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CRWD vs ZS
Which Stock Would AI Choose? CrowdStrike Holdings (CRWD) vs. Zscaler (ZS) Stock Comparison
Key Takeaways
- CRWD has been the stronger performer in 2026, more than doubling year to date on accelerating demand for AI-native cybersecurity, while ZS has been roughly flat amid concerns about slowing growth.
- Tickeron AI Verdict: Based on trend consistency, stability, and catalyst momentum, Tickeron's AI currently favors CRWD over ZS.
- The two companies compete in cybersecurity but with distinct models: CrowdStrike leads in endpoint and extended platform security, while Zscaler anchors its business in cloud-native Zero Trust and SASE (Secure Access Service Edge) architecture.
- Analyst sentiment skews more bullish for CRWD, while ZS faces a more mixed outlook after guiding for revenue growth deceleration.
- ZS trades at a lower valuation multiple, but that discount is paired with slower projected growth and elevated capital spending.
- Explore deeper context through CRWD Major News and CRWD Today's Price Move, as well as ZS Major News and ZS Today's Price Move, to track the latest developments for each ticker.
- For an automated perspective on market positioning, explore Trending AI Robots.
Introduction
CrowdStrike Holdings (CRWD) and Zscaler (ZS) are two of the most closely watched names in the cybersecurity software sector. Both companies are positioned around the same structural theme — rising spending on security as artificial intelligence (AI) expands the attack surface — yet they have delivered markedly different relative performance over the past year. This stock comparison is relevant for growth-oriented investors and traders evaluating how two leaders in adjacent security categories differ in business model, momentum, and risk profile. Because their trajectories have diverged sharply in 2026, a side-by-side review of recent market activity, catalysts, and market positioning can help clarify which name currently exhibits the more favorable setup.
CRWD Overview and Recent Performance
CrowdStrike Holdings operates a cloud-delivered security platform, the Falcon platform, that spans endpoint protection, identity security, cloud security, and extended detection and response (XDR — a unified view of threats across a network). The company has been among the strongest performers in the cybersecurity sector in recent weeks, with its stock more than doubling year to date in 2026. Sentiment has been lifted by a series of AI-focused announcements, including the launch of an "AI kill switch" that lets organizations halt misbehaving AI agents, and agreements to acquire two AI security startups, Fiddler AI and Dreadnode, for roughly $495 million combined. Recent market activity has also featured expanded partnerships with Nvidia, CoreWeave, and Deloitte, reinforcing CrowdStrike's positioning in AI-driven security. Analysts have responded constructively, with Deutsche Bank upgrading the stock and citing a larger-than-expected total addressable market, and a broad consensus rating of Strong Buy.
ZS Overview and Recent Performance
Zscaler is a cloud security provider built around a "Zero Trust" model, which assumes no user or device is inherently trustworthy and verifies every access request. Its core offering, the Zero Trust Exchange, delivers SASE (Secure Access Service Edge — security and networking delivered together from the cloud) across users, workloads, and branch locations. Zscaler's recent performance has been more volatile. The company posted solid quarterly results in recent months, with revenue up roughly 25% year over year, but its stock was hit hard when management guided for revenue and annual recurring revenue (ARR — the value of recurring subscription contracts) growth to decelerate to roughly 16–17% the following fiscal year. That guidance shortfall, combined with elevated capital spending on AI capabilities and reported leadership changes, has kept sentiment mixed. Zscaler's shares have since rebounded sharply over a three-month stretch, but the stock remains roughly flat for the year, trailing many cybersecurity peers.
Trending AI Robots
Tickeron's Trending AI Robots page highlights a curated selection of the platform's automated trading strategies. Tickeron operates hundreds of AI Trading Bots that monitor thousands of different tickers, but only the bots best suited to current market conditions earn a place in this featured section. These bots vary widely in trading style, strategy, time horizon, performance statistics, and the specific tickers they trade, which allows users to review a range of approaches rather than a single methodology. By focusing on strategies that are currently performing well or that align with prevailing market conditions, the page offers a practical starting point for traders interested in systematic, rules-based approaches. Readers comparing names like CRWD and ZS may find it useful to explore Trending AI Robots to see which automated strategies are currently active in the cybersecurity space.
Head-to-Head Comparison
Although both companies sell security software, their business models differ in meaningful ways. CrowdStrike is fundamentally a platform consolidator, monetizing a broad suite of modules through its Falcon subscription and extending into AI agent security through acquisitions. Zscaler is more narrowly anchored to Zero Trust network architecture, where it is a category leader but faces competition from larger platform vendors. This contrast shows up in growth and valuation. CrowdStrike is growing revenue in the mid-20% range with accelerating momentum and carries a premium valuation, while Zscaler is guiding toward high-teens growth with a lower price-to-sales multiple and thinner near-term profitability. Risk profiles also diverge: CrowdStrike's elevated valuation leaves less room for error, whereas Zscaler faces execution risk around sales leadership, decelerating net new ARR, and rising capital expenditure. In terms of market sentiment, CrowdStrike has enjoyed consistent analyst upgrades and clear AI-related catalysts, while Zscaler has experienced sharper, more sentiment-driven swings.
Tickeron AI Verdict
Weighing trend consistency, relative stability, and the strength of recent catalysts, Tickeron's AI currently leans toward CRWD as the favored ticker in this comparison. The model places weight on CrowdStrike's more durable upward trajectory, broader platform momentum, and a steadier flow of positive AI-related developments, contrasted with Zscaler's higher volatility and lingering concerns about growth deceleration. This is a probabilistic assessment rather than a definitive forecast: ZS retains a compelling long-term position in Zero Trust security and a comparatively lower valuation, which could support a re-rating if growth stabilizes. Nonetheless, based on currently observable factors, the AI-driven framework gives the edge to CRWD.
Disclaimer
The information on this webpage is provided for general informational and educational purposes only and is not intended as investment advice, a recommendation to purchase or sell any security, or an offer or solicitation related to investments. It does not consider your personal financial situation, goals, or risk profile, and all investing carries inherent risks, including the possibility of losing your entire investment. For more details, please review our full disclaimer.
Both ZS and CRWD stand to benefit from increased demand in the cybersecurity and cloud computing space, due to major ransomware attacks that made headlines during the pandemic. CRWD and ZS have both emerged as major players, winning large contracts and making large acquisitions. CRWD is more focused on security and threat mitigation, recently launching Falcon+, which is a global network of trained experts monitoring all aspects of the web and dark web for suspicious signs of nefarious activity that might threaten their clientele. For a less zealous approach, CRWD offers AI-based threat protection for individuals and companies. ZS, as its name implies, is slightly more focused on providing analytics to aid clients of their cloud-based solutions whose companies are scaling up their network. As they grow into the cloud, the analytic tools are designed to not only protect companies from security threats but also to make informed decisions about the effects of changes, such as an increasingly remote workforce.
CRWD in downward trend: price dove below 50-day moving average on November 04, 2026
CRWD moved below its 50-day moving average on November 04, 2026 date and that indicates a change from an upward trend to a downward trend. In 28 of 33 similar past instances, the stock price decreased further within the following month. The odds of a continued downward trend are 85%.
Technical Analysis (Indicators)
Bearish Trend Analysis
The Momentum Indicator moved below the 0 level on November 05, 2026. You may want to consider selling the stock, shorting the stock, or exploring put options on CRWD as a result. In 56 of 89 cases where the Momentum Indicator fell below 0, the stock fell further within the subsequent month. The odds of a continued downward trend are 63%.
The Moving Average Convergence Divergence Histogram (MACD) for CRWD turned negative on November 02, 2026. This could be a sign that the stock is set to turn lower in the coming weeks. Traders may want to sell the stock or buy put options. Tickeron's A.I.dvisor looked at 48 similar instances when the indicator turned negative. In 34 of the 48 cases the stock turned lower in the days that followed. This puts the odds of success at 71%.
Following a 3-day decline, the stock is projected to fall further. Considering past instances where CRWD declined for three days, the price rose further in 50 of 62 cases within the following month. The odds of a continued downward trend are 72%.
Bullish Trend Analysis
The RSI Indicator entered the oversold zone -- be on the watch for CRWD's price rising or consolidating in the future. That's also the time to consider buying the stock or exploring call options.
The Stochastic Oscillator is in the oversold zone. Keep an eye out for a move up in the foreseeable future.
Following a +4.06% 3-day Advance, the price is estimated to grow further. Considering data from situations where CRWD advanced for three days, in 287 of 350 cases, the price rose further within the following month. The odds of a continued upward trend are 82%.
CRWD may jump back above the lower band and head toward the middle band. Traders may consider buying the stock or exploring call options.
The Aroon Indicator entered an Uptrend today. In 249 of 317 cases where CRWD Aroon's Indicator entered an Uptrend, the price rose further within the following month. The odds of a continued Uptrend are 79%.
Fundamental Analysis (Ratings)
The Tickeron PE Growth Rating for this company is 3 (best 1 - 100 worst), pointing to outstanding earnings growth. The PE Growth rating is based on a comparative analysis of stock PE ratio increase over the last 12 months compared against S&P 500 index constituents.
The Tickeron Profit vs. Risk Rating rating for this company is 11 (best 1 - 100 worst), indicating low risk on high returns. The average Profit vs. Risk Rating rating for the industry is 92, placing this stock better than average.
The Tickeron Price Growth Rating for this company is 37 (best 1 - 100 worst), indicating steady price growth. CRWD’s price grows at a higher rate over the last 12 months as compared to S&P 500 index constituents.
The Tickeron SMR rating for this company is 89 (best 1 - 100 worst), indicating weak sales and an unprofitable business model. SMR (Sales, Margin, Return on Equity) rating is based on comparative analysis of weighted Sales, Income Margin and Return on Equity values compared against S&P 500 index constituents. The weighted SMR value is a proprietary formula developed by Tickeron and represents an overall profitability measure for a stock.
The Tickeron Valuation Rating of 100 (best 1 - 100 worst) indicates that the company is significantly overvalued in the industry. This rating compares market capitalization estimated by our proprietary formula with the current market capitalization. This rating is based on the following metrics, as compared to industry averages: P/B Ratio (43.593) is normal, around the industry mean (16.722). CRWD's P/E Ratio (5792.000) is considerably higher than the industry average of (53.333). Projected Growth (PEG Ratio) (8.296) is also within normal values, averaging (3.648). Dividend Yield (0.000) settles around the average of (0.371) among similar stocks. P/S Ratio (45.662) is also within normal values, averaging (103.889).
ZS in -9.42% downward trend, sliding for three consecutive days on November 05, 2026
Moving lower for three straight days is viewed as a bearish sign. Keep an eye on this stock for future declines. Considering data from situations where ZS declined for three days, in 224 of 279 cases, the price declined further within the following month. The odds of a continued downward trend are 80%.
Technical Analysis (Indicators)
Bearish Trend Analysis
The 10-day RSI Indicator for ZS moved out of overbought territory on October 29, 2026. This could be a bearish sign for the stock. Traders may want to consider selling the stock or buying put options. Tickeron's A.I.dvisor looked at 36 similar instances where the indicator moved out of overbought territory. In 28 of the 36 cases, the stock moved lower in the following days. This puts the odds of a move lower at 78%.
The Momentum Indicator moved below the 0 level on November 04, 2026. You may want to consider selling the stock, shorting the stock, or exploring put options on ZS as a result. In 60 of 81 cases where the Momentum Indicator fell below 0, the stock fell further within the subsequent month. The odds of a continued downward trend are 74%.
The Moving Average Convergence Divergence Histogram (MACD) for ZS turned negative on November 02, 2026. This could be a sign that the stock is set to turn lower in the coming weeks. Traders may want to sell the stock or buy put options. Tickeron's A.I.dvisor looked at 46 similar instances when the indicator turned negative. In 34 of the 46 cases the stock turned lower in the days that followed. This puts the odds of success at 74%.
ZS moved below its 50-day moving average on November 05, 2026 date and that indicates a change from an upward trend to a downward trend.
ZS broke above its upper Bollinger Band on October 23, 2026. This could be a sign that the stock is set to drop as the stock moves back below the upper band and toward the middle band. You may want to consider selling the stock or exploring put options.
Bullish Trend Analysis
The Stochastic Oscillator demonstrated that the ticker has stayed in the oversold zone for 1 day, which means it's wise to expect a price bounce in the near future.
Following a +9.54% 3-day Advance, the price is estimated to grow further. Considering data from situations where ZS advanced for three days, in 260 of 345 cases, the price rose further within the following month. The odds of a continued upward trend are 75%.
The Aroon Indicator entered an Uptrend today. In 182 of 230 cases where ZS Aroon's Indicator entered an Uptrend, the price rose further within the following month. The odds of a continued Uptrend are 79%.
Fundamental Analysis (Ratings)
The Tickeron Valuation Rating of 2 (best 1 - 100 worst) indicates that the company is seriously undervalued in the industry. This rating compares market capitalization estimated by our proprietary formula with the current market capitalization. This rating is based on the following metrics, as compared to industry averages: P/B Ratio (12.795) is normal, around the industry mean (16.722). ZS has a moderately low P/E Ratio (-522.769) as compared to the industry average of (53.333). Projected Growth (PEG Ratio) (2.043) is also within normal values, averaging (3.648). Dividend Yield (0.000) settles around the average of (0.371) among similar stocks. P/S Ratio (9.158) is also within normal values, averaging (103.889).
The Tickeron Price Growth Rating for this company is 39 (best 1 - 100 worst), indicating steady price growth. ZS’s price grows at a higher rate over the last 12 months as compared to S&P 500 index constituents.
The Tickeron SMR rating for this company is 92 (best 1 - 100 worst), indicating weak sales and an unprofitable business model. SMR (Sales, Margin, Return on Equity) rating is based on comparative analysis of weighted Sales, Income Margin and Return on Equity values compared against S&P 500 index constituents. The weighted SMR value is a proprietary formula developed by Tickeron and represents an overall profitability measure for a stock.
The Tickeron PE Growth Rating for this company is 95 (best 1 - 100 worst), pointing to worse than average earnings growth. The PE Growth rating is based on a comparative analysis of stock PE ratio increase over the last 12 months compared against S&P 500 index constituents.
The Tickeron Profit vs. Risk Rating rating for this company is 100 (best 1 - 100 worst), indicating that the returns do not compensate for the risks. ZS’s unstable profits reported over time resulted in significant Drawdowns within these last five years. A stable profit reduces stock drawdown and volatility. The average Profit vs. Risk Rating rating for the industry is 92, placing this stock worse than average.
CRWD | ZS | ||
|---|---|---|---|
OUTLOOK RATING 1..100 | 57 | 87 | |
VALUATION overvalued / fair valued / undervalued 1..100 | 100 Overvalued | 2 Undervalued | |
PROFIT vs RISK RATING 1..100 | 11 | 100 | |
SMR RATING 1..100 | 89 | 92 | |
PRICE GROWTH RATING 1..100 | 37 | 39 | |
P/E GROWTH RATING 1..100 | 3 | 95 | |
SEASONALITY SCORE 1..100 | n/a | n/a |
Tickeron ratings are formulated such that a rating of 1 designates the most successful stocks in a given industry, while a rating of 100 points to the least successful stocks for that industry.
ZS's Valuation (2) in the Packaged Software industry is significantly better than the same rating for CRWD (100) in the null industry. This means that ZS’s stock grew significantly faster than CRWD’s over the last 12 months.
CRWD's Profit vs Risk Rating (11) in the null industry is significantly better than the same rating for ZS (100) in the Packaged Software industry. This means that CRWD’s stock grew significantly faster than ZS’s over the last 12 months.
CRWD's SMR Rating (89) in the null industry is in the same range as ZS (92) in the Packaged Software industry. This means that CRWD’s stock grew similarly to ZS’s over the last 12 months.
CRWD's Price Growth Rating (37) in the null industry is in the same range as ZS (39) in the Packaged Software industry. This means that CRWD’s stock grew similarly to ZS’s over the last 12 months.
CRWD's P/E Growth Rating (3) in the null industry is significantly better than the same rating for ZS (95) in the Packaged Software industry. This means that CRWD’s stock grew significantly faster than ZS’s over the last 12 months.
| CRWD | ZS | |
|---|---|---|
| RSI ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 80% | 1 day ago 78% |
| Stochastic ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 81% | 1 day ago 80% |
| Momentum ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 63% | 1 day ago 74% |
| MACD ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 71% | 1 day ago 74% |
| TrendWeek ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 72% | 1 day ago 78% |
| TrendMonth ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 77% | 1 day ago 80% |
| Advances ODDS (%) | 11 days ago 82% | 12 days ago 75% |
| Declines ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 72% | 1 day ago 80% |
| BollingerBands ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 80% | 1 day ago 80% |
| Aroon ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 79% | 1 day ago 79% |
Long-Term Analysis
It is best to consider a long-term outlook for a ticker by using Fundamental Analysis (FA) ratings. The rating of 1 to 100, where 1 is best and 100 is worst, is divided into thirds. The first third (a green rating of 1-33) indicates that the ticker is undervalued; the second third (a grey number between 34 and 66) means that the ticker is valued fairly; and the last third (red number of 67 to 100) reflects that the ticker is overvalued. We use an FA Score to show how many ratings show the ticker to be undervalued (green) or overvalued (red).
CRWD’s FA Score shows that 2 FA rating(s) are green while ZS’s FA Score has 1 green FA rating(s).
- CRWD’s FA Score: 2 green, 3 red.
- ZS’s FA Score: 1 green, 4 red.
Short-Term Analysis
It is best to consider a short-term outlook for a ticker by using Technical Analysis (TA) indicators. We use Odds of Success as the percentage of outcomes which confirm successful trade signals in the past.
If the Odds of Success (the likelihood of the continuation of a trend) for each indicator are greater than 50%, then the generated signal is confirmed. A green percentage from 90% to 51% indicates that the ticker is in a bullish trend. A red percentage from 90% - 51% indicates that the ticker is in a bearish trend. All grey percentages are below 50% and are considered not to confirm the trend signal.
CRWD’s TA Score shows that 5 TA indicator(s) are bullish while ZS’s TA Score has 3 bullish TA indicator(s).
- CRWD’s TA Score: 5 bullish, 4 bearish.
- ZS’s TA Score: 3 bullish, 6 bearish.
Price Growth
CRWD (@Computer Communications) experienced а -16.83% price change this week, while ZS (@Computer Communications) price change was -17.73% for the same time period.
The average weekly price growth across all stocks in the @Computer Communications industry was -12.21%. For the same industry, the average monthly price growth was -17.24%, and the average quarterly price growth was -11.10%.
Reported Earning Dates
CRWD is expected to report earnings on Dec 01, 2026.
ZS is expected to report earnings on Nov 24, 2026.
Industries' Descriptions
@Computer Communications (-12.21% weekly)Computer communications industry develops technology that allows computing devices to exchange data with each other using connections/data links between nodes. Common types of computer network include Cloud (IAN), Internet, Wide (WAN, Local (LAN)/Wireless(WLAN) etc. The industry is an ever-more important part of technology, and is set to become even bigger as the Internet of Things (IoT) rapidly forays into the various aspects of our lives. Cisco Systems, Inc., Palo Alto Networks, Inc. and Arista Networks, Inc., Fortinet, Inc. are some of the major computer communications companies.
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CRWD and
Correlation & Price change
A.I.dvisor indicates that over the last year, CRWD has been closely correlated with PANW. These tickers have moved in lockstep 86% of the time. This A.I.-generated data suggests there is a high statistical probability that if CRWD jumps, then PANW could also see price increases.
| Ticker / NAME | Correlation To CRWD | 1D Price Change % | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CRWD | 100% | -9.88% | ||
| PANW - CRWD | 86% Closely correlated | -9.59% | ||
| OKTA - CRWD | 79% Closely correlated | -10.41% | ||
| RBRK - CRWD | 74% Closely correlated | -11.14% | ||
| TENB - CRWD | 71% Closely correlated | -6.72% | ||
| S - CRWD | 71% Closely correlated | -8.81% | ||
More | ||||
ZS and
Correlation & Price change
A.I.dvisor indicates that over the last year, ZS has been closely correlated with CRWD. These tickers have moved in lockstep 68% of the time. This A.I.-generated data suggests there is a high statistical probability that if ZS jumps, then CRWD could also see price increases.