Head-to-head · free
Apple vs Microsoft
AAPL vs MSFT — return on capital, cash generation, margins and balance sheet side by side.
AAPL
5 / 10
measures where AAPL leads
MSFT
5 / 10
measures where MSFT leads
A simple count of which company scores better on each measure — not a recommendation to buy or sell.
| Measure | AAPL · FY2026 | MSFT · FY2026 |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue | $478.8B | $331.8B |
| Net income | $132.2B | $133.7B |
| Revenue growth (yearly, multi-year) | 5.0% | 13.7% |
| Free cash flow | $136.1B | $67.0B |
| Free cash flow margin | 28.4% | 20.2% |
| Net cash / (debt) | — | (107.9B) |
| ROIC | 68.5% | 27.5% |
| Return on equity | 142.3% | 34.0% |
| Gross margin | 48.8% | 67.9% |
| Operating margin | 33.0% | 46.8% |
| Net debt / EBITDA | 0.26x | 0.10x |
Figures are as reported by each company; latest fiscal year shown.
Where Apple's cash went (FY2026)
- Capital spending
- $9.0B
- Buybacks
- —
- Dividends
- —
- Acquisitions
- —
- Net debt issued / (repaid)
- —
Where Microsoft's cash went (FY2026)
- Capital spending
- $115.9B
- Buybacks
- $22.3B
- Dividends
- $26.4B
- Acquisitions
- $1.7B
- Net debt issued / (repaid)
- (3.0B)
Ask which business is stronger
"Which one reinvests at higher returns?" "Who carries more risk in its filings?" Get answers drawn straight from both companies' filings.
Compare them free