VOL. XCIV, NO. 247

★ WIDE MOAT STOCKS COMPARISON ★

NO ADVICE

Wednesday, January 7, 2026

Stock Comparison

Paychex, Inc. vs Roper Technologies, Inc.

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

Paychex, Inc.

PAYX · NASDAQ Global Select Market

Market cap (USD)$39.4B
Gross margin (TTM)73.4%
Operating margin (TTM)37.1%
Net margin (TTM)26.5%
SectorIndustrials
IndustryStaffing & Employment Services
CountryUS
Data as of2026-01-04
Moat score
66/ 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 Paychex, Inc.'s moat claims, evidence, and risks.

View PAYX analysis

Roper Technologies, Inc.

ROP · The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC

Market cap (USD)$46.5B
Gross margin (TTM)69%
Operating margin (TTM)28.1%
Net margin (TTM)20.3%
SectorTechnology
IndustryIndustrial - Machinery
CountryUS
Data as of2025-12-30
Moat score
67/ 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 Roper Technologies, Inc.'s moat claims, evidence, and risks.

View ROP analysis

Comparison highlights

  • Moat score gap: Roper Technologies, Inc. leads (67 / 100 vs 66 / 100 for Paychex, Inc.).
  • Segment focus: Paychex, Inc. has 3 segments (73% in Management Solutions); Roper Technologies, Inc. has 3 segments (55% in Application Software).
  • Primary market structure: Oligopoly vs Oligopoly. Pricing power: Moderate vs Strong.
  • Moat breadth: Paychex, Inc. has 7 moat types across 4 domains; Roper Technologies, Inc. has 7 across 4.

Primary market context

Paychex, Inc.

Management Solutions

Market

Payroll processing and integrated HCM solutions for SMB and mid-market employers

Geography

United States (primarily)

Customer

Employers (SMB and mid-market)

Role

HCM SaaS + outsourced payroll/HR service provider

Revenue share

73%

Roper Technologies, Inc.

Application Software

Market

Vertical application software for niche end markets

Geography

Global

Customer

Businesses, institutions, and public-sector organizations

Role

Software vendor (SaaS, subscriptions, and related services)

Revenue share

55%

Side-by-side metrics

Paychex, Inc.
Roper Technologies, Inc.
Ticker / Exchange
PAYX - NASDAQ Global Select Market
ROP - The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC
Market cap (USD)
$39.4B
$46.5B
Gross margin (TTM)
73.4%
69%
Operating margin (TTM)
37.1%
28.1%
Net margin (TTM)
26.5%
20.3%
Sector
Industrials
Technology
Industry
Staffing & Employment Services
Industrial - Machinery
HQ country
US
US
Primary segment
Management Solutions
Application Software
Market structure
Oligopoly
Oligopoly
Market share
n/a
n/a
HHI estimate
n/a
n/a
Pricing power
Moderate
Strong
Moat score
66 / 100
67 / 100
Moat domains
Demand, Supply, Legal, Financial
Demand, Legal, Financial, Network
Last update
2026-01-04
2025-12-30

Moat coverage

Shared moat types

Data Workflow LockinCompliance AdvantageSwitching Costs General

Paychex, Inc. strengths

Suite BundlingService Field NetworkUnderwriting Risk PoolingFloat Prepayment

Roper Technologies, Inc. strengths

Negative Working CapitalTwo Sided NetworkData Network EffectsDesign In Qualification

Segment mix

Paychex, Inc. segments

Full profile >

Management Solutions

Oligopoly

73%

PEO and Insurance Solutions

Competitive

24.1%

Client funds float (interest on funds held for clients)

Oligopoly

2.9%

Roper Technologies, Inc. segments

Full profile >

Application Software

Oligopoly

55%

Network Software

Oligopoly

21%

Technology Enabled Products

Competitive

24.1%

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.