years of statements, quarterly results, DCF and IRR models, and any number of peers side by side.
Open APP in InvestinglyQuestions
Which is bigger, Applovin or Ziff Davis?
Applovin (APP), at $102.8B against $2.1B.
Is APP or ZD cheaper?
By trailing P/E, Applovin (26.6x) is cheaper than Ziff Davis (49.7x). A lower multiple can also mean the market expects less growth.
Which grows faster, APP or ZD?
Applovin: revenue grew +52.8% over the last year, against -2.7%.
Prices and ratios as of the last daily update; statements from SEC filings. Information only, not investment advice.