VOL. XCIV, NO. 247

★ WIDE MOAT STOCKS COMPARISON ★

NO ADVICE

Tuesday, December 30, 2025

Stock Comparison

Autodesk, Inc. vs Cadence Design Systems, Inc.

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

Autodesk, Inc.

ADSK · NASDAQ

Market cap (USD)$63.7B
SectorTechnology
CountryUS
Data as of2025-12-29
Moat score
69/ 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 Autodesk, Inc.'s moat claims, evidence, and risks.

View ADSK analysis

Cadence Design Systems, Inc.

CDNS · NASDAQ

Market cap (USD)$86.5B
SectorTechnology
CountryUS
Data as of2025-12-29
Moat score
84/ 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 Cadence Design Systems, Inc.'s moat claims, evidence, and risks.

View CDNS analysis

Comparison highlights

  • Moat score gap: Cadence Design Systems, Inc. leads (84 / 100 vs 69 / 100 for Autodesk, Inc.).
  • Segment focus: Autodesk, Inc. has 5 segments (47.9% in Architecture, Engineering, Construction and Operations (AECO)); Cadence Design Systems, Inc. has 3 segments (71% in Core EDA).
  • Primary market structure: Oligopoly vs Oligopoly. Pricing power: Moderate vs Strong.
  • Moat breadth: Autodesk, Inc. has 7 moat types across 2 domains; Cadence Design Systems, Inc. has 8 across 3.

Primary market context

Autodesk, Inc.

Architecture, Engineering, Construction and Operations (AECO)

Market

Architecture, engineering, construction & operations (AECO) software (BIM, civil design, construction management)

Geography

Global

Customer

B2B / professional

Role

Software vendor (design + construction workflow platform)

Revenue share

47.9%

Cadence Design Systems, Inc.

Core EDA

Market

Electronic design automation tools for semiconductor IC design and verification (digital, custom/analog, signoff, functional verification)

Geography

Global

Customer

Semiconductor designers (fabless and IDMs) and system companies with in-house silicon teams

Role

Tool vendor / workflow platform

Revenue share

71%

Side-by-side metrics

Autodesk, Inc.
Cadence Design Systems, Inc.
Ticker / Exchange
ADSK - NASDAQ
CDNS - NASDAQ
Market cap (USD)
$63.7B
$86.5B
Sector
Technology
Technology
HQ country
US
US
Primary segment
Architecture, Engineering, Construction and Operations (AECO)
Core EDA
Market structure
Oligopoly
Oligopoly
Market share
n/a
29%-31% (estimated)
HHI estimate
n/a
n/a
Pricing power
Moderate
Strong
Moat score
69 / 100
84 / 100
Moat domains
Demand, Network
Demand, Legal, Supply
Last update
2025-12-29
2025-12-29

Moat coverage

Shared moat types

Data Workflow LockinSuite Bundling

Autodesk, Inc. strengths

Two Sided NetworkFormat Lock InEcosystem ComplementsBrand TrustProcurement Inertia

Cadence Design Systems, Inc. strengths

Long Term ContractsDesign In QualificationInstalled Base ConsumablesIP Choke PointCapex Knowhow ScaleService Field Network

Segment mix

Autodesk, Inc. segments

Full profile >

Architecture, Engineering, Construction and Operations (AECO)

Oligopoly

47.9%

AutoCAD and AutoCAD LT

Quasi-Monopoly

25.6%

Manufacturing (MFG)

Oligopoly

19.4%

Media and Entertainment (M&E)

Competitive

5.1%

Other (Consulting and other products/services)

Competitive

1.9%

Cadence Design Systems, Inc. segments

Full profile >

Core EDA

Oligopoly

71%

Semiconductor IP

Oligopoly

13%

System Design and Analysis

Competitive

16%

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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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.