9 top app stocks to buy in 2023

The best app stocks depend on your portfolio and investment goals — while volatility can be ideal for day traders, long-term investors will want to look to stocks with steadier gains over time.

9 app stocks to buy in 2023

We round up a selection of stocks in or related to the application software industry, weighting the list more heavily towards popular mid- and large-cap US stocks.

1. Zynga (ZNGA)
2. Snap (SNAP)
3. Activision Blizzard (ATVI)
4. Meta Platforms (FB)
5. Match Group (MTCH)
6. Apple (AAPL)
7. Alphabet Inc Class C (GOOG)
8. Twitter (TWTR)
9. Spotify Technology (SPOT)

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The app stocks industry is affected by a range of complex factors such as trade policies, regulations, and fluctuating supply and demand. So when considering app stocks to buy, it's important that you have access to vital information about a company's financial health, leadership team, and market positioning.

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Take a deeper dive into app stocks

If you're interested in investing in the application software industry, take a closer look at what companies in this industry do and how the stocks have historically performed. Keep in mind that positive past performance doesn't guarantee that a stock will continue to rise in the future.

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1. Zynga (ZNGA)

Zynga Inc. develops, markets, and operates social game services in the United States and internationally. The company provides social games as live services played on mobile platforms, such as Apple iOS and Google's Android operating systems; social networking platforms, such as Facebook and Snapchat; and personal computers consoles, such as Nintendo's Switch game console, and other platforms and consoles.

Zynga is listed on the NASDAQ, has a trailing 12-month revenue of around USD2.8 billion and employs 2,952 staff.

• Market capitalization: $9,302,868,992
• PEG ratio: 1.28

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2. Snap (SNAP)

Snap Inc. operates as a technology company in North America, Europe, and internationally. The company offers Snapchat, a visual messaging application with various tabs, such as camera, visual messaging, snap map, stories, and spotlight that enable people to communicate visually through short videos and images.

Snap stock opened the day at $12.94 after a previous close of $12.84. The latest price was $12.98 (25-minute delay). Snap is listed on the NYSE, has a trailing 12-month revenue of around USD$4.5 billion and employs 5,367 staff.

• Market capitalization: $20,612,929,536
• PEG ratio: 5.6362

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3. Activision Blizzard (ATVI)

Activision Blizzard, Inc. , together with its subsidiaries, develops and publishes interactive entertainment content and services in the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and the Asia Pacific. The company operates through three segments: Activision, Blizzard, and King.

Activision Blizzard is listed on the NASDAQ, has a trailing 12-month revenue of around USD$8.7 billion and employs 13,000 staff.

• Market capitalization: $74,289,463,296
• P/E ratio: 34.5861
• PEG ratio: 3.7987

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4. Meta Platforms (FB)

Meta Platforms, Inc. develops products that enable people to connect and share with friends and family through mobile devices, personal computers, virtual reality headsets, wearables, and in-home devices worldwide. It operates in two segments, Family of Apps and Reality Labs.

Meta Platforms is listed on the NASDAQ, has a trailing 12-month revenue of around USD$119.7 billion and employs 77,805 staff.

• Market capitalization: $532,170,735,616
• P/E ratio: 14.8812
• PEG ratio: 1.0333

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5. Match Group (MTCH)

Match Group, Inc. provides dating products worldwide. The company's portfolio of brands includes Tinder, Match, The League, Azar, Meetic, OkCupid, Hinge, Pairs, PlentyOfFish, and Hakuna, as well as a various other brands.

Match Group stock opened the day at $32.72 after a previous close of $32.51. The latest price was $32.48 (25-minute delay). Match Group is listed on the NASDAQ, has a trailing 12-month revenue of around USD$3.3 billion and employs 2,700 staff.

• Market capitalization: $8,602,849,280
• P/E ratio: 17.8814
• PEG ratio: 0.5248

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6. Apple (AAPL)

Apple Inc. designs, manufactures, and markets smartphones, personal computers, tablets, wearables, and accessories worldwide. The company offers iPhone, a line of smartphones; Mac, a line of personal computers; iPad, a line of multi-purpose tablets; and wearables, home, and accessories comprising AirPods, Apple TV, Apple Watch, Beats products, and HomePod.

Apple stock opened the day at $190.90 after a previous close of $190.40. The latest price was $189.37 (25-minute delay). Apple is listed on the NASDAQ, has a trailing 12-month revenue of around USD$383.3 billion and employs 161,000 staff.

• Market capitalization: $2,954,565,517,312
• P/E ratio: 30.9397
• PEG ratio: 2.7503

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7. Alphabet Inc Class C (GOOG)

Alphabet Inc. offers various products and platforms in the United States, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, the Asia-Pacific, Canada, and Latin America. It operates through Google Services, Google Cloud, and Other Bets segments.

Alphabet Inc Class C stock opened the day at $138.99 after a previous close of $138.62. The latest price was $136.40 (25-minute delay). Alphabet Inc Class C is listed on the NASDAQ, has a trailing 12-month revenue of around USD$297.1 billion and employs 182,381 staff.

• Market capitalization: $1,719,567,384,576
• P/E ratio: 26.4789
• PEG ratio: 1.3438

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8. Twitter (TWTR)

Twitter, Inc. operates as a platform for public self-expression and conversation in real-time. The company's primary product is Twitter, a platform that allows users to consume, create, distribute, and discover content.

Twitter is listed on the NYSE, has a trailing 12-month revenue of around USD$5.2 billion and employs 7,500 staff.

• Market capitalization: $41,093,709,824
• P/E ratio: 214.8
• PEG ratio: 3.64

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9. Spotify Technology (SPOT)

Spotify Technology S. A. , together with its subsidiaries, provides audio streaming services worldwide. It operates through two segments, Premium and Ad-Supported.

Spotify Technology stock opened the day at $183.00 after a previous close of $182.61. The latest price was $182.31 (25-minute delay). Spotify Technology is listed on the NYSE, has a trailing 12-month revenue of around USD$12.7 billion and employs 9,241 staff.

• Market capitalization: $35,718,242,304

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Bottom line

While it’s possible to turn a profit investing in app stocks, keep in mind that — like any investment — app stocks are not immune to risk. These stocks are subject to fluctuating conditions — both in the market and in the application software industry, so carefully vet your picks before you invest. And if you’re new to investing, or if it’s been awhile since you’ve taken a critical look at your investing accounts, compare brokers to make sure you’re getting the best features in your trading account.

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