Palo Alto Networks: The Rival With the Same PitchNarrow moat

CrowdStrike (CRWD) — moat facet

Palo Alto Networks sells the same consolidation promise to the same buyer, so each platform deal CrowdStrike wins is one Palo Alto loses.

Palo Alto Networks is the rival that makes the same promise to the same buyer. Its 10-K lists CrowdStrike among "independent vendors that offer a mix of security products", next to Check Point, Delinea, Fortinet, Okta, SailPoint and Zscaler1. CrowdStrike's own filing names nobody, but its list of rival categories includes "network security vendors who are supplementing their core perimeter-based offerings with endpoint or cloud security solutions"2, which describes Palo Alto exactly.

Revenue growth in the latest fiscal year (%)21.7%CrowdStrike FY202624.5%Palo Alto FY202626%CrowdStrike Q2 FY2027CrowdStrike Q4 FY2026 and Q2 FY2027 releases; Palo Alto data from stockanalysis
Close on growth, far apart on price.

The two arrived at the same pitch from opposite ends. Palo Alto began with the firewall at the edge of the network; CrowdStrike began with the sensor on each machine. Both now tell a chief security officer to buy one platform instead of a dozen products, and a customer that consolidates can only consolidate once. That makes this a contest for a single decision rather than for a share of wallet.

The scale is similar in the market and different in the accounts. Palo Alto was worth $306.54 billion on 25 September 2026, against CrowdStrike's $258.72 billion34, about 0.84 times5. Palo Alto's fiscal 2026 revenue was $11.48 billion, up 24.50%, with earnings of $307.00 million6. CrowdStrike's fiscal 2026 revenue was $4,812.0 million, up about 21.7%78, with a GAAP net loss. The market pays far more per dollar of CrowdStrike revenue: about 47.9 times trailing sales9, against about 26.7 times for Palo Alto10.

The two differ in how they buy breadth. Palo Alto booked its CyberArk acquisition at $21,061 million11; CrowdStrike's largest deal, SGNL, cost $627.9 million in cash12. CrowdStrike is betting that one agent and one data store let it build or buy small, while Palo Alto is paying for scale in identity outright.

Against Palo Alto the moat is the installed sensor, not the pitch, because the pitch is identical. Revenue growth is where the contest shows: CrowdStrike grew about 21.7% in fiscal 2026 against Palo Alto's 24.5%, though Palo Alto's figure includes CyberArk, which it bought during that year13. If CrowdStrike's quarterly growth, 26% in the latest quarter14, falls behind Palo Alto's organic rate for a full year, the consolidation decisions are going the other way.

Moat trajectory: Holding steady

Market value 0.84 times Palo Alto's; revenue growth 21.7% against 24.5% in the latest fiscal years.

The number that tests this moat
Moat Explorer calc
Revenue growth, fiscal 2026, against Palo Alto Networks
21.7% against 24.5% (latest fiscal years)

The race for the same consolidation decision; a lasting gap in Palo Alto's favour once its acquisitions lap would mean the decisions are going the other way.

How it's calculated: CrowdStrike revenue $4,812.0M / $3,953.6M - 1 (Q4 FY2026 release); Palo Alto fiscal 2026 revenue growth of 24.50% (stockanalysis).
Source: Moat Explorer calculation from CrowdStrike filings ↗
References
  1. ReportedIts 10-K lists CrowdStrike among "independent vendors that offer a mix of security products", next to Check Point, Delinea, Fortinet, Okta, SailPoint and Zscaler.
    Palo Alto Networks Form 10-K for fiscal 2026 - competitors in four categories, naming Alphabet, Cisco and Microsoft among large companies that incorporate security in their products and CrowdStrike, Check Point, Delinea, Fortinet, Okta, SailPoint and Zscaler among independent security vendors; and the CyberArk acquisition, booked at $21,061 million. — FY2026 (year to 31 July 2026) · publ. 10 September 2026 · source ↗
  2. ReportedCrowdStrike's own filing names nobody, but its list of rival categories includes "network security vendors who are supplementing their core perimeter-based offerings with endpoint or cloud security solutions", which describes Palo Alto exactly.
    CrowdStrike Form 10-K for fiscal 2026 (year ended 31 January 2026) - Item 1A risk factors and Item 3 legal proceedings: competition, the July 19 incident, customer commitment packages, insurance and litigation. — FY2026 · publ. 5 March 2026 · source ↗
  3. ReportedPalo Alto was worth $306.54 billion on 25 September 2026, against CrowdStrike's $258.72 billion, about 0.84 times.
    Palo Alto Networks (PANW) market data - market value $306.54 billion on 25 September 2026; fiscal 2026 revenue $11.48 billion, up 24.50%; earnings $307.00 million; P/E 998.49. — September 2026 · publ. 25 September 2026 · source ↗
  4. ReportedPalo Alto was worth $306.54 billion on 25 September 2026, against CrowdStrike's $258.72 billion, about 0.84 times.
    CrowdStrike (CRWD) market data - $252.13 at the close on 25 September 2026, market value $258.72 billion, trailing revenue $5.40 billion, net income $45.00 million, trailing P/E 5,749.93, forward P/E 178.75, 52-week range $85.68-$263.87, analyst target $235.67. — September 2026 · publ. 25 September 2026 · source ↗
  5. Moat Explorer calcPalo Alto was worth $306.54 billion on 25 September 2026, against CrowdStrike's $258.72 billion, about 0.84 times.
    Moat Explorer calculation from CrowdStrike's reported figures ($ millions unless stated; fiscal years end 31 January). Revenue growth: FY2019 249.8 / 118.8 - 1 = 110.4%; FY2020 481.4 / 249.8 - 1 = 92.7%; FY2021 874.4 / 481.4 - 1 = 81.6%, about 82%; FY2022 1,451.6 / 874.4 - 1 = 66.0%; FY2023 2,241.2 / 1,451.6 - 1 = 54.4%; FY2024 3,055.6 / 2,241.2 - 1 = 36.3%; FY2025 3,953.6 / 3,055.6 - 1 = 29.4%, about 29%; FY2026 4,812.0 / 3,953.6 - 1 = 21.7%, about 22%; FY2024 to FY2026 4,812.0 / 3,055.6 - 1 = 57.5%, about 57%; compound FY2018-FY2026 (4,812.0 / 118.8)^(1/8) - 1 = 58.8%, about 59%; revenue grew about 40 times in eight years (4,812.0 / 118.8 = 40.5); FY2027 guidance midpoint (5,991.1 + 6,011.1) / 2 = 6,001.1, 6,001.1 / 4,812.0 - 1 = 24.7%, about 25%; H1 FY2027 revenue 2,856.5 / 6,001.1 = 47.6%; trailing revenue to 31 July 2026 4,812.0 - 2,272.4 + 2,856.5 = 5,396.1, about $5.40 billion. Subscription growth: FY2019 219.4 / 92.6 - 1 = 137.0%; FY2020 98.9%; FY2021 804.7 / 436.3 - 1 = 84.4%; FY2022 69.0%; FY2023 2,111.7 / 1,359.5 - 1 = 55.3%; FY2024 35.9%; FY2025 3,761.5 / 2,870.6 - 1 = 31.0%; FY2026 4,564.7 / 3,761.5 - 1 = 21.4%; H1 FY2027 2,721.1 / 2,153.7 - 1 = 26.3%, about 26%; compound FY2018-FY2026 (4,564.7 / 92.6)^(1/8) - 1 = 62.8%. Subscription added: FY2022 1,359.5 - 804.7 = 554.9; FY2023 2,111.7 - 1,359.5 = 752.1; FY2024 2,870.6 - 2,111.7 = 758.9; FY2025 890.9; FY2026 803.2. Subscription share of revenue FY2018 92.6 / 118.8 = 78%. Subscription gross profit FY2026 4,564.7 - 1,015.9 = 3,548.8. Professional services: revenue FY2018 118.8 - 92.6 = 26.2; FY2024 185.0 / 129.6 - 1 = 42.8%; FY2025 192.1 / 185.0 - 1 = 3.9%, about 4%; FY2026 247.3 / 192.1 - 1 = 28.7%, about 29%; compound FY2018-FY2026 (247.3 / 26.2)^(1/8) - 1 = 32.4%; gross profit FY2026 247.3 - 203.0 = 44.3; GAAP gross margin 44.3 / 247.3 = 17.9%, about 18%; share of gross profit 44.3 / 3,593.1 = 1.2%. Region: FY2026 growth United States 3,216.7 / 2,682.9 - 1 = 19.9%; EMEA 782.7 / 619.5 - 1 = 26.3%; Asia Pacific 495.7 / 402.5 - 1 = 23.2%; Other 317.0 / 248.7 - 1 = 27.4%. United States share FY2018 99.2 / 118.8 = 84%. ARR and net new ARR: ARR compound FY2018-FY2026 (5,252.8 / 141.3)^(1/8) - 1 = 57.1%, about 57%; net new ARR FY2026 5,252.8 - 4,241.8 = 1,010.9; FY2026 growth 1,010.9 / 806.7 - 1 = 25.3%, about 25%; FY2025 change 806.7 / 875.5 - 1 = -7.9%; FY2024 875.5 / 828.4 - 1 = 5.7%; FY2023 828.4 / 681.3 - 1 = 21.6%; H1 FY2027 net new ARR 255.8 + 332.8 = 588.6; FY2027 guided net new ARR 6,607.5 - 5,252.8 = 1,354.7; FY2027 ARR guidance midpoints: March (6,465.8 + 6,516.4) / 2 = 6,491.1, June (6,531.7 + 6,555.5) / 2 = 6,543.6, August (6,603.0 + 6,611.9) / 2 = 6,607.5; 6,607.5 / 5,252.8 - 1 = 25.8%, about 26%; FY2036 goal (20,000 / 5,252.8)^(1/10) - 1 = 14.3% a year; average net new ARR (20,000 - 5,252.8) / 10 = 1,474.7, about 1.47 billion. Falcon Flex: share of ARR 2.29 / 5.84 = 39%; Flex-account ARR a year earlier 2.29 / 2.01 = 1.14 billion; ARR outside Flex accounts 4.66 - 1.14 = 3.52 billion (July 2025) and 5.84 - 2.29 = 3.55 billion (July 2026), growth 3.55 / 3.52 - 1 = 0.8%, under 1%; ARR added 5.84 - 4.66 = 1.18 billion, of which Flex accounts 2.29 - 1.14 = 1.15 billion. Contracts: RPO within twelve months 0.46 x 10.7 = 4.9 billion (July 2026) and 0.51 x 9.0 = 4.6 billion (January 2026); RPO after twelve months 0.54 x 10.7 = 5.8 billion, 54% of RPO (July 2026), 0.49 x 9.0 = 4.4 billion (January 2026), 0.47 x 6.5 = 3.1 billion (January 2025), 0.37 x 3.4 = 1.3 billion (January 2023); RPO growth six months to July 2026 10.7 / 9.0 - 1 = 18.9%; FY2026 9.0 / 6.5 - 1 = 38.5%; RPO / trailing revenue 10.7 / 5.40 = about two years; unbilled backlog 5.9 / 2.8 - 1 = 111% in eighteen months. Deferred revenue 31 July 2026 3,497.1 + 1,345.1 = 4,842.2, about $4.84 billion; noncurrent share 1,345.1 / 4,842.2 = 27.8%, just over a quarter; deferred revenue 31 January 2025 2,733.0 + 995.7 = 3,728.7, 31 January 2026 3,421.1 + 1,332.4 = 4,753.4, growth 27.5%. Accounts receivable 1,038.6 / 1,470.9 = 71% of quarterly revenue. Subscription customers 29,000 / 23,019 - 1 = 26.0%, about 26%. H1 FY2027 revenue growth 2,856.5 / 2,272.4 - 1 = 25.7%, about 26%; H1 capital expenditure 222.0 / 116.2 = 1.9 times. Revenue per subscription customer FY2024 3,055.6 / 29,000 = about $105,000. Cash, costs and stock pay: GAAP operating margin FY2026 -293.3 / 4,812.0 = -6.1%; free cash flow margin FY2026 1,235.3 / 4,812.0 = 25.7%; FY2025 1,065.1 / 3,953.6 = 26.9%; FY2024 938.2 / 3,055.6 = 30.7%; free cash flow after stock pay 1,235.3 - 1,096.7 = 138.6, 138.6 / 4,812.0 = 2.9%; stock pay (cash flow) 1,096.7 / 4,812.0 = 22.8% (FY2026), 861.4 / 3,953.6 = 21.8% (FY2025), 648.7 / 3,055.6 = 21.2% (FY2024); stock pay and payroll tax 1,130.6 / 4,812.0 = 23.5% (FY2026), 903.6 / 3,953.6 = 22.9% (FY2025), 399.0 / 1,470.9 = 27.1% (Q2 FY2027), 276.7 / 1,169.0 = 23.7% (Q2 FY2026). Capital expenditure growth FY2024-FY2026 302.1 / 176.5 - 1 = 71.2%, about 71%; capex share of revenue FY2024 176.5 / 3,055.6 = 5.8%, FY2026 302.1 / 4,812.0 = 6.3%. Net cash 5,230.1 - 745.5 = 4,484.6, about $4.5 billion. Non-GAAP operating income guidance midpoint (1,497.2 + 1,508.4) / 2 = 1,502.8, 1,502.8 / 1,050 - 1 = 43%. July 19 incident net costs 60.1 + 117.7 = 177.8 (FY2025-FY2026) and 177.8 + 3.6 = 181.4, about $181 million through July 2026; update live 04:09 to 05:27 UTC = 78 minutes; cash against Delta claim 5,010 / 500 = about 10 times; a $250 million charge against free cash flow 250 / 1,235.3 = 20%, about a fifth. Acquisitions: cash consideration 96.4 + 213.7 + 252.7 + 212.1 + 327.5 + 627.9 = 1,730.3, about $1.7 billion; CyberArk against SGNL 21,061 / 627.9 = 33.5 times. Valuation: market value against Palo Alto Networks 258.72 / 306.54 = 0.84; Palo Alto price to sales 306.54 / 11.48 = 26.7; market value 25 September 2026 against 31 January 2026 258.718 / 111.278 = 2.3 times; price to trailing sales 258.718 / 5.396 = 47.9; analyst target 235.67 / 252.13 - 1 = -6.5%; market value over fiscal revenue 10.25 / 0.4814 = 21.3 (FY2020, December 2019 value), 46.86 / 0.8744 = 53.6 (FY2021, December 2020 value) - valuation, cash flow, stock pay, capital spending, acquisitions and the July 2024 incident. — FY2018-FY2027 · publ. September 2026 · source ↗
    Method: Arithmetic on figures reported in CrowdStrike's Forms 10-K and 10-Q, its results releases and market data; operands shown in the source line.
  6. ReportedPalo Alto's fiscal 2026 revenue was $11.48 billion, up 24.50%, with earnings of $307.00 million.
    Palo Alto Networks (PANW) market data - market value $306.54 billion on 25 September 2026; fiscal 2026 revenue $11.48 billion, up 24.50%; earnings $307.00 million; P/E 998.49. — September 2026 · publ. 25 September 2026 · source ↗
  7. ReportedCrowdStrike's fiscal 2026 revenue was $4,812.0 million, up about 21.7%, with a GAAP net loss.
    CrowdStrike fourth-quarter and fiscal 2026 results release, Form 8-K exhibit 99.1 - fourth-quarter and full-year results, ARR, retention and module adoption. — Q4 FY2026 · publ. 3 March 2026 · source ↗
  8. Moat Explorer calcCrowdStrike's fiscal 2026 revenue was $4,812.0 million, up about 21.7%, with a GAAP net loss.
    Moat Explorer calculation from CrowdStrike's reported figures ($ millions unless stated; fiscal years end 31 January). Revenue growth: FY2019 249.8 / 118.8 - 1 = 110.4%; FY2020 481.4 / 249.8 - 1 = 92.7%; FY2021 874.4 / 481.4 - 1 = 81.6%, about 82%; FY2022 1,451.6 / 874.4 - 1 = 66.0%; FY2023 2,241.2 / 1,451.6 - 1 = 54.4%; FY2024 3,055.6 / 2,241.2 - 1 = 36.3%; FY2025 3,953.6 / 3,055.6 - 1 = 29.4%, about 29%; FY2026 4,812.0 / 3,953.6 - 1 = 21.7%, about 22%; FY2024 to FY2026 4,812.0 / 3,055.6 - 1 = 57.5%, about 57%; compound FY2018-FY2026 (4,812.0 / 118.8)^(1/8) - 1 = 58.8%, about 59%; revenue grew about 40 times in eight years (4,812.0 / 118.8 = 40.5); FY2027 guidance midpoint (5,991.1 + 6,011.1) / 2 = 6,001.1, 6,001.1 / 4,812.0 - 1 = 24.7%, about 25%; H1 FY2027 revenue 2,856.5 / 6,001.1 = 47.6%; trailing revenue to 31 July 2026 4,812.0 - 2,272.4 + 2,856.5 = 5,396.1, about $5.40 billion. Subscription growth: FY2019 219.4 / 92.6 - 1 = 137.0%; FY2020 98.9%; FY2021 804.7 / 436.3 - 1 = 84.4%; FY2022 69.0%; FY2023 2,111.7 / 1,359.5 - 1 = 55.3%; FY2024 35.9%; FY2025 3,761.5 / 2,870.6 - 1 = 31.0%; FY2026 4,564.7 / 3,761.5 - 1 = 21.4%; H1 FY2027 2,721.1 / 2,153.7 - 1 = 26.3%, about 26%; compound FY2018-FY2026 (4,564.7 / 92.6)^(1/8) - 1 = 62.8%. Subscription added: FY2022 1,359.5 - 804.7 = 554.9; FY2023 2,111.7 - 1,359.5 = 752.1; FY2024 2,870.6 - 2,111.7 = 758.9; FY2025 890.9; FY2026 803.2. Subscription share of revenue FY2018 92.6 / 118.8 = 78%. Subscription gross profit FY2026 4,564.7 - 1,015.9 = 3,548.8. Professional services: revenue FY2018 118.8 - 92.6 = 26.2; FY2024 185.0 / 129.6 - 1 = 42.8%; FY2025 192.1 / 185.0 - 1 = 3.9%, about 4%; FY2026 247.3 / 192.1 - 1 = 28.7%, about 29%; compound FY2018-FY2026 (247.3 / 26.2)^(1/8) - 1 = 32.4%; gross profit FY2026 247.3 - 203.0 = 44.3; GAAP gross margin 44.3 / 247.3 = 17.9%, about 18%; share of gross profit 44.3 / 3,593.1 = 1.2%. Region: FY2026 growth United States 3,216.7 / 2,682.9 - 1 = 19.9%; EMEA 782.7 / 619.5 - 1 = 26.3%; Asia Pacific 495.7 / 402.5 - 1 = 23.2%; Other 317.0 / 248.7 - 1 = 27.4%. United States share FY2018 99.2 / 118.8 = 84%. ARR and net new ARR: ARR compound FY2018-FY2026 (5,252.8 / 141.3)^(1/8) - 1 = 57.1%, about 57%; net new ARR FY2026 5,252.8 - 4,241.8 = 1,010.9; FY2026 growth 1,010.9 / 806.7 - 1 = 25.3%, about 25%; FY2025 change 806.7 / 875.5 - 1 = -7.9%; FY2024 875.5 / 828.4 - 1 = 5.7%; FY2023 828.4 / 681.3 - 1 = 21.6%; H1 FY2027 net new ARR 255.8 + 332.8 = 588.6; FY2027 guided net new ARR 6,607.5 - 5,252.8 = 1,354.7; FY2027 ARR guidance midpoints: March (6,465.8 + 6,516.4) / 2 = 6,491.1, June (6,531.7 + 6,555.5) / 2 = 6,543.6, August (6,603.0 + 6,611.9) / 2 = 6,607.5; 6,607.5 / 5,252.8 - 1 = 25.8%, about 26%; FY2036 goal (20,000 / 5,252.8)^(1/10) - 1 = 14.3% a year; average net new ARR (20,000 - 5,252.8) / 10 = 1,474.7, about 1.47 billion. Falcon Flex: share of ARR 2.29 / 5.84 = 39%; Flex-account ARR a year earlier 2.29 / 2.01 = 1.14 billion; ARR outside Flex accounts 4.66 - 1.14 = 3.52 billion (July 2025) and 5.84 - 2.29 = 3.55 billion (July 2026), growth 3.55 / 3.52 - 1 = 0.8%, under 1%; ARR added 5.84 - 4.66 = 1.18 billion, of which Flex accounts 2.29 - 1.14 = 1.15 billion. Contracts: RPO within twelve months 0.46 x 10.7 = 4.9 billion (July 2026) and 0.51 x 9.0 = 4.6 billion (January 2026); RPO after twelve months 0.54 x 10.7 = 5.8 billion, 54% of RPO (July 2026), 0.49 x 9.0 = 4.4 billion (January 2026), 0.47 x 6.5 = 3.1 billion (January 2025), 0.37 x 3.4 = 1.3 billion (January 2023); RPO growth six months to July 2026 10.7 / 9.0 - 1 = 18.9%; FY2026 9.0 / 6.5 - 1 = 38.5%; RPO / trailing revenue 10.7 / 5.40 = about two years; unbilled backlog 5.9 / 2.8 - 1 = 111% in eighteen months. Deferred revenue 31 July 2026 3,497.1 + 1,345.1 = 4,842.2, about $4.84 billion; noncurrent share 1,345.1 / 4,842.2 = 27.8%, just over a quarter; deferred revenue 31 January 2025 2,733.0 + 995.7 = 3,728.7, 31 January 2026 3,421.1 + 1,332.4 = 4,753.4, growth 27.5%. Accounts receivable 1,038.6 / 1,470.9 = 71% of quarterly revenue. Subscription customers 29,000 / 23,019 - 1 = 26.0%, about 26%. H1 FY2027 revenue growth 2,856.5 / 2,272.4 - 1 = 25.7%, about 26%; H1 capital expenditure 222.0 / 116.2 = 1.9 times. Revenue per subscription customer FY2024 3,055.6 / 29,000 = about $105,000. Cash, costs and stock pay: GAAP operating margin FY2026 -293.3 / 4,812.0 = -6.1%; free cash flow margin FY2026 1,235.3 / 4,812.0 = 25.7%; FY2025 1,065.1 / 3,953.6 = 26.9%; FY2024 938.2 / 3,055.6 = 30.7%; free cash flow after stock pay 1,235.3 - 1,096.7 = 138.6, 138.6 / 4,812.0 = 2.9%; stock pay (cash flow) 1,096.7 / 4,812.0 = 22.8% (FY2026), 861.4 / 3,953.6 = 21.8% (FY2025), 648.7 / 3,055.6 = 21.2% (FY2024); stock pay and payroll tax 1,130.6 / 4,812.0 = 23.5% (FY2026), 903.6 / 3,953.6 = 22.9% (FY2025), 399.0 / 1,470.9 = 27.1% (Q2 FY2027), 276.7 / 1,169.0 = 23.7% (Q2 FY2026). Capital expenditure growth FY2024-FY2026 302.1 / 176.5 - 1 = 71.2%, about 71%; capex share of revenue FY2024 176.5 / 3,055.6 = 5.8%, FY2026 302.1 / 4,812.0 = 6.3%. Net cash 5,230.1 - 745.5 = 4,484.6, about $4.5 billion. Non-GAAP operating income guidance midpoint (1,497.2 + 1,508.4) / 2 = 1,502.8, 1,502.8 / 1,050 - 1 = 43%. July 19 incident net costs 60.1 + 117.7 = 177.8 (FY2025-FY2026) and 177.8 + 3.6 = 181.4, about $181 million through July 2026; update live 04:09 to 05:27 UTC = 78 minutes; cash against Delta claim 5,010 / 500 = about 10 times; a $250 million charge against free cash flow 250 / 1,235.3 = 20%, about a fifth. Acquisitions: cash consideration 96.4 + 213.7 + 252.7 + 212.1 + 327.5 + 627.9 = 1,730.3, about $1.7 billion; CyberArk against SGNL 21,061 / 627.9 = 33.5 times. Valuation: market value against Palo Alto Networks 258.72 / 306.54 = 0.84; Palo Alto price to sales 306.54 / 11.48 = 26.7; market value 25 September 2026 against 31 January 2026 258.718 / 111.278 = 2.3 times; price to trailing sales 258.718 / 5.396 = 47.9; analyst target 235.67 / 252.13 - 1 = -6.5%; market value over fiscal revenue 10.25 / 0.4814 = 21.3 (FY2020, December 2019 value), 46.86 / 0.8744 = 53.6 (FY2021, December 2020 value) - growth rates, margins and guidance. — FY2018-FY2027 · publ. September 2026 · source ↗
    Method: Arithmetic on figures reported in CrowdStrike's Forms 10-K and 10-Q, its results releases and market data; operands shown in the source line.
  9. ReportedThe market pays far more per dollar of CrowdStrike revenue: about 47.9 times trailing sales, against about 26.7 times for Palo Alto.
    CrowdStrike (CRWD) statistics - 1.03 billion shares, up 3.24% in a year; P/S 47.94, forward P/S 38.91, P/FCF 160.82; price up 111.73% in 52 weeks; net cash $4.19 billion. — September 2026 · publ. 25 September 2026 · source ↗
  10. Moat Explorer calcThe market pays far more per dollar of CrowdStrike revenue: about 47.9 times trailing sales, against about 26.7 times for Palo Alto.
    Moat Explorer calculation from CrowdStrike's reported figures ($ millions unless stated; fiscal years end 31 January). Revenue growth: FY2019 249.8 / 118.8 - 1 = 110.4%; FY2020 481.4 / 249.8 - 1 = 92.7%; FY2021 874.4 / 481.4 - 1 = 81.6%, about 82%; FY2022 1,451.6 / 874.4 - 1 = 66.0%; FY2023 2,241.2 / 1,451.6 - 1 = 54.4%; FY2024 3,055.6 / 2,241.2 - 1 = 36.3%; FY2025 3,953.6 / 3,055.6 - 1 = 29.4%, about 29%; FY2026 4,812.0 / 3,953.6 - 1 = 21.7%, about 22%; FY2024 to FY2026 4,812.0 / 3,055.6 - 1 = 57.5%, about 57%; compound FY2018-FY2026 (4,812.0 / 118.8)^(1/8) - 1 = 58.8%, about 59%; revenue grew about 40 times in eight years (4,812.0 / 118.8 = 40.5); FY2027 guidance midpoint (5,991.1 + 6,011.1) / 2 = 6,001.1, 6,001.1 / 4,812.0 - 1 = 24.7%, about 25%; H1 FY2027 revenue 2,856.5 / 6,001.1 = 47.6%; trailing revenue to 31 July 2026 4,812.0 - 2,272.4 + 2,856.5 = 5,396.1, about $5.40 billion. Subscription growth: FY2019 219.4 / 92.6 - 1 = 137.0%; FY2020 98.9%; FY2021 804.7 / 436.3 - 1 = 84.4%; FY2022 69.0%; FY2023 2,111.7 / 1,359.5 - 1 = 55.3%; FY2024 35.9%; FY2025 3,761.5 / 2,870.6 - 1 = 31.0%; FY2026 4,564.7 / 3,761.5 - 1 = 21.4%; H1 FY2027 2,721.1 / 2,153.7 - 1 = 26.3%, about 26%; compound FY2018-FY2026 (4,564.7 / 92.6)^(1/8) - 1 = 62.8%. Subscription added: FY2022 1,359.5 - 804.7 = 554.9; FY2023 2,111.7 - 1,359.5 = 752.1; FY2024 2,870.6 - 2,111.7 = 758.9; FY2025 890.9; FY2026 803.2. Subscription share of revenue FY2018 92.6 / 118.8 = 78%. Subscription gross profit FY2026 4,564.7 - 1,015.9 = 3,548.8. Professional services: revenue FY2018 118.8 - 92.6 = 26.2; FY2024 185.0 / 129.6 - 1 = 42.8%; FY2025 192.1 / 185.0 - 1 = 3.9%, about 4%; FY2026 247.3 / 192.1 - 1 = 28.7%, about 29%; compound FY2018-FY2026 (247.3 / 26.2)^(1/8) - 1 = 32.4%; gross profit FY2026 247.3 - 203.0 = 44.3; GAAP gross margin 44.3 / 247.3 = 17.9%, about 18%; share of gross profit 44.3 / 3,593.1 = 1.2%. Region: FY2026 growth United States 3,216.7 / 2,682.9 - 1 = 19.9%; EMEA 782.7 / 619.5 - 1 = 26.3%; Asia Pacific 495.7 / 402.5 - 1 = 23.2%; Other 317.0 / 248.7 - 1 = 27.4%. United States share FY2018 99.2 / 118.8 = 84%. ARR and net new ARR: ARR compound FY2018-FY2026 (5,252.8 / 141.3)^(1/8) - 1 = 57.1%, about 57%; net new ARR FY2026 5,252.8 - 4,241.8 = 1,010.9; FY2026 growth 1,010.9 / 806.7 - 1 = 25.3%, about 25%; FY2025 change 806.7 / 875.5 - 1 = -7.9%; FY2024 875.5 / 828.4 - 1 = 5.7%; FY2023 828.4 / 681.3 - 1 = 21.6%; H1 FY2027 net new ARR 255.8 + 332.8 = 588.6; FY2027 guided net new ARR 6,607.5 - 5,252.8 = 1,354.7; FY2027 ARR guidance midpoints: March (6,465.8 + 6,516.4) / 2 = 6,491.1, June (6,531.7 + 6,555.5) / 2 = 6,543.6, August (6,603.0 + 6,611.9) / 2 = 6,607.5; 6,607.5 / 5,252.8 - 1 = 25.8%, about 26%; FY2036 goal (20,000 / 5,252.8)^(1/10) - 1 = 14.3% a year; average net new ARR (20,000 - 5,252.8) / 10 = 1,474.7, about 1.47 billion. Falcon Flex: share of ARR 2.29 / 5.84 = 39%; Flex-account ARR a year earlier 2.29 / 2.01 = 1.14 billion; ARR outside Flex accounts 4.66 - 1.14 = 3.52 billion (July 2025) and 5.84 - 2.29 = 3.55 billion (July 2026), growth 3.55 / 3.52 - 1 = 0.8%, under 1%; ARR added 5.84 - 4.66 = 1.18 billion, of which Flex accounts 2.29 - 1.14 = 1.15 billion. Contracts: RPO within twelve months 0.46 x 10.7 = 4.9 billion (July 2026) and 0.51 x 9.0 = 4.6 billion (January 2026); RPO after twelve months 0.54 x 10.7 = 5.8 billion, 54% of RPO (July 2026), 0.49 x 9.0 = 4.4 billion (January 2026), 0.47 x 6.5 = 3.1 billion (January 2025), 0.37 x 3.4 = 1.3 billion (January 2023); RPO growth six months to July 2026 10.7 / 9.0 - 1 = 18.9%; FY2026 9.0 / 6.5 - 1 = 38.5%; RPO / trailing revenue 10.7 / 5.40 = about two years; unbilled backlog 5.9 / 2.8 - 1 = 111% in eighteen months. Deferred revenue 31 July 2026 3,497.1 + 1,345.1 = 4,842.2, about $4.84 billion; noncurrent share 1,345.1 / 4,842.2 = 27.8%, just over a quarter; deferred revenue 31 January 2025 2,733.0 + 995.7 = 3,728.7, 31 January 2026 3,421.1 + 1,332.4 = 4,753.4, growth 27.5%. Accounts receivable 1,038.6 / 1,470.9 = 71% of quarterly revenue. Subscription customers 29,000 / 23,019 - 1 = 26.0%, about 26%. H1 FY2027 revenue growth 2,856.5 / 2,272.4 - 1 = 25.7%, about 26%; H1 capital expenditure 222.0 / 116.2 = 1.9 times. Revenue per subscription customer FY2024 3,055.6 / 29,000 = about $105,000. Cash, costs and stock pay: GAAP operating margin FY2026 -293.3 / 4,812.0 = -6.1%; free cash flow margin FY2026 1,235.3 / 4,812.0 = 25.7%; FY2025 1,065.1 / 3,953.6 = 26.9%; FY2024 938.2 / 3,055.6 = 30.7%; free cash flow after stock pay 1,235.3 - 1,096.7 = 138.6, 138.6 / 4,812.0 = 2.9%; stock pay (cash flow) 1,096.7 / 4,812.0 = 22.8% (FY2026), 861.4 / 3,953.6 = 21.8% (FY2025), 648.7 / 3,055.6 = 21.2% (FY2024); stock pay and payroll tax 1,130.6 / 4,812.0 = 23.5% (FY2026), 903.6 / 3,953.6 = 22.9% (FY2025), 399.0 / 1,470.9 = 27.1% (Q2 FY2027), 276.7 / 1,169.0 = 23.7% (Q2 FY2026). Capital expenditure growth FY2024-FY2026 302.1 / 176.5 - 1 = 71.2%, about 71%; capex share of revenue FY2024 176.5 / 3,055.6 = 5.8%, FY2026 302.1 / 4,812.0 = 6.3%. Net cash 5,230.1 - 745.5 = 4,484.6, about $4.5 billion. Non-GAAP operating income guidance midpoint (1,497.2 + 1,508.4) / 2 = 1,502.8, 1,502.8 / 1,050 - 1 = 43%. July 19 incident net costs 60.1 + 117.7 = 177.8 (FY2025-FY2026) and 177.8 + 3.6 = 181.4, about $181 million through July 2026; update live 04:09 to 05:27 UTC = 78 minutes; cash against Delta claim 5,010 / 500 = about 10 times; a $250 million charge against free cash flow 250 / 1,235.3 = 20%, about a fifth. Acquisitions: cash consideration 96.4 + 213.7 + 252.7 + 212.1 + 327.5 + 627.9 = 1,730.3, about $1.7 billion; CyberArk against SGNL 21,061 / 627.9 = 33.5 times. Valuation: market value against Palo Alto Networks 258.72 / 306.54 = 0.84; Palo Alto price to sales 306.54 / 11.48 = 26.7; market value 25 September 2026 against 31 January 2026 258.718 / 111.278 = 2.3 times; price to trailing sales 258.718 / 5.396 = 47.9; analyst target 235.67 / 252.13 - 1 = -6.5%; market value over fiscal revenue 10.25 / 0.4814 = 21.3 (FY2020, December 2019 value), 46.86 / 0.8744 = 53.6 (FY2021, December 2020 value) - valuation, cash flow, stock pay, capital spending, acquisitions and the July 2024 incident. — FY2018-FY2027 · publ. September 2026 · source ↗
    Method: Arithmetic on figures reported in CrowdStrike's Forms 10-K and 10-Q, its results releases and market data; operands shown in the source line.
  11. ReportedPalo Alto booked its CyberArk acquisition at $21,061 million; CrowdStrike's largest deal, SGNL, cost $627.9 million in cash.
    Palo Alto Networks Form 10-K for fiscal 2026 - competitors in four categories, naming Alphabet, Cisco and Microsoft among large companies that incorporate security in their products and CrowdStrike, Check Point, Delinea, Fortinet, Okta, SailPoint and Zscaler among independent security vendors; and the CyberArk acquisition, booked at $21,061 million. — FY2026 (year to 31 July 2026) · publ. 10 September 2026 · source ↗
  12. ReportedPalo Alto booked its CyberArk acquisition at $21,061 million; CrowdStrike's largest deal, SGNL, cost $627.9 million in cash.
    CrowdStrike Form 10-Q for the quarter ended 31 July 2026 - remaining performance obligations of $10.7 billion (46% within twelve months), unbilled backlog of $5.9 billion, the SGNL, Seraphic and XM Cyber transactions, the $750 million 3.00% senior notes, legal proceedings, the DOJ and SEC requests, purchase commitments and the share repurchase programme. — Q2 FY2027 · publ. 27 August 2026 · source ↗
  13. ReportedRevenue growth is where the contest shows: CrowdStrike grew about 21.7% in fiscal 2026 against Palo Alto's 24.5%, though Palo Alto's figure includes CyberArk, which it bought during that year.
    Palo Alto Networks Form 10-K for fiscal 2026 - competitors in four categories, naming Alphabet, Cisco and Microsoft among large companies that incorporate security in their products and CrowdStrike, Check Point, Delinea, Fortinet, Okta, SailPoint and Zscaler among independent security vendors; and the CyberArk acquisition, booked at $21,061 million. — FY2026 (year to 31 July 2026) · publ. 10 September 2026 · source ↗
  14. ReportedIf CrowdStrike's quarterly growth, 26% in the latest quarter, falls behind Palo Alto's organic rate for a full year, the consolidation decisions are going the other way.
    CrowdStrike second-quarter fiscal 2027 results release, Form 8-K exhibit 99.1 - second-quarter results, ARR, net new ARR, margins, module adoption and recent highlights. — Q2 FY2027 · publ. 26 August 2026 · source ↗
Sources
Generated September 28, 2026