Finder makes money from featured partners, but editorial opinions are our own. Advertiser disclosure

9 top app stocks to buy in 2023

Ready to invest in the application software industry? Learn how to invest in app stocks in just a few steps.

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)

Compare premium brokerages that help you research stocks

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.

Our picks for brokers with research tools

Robinhood Gold


  • Free for 30 days
  • Only $5 per month after free trial
  • SIPC insured

Tastytrade Advanced Tools


  • Min. deposit: $0
  • Stock trade fee: $0
  • Sign up bonus: Get $100-$5,000 when you open an account with $5,000 to $1,000,000+

Public.com Premium


  • Earn 5% on your cash when you buy Treasury Bills
  • Buy fractional shares for as little as $1
  • Get free stocks worth up to $300 when you sign up and deposit min. $20

How to invest in app stocks

  1. Choose an online stock trading platform. Choose from our Top Picks above, use our comparison table below or jump straight to the best stock trading apps of 2023.
  2. Sign up for an account. Provide your personal information and sign up.
  3. Set up a funding method to pay for the transaction. Deposit funds into your account by linking your banking information.
  4. Choose the stocks you want to buy. Search for the stock by name or ticker symbol like ZNGA or SNAP.
  5. Place your order. Buy the stock. It's that simple.

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.

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

Back to top


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

Back to top


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

Back to top


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

Back to top


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

Back to top


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

Back to top


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

Back to top


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

Back to top


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

Back to top

Compare more stock trading platforms to invest in app stocks

Compare online trading platforms by fees, asset types and bonuses to find the best for your investment in app stocks.
1 - 6 of 6
Name Product Available asset types Signup bonus
SoFi Invest
Finder Rating: 4.6 / 5: ★★★★★
SoFi Invest
Stocks, Options, ETFs, Cryptocurrency
Get up to $1,000 in stock
when you fund a new account within 30 days.
tastytrade
Finder Rating: 4.75 / 5: ★★★★★
tastytrade
Stocks, Options, ETFs, Cryptocurrency, Futures
Get $100 - $5,000
when you you open and fund an account with $5,000 to $100,000+
Highly commended for Best Derivatives Trading Platform award.
eToro
Finder Rating: 4.2 / 5: ★★★★★
EXCLUSIVE
eToro
Stocks, Options, ETFs, Cryptocurrency
FINDER EXCLUSIVE: Get a guaranteed $25 bonus
when you sign up and deposit $100
Not available in NY, NV, MN, TN, and HI.
Public.com
Finder Rating: 4 / 5: ★★★★★
Public.com
Stocks, ETFs, Cryptocurrency, Art, Treasury Bills, Collectibles
Get up to $300 in either stocks or crypto
when you use code FINDERUS to sign up and fund a new account.
2.5% fee applies to all alternative asset transactions.
Robinhood
Finder Rating: 4.2 / 5: ★★★★★
Robinhood
Stocks, Options, ETFs, Cryptocurrency
Get a free stock
when you successfully sign up and link your bank account.
Make unlimited commission-free trades, plus earn 5% interest on uninvested cash in your account with Robinhood Gold. Subscription fees apply.
Wealthfront
Finder Rating: 4 / 5: ★★★★★
Wealthfront
Stocks, ETFs
Get a $50 bonus
when you fund your first taxable Automated Investing Account.
Automated stock and bond ETF investing with the ability to trade individual stocks for as little as $1 apiece.
loading

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.

Paid non-client promotion. Finder does not invest money with providers on this page. If a brand is a referral partner, we're paid when you click or tap through to, open an account with or provide your contact information to the provider. Partnerships are not a recommendation for you to invest with any one company. Learn more about how we make money.

Finder is not an adviser or brokerage service. Information on this page is for educational purposes only and not a recommendation to invest with any one company, trade specific stocks or fund specific investments. All editorial opinions are our own.

More guides on Finder

Ask an Expert

Finder.com provides guides and information on a range of products and services. Because our content is not financial advice, we suggest talking with a professional before you make any decision.

By submitting your comment or question, you agree to our Privacy and Cookies Policy and finder.com Terms of Use.

Questions and responses on finder.com are not provided, paid for or otherwise endorsed by any bank or brand. These banks and brands are not responsible for ensuring that comments are answered or accurate.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Go to site