Apple vs Microsoft over 15 years?

This page compares 15 years of steady monthly investing into Apple (AAPL) and Microsoft (MSFT), using the comparison calculator. It also flags the survivorship bias and concentration risk inherent in single-stock comparisons.

⚠️ This asset is an individual stock chosen as of today, so past returns can look better than they really were (survivorship bias).

Investment conditions

Asset · Apple (AAPL) vs Microsoft (MSFT)

Method · Comparison

The key is that single-stock comparisons are heavily shaped by 'survivorship bias.' Apple and Microsoft show glittering numbers precisely because they turned out to be winners—chosen after the fact. Single stocks carry higher volatility and maximum drawdown than an index, plus concentration risk in one company. In the comparison calculator, review each stock's ending balance together with its maximum drawdown and recovery period, but keep firmly in mind that this result does not mean 'these two stocks are promising going forward.' Single-stock performance is often visible only in hindsight.

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Why this period and asset

Apple and Microsoft have long vied for the top of the market-cap rankings as leading Big Tech firms. Apple grew through its iPhone hardware and services ecosystem, Microsoft through cloud (Azure), software, and productivity tools. Over the past 15 years, both rose strongly, but their relative leadership alternated by period. There is an important caveat, however: these are stocks we now know succeeded. Fifteen years ago it was hard to foresee which firm would grow this way, and many large companies of the same era faded or lagged.

Caveats & limits

This comparison picks already-successful single stocks after the fact, so it carries strong survivorship bias. Single stocks have higher volatility and drawdown than an index and concentrate risk in one company. Past performance does not guarantee the future, and results change greatly with the start or end date. In real investing, fees, taxes, and exchange rates (for dollar-denominated assets) affect outcomes. This page recommends no purchase; it is educational material comparing character.

Data sources & limits

This asset is an individual stock chosen as of today, so past returns can look better than they really were (survivorship bias).
Trading fees and taxes are not reflected — figures are pre-tax.
Based on historical data; does not guarantee future returns.

Frequently asked questions

Which is better, Apple or Microsoft?

Neither is always better, and above all this comparison carries strong survivorship bias. Both look glittering because they turned out to succeed—winners chosen after the fact. Use the comparison calculator to view return and drawdown side by side, but keep this limit in mind.

How is single-stock risk different?

Single stocks carry higher volatility and maximum drawdown than an index, plus concentration risk in one company's earnings and management issues. Unlike a diversified index, if one firm falters, the whole result swings sharply.

What should I use as the basis for comparison?

Look beyond the final return to maximum drawdown, time underwater, and recovery period. Because single stocks carry survivorship bias from picking winners after the fact, be careful not to read past numbers as future promise.

Related scenarios

📋 Los resultados se basan en datos históricos; las rentabilidades pasadas no garantizan rentabilidades futuras.

📋 Este servicio se ofrece con fines educativos para ayudarte a entender la inversión, no como asesoramiento de inversión.

⚠️ Calculado usando los activos representativos de hoy, que pueden diferir de la composición del mercado de aquel momento.

⚠️ La volatilidad y el nivel de riesgo difieren según el activo, por lo que la rentabilidad por sí sola no determina cuál es mejor.