We recently published a list of 12 Best Metaverse Stocks to Invest in. In this article, we are going to take a look at where Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) stands against other best metaverse stocks to invest in.
The metaverse, which comes under the video games industry, is a fast-growing digital frontier where immersive tech creates interactive virtual worlds. It is built on virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), blockchain, and mixed reality, offering simulated spaces for socializing, working, learning, and playing. Essentially, it blends digital and physical realities to provide customized and immersive experiences via avatars, live communication, and spatial computing. Users no longer just browse static web pages – they move through dynamic 3D environments that mirror and enhance real-world interactions, marking a shift from simple apps to fully immersive virtual spaces. Metaverse is segmented into four types: lifelogging, augmented reality, mirror world, and virtual reality.
The metaverse grows mainly by combining content streaming and blockchain infrastructure, where blockchain has improved secure transactions, digital asset ownership, and governance. These systems support user-driven economies where people build, sell, and profit from digital experiences, similar to Roblox. At the same time, the rise of 3D platforms, virtual markets, and gaming worlds drives investment.
In 2024, the global video streaming market—crucial for immersive media—hit $674.25 billion. The Business Research Company reports that the global metaverse market is predicted to grow from $227.05 billion in 2024 to $316.34 billion in 2025, with a strong 39.3% CAGR. Whereas, S&P Global Market Intelligence predicts that global metaverse revenue will climb from $17.5 billion in 2023 to $54.5 billion by 2028, growing at a 25.5% CAGR. Businesses became the main customer segment, driven by the need for digital twin software and remote collaboration tools. According to S&P, these businesses strengthened their position in 2023, accounting for 42.8% of the entire metaverse market. As major companies expand virtual platforms and adopt faster streaming, metaverse services strengthen across industries.
Moreover, social media and mobile internet have sped up the growth of the virtual ecosystem. With over 2.4 billion users on Meta (previously Facebook) and billions more on WhatsApp and YouTube, the digital world is more connected than ever. The line between digital and physical life keeps blurring as many daily activities—hanging out, entertainment, shopping—are already happening in early metaverse settings. This has sparked the development of virtual learning, workplace collaborative tools, and blockchain-based gaming economies. According to NewGenApps, VR and AR gaming is set to reach 216 million players worldwide by 2025, with a market worth $11.6 billion. Markedly, a 2024 survey revealed that 34% of game developers globally are creating titles for the Meta Quest Store, a digital marketplace, showing strong developer interest in immersive gaming platforms.
Furthermore, generative AI is reshaping the next phase of the metaverse, ranging from custom content suggestions to auto-dubbing, editing, and better visuals. Streaming platforms now use large language models like GPT-4 to create real-time content and ensure moderation, making digital interactions safer and more accessible. Although the broader metaverse is still under development, technologies powering virtual economies—such as play-to-earn games, NFT marketplaces, and digital event tickets—already create income opportunities for users and developers. The Entertainment Software Association reported that 227 million Americans play video games every week, with an average age of 31. This shows a growing mainstream adoption of immersive content across different age groups. The combination of AI with VR/AR is helping platforms expand beyond gaming and entertainment into healthcare and business applications.
As users want more personalized, high-resolution experiences, metaverse tech is advancing on low-latency infrastructures. Platforms like hesp.live are changing streaming with super-fast delivery for gaming, education, and live shopping. Initially, the metaverse faced a lot of backlash due to a not-so-appealing experience and inability to connect with users. Despite less public buzz after 2022, progress hasn’t stopped—the metaverse is young, with ongoing improvements pushing it forward. These advances, plus the growing demand for video-on-demand services, show how deeply the metaverse fits into digital viewing habits. As North America leads the market, with major players and high digital spending, Asia Pacific is also set for future growth due to the quick adoption of immersive tech.
This shows that the metaverse isn’t just a passing trend—it is a fundamental shift changing how people live, talk, and connect in digital spaces. As immersive environments disrupt traditional media, the metaverse is becoming a promising investment.
Our Methodology
To compile our list of the 12 Best Metaverse Stocks to Invest in, we first conducted extensive research to identify companies with significant exposure to the metaverse technology. First, we used stock screeners, ETFs, and online rankings to make an extended list of the relevant companies. Then, we extracted the number of hedge fund holders having a stake in the respective companies as of Q4 2024, using data from Insider Monkey’s hedge fund database. The finalists are stocks with the highest hedge fund interest.
Why are we interested in the stocks that hedge funds pile into? The reason is simple: our research has shown that we can outperform the market by imitating the top stock picks of the best hedge funds. Our quarterly newsletter’s strategy selects 14 small-cap and large-cap stocks every quarter and has returned 373.4% since May 2014, beating its benchmark by 218 percentage points (see more details here).
Is Apple Inc. (AAPL) the Best Metaverse Stock to Invest in?
A wide view of an Apple store, showing the range of products the company offers.
Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) stands as a tech powerhouse that makes and markets hardware like iPhones, iPads, Macs, and wearables. It also delivers software, cloud services, and subscriptions across fitness, music, entertainment, gaming, and news. Its App Store and platforms form key building blocks of the metaverse, supporting AR, spatial computing, and immersive experiences through products like the Apple Vision Pro. Apple ranks among the best metaverse stocks, thanks to its integration of AI, AR, and spatial computing throughout its product lineup.
For Q4 ending December 28, 2024, Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) reported impressive results, with revenue hitting $124.3 billion, up 4% year-over-year. Net income reached $36.3 billion, with EPS climbing 10% to $2.40. Meanwhile, products generated $98 billion, with iPhones bringing in $69.1 billion, while Services set a record at $26.3 billion, jumping 14% YoY. Additionally, Mac and iPad sales surged by 16% and 15%, respectively, driven by strong demand for new models by Apple Silicon. All in all, the company now boasts over 2.35 billion active devices worldwide.
Furthermore, Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) continues to expand its services with over 1 billion paid subscriptions. Its new “Apple Intelligence” features are now available on iPhones, iPads, and Macs, offering visual intelligence, Genmoji, and enhanced Siri functions. The company has also rolled out Vision Pro globally, expanding its spatial computing and strengthening its position in the metaverse space.
For Q2 2025, Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) projects low to mid-single-digit revenue growth despite currency challenges, and the gross margin is expected to be between 46.5% and 47.5%. The company plans to expand Apple Intelligence to more regions in April and will open new flagship stores, including its first in Saudi Arabia. While China remains tough, Apple is seeing double-digit growth in India and other emerging markets.
Overall, AAPL ranks 4th on our list of best metaverse stocks to invest in. While we acknowledge the potential of AAPL, our conviction lies in the belief that certain AI stocks hold greater promise for delivering higher returns, and doing so within a shorter time frame. There is an AI stock that went up since the beginning of 2025, while popular AI stocks lost around 25%. If you are looking for an AI stock that is more promising than AAPL but that trades at less than 5 times its earnings, check out our report about this cheapest AI stock.
