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Stock Comparison · Industry comparison · Software - Infrastructure

NetApp vs Palo Alto Networks: Which Stock Looks Stronger in 2026?

NetApp holds the cleaner structural position, with valuation as the main driver and growth adding further support. Palo Alto Networks still has the edge on growth, which keeps the comparison from looking entirely one-sided. Both sides have seen trend damage — neither carries a clear market edge right now. With both trends damaged, the structural comparison carries most of the weight here.

The comparison is based on similar long-term financial trajectories, not sector labels.

Updated 2026-04-05

Valuation still does most of the heavy lifting in this comparison. The overall score gap is 17 points in favour of NetApp, Inc..

INDUSTRY COMPARISON

Both operate in: Software - Infrastructure

This comparison is based on industry proximity, not on functional trajectory similarity. NTAP and PANW share the same industry classification.

For a similarity-based comparison, see how NetApp and Palo Alto Networks each position within their functional peer groups in AssetNext.

Peer-Relative Score
NTAP
NetApp, Inc.
71
Peer-Score
Signal qualityHigh
vs
PANW
Palo Alto Networks, Inc.
54
Peer-Score
Signal qualityHigh

Scores reflect position relative to comparable companies with similar long-term financial trajectories.

Pricing shapes this comparison more than a broad operating gap.

Dimension spread: NTAP vs PANW Profitability 84 65 Stability 71 71 Valuation 87 25 Growth 28 63 NTAP PANW
Gap Ranking
#1 Valuation +62
#2 Growth +35
#3 Profitability +19
#4 Stability
Price Setup

Left means cheaper relative valuation. Higher means stronger structure.

Price setup map for NTAP and PANW Stronger + cheaper Stronger + richer Weaker + cheaper Weaker + richer NTAPPANW Relative valuation Structural strength

NetApp, Inc. and Palo Alto Networks, Inc. look relatively close on structure, but the price setup still leans toward NetApp, Inc..

Valuation position uses peer-relative PE percentile (idx_pct_pe) where available.

Relative Position vs Comparable Companies
Valuation
On valuation, NetApp, Inc. ranks near the top of the group; Palo Alto Networks, Inc. sits in the weaker half.
Growth
On growth, Palo Alto Networks, Inc. is positioned higher in the group, while NetApp, Inc. is closer to the middle.
Valuation — Dominant Gap
NTAP
87
PANW
25
Gap+62in favour of NTAP

The multiple-based pricing edge comes from a forward P/E that is 25 turns lower.

What keeps the gap from being one-sided

Earnings growth also leans the other way, which keeps the score lead from reading as a full growth sweep.

What this means for the comparison

Valuation settles the comparison, while pricing and growth keep the broader setup from looking fully aligned.

Explore full peer positioning in AssetNext

Break down the NTAP vs PANW comparison across all dimensions with the full interactive tool.

Explore full breakdown →
Other comparisons with conflicting dimension signals

Explore how NTAP and PANW each compare against other companies in their peer groups.

Rule-based, descriptive analysis only. Derived from peer percentile dimensions. Not investment advice. Peer groups are determined algorithmically based on structural similarity — not by sector classification alone.

How AssetNext Peer Scores Work

AssetNext scores reflect each company's structural position within its functional peer group — not a ranking against all stocks simultaneously. Peers are identified by similarity across eight financial dimensions, including revenue growth trajectory, margin structure, capital intensity, and earnings stability. A score of 75 means the company ranks in the top quartile within its own peer group, not the entire market.

Four dimension scores drive the overall peer score: Growth (revenue trajectory and expansion dynamics), Quality (margin structure and capital efficiency), Valuation (peer-relative pricing on standard multiples), and Stability (earnings consistency and financial predictability). Each dimension is scored 0–100 relative to the peer group, then combined into an overall peer score using equal weighting.

Scores are recalculated periodically as underlying financial data is updated. All analysis is descriptive and rule-based — AssetNext describes structural realities and never issues buy, sell or hold recommendations.