AAPL vs MSFT: Apple Inc. vs Microsoft Corporation Historical Returns & Investment Comparison
This AAPL vs MSFT comparison analyzes the historical stock performance of Apple Inc. and Microsoft Corporation side-by-side. Using real, adjusted market data, this tool shows how identical investments in both stocks would have performed over time—highlighting differences in returns, volatility, and consistency across market cycles.
Use the interactive calculator below to adjust the investment amount and time period, visualizing how Apple Inc. and Microsoft Corporation have historically performed against each other.
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Performance Summary
$10,000 invested from 1986 to 2025 (40 years)
Head-to-Head Record
Over the 40-year comparison period, Apple Inc. outperformed Microsoft Corporation in 17 years, while Microsoft Corporation outperformed Apple Inc. in 23 years.
AAPL - Apple Inc.
MSFT - Microsoft Corporation
Overall Winner: AAPL with an average annual return of 35.74% (vs 31.68% for MSFT)
Understanding AAPL vs MSFT Performance
When comparing Apple Inc. and Microsoft Corporation, investors should consider multiple factors beyond just total returns. Volatility, consistency of growth, dividend payments, and sector-specific risks all play crucial roles in determining which stock might be better suited for your investment strategy and risk tolerance.
Historical performance data shows how each stock responded to market downturns, economic expansions, and company-specific events. While past performance doesn't guarantee future results, understanding these patterns can help inform investment decisions and portfolio allocation strategies.
Cumulative Growth Comparison
A $10,000 investment in Apple Inc. grew to $18,742,088, compared to $63,781,898 for Microsoft Corporation over the same period.
Year-by-Year Comparison
| Year | AAPL Return | AAPL Cumulative | MSFT Return | MSFT Cumulative | Difference | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1986 (Start) | - | $10,000.00 | - | $10,000.00 | - | Initial Investment |
| 1987 | +82.02% | $18,202.36 | +72.32% | $17,232.21 | +9.70% (AAPL) | AAPL |
| 1988 | +106.53% | $37,593.80 | +127.22% | $39,155.81 | -20.69% (MSFT) | MSFT |
| 1989 | -9.29% | $34,100.85 | -4.91% | $37,233.03 | -4.38% (MSFT) | MSFT |
| 1990 | -11.84% | $30,064.63 | +62.24% | $60,406.07 | -74.07% (MSFT) | MSFT |
| 1991 | +16.87% | $35,136.55 | +69.58% | $102,435.17 | -52.71% (MSFT) | MSFT |
| 1992 | +30.81% | $45,962.25 | +123.24% | $228,680.64 | -92.43% (MSFT) | MSFT |
| 1993 | +1.30% | $46,558.07 | +12.34% | $256,889.66 | -11.04% (MSFT) | MSFT |
| 1994 | -49.17% | $23,667.02 | -5.29% | $243,309.53 | -43.88% (MSFT) | MSFT |
| 1995 | +32.38% | $31,331.08 | +52.57% | $371,227.53 | -20.19% (MSFT) | MSFT |
| 1996 | -15.99% | $26,321.25 | +45.79% | $541,228.97 | -61.78% (MSFT) | MSFT |
| 1997 | -35.02% | $17,103.72 | +84.12% | $996,524.76 | -119.14% (MSFT) | MSFT |
| 1998 | -37.50% | $10,689.87 | +58.35% | $1,577,958.22 | -95.85% (MSFT) | MSFT |
| 1999 | +151.92% | $26,930.30 | +111.53% | $3,337,930.90 | +40.39% (AAPL) | AAPL |
| 2000 | +149.24% | $67,121.68 | +65.60% | $5,527,711.79 | +83.64% (AAPL) | AAPL |
| 2001 | -73.42% | $17,839.15 | -62.79% | $2,056,960.51 | -10.63% (MSFT) | MSFT |
| 2002 | +47.23% | $26,263.99 | +52.74% | $3,141,755.21 | -5.51% (MSFT) | MSFT |
| 2003 | -38.50% | $16,152.95 | -22.88% | $2,422,863.26 | -15.62% (MSFT) | MSFT |
| 2004 | +44.39% | $23,323.51 | +2.80% | $2,490,701.94 | +41.59% (AAPL) | AAPL |
| 2005 | +202.63% | $70,584.32 | +8.81% | $2,710,135.61 | +193.82% (AAPL) | AAPL |
| 2006 | +127.18% | $160,350.86 | -1.01% | $2,682,698.63 | +128.19% (AAPL) | AAPL |
| 2007 | +13.50% | $181,995.49 | +12.86% | $3,027,729.87 | +0.64% (AAPL) | AAPL |
| 2008 | +136.37% | $430,186.98 | +20.84% | $3,658,796.67 | +115.53% (AAPL) | AAPL |
| 2009 | -56.19% | $188,444.11 | -43.79% | $2,056,771.16 | -12.41% (MSFT) | MSFT |
| 2010 | +132.21% | $437,584.92 | +53.44% | $3,155,957.24 | +78.77% (AAPL) | AAPL |
| 2011 | +50.72% | $659,536.54 | -7.94% | $2,905,242.80 | +58.67% (AAPL) | AAPL |
| 2012 | +22.89% | $810,487.20 | -4.75% | $2,767,111.96 | +27.64% (AAPL) | AAPL |
| 2013 | +30.56% | $1,058,160.68 | +2.60% | $2,838,991.28 | +27.96% (AAPL) | AAPL |
| 2014 | +4.75% | $1,108,432.39 | +39.54% | $3,961,633.63 | -34.79% (MSFT) | MSFT |
| 2015 | +42.63% | $1,580,939.63 | +28.42% | $5,087,641.85 | +14.21% (AAPL) | AAPL |
| 2016 | -2.08% | $1,548,019.71 | +21.88% | $6,200,739.95 | -23.96% (MSFT) | MSFT |
| 2017 | +12.38% | $1,739,731.34 | +16.51% | $7,224,217.07 | -4.12% (MSFT) | MSFT |
| 2018 | +48.04% | $2,575,541.24 | +39.74% | $10,095,202.03 | +8.30% (AAPL) | AAPL |
| 2019 | -7.05% | $2,393,854.67 | +20.22% | $12,136,360.37 | -27.27% (MSFT) | MSFT |
| 2020 | +88.74% | $4,518,219.43 | +58.26% | $19,206,911.25 | +30.48% (AAPL) | AAPL |
| 2021 | +78.24% | $8,053,270.76 | +39.94% | $26,878,701.70 | +38.30% (AAPL) | AAPL |
| 2022 | +38.06% | $11,118,421.47 | +55.79% | $41,874,319.16 | -17.73% (MSFT) | MSFT |
| 2023 | -28.20% | $7,983,081.40 | -27.69% | $30,280,494.98 | -0.51% (MSFT) | MSFT |
| 2024 | +54.80% | $12,357,668.83 | +58.35% | $47,949,092.29 | -3.55% (MSFT) | MSFT |
| 2025 | +35.56% | $16,751,606.23 | +14.50% | $54,902,457.42 | +21.05% (AAPL) | AAPL |
| 2026 | +11.88% | $18,742,087.73 | +16.17% | $63,781,897.96 | -4.29% (MSFT) | MSFT |
Annual returns include dividends and stock splits. Cumulative values show growth of $10,000 invested from the first year. Positive difference means AAPL outperformed MSFT that year.
Company Profiles
Apple Inc.
AAPL
Apple Inc. is a global leader in consumer electronics, software, and online services. Founded in a garage by Steve Jobs, Steve Wozniak, and Ronald Wayne, the company has evolved into one of the world's most valuable and influential brands. Apple designs, manufactures, and markets a broad range of high-end consumer technology products, including the iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Apple Watch. Beyond hardware, the company has built a massive digital ecosystem through its Services segment, which includes the App Store, Apple Music, iCloud, and Apple Pay. In recent years, Apple has significantly vertically integrated its supply chain by developing its own custom silicon (M-series and A-series chips) and has expanded into spatial computing with the Vision Pro platform.
Key Innovations
- ✓Graphical User Interface (GUI) popularized by the Macintosh
- ✓Multi-touch technology and the modern smartphone interface
- ✓Apple Silicon (A-series and M-series SoC architecture)
- ✓FaceID and TouchID biometric security systems
- ✓Retina Display high-density screen technology
- ✓MagSafe charging and accessory ecosystem
- ✓Spatial Computing (VisionOS) for mixed-reality environments
Business Segments
- iPhoneThe company's primary hardware driver, consisting of its line of smartphones based on the iOS operating system.
- MacPersonal computers based on the macOS operating system, including the MacBook Air, MacBook Pro, iMac, Mac mini, and Mac Studio, now powered by Apple Silicon.
- iPadMulti-purpose tablets based on the iPadOS operating system, spanning from the iPad mini to the high-performance iPad Pro.
Microsoft Corporation
MSFT
Microsoft Corporation is a global technology powerhouse that develops, licenses, and supports a wide range of software products, services, and devices. As of 2026, the company has successfully transitioned into an 'AI-first' organization, leveraging its strategic partnership with OpenAI to integrate generative AI across its entire tech stack. Microsoft is the dominant provider in enterprise computing through its Windows operating system and Office productivity suite, and it is a leading player in the global cloud market with Azure. Its business model centers on digital transformation, cloud infrastructure, and the emerging economy of autonomous AI agents.
Key Innovations
- ✓Azure AI Services & Copilot Ecosystem
- ✓Windows 11 and Next-Gen 'Copilot+' AI PC architecture
- ✓Microsoft 365 Copilot (Generative AI for productivity)
- ✓HoloLens and Mixed Reality (Industrial Metaverse)
- ✓Custom Silicon: Azure Maia AI Accelerator and Azure Cobalt CPU
- ✓Topological Quantum Computing (Majorana 1 chip)
- ✓Agentic AI: Autonomous digital coworkers built on Copilot Studio
Business Segments
- Intelligent CloudThe company's primary growth engine, consisting of public, private, and hybrid server products and cloud services. Key offerings include Azure—a comprehensive cloud platform for computing, networking, and AI—as well as SQL Server, Windows Server, GitHub, and Nuance Healthcare. In 2026, this segment is heavily focused on scaling AI 'superfactories' and providing the infrastructure for large-scale generative AI workloads.
- Productivity and Business ProcessesFocuses on productivity, communication, and information services. It includes Microsoft 365 (formerly Office), which has evolved into a Copilot-integrated subscription service for both commercial and consumer users. This segment also encompasses LinkedIn (talent and marketing solutions), Dynamics 365 (cloud-based ERP and CRM), and the Microsoft Power Platform for low-code development and hyperautomation.
- More Personal ComputingEncompasses products and services geared toward end-users and developers across devices. This includes Windows OEM and commercial licensing, Surface devices, Search and news advertising (Bing and Copilot), and Gaming. Following the acquisition of Activision Blizzard, the Gaming division includes Xbox hardware, content, and services like Game Pass, making Microsoft one of the largest video game publishers globally.
How This Comparison Works
Our stock comparison tool uses adjusted closing prices to calculate year-by-year returns for both stocks. This ensures an apples-to-apples comparison that accounts for:
- ✓Dividends: All dividend payments are reinvested
- ✓Stock splits: Historical prices are adjusted for all splits
- ✓Head-to-head record: Shows which stock outperformed each year
- ✓Statistical analysis: Average returns, best/worst years, and win rates
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Important Disclaimer
This comparison tool is for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, investment, or trading advice. Past performance is not indicative of future results. Historical returns include dividends and stock splits but do not account for taxes, fees, inflation, or individual circumstances. Stock market investments carry risk, including the potential loss of principal. Always consult with a qualified financial advisor before making investment decisions. The data presented is based on historical market data and may contain inaccuracies or delays.