VOL. XCIV, NO. 247

★ WIDE MOAT STOCKS COMPARISON ★

NO ADVICE

Wednesday, January 7, 2026

Stock Comparison

Alibaba Group Holding Limited vs Duolingo, Inc.

Compare moat strength, market structure, and segment coverage to understand how each company defends its edge.

Alibaba Group Holding Limited

9988.HK · The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited

Market cap (USD)$2.8T
Gross margin (TTM)41.2%
Operating margin (TTM)10.9%
Net margin (TTM)12.2%
SectorConsumer
IndustrySpecialty Retail
CountryKY
Data as of2025-12-29
Moat score
56/ 100

Weighted average of segment moat scores, combining moat strength, durability, confidence, market structure, pricing power, and market share.

Full stock profile

Dive deeper into Alibaba Group Holding Limited's moat claims, evidence, and risks.

View 9988.HK analysis

Duolingo, Inc.

DUOL · NASDAQ

Market cap (USD)$8.6B
Gross margin (TTM)72%
Operating margin (TTM)11%
Net margin (TTM)40%
SectorTechnology
IndustrySoftware - Application
CountryUS
Data as of2026-01-06
Moat score
68/ 100

Weighted average of segment moat scores, combining moat strength, durability, confidence, market structure, pricing power, and market share.

Full stock profile

Dive deeper into Duolingo, Inc.'s moat claims, evidence, and risks.

View DUOL analysis

Comparison highlights

  • Moat score gap: Duolingo, Inc. leads (68 / 100 vs 56 / 100 for Alibaba Group Holding Limited).
  • Segment focus: Alibaba Group Holding Limited has 7 segments (41% in Taobao and Tmall Group); Duolingo, Inc. has 2 segments (93.9% in Duolingo App).
  • Primary market structure: Oligopoly vs Competitive. Pricing power: Moderate vs Moderate.
  • Moat breadth: Alibaba Group Holding Limited has 6 moat types across 3 domains; Duolingo, Inc. has 6 across 3.

Primary market context

Alibaba Group Holding Limited

Taobao and Tmall Group

Market

China online retail marketplaces & merchant services (Taobao, Tmall, 1688)

Geography

China

Customer

Consumers and merchants/brands

Role

Marketplace + advertising/merchant services

Revenue share

41%

Duolingo, Inc.

Duolingo App

Market

Mobile-first, freemium language learning and adjacent subjects (math, music)

Geography

Global

Customer

Consumers (end-users); advertisers

Role

Digital learning platform / content & software publisher

Revenue share

93.9%

Side-by-side metrics

Alibaba Group Holding Limited
Duolingo, Inc.
Ticker / Exchange
9988.HK - The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited
DUOL - NASDAQ
Market cap (USD)
$2.8T
$8.6B
Gross margin (TTM)
41.2%
72%
Operating margin (TTM)
10.9%
11%
Net margin (TTM)
12.2%
40%
Sector
Consumer
Technology
Industry
Specialty Retail
Software - Application
HQ country
KY
US
Primary segment
Taobao and Tmall Group
Duolingo App
Market structure
Oligopoly
Competitive
Market share
n/a
n/a
HHI estimate
n/a
n/a
Pricing power
Moderate
Moderate
Moat score
56 / 100
68 / 100
Moat domains
Network, Supply, Demand
Network, Demand, Supply
Last update
2025-12-29
2026-01-06

Moat coverage

Shared moat types

Brand Trust

Alibaba Group Holding Limited strengths

Two Sided NetworkEcosystem ComplementsCapex Knowhow ScaleSwitching Costs GeneralSupply Chain Control

Duolingo, Inc. strengths

Data Network EffectsHabit DefaultScope EconomiesDesign In QualificationOperational Excellence

Segment mix

Alibaba Group Holding Limited segments

Full profile >

Taobao and Tmall Group

Oligopoly

41%

Alibaba International Digital Commerce Group

Competitive

12.1%

Cloud Intelligence Group (Alibaba Cloud)

Oligopoly

10.8%

Cainiao Smart Logistics Network Limited

Competitive

9.2%

Local Services Group

Oligopoly

6.1%

Digital Media and Entertainment Group

Competitive

2%

All Others

Competitive

18.8%

Duolingo, Inc. segments

Full profile >

Duolingo App

Competitive

93.9%

Duolingo English Test

Oligopoly

6.1%

Want the full wide moat stocks list?

Browse the full ranking of wide moat stocks, updated with moat scores and segment context.

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Looking for expansion-stage stocks?

Proven models entering the expansion stage with unit economics that work.

View expansion-stage stocks

Curation & Accuracy

This directory blends AI‑assisted discovery with human curation. Entries are reviewed, edited, and organized with the goal of expanding coverage and sharpening quality over time. Your feedback helps steer improvements (because no single human can capture everything all at once).

Details change. Pricing, features, and availability may be incomplete or out of date. Treat listings as a starting point and verify on the provider’s site before making decisions. If you spot an error or a gap, send a quick note and I’ll adjust.