Apple Inc. (AAPL) vs Meta Platforms, Inc. (META)

Apple Inc. is one of the world’s largest companies, offering a broad portfolio of hardware and software products for both consumers and businesses. The iPhone accounts for the majority of Apple’s revenue, while products such as the Mac, iPad, and Apple Watch are built around the iPhone as the centerpiece of a wide-reaching software ecosystem. Over time, Apple has expanded its offerings with new services and applications, including streaming video, subscription bundles, and augmented reality. The company designs its own software and semiconductors, while relying on manufacturing partners such as Foxconn and TSMC to produce its devices and chips. Slightly less than half of Apple’s sales are generated through its flagship retail stores, with most revenue coming indirectly through partnerships and distribution channels.

Meta Platforms, Inc. is the world’s largest social media company, reaching nearly 4 billion monthly active users globally. Its core business, known as the Family of Apps, includes Facebook, Instagram, Messenger, and WhatsApp. Users rely on these platforms for a wide range of activities, from staying connected with friends and following public figures to operating digital businesses at no cost. Meta monetizes its ecosystem by using customer data generated across its apps to sell advertising to digital marketers. Although the company has invested significantly in Reality Labs, that segment still represents only a small portion of Meta’s total revenue.