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Mastercard vs PayPal Holdings: MA and PYPL compared
Mastercard is the larger company: $9.8B of revenue in its latest quarter (Q3 2026) against $8.6B for PayPal Holdings (Q3 2026). Mastercard is growing faster (+14% against +2% a year earlier). Mastercard is more profitable, with an operating margin of 59.8% against 16.3%.
Where the money goes: MA and PYPL
Mastercard (MA) · Q3 2026
Mastercard, Q3 2026: revenue $9.8B (+14% year over year), operating margin 59.8%, net earnings $4.6B, operating cash flow $5.1B. The chart follows the revenue to costs, profit and cash.
PayPal Holdings (PYPL) · Q3 2026
PayPal Holdings, Q3 2026: revenue $8.6B (+2% year over year), operating margin 16.3%, net earnings $1.1B, operating cash flow $1.6B. The chart follows the revenue to costs, profit and cash.
| Mastercard (MA) | PayPal Holdings (PYPL) | |
|---|---|---|
| Latest quarter | Q3 2026 | Q3 2026 |
| Revenue | $9.8B | $8.6B |
| Revenue growth, Y/Y | +14% | +2% |
| Operating margin | 59.8% | 16.3% |
| Net earnings | $4.6B | $1.1B |
| Net margin | 47.2% | 12.5% |
| Operating cash flow | $5.1B | $1.6B |
| Free cash flow | $4.9B | $1.4B |
| Market value | $571.8B | $50.6B |
| P/E | 34.1× | 11.3× |
| Analysts’ mean target | $716.39 | $57.13 |
Where the revenue comes from
Mastercard
- Payment network: $5.7B (59%)
- Value-added services and solutions: $4.1B (41%)
PayPal Holdings
- Transaction revenues: $7.7B (90%)
- Revenues from other value added services: $873M (10%)
Questions
Which is bigger, Mastercard or PayPal Holdings?
Mastercard is the larger company: $9.8B of revenue in its latest quarter (Q3 2026) against $8.6B for PayPal Holdings (Q3 2026).
Is Mastercard or PayPal Holdings growing faster?
Mastercard is growing faster (+14% against +2% a year earlier).
Which is more profitable, Mastercard or PayPal Holdings?
Mastercard is more profitable, with an operating margin of 59.8% against 16.3%.
More: Mastercard earnings · how Mastercard makes money · PayPal Holdings earnings · how PayPal Holdings makes money
From the companies' latest 10-Q, 10-K or earnings release (10-Q filed Oct 29, 2026; 10-Q filed Oct 27, 2026). Fiscal quarters can end on different dates. Not investment advice.