Coca-Cola sells more soda than Pepsi, but PepsiCo is the bigger company. Coke is America’s best-selling soft drink, with an 18.5% share in 2025, while Pepsi ranked third. PepsiCo earned $93.9 billion in 2025, almost double Coca-Cola’s $47.9 billion, because it also owns snack brands like Lay’s and Doritos.
Which tastes better is a personal choice. Pepsi is sweeter, with a citrus kick, while Coke has a smoother vanilla flavor. Below, you will find how Coca-Cola and Pepsi compare on taste, nutrition, market share, company size, brands, marketing, and 2026 results.
Key Takeaways
- Coca-Cola is the top-selling soda in the US, while Pepsi ranked third in 2025, behind Dr Pepper.
- PepsiCo has about twice Coca-Cola’s revenue, but Coca-Cola earns much higher profit margins.
- Pepsi has more sugar (41 g vs 39 g), more calories (150 vs 140), and more caffeine (38 mg vs 34 mg) per 12-ounce can.
- Coca-Cola is older. It was created in 1886, and Pepsi followed in 1893.
- In 2026, Coca-Cola is growing faster, with 7% organic revenue growth in the third quarter vs PepsiCo’s 3.1%.
Coca-Cola vs Pepsi at a Glance
| Feature | Coca-Cola | Pepsi |
|---|---|---|
| Company | The Coca-Cola Company | PepsiCo |
| Drink created | 1886, Atlanta, Georgia | 1893, New Bern, North Carolina |
| Inventor | John Pemberton | Caleb Bradham |
| Headquarters | Atlanta, Georgia | Purchase, New York |
| CEO | Henrique Braun | Ramon Laguarta |
| 2025 revenue | $47.9 billion | $93.9 billion |
| Business focus | Beverages only | Beverages and snack foods |
| US soda rank (2025) | #1 | #3 |
| Brand Finance rank (2026) | #37 | #146 |
| Stock ticker | KO (NYSE) | PEP (Nasdaq) |
Revenue from each company’s 2025 annual report. Soda rankings from Beverage Digest.
Are Coke and Pepsi owned by the same company? No. The Coca-Cola Company and PepsiCo are separate public companies and direct rivals. Neither owns any part of the other.
What came first, Coke or Pepsi? Coke came first. Pharmacist John Pemberton created Coca-Cola in Atlanta in 1886. Caleb Bradham created “Brad’s Drink” in North Carolina in 1893 and renamed it Pepsi-Cola in 1898.
How Do Coke and Pepsi Taste Different?
Coke and Pepsi look almost the same, but most people can taste the difference.
| Taste Feature | Coca-Cola | Pepsi |
|---|---|---|
| Sweetness | Less sweet | Sweeter |
| Main flavor notes | Vanilla and raisin | Citrus |
| First sip | Smoother, with a sharper bite at the end | A bigger burst of sweetness |
| Key ingredient difference | No citric acid | Contains citric acid |
Writer Malcolm Gladwell described the difference in his book Blink: Pepsi has a citrusy burst, while Coke has a raisin-vanilla taste. The citric acid in Pepsi explains its tangy kick.
Which is better, Coke or Pepsi? It depends on your taste. People who like sweeter drinks often choose Pepsi. People who prefer a smoother, less sugary cola usually choose Coke. Sales show that more Americans pick Coke, but Pepsi has millions of loyal fans.
Coke vs Pepsi Nutrition: Sugar, Caffeine, and Calories
Here is how the two compare per 12-ounce can:
| Per 12 oz Can | Coca-Cola | Pepsi |
|---|---|---|
| Calories | 140 | 150 |
| Sugar | 39 g | 41 g |
| Sodium | 45 mg | 30 mg |
| Caffeine | 34 mg | 38 mg |
Sources: Coca-Cola US product information and PepsiCo Beverage Facts.
Diet and Zero Sugar Versions
| Per 12 oz Can | Diet Coke | Diet Pepsi | Coke Zero Sugar | Pepsi Zero Sugar |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Calories | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Sugar | 0 g | 0 g | 0 g | 0 g |
| Caffeine | 46 mg | 35 mg | 34 mg | 69 mg |
Caffeine for Diet Coke from Coca-Cola; other figures from each brand’s product information.
The biggest surprise is caffeine. Pepsi Zero Sugar has about twice the caffeine of Coke Zero Sugar. Diet Coke, meanwhile, has more caffeine than regular Coke.
Is Pepsi healthier than Coke? Not really. Pepsi has slightly more sugar, calories, and caffeine, while Coke has a little more sodium. The differences are small. Both regular colas have close to 40 grams of added sugar per can, which is more than the American Heart Association’s recommended daily limit of added sugar for both women (25 g) and men (36 g).
Which Sells More, Coke or Pepsi?
Coca-Cola sells far more cola than Pepsi in the United States. Here are the top US soda brands for 2025, according to Beverage Digest:
| Rank | Brand | Owner |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Coca-Cola | The Coca-Cola Company |
| 2 | Dr Pepper | Keurig Dr Pepper |
| 3 | Pepsi | PepsiCo |
| 4 | Diet Coke | The Coca-Cola Company |
| 5 | Sprite | The Coca-Cola Company |
Source: Beverage Digest, as reported by the Atlanta Journal-Constitution in April 2026.
Coca-Cola held an 18.5% share of the US soda market, more than double Dr Pepper’s 8.8%. Coke’s volume fell 5.3% in 2025, while Pepsi’s stayed about flat, which helped Pepsi climb back to third place.
The bigger story is Dr Pepper. It passed Pepsi as America’s second-favorite soda in 2024. That means the “Cola Wars” are now a three-way race. Learn more in our guide to who owns Dr Pepper.
Which Company Is Bigger, Coca-Cola or PepsiCo?
It depends on how you measure. PepsiCo is bigger by revenue. Coca-Cola is bigger by brand value and profit margin.
| Measure | The Coca-Cola Company | PepsiCo |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 revenue | $47.9 billion | $93.9 billion |
| Q3 2026 revenue | $13.4 billion | $25.3 billion |
| Q3 2026 operating margin | 33.4% | 16.9% |
| Q3 2026 organic revenue growth | 7% | 3.1% |
| Revenue from food | None | About half |
Sources: Coca-Cola and PepsiCo third-quarter 2026 earnings releases.
Coca-Cola keeps about 33 cents of operating profit from each dollar of sales, about double PepsiCo’s rate. The reason is its business model, which we explain below.
What Brands Do Coca-Cola and PepsiCo Own?
| Category | Coca-Cola Brands | PepsiCo Brands |
|---|---|---|
| Colas | Coca-Cola, Diet Coke, Coke Zero Sugar | Pepsi, Diet Pepsi, Pepsi Zero Sugar |
| Other sodas | Sprite, Fanta, Barq’s | Mountain Dew, Poppi, Starry |
| Water | Dasani, smartwater, Topo Chico | Aquafina, LIFEWTR |
| Sports drinks | Powerade, BodyArmor | Gatorade, Propel |
| Juice, dairy, tea | Minute Maid, Simply, fairlife, Gold Peak | Tropicana (minority stake), Lipton (joint venture) |
| Snacks and food | None | Lay’s, Doritos, Cheetos, Tostitos, Quaker, Siete |
Coca-Cola also owns a minority stake in Monster Beverage and distributes Monster energy drinks, but Monster is a separate company. Gatorade is PepsiCo’s biggest win in drinks. It is the clear leader in US sports drinks, ahead of Coke’s Powerade.
How Are Their Business Models Different?
The two companies make money in very different ways.
Coca-Cola mostly sells concentrate and syrup to independent bottlers around the world. The bottlers do the heavy work of making, packaging, and delivering the drinks. That keeps Coca-Cola’s costs low and its margins high.
PepsiCo makes and delivers much more of its own product, especially snacks. Running factories, trucks, and warehouses for Lay’s and Doritos brings in more revenue but leaves a smaller share as profit.
| Coca-Cola | PepsiCo | |
|---|---|---|
| Model | Asset-light, franchise bottling | Manufacturing and distribution heavy |
| Strength | High margins, global reach | Diversified sales, snack leadership |
| Risk | Depends almost entirely on drinks | Lower margins, more complex operations |
PepsiCo’s mix of snacks and drinks also gives it an edge with retailers, who can buy chips and sodas from one supplier.
How Do Coke and Pepsi Market Themselves?
Both brands sell the same type of product, so marketing and market positioning do much of the work.
| Coca-Cola | Pepsi | |
|---|---|---|
| Position | Timeless, classic, and about togetherness | Youthful, bold, and about pop culture |
| Famous campaigns | “Share a Coke,” holiday polar bears, Santa Claus ads | “Pepsi Challenge,” “Pepsi Generation,” Super Bowl Halftime Show sponsor (until 2022) |
| Typical message | Happiness and sharing moments | Choice, music, and excitement |
Coca-Cola sells tradition. Pepsi has long positioned itself as “the choice of a new generation,” appealing to younger drinkers. See who Coke targets in our guide to Coca-Cola’s target market.
Who Won the Cola Wars?
The “Cola Wars” describe the decades-long marketing battle between Coca-Cola and Pepsi, which peaked in the 1970s and 1980s.
| Year | Event |
|---|---|
| 1886 | John Pemberton creates Coca-Cola in Atlanta |
| 1893 | Caleb Bradham creates “Brad’s Drink,” renamed Pepsi-Cola in 1898 |
| 1965 | Pepsi-Cola merges with Frito-Lay to form PepsiCo |
| 1975 | Pepsi launches the Pepsi Challenge blind taste test |
| 1985 | Coca-Cola launches “New Coke,” then brings back the original as Coca-Cola Classic within three months |
| 2024 | Dr Pepper passes Pepsi as America’s second-favorite soda |
| 2025 | Coca-Cola remains #1; Pepsi returns to #3 |
What was the Pepsi Challenge? In 1975, Pepsi asked shoppers to take a sip of two unmarked colas and pick the one they liked. Many chose Pepsi, often because its sweetness stands out in a single sip. The campaign helped Pepsi gain ground and pushed Coca-Cola to change its formula.
That change became New Coke in 1985, one of the most famous marketing mistakes in history. Fans protested, and Coca-Cola brought back the original formula within three months.
So who won? Coca-Cola. It still sells far more cola and has much higher brand value. Pepsi won many battles in advertising, but Coke won the war in sales.
Coca-Cola vs PepsiCo: Who Is Doing Better in 2026?
Coca-Cola is having the stronger year.
- Coca-Cola: Third-quarter revenue grew 7% to $13.4 billion, unit case volume rose 5%, and the company raised its full-year outlook, according to its third-quarter report. Henrique Braun became CEO in March 2026, replacing James Quincey.
- PepsiCo: Third-quarter revenue rose 5.6% to $25.3 billion, but organic growth was 3.1%, and the company lowered its full-year earnings outlook, according to its third-quarter report. Its North American snack business has been slower as shoppers cut back.
Coca-Cola vs PepsiCo SWOT Snapshot
| Coca-Cola | PepsiCo | |
|---|---|---|
| Strengths | World’s most valuable soft drink brand, high margins | Snack leadership, diversified revenue |
| Weaknesses | Depends on sugary drinks | Lower margins, weaker cola brand |
| Opportunities | Zero-sugar drinks, coffee, dairy | Healthier snacks, international growth |
| Threats | Sugar taxes, health trends | Weight-loss drugs reducing snack demand, private labels |
For the full picture, read our Coca-Cola SWOT analysis and PepsiCo SWOT analysis.
Bottom Line
Coca-Cola wins the cola battle, and PepsiCo wins on size. For me, this rivalry is one of the best lessons in marketing: two nearly identical drinks, separated mostly by branding, positioning, and business strategy. Coke built a timeless brand and a high-margin bottling model. Pepsi built a snack empire that makes it twice as large by revenue. If you are choosing a drink, pick the taste you like. If you are studying business, study both. For another retail rivalry, see our comparison of Walmart vs Target.
Frequently Asked Questions
No. PepsiCo and The Coca-Cola Company are separate, publicly traded rivals. Coca-Cola trades on the New York Stock Exchange as KO, and PepsiCo trades on the Nasdaq as PEP. Neither company owns any part of the other.
Pepsi has about 2 grams more sugar per 12-ounce can than Coke, plus citric acid, which gives it a sharper, fruity flavor. Coke uses more vanilla-like flavors, so it tastes smoother and slightly less sweet.
Coca-Cola is more popular worldwide. It is the best-selling soft drink in most countries and ranked #37 in Brand Finance’s 2026 list of the world’s most valuable brands. Pepsi ranked #146. Pepsi does lead in a few markets, though, including parts of the Middle East and South Asia.
Pepsi has more caffeine, with 38 mg per 12-ounce can compared with 34 mg in Coke. The gap is bigger for zero-sugar versions, where Pepsi Zero Sugar has about twice the caffeine of Coke Zero Sugar. Diet Coke, at 46 mg, has more caffeine than both regular colas.
Coca-Cola owns more drink brands, with more than 200 worldwide. PepsiCo owns fewer drink brands but adds major food brands such as Lay’s, Doritos, Cheetos, and Quaker. That food business is why PepsiCo earns almost twice Coca-Cola’s revenue, even though Coca-Cola sells more drinks.
