Head-To-Head Comparison: AppFolio (NASDAQ:APPF) versus Oracle (NYSE:ORCL)

Oracle (NYSE:ORCL) and AppFolio (NASDAQ:APPF) are both computer and technology companies, but which is the better business? We will contrast the two companies based on the strength of their institutional ownership, earnings, valuation, profitability, dividends, risk and analyst recommendations.

Profitability

This table compares Oracle and AppFolio’s net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

	Net Margins	Return on Equity	Return on Assets
Oracle	21.16%	133.25%	9.55%
AppFolio	17.26%	30.64%	23.53%

Institutional & Insider Ownership

42.4% of Oracle shares are held by institutional investors. Comparatively, 85.2% of AppFolio shares are held by institutional investors. 42.2% of Oracle shares are held by insiders. Comparatively, 5.2% of AppFolio shares are held by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that hedge funds, endowments and large money managers believe a stock will outperform the market over the long term.

Earnings and Valuation

This table compares Oracle and AppFolio”s top-line revenue, earnings per share and valuation.

	Gross Revenue	Price/Sales Ratio	Net Income	Earnings Per Share	Price/Earnings Ratio
Oracle	$54.93 billion	7.86	$10.47 billion	$4.09	37.74
AppFolio	$762.37 million	11.62	$2.70 million	$3.59	67.90

Oracle has higher revenue and earnings than AppFolio. Oracle is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than AppFolio, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

Analyst Ratings

This is a breakdown of recent recommendations and price targets for Oracle and AppFolio, as provided by MarketBeat.com.

	Sell Ratings	Hold Ratings	Buy Ratings	Strong Buy Ratings	Rating Score
Oracle	1	10	17	1	2.62
AppFolio	1	2	5	0	2.50

Oracle presently has a consensus price target of $181.48, indicating a potential upside of 17.57%. AppFolio has a consensus price target of $261.88, indicating a potential upside of 7.43%. Given Oracle’s stronger consensus rating and higher possible upside, analysts clearly believe Oracle is more favorable than AppFolio.

Volatility & Risk

Oracle has a beta of 1.06, indicating that its share price is 6% more volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, AppFolio has a beta of 0.87, indicating that its share price is 13% less volatile than the S&P 500.

Summary

Oracle beats AppFolio on 11 of the 15 factors compared between the two stocks.

About Oracle

Oracle Corporation offers products and services that address enterprise information technology environments worldwide. Its Oracle cloud software as a service offering include various cloud software applications, including Oracle Fusion cloud enterprise resource planning (ERP), Oracle Fusion cloud enterprise performance management, Oracle Fusion cloud supply chain and manufacturing management, Oracle Fusion cloud human capital management, Oracle Cerner healthcare, Oracle Advertising, and NetSuite applications suite, as well as Oracle Fusion Sales, Service, and Marketing. The company also offers cloud-based industry solutions for various industries; Oracle application licenses; and Oracle license support services. In addition, it provides cloud and license business' infrastructure technologies, such as the Oracle Database and MySQL Database; Java, a software development language; and middleware, including development tools and others. The company's cloud and license business' infrastructure technologies also comprise cloud-based compute, storage, and networking capabilities; and Oracle autonomous database, MySQL HeatWave, Internet-of-Things, digital assistant, and blockchain. Further, it provides hardware products and other hardware-related software offerings, including Oracle engineered systems, enterprise servers, storage solutions, industry-specific hardware, virtualization software, operating systems, management software, and related hardware services; and consulting and customer services. The company markets and sells its cloud, license, hardware, support, and services offerings directly to businesses in various industries, government agencies, and educational institutions, as well as through indirect channels. The company has a collaboration with Amdocs Limited to empower customers on their journey towards cloud and digital adoption. Oracle Corporation was founded in 1977 and is headquartered in Austin, Texas.

About AppFolio

AppFolio, Inc., together with its subsidiaries, provides cloud business management solutions for the real estate industry in the United States. The company provides a cloud-based platform that enables users to automate and optimize common workflows; tools that assist with leasing, maintenance, and accounting; and other technology and services offered by third parties. It offers AppFolio Property Manager Core, a platform that provides the basic functionalities required to operate a property management business, as well as serves as a system of record; AppFolio Property Manager Plus, which offers housing management, student housing management, complex accounting, leasing insights, large-scale operations support, role-based permissions, stack integrations, and enhanced customer support services; AppFolio Property Manager Max offers customer relationship management functionality, field customization, customer database functionality, and customer success management services; and AppFolio Investment Manager, a software that provides investment management, asset management, and relationship management solutions. The company also provides value-added services that are designed to enhance, automate, and streamline processes and workflows for property management businesses, such as electronic payment, tenant screening, and insurance services. AppFolio, Inc. was incorporated in 2006 and is headquartered in Santa Barbara, California.