DOCU vs DUOL: Which Software Growth Stock is the Better Buy?

Core Insights - Duolingo (DUOL) and DocuSign (DOCU) are both technology-driven companies utilizing software-as-a-service (SaaS) models with subscription-based revenue streams [1][2] - Duolingo leads in the ed-tech and language-learning sector, while DocuSign excels in digital agreements and workflow automation [1][2] Duolingo (DUOL) - Duolingo is leveraging artificial intelligence and proprietary learner data to create a competitive advantage, embedding AI into its product roadmap [3] - The company raised its full-year outlook due to lower-than-expected AI-related expenses, resulting in a gross margin increase of 130 basis points to 72.4% [4] - Duolingo launched 148 new language courses in April, showcasing its ability to rapidly expand content, which enhances user engagement and brand trust [4] - The company is diversifying its revenue model beyond language learning subscriptions, achieving a 6% year-over-year increase in subscription average revenue per user (ARPU) [5] - The successful launch of new subjects like Chess and Music indicates the scalability of Duolingo's teaching model, which also improves user retention [6] - Financial guidance for FY 2025 projects revenues between $1.011 billion and $1.019 billion, with an expected adjusted EBITDA margin of 29% [7] DocuSign (DOCU) - DocuSign is enhancing its Intelligent Agreement Management (IAM) platform, integrating with major enterprises like Microsoft and Salesforce to optimize agreement workflows [8][10] - The company reported $801 million in Q2 revenues, a 9% year-over-year increase, with $784 million coming from subscriptions, indicating strong SaaS stability [12] - Net revenue retention improved to 101%, suggesting increased customer spending, while billings grew by 13% [12] - DocuSign generated $218 million in free cash flow in Q2, translating to a 27% margin, and has expanded its buyback authorization [13] - The IAM platform positions DocuSign as a comprehensive digital agreement hub, enhancing customer reliance and improving retention [11] Valuation and Investment Case - DocuSign is seen as a more attractive investment with a forward 12-month P/E of 18X compared to Duolingo's 72.7X, indicating potential undervaluation [21] - DOCU is rated as a Strong Buy, while DUOL holds a Buy rating, reflecting DOCU's superior valuation, profitability, and enterprise integrations [22][23]