Computed head-to-head · 6 dimensions
AAPL vs CSCO
Apple Inc. versus Cisco Systems, Inc. — yield, safety, growth trend, cost, scale, and tax treatment.
AAPL and CSCO are evenly matched (2–2 across six dimensions) — the right pick comes down to which dimension you weight most.
AAPL or CSCO — which is better?
Neither AAPL nor CSCO wins outright — the two are nearly equivalent across all 6 dimensions, making the choice largely a matter of which account you hold them in and personal preference on yield vs stability. AAPL and CSCO are evenly matched (2–2 across six dimensions) — the right pick comes down to which dimension you weight most.
On yield alone, CSCO generates 1.45% vs 0.31% — a 1.14% difference that translates to $1,140 more per year on a $100,000 investment. On dividend safety, AAPL scores 8.8/10 (Strong) vs 8.3/10 (Strong) for CSCO — investors prioritizing income reliability should weight that gap alongside the yield difference.
Scorecard at a glance
| Dimension | AAPL | CSCO | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yield | 0.31% | 1.45% | CSCO wins |
| Dividend safety | 8.8/10 | 8.3/10 | AAPL wins |
| Growth trend | -0.16% vs 5y | -1.34% vs 5y | CSCO wins |
| Volatility (beta) | 1.07 | 1.01 | Tie |
| Scale | $5.0T | $457.2B | AAPL wins |
| Tax efficiency | Qualified-eligible | Qualified-eligible | Tie |
| Overall | 2 wins | 2 wins | Tie |
Dimension by dimension
CSCO wins on yield (1.45% vs 0.31%)
On a $10,000 investment that's about $114 more in annual dividend income before taxes — though higher yield often comes with higher risk.
CSCO's higher yield (1.45%) looks attractive but investors should weigh whether the extra income compensates for any additional risk versus AAPL's 0.31% — especially if the higher yield is driven by covered calls or a falling share price.
AAPL wins on safety (8.8/10 vs 8.3/10)
Our score combines yield zone, payout ratio, trend vs 5-year average, instrument type, and size. AAPL scores better on the weighted average of those factors.
AAPL (8.8/10) scores 0.5 points higher than CSCO (8.3/10). A higher safety score means lower historical indicators of dividend cut risk — payout ratio, yield zone, and trend all factor in.
CSCO shows healthier dividend-vs-price trend
CSCO's yield is 1.34% below its 5y average, versus 0.16% for AAPL. Lower (or below-average) yield trend often means price appreciation outpaced distributions — a healthier signal.
Volatility (beta) is similar
Both tickers move with comparable sensitivity to the broader market.
AAPL is 11.0× larger by market cap
Larger companies tend to have tighter spreads, deeper liquidity, and lower closure risk.
Both pay qualified-dividend-eligible distributions
Neither is structurally flagged for ordinary-income tax treatment. Most distributions should qualify for the lower long-term capital gains rate if holding-period requirements are met.
Full breakdown per ticker: are AAPL dividends qualified and are CSCO dividends qualified — each with the after-tax income at every federal bracket.
How we compare these
Every comparison on this page is computed from current public data, not written by hand. Yield comes from the most recent dividend distribution annualized over current price. Safety scores combine yield zone, payout ratio, trend vs 5-year average, instrument type, and size — see our methodology for the exact formula. Tax-efficiency flags identify covered-call ETFs, REITs, and mREITs which distribute primarily as ordinary income.
This is educational, not investment advice. Scores reflect a snapshot of public data on the "as of" dates shown on each ticker's safety page. Verify on the issuer's investor relations page or your brokerage before making decisions.
Frequently asked
AAPL or CSCO — which is better?
Neither — AAPL and CSCO tie 2–2 across the six dimensions we score. AAPL and CSCO are evenly matched (2–2 across six dimensions) — the right pick comes down to which dimension you weight most.
Which is better for income, AAPL or CSCO?
AAPL and CSCO are evenly matched (2–2 across six dimensions) — the right pick comes down to which dimension you weight most.
AAPL vs CSCO: which has a higher dividend yield?
AAPL yields 0.31% and CSCO yields 1.45%. On a $10,000 investment that's about $114 more in annual dividend income before taxes — though higher yield often comes with higher risk.
Is AAPL or CSCO a safer dividend in 2026?
AAPL scores 8.8/10 (Strong) on the Infnits dividend safety scale. CSCO scores 8.3/10 (Strong). AAPL is the safer pick on our scoring model.
Which has better dividend growth, AAPL or CSCO?
CSCO's yield is 1.34% below its 5y average, versus 0.16% for AAPL. Lower (or below-average) yield trend often means price appreciation outpaced distributions — a healthier signal.
AAPL vs CSCO: which is more tax-efficient?
Neither is structurally flagged for ordinary-income tax treatment. Most distributions should qualify for the lower long-term capital gains rate if holding-period requirements are met.
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Compare both against your actual holdings
Put AAPL and CSCO into the free analyzer with the rest of your portfolio. You'll see what each one contributes to your annual income, your weighted safety score, and whether adding either diversifies you or just duplicates what you hold. No account, no download.