Which AI Stocks Can Overtake Palantir in 2026?

The AI sector has become a battleground for innovation and valuation, with Palantir Technologies (PLTR) standing as a polarizing figure. While the company has delivered staggering revenue growth- 63% year-over-year in 2025 and a 121% surge in U.S. commercial revenue-its valuation metrics remain extreme. Palantir trades at a trailing P/E ratio of 377.64 and a P/S ratio of 118.92, far exceeding those of its peers. This raises a critical question: Which AI stocks are better positioned to overtake Palantir in 2026, balancing valuation realism with growth potential?

Palantir: A High-Stakes Gamble

Palantir's dual-platform strategy-Foundry for commercial AI and Gotham for government applications-has driven its dominance in data analytics. However, its valuation is under scrutiny. A Wall Street analyst from RBC Capital has warned of a potential 70% downside in 2026, citing scalability challenges in Foundry and a price-to-sales ratio that dwarfs competitors. While Palantir's 53% full-year 2025 revenue growth is impressive, its forward P/E of 181.82 suggests investors are paying a premium for future expectations that may not materialize.

Competitors: Valuation Realism vs. Growth Potential

Nvidia (NVDA): The Unstoppable Leader

Nvidia's dominance in AI hardware is unmatched, with a $4.28 trillion market cap and a P/E ratio of 56.58. Its Q3 2025 revenue grew by 62%, driven by demand for its deep learning chips. While its valuation is robust, it remains significantly lower than Palantir's. Nvidia's forward P/E of below 25 indicates a more realistic multiple for its growth, making it a safer bet for investors wary of Palantir's exuberance.

Advanced Micro Devices (AMD): The Undervalued Challenger

AMD's 3-D V-Cache technology has positioned it as a key player in AI compute, with chips powering Alphabet and Microsoft. Its P/E and P/S ratios of 98.92 are more attractive than Palantir's, and its market cap of $268 billion reflects a balance between growth and affordability. With the upcoming Instinct MI450 series, AMD is well-positioned to capture market share in AI infrastructure, offering a compelling alternative to Palantir's high-risk profile.

Broadcom (AVGO): Stability Over Speculation

Broadcom's $1.6 trillion market cap and AI-related product revenue of $12 billion by 2024 highlight its entrenched position in data center infrastructure. Its P/E ratio of 106.51 is higher than Nvidia's but lower than Palantir's, reflecting a more conservative valuation. While Broadcom's growth is steady, its lack of a pure-play AI focus may limit its ability to outpace Palantir in 2026.

Snowflake (SNOW): Cloud's Hidden Gem

Snowflake's cloud data platform has driven a 28% revenue growth in 2025, with a P/E ratio of 17.33 that suggests undervaluation. Its $438.67 billion market cap is dwarfed by Palantir's, but its role in AI-driven data analytics makes it a sleeper candidate. However, Snowflake's slower growth compared to Palantir's 53% YoY revenue increase may hinder its ability to overtake the latter.

The Storage and Infrastructure Play: SanDisk and Western Digital

Emerging as 2025's top performers, SanDisk (SNDK) and Western Digital (WDC) capitalized on AI's storage demands. SanDisk's 559.4% return in 2025 and 22.6% revenue growth underscore its critical role in AI flash storage. Similarly, WDC's high-capacity hard drives have become indispensable for data centers. While these stocks lack Palantir's AI software focus, their infrastructure-centric growth could make them formidable contenders in 2026.

CoreWeave and the Pure-Play AI Story

CoreWeave (CRWV), a pure-play AI stock, has surged on its cloud infrastructure specialization. Its rapid expansion and plans for further investment position it as a high-growth alternative to Palantir. However, its lack of diversification and higher volatility compared to established players like AMD or Nvidia may limit its appeal.

Conclusion: Balancing the Scales

Palantir's growth trajectory is undeniably impressive, but its valuation is a double-edged sword. For investors seeking a more balanced approach, Nvidia and AMD emerge as the strongest candidates to overtake Palantir in 2026. Nvidia's dominant market position and realistic multiples offer a safer path to sustained growth, while AMD's competitive pricing and AI compute advancements provide a compelling alternative. SanDisk and Western Digital, though less directly tied to AI software, could also disrupt the landscape by addressing infrastructure bottlenecks.

In the end, the AI sector's future hinges on companies that can deliver both innovation and valuation discipline. Palantir's high-flying metrics may falter if its growth fails to justify the premium, leaving room for more grounded players to rise.