Apple and Microsoft both are well-known tech companies and have served nations from day one of their existence. Apple was established by Steve Jobs, Steve Wozniak, and Ronald Wayne on 1st April 1976 in Los Altos, California, United States.
On the other hand, Microsoft was founded by Paul Allen and Bill Gates on 4th April 1975, in Albuquerque, New Mexico, United States. Both are tech giants of the United States. Initially, there is no such rivalry between both companies, apple is known for tech products, and Microsoft excels in creating software for PCs or other tech products. In 90’s both companies started overlapping with each other’s work, and this created a cultural war on both sides which highlights the question, are Apple and Microsoft competitors?
Here are significant features of both companies that make competitors
Product Overview of Both Companies
Microsoft Corporation
Microsoft works great in creating software and cloud services. The company offers its expertise in the Windows operating system, an office suite (Word, PowerPoint, Excel, etc), and cloud services like Office 365 and Azure. Microsoft has a wide range of services in the IT field. It has a wide range of powerful operational software for business industries.
Apple Company
On the other hand, Apple is a well-known company that works in consumer tech and hardware. This company is famous for its innovative and moderately designed products. The company emphasizes creating unique hardware and eco-system software that is well-integrated. The main products of this company are the Apple Watch, iPhone, iPad, and Mac computers. Apple is a leading technological company that provides excellent experiences to its consumers through its powerful devices.
The Market Value of Both Tech Giants
The demand for Apple products is very high among consumers. Its products are known as valuable and efficient in their design and security. Consumers also find its products user-friendly. Apple has a strong connection with its consumers and has over 500 stores worldwide.
However, its number has been affected during the COVID-19 pandemic as people are shifting to digital-only models, but Apple stayed consistent and regained its position in the hardware market. The company ensures that their consumers get the smoothest and best experience through their products. The ecosystem approach of Apple ensures that its hardware, software, and other services work together in a better way for its consumers. Thus, Apple attracts more loyal customers through its competitive designs.
Microsoft is a leading and dominant company with its Windows Operating System. It also has a 73% market share in desktop operating systems globally. Its office suite is used in almost every PC for both personal and professional use. Also, Microsoft offers cloud services to its users, such as Azure. The company’s cloud services are competing with Amazon Web Services (AWS) and the Google Cloud platform right now.
Financial growth performance
Apple’s financial growth is super impressive, as its revenue has grown day by day with the immense sales of its iPhones and other Apple devices. The company’s return on equity (ROE) is impressively high.
On the other hand, Microsoft is also financially strong and growing impressively. The major source of its revenue is the company’s massive sales of software. The company has also successfully shifted to subscription-based services under the guidance of CEO Satya Nadella, which is also a major reason for its higher gross.
Major Competitive Fields of Both Companies
Are Apple and Microsoft competitors of each other? If yes, then in which ways? Both are considered the biggest tech giants in the US and have massive fan followings with the best selling rates.
Both companies are competing with each other in various ways. This competition may not be as clear and as direct as we think, but there is some major rivalry among both companies. Let’s discuss these competitive areas.
Smartphones and Tablets
Apple’s iPhone and iPad are competing with Microsoft’s Surface tablets. Furthermore, there are Microsoft’s partner companies in the smartphone market that can give tough competition to Apple products.
Windows Operating System
- It is a comparison between macOS and Windows. Windows is dominating the desktop market.
- MacOS is used by creative professionals and power users.
Software
- Microsoft is leading in the battle of software. A wide range of people is using Microsoft’s suite globally as compared to Apple’s productivity software.
- Apple’s software is not as widely used as Microsoft suite.
Cloud Services
- Apple emphasizes consumer cloud services.
- Microsoft’s Azure competes with Apple’s iCloud and other cloud services.
Xbox vs Apple Arcade
Both companies are also competing with each other in the gaming field.
- Apple Arcade is a subscription-based gaming service that is designed for Apple devices. Also focuses on mobile and tablet gaming with support for Apple TV and Macs.
- However, Xbox is a console gaming with online multiplayer and also supports PC gaming through the Xbox app.
Also Read: Huawei Harmony OS vs Android An Announcement of Separation
The major difference and reason for their rivalry is that Microsoft makes smartphones even more affordable as compared to Apple. Both companies upgraded their gadgets and products over time, but Apple products are much more expensive as compared to Microsoft. However, Apple smartphones offer more security than other companies.
Both companies have mocked each other on social media several times, which shifted this rivalry among fans as well. Now, people are divided into groups and communities from both sides. On every product launch, social media is overflowed with taunts and jokes they make about each other.
These rivalries and all those mocking scenarios create a different sense of curiosity among people and also stay up-to-date with all new products. Here is a picture of fans commenting on each other in favor of these companies.
Image source. Reditt
Final Thoughts
It is difficult to answer this question, “Are Apple and Microsoft competitors?” because both companies are well-established and well-known companies and are equally liked by consumers. Both companies have their consumers according to their preferences. Apple excels in hardware and consumer technology, while Microsoft is the leading company in creating software and Microsoft suites. Both companies are leading in their services and continue to provide their best services to consumers. The competition between both companies causes new innovative projects.
