VOL. XCIV, NO. 247

★ WIDE MOAT STOCKS COMPARISON ★

NO ADVICE

Thursday, January 8, 2026

Stock Comparison

Duolingo, Inc. vs Marriott International, Inc.

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

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

Marriott International, Inc.

MAR · NASDAQ

Market cap (USD)$83.5B
Gross margin (TTM)21.7%
Operating margin (TTM)15.9%
Net margin (TTM)10.1%
SectorConsumer
IndustryTravel Lodging
CountryUS
Data as of2026-01-01
Moat score
72/ 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 Marriott International, Inc.'s moat claims, evidence, and risks.

View MAR analysis

Comparison highlights

  • Moat score gap: Marriott International, Inc. leads (72 / 100 vs 68 / 100 for Duolingo, Inc.).
  • Segment focus: Duolingo, Inc. has 2 segments (93.9% in Duolingo App); Marriott International, Inc. has 2 segments.
  • Moat breadth: Duolingo, Inc. has 6 moat types across 3 domains; Marriott International, Inc. has 4 across 3.

Primary market context

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%

Marriott International, Inc.

U.S. & Canada Lodging Platform

Market

Branded hotel franchising & management platform (including loyalty and reservation systems)

Geography

U.S. & Canada

Customer

Two-sided: travelers (guests) and hotel owners (franchisees/owners of managed properties)

Role

Brand owner / franchisor / manager; operator of reservation, loyalty, and marketing systems

Side-by-side metrics

Duolingo, Inc.
Marriott International, Inc.
Ticker / Exchange
DUOL - NASDAQ
MAR - NASDAQ
Market cap (USD)
$8.6B
$83.5B
Gross margin (TTM)
72%
21.7%
Operating margin (TTM)
11%
15.9%
Net margin (TTM)
40%
10.1%
Sector
Technology
Consumer
Industry
Software - Application
Travel Lodging
HQ country
US
US
Primary segment
Duolingo App
U.S. & Canada Lodging Platform
Market structure
Competitive
Competitive
Market share
n/a
16%-18% (reported)
HHI estimate
n/a
n/a
Pricing power
Moderate
Moderate
Moat score
68 / 100
72 / 100
Moat domains
Network, Demand, Supply
Demand, Network, Supply
Last update
2026-01-06
2026-01-01

Moat coverage

Shared moat types

Brand Trust

Duolingo, Inc. strengths

Data Network EffectsHabit DefaultScope EconomiesDesign In QualificationOperational Excellence

Marriott International, Inc. strengths

Two Sided NetworkDistribution ControlLong Term Contracts

Segment mix

Duolingo, Inc. segments

Full profile >

Duolingo App

Competitive

93.9%

Duolingo English Test

Oligopoly

6.1%

Marriott International, Inc. segments

Full profile >

U.S. & Canada Lodging Platform

Competitive

n/a

International Lodging Platform

Competitive

n/a

Want the full wide moat stocks list?

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

View the moat stocks list

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.