Computed head-to-head · 6 dimensions
AAPL vs IBM
Apple Inc. versus International Business Machines Corporation — yield, safety, growth trend, cost, scale, and tax treatment.
IBM wins 3–1 on our six-dimension comparison, but AAPL can still be the better fit depending on your priorities — see each dimension below.
AAPL or IBM — which is better?
IBM wins this comparison 3–1 across 6 dimensions. IBM yields 2.84% — higher than AAPL's 0.31% — and carries a 9.0/10 dividend safety score (Strong) vs 8.8/10 for AAPL (Strong). IBM wins 3–1 on our six-dimension comparison, but AAPL can still be the better fit depending on your priorities — see each dimension below.
On yield alone, IBM generates 2.84% vs 0.31% — a 2.53% difference that translates to $2,530 more per year on a $100,000 investment.
Scorecard at a glance
| Dimension | AAPL | IBM | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yield | 0.31% | 2.84% | IBM wins |
| Dividend safety | 8.8/10 | 9.0/10 | Tie |
| Growth trend | -0.16% vs 5y | -0.98% vs 5y | IBM wins |
| Volatility (beta) | 1.07 | 0.71 | IBM wins |
| Scale | $5.1T | $216.3B | AAPL wins |
| Tax efficiency | Qualified-eligible | Qualified-eligible | Tie |
| Overall | 1 wins | 3 wins | IBM wins |
Dimension by dimension
IBM wins on yield (2.84% vs 0.31%)
On a $10,000 investment that's about $253 more in annual dividend income before taxes — though higher yield often comes with higher risk.
IBM's higher yield (2.84%) 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.
Safety scores are too close to call (8.8/10 vs 9.0/10)
Both score within 0.3 points on our 0-10 dividend safety scale — comparable risk profiles on the signals we measure.
IBM shows healthier dividend-vs-price trend
IBM's yield is 0.98% below its 5y average, versus 0.16% for AAPL. Lower (or below-average) yield trend often means price appreciation outpaced distributions — a healthier signal.
IBM is less volatile (beta 0.71 vs 1.07)
Lower beta means smaller swings vs the S&P 500 — generally a steadier hold for income investors.
AAPL is 23.4× 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 IBM 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 IBM — which is better?
IBM is better on our scoring, winning 3–1 across six dimensions: yield, dividend safety, growth, cost, scale, and tax treatment. IBM wins 3–1 on our six-dimension comparison, but AAPL can still be the better fit depending on your priorities — see each dimension below.
Which is better for income, AAPL or IBM?
IBM wins 3–1 on our six-dimension comparison, but AAPL can still be the better fit depending on your priorities — see each dimension below.
AAPL vs IBM: which has a higher dividend yield?
AAPL yields 0.31% and IBM yields 2.84%. On a $10,000 investment that's about $253 more in annual dividend income before taxes — though higher yield often comes with higher risk.
Is AAPL or IBM a safer dividend in 2026?
AAPL scores 8.8/10 (Strong) on the Infnits dividend safety scale. IBM scores 9.0/10 (Strong). IBM is the safer pick on our scoring model.
Which has better dividend growth, AAPL or IBM?
IBM's yield is 0.98% 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 IBM: 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 IBM 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 IBM diversifies you or just duplicates what you hold. No account, no download.