SNOW vs. DDOG: Which Cloud Stock Deserves a Spot in Your Portfolio?

Core Viewpoint - Snowflake (SNOW) and Datadog (DDOG) are significant players in the cloud computing sector, focusing on data analytics and observability solutions, respectively [1][2]. Industry Overview - The global cloud computing market was valued at $752.44 billion in 2024 and is projected to grow at a CAGR of 20.4% from 2025 to 2030, presenting substantial growth opportunities for both SNOW and DDOG [2]. Snowflake (SNOW) Analysis - SNOW has a net revenue retention rate of 126% as of January 31, 2025, indicating strong platform adoption and usage [3]. - The number of customers generating over $1 million in revenue increased from 455 to 580 between January 31, 2024, and January 31, 2025 [3]. - SNOW's customer base grew from 9,384 to 11,159 in the same period, with 745 customers from the Forbes Global 2000 contributing to 45% of its fiscal 2025 revenues of $3.6 billion, a 29% increase from fiscal 2024 [4]. - In April 2025, SNOW enhanced its AI Data Cloud by integrating capabilities with Apache Iceberg tables, improving query performance and data sharing [5]. - SNOW expanded its AI Data Cloud with automotive-specific solutions in May 2025, driving digital transformation and AI innovation [6]. Datadog (DDOG) Analysis - DDOG reported 3,770 customers with an annual run rate (ARR) of $100,000 or more in Q1 2025, up from approximately 3,340 in the previous year, accounting for 88% of total ARR [7]. - New products like Flex Logs and Database Monitoring quickly achieved $50 million in ARR in Q1 2025, indicating strong demand for advanced log management [8]. - DDOG's acquisitions, including Eppo and Metaplane, are enhancing its product offerings and capabilities in observability and data quality [9][10]. Performance Comparison - Year-to-date, SNOW shares have increased by 18.2%, while DDOG shares have decreased by 17.6%, attributed to macroeconomic challenges and rising expenses for DDOG [11]. - Both companies are currently considered overvalued, with SNOW trading at a forward Price/Sales ratio of 12.71X compared to DDOG's 11.89X [14]. Earnings Estimates - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for SNOW's fiscal 2026 earnings is $1.15 per share, reflecting a 38.55% year-over-year increase [16]. - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for DDOG's 2025 earnings is $1.69 per share, indicating a 7.14% year-over-year decrease [16]. Conclusion - Both SNOW and DDOG present strong growth prospects in the cloud market, but SNOW's robust portfolio and client base make it more attractive for long-term investors, while DDOG faces margin pressures and slower earnings growth [17].