In the wider computing industry, software firms offer products in a single of four categories: service programming, service systems, open source services and software as service (SaaS). Tech companies earn profits from the licenses of software, service management, subscription charges, support services and much more. With a rapidly increasing field of cloud technology consumers can now conveniently pay a monthly subscription fee to access software immediately over the Internet on a service provider’s server. Even some of the world’s biggest developers of company solutions are the tech firms.
These are the 10 biggest software companies by 12-month trailing revenue. This list is limited to companies that are publicly traded in the U.S. or Canada, either directly or through ADRs. Some companies outside the U.S. report profits semi-annually instead of quarterly, so the 12-month trailing data may be older than it is for companies that report quarterly. Data is courtesy of YCharts.com.1 All figures as of August 5, 2020.
Some of the stocks below are only traded over-the-counter (OTC) in the U.S., not on exchanges. Trading OTC stocks often carries higher trading costs than trading stocks on exchanges. This can lower or even outweigh potential returns.
#1 Microsoft Corp. (MSFT)
- Revenue (TTM): $143.0 billion
- Net Income (TTM): $44.3 billion
- Market Cap: $1.6 trillion
- 1-Year Trailing Total Return: 57.7%
- Exchange: NASDAQ
Microsoft sells a broad array of software and services. It provides desktop processing services for companies and individuals through Microsoft Office Suite. As the largest software company in the world, Microsoft provides a host of operating systems, server applications, software development, and other products. It’s also a leader in cloud enterprise technology and services, as well as a seller of video game consoles, digital music services, and more.
#2 Oracle Corp. (ORCL)
- Revenue (TTM): $39.1 billion
- Net Income (TTM): $10.1 billion
- Market Cap: $171.9 billion
- 1-Year Trailing Total Return: 2.1%
- Exchange: New York Stock Exchange
Oracle builds enterprise information management software for network computers, personal digital assistants, PCs, workstations, mainframes, and other devices. Oracle’s products are designed for use in sales, service, marketing, finance, human resources, supply chain and manufacturing, and other areas. The company also provides cloud infrastructure and services.
#3 SAP SE
- Revenue (TTM): $31.1 billion
- Net Income (TTM): $5.0 billion
- Market Cap: $191.3 billion
- 1-Year Trailing Total Return: 33.7%
- Exchange: New York Stock Exchange
SAP is a Germany-based multinational software company specializing in business software. Among SAP’s products are tools for enterprise management and e-business, as well as a range of services that include training and business consultation on software management and integration.
#4 Salesforce.com Inc. (CRM)
- Revenue (TTM): $18.2 billion
- Net Income (TTM): $-0.2 billion
- Market Cap: $181.5 billion
- 1-Year Trailing Total Return: 38.2%
- Exchange: New York Stock Exchange
Enterprise software company Salesforce.com offers customer relationship management software and services for business clients. Salesforce.com provides tools for marketing automation, customer service, operations, sales, and more. The company is best known for its technology platform that allows customers and developers to create and run business-related applications.
#5 Adobe Inc. (ADBE)
- Revenue (TTM): $12.1 billion
- Net Income (TTM): $3.7 billion
- Market Cap: $214.4 billion
- 1-Year Trailing Total Return: 52.2%
- Exchange: NASDAQ
Adobe specializes in software products used across all types of print and electronic media. The company is known for products such as Adobe Creative Cloud Suite, Document Cloud, and Experience Cloud, among other multimedia and creativity software products, as well as digital marketing tools.
#6 VMware Inc. (VMW)
- Revenue (TTM): $11.3 billion
- Net Income (TTM): $6.3 billion
- Market Cap: $60.0 billion
- 1-Year Trailing Total Return: -11.9%
- Exchange: New York Stock Exchange
VMware is a cloud computing and virtualization software company specializing in products addressing a broad range of information technology (IT) issues. VMware software is designed to address operational inefficiencies, business continuity concerns, software lifecycle issues, and to provide general desktop management tools.
#7 Intuit Inc. (INTU)
- Revenue (TTM): $6.9 billion
- Net Income (TTM): $1.3 billion
- Market Cap: $81.0 billion
- 1-Year Trailing Total Return: 14.0%
- Exchange: NASDAQ
Business and financial software company Intuit is best known for its accounting software QuickBooks and its tax preparation software TurboTax. The company’s products are designed for individuals, small businesses, and accountants.
#8 Square Inc. (SQ)
- Revenue (TTM): $5.1 billion
- Net Income (TTM): $0.3 billion
- Market Cap: $60.1 billion
- 1-Year Trailing Total Return: 96.6%
- Exchange: New York Stock Exchange
Square is a financial services and mobile payments software company. It sells point-of-sale software that allows merchants and customers to engage in speedy transactions, providing tools for digital receipts, sales reports, and inventory analysis.
#9 Dassault Systemes SE (DASTY)
- Revenue (TTM): $4.8 billion
- Net Income (TTM): $0.6 billion
- Market Cap: $46.7 billion
- 1-Year Trailing Total Return: 19.9%
- Exchange: OTC
French company Dassault Systemes is a subsidiary of the larger Dassault Group, a conglomerate best known for its aviation and aerospace endeavors. Dassault Systemes creates software for 3D product design, simulation, and manufacturing, among other tasks.
#10 SS&C Technologies Holdings Inc. (SSNC)
- Revenue (TTM): $4.7 billion
- Net Income (TTM): $0.5 billion
- Market Cap: $15.0 billion
- 1-Year Trailing Total Return: 29.4%
- Exchange: NASDAQ
SS&C Technologies provides financial and investment software, including tools for wealth management accounting, insurance and pension fund administration, and more. The company’s primary clients are in the financial services and health care industries.
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