Operating Expenses

Stock-Based Compensation Expense (Pre-tax)

ServiceNow Stock-Based Compensation Expense (Pre-tax) remained flat by 0.0% to $488.75M in Q4 2025 compared to the prior quarter. Year-over-year, this metric grew by 12.0%, from $436.50M to $488.75M. Over 4 years (FY 2021 to FY 2025), Stock-Based Compensation Expense (Pre-tax) shows an upward trend with a 14.7% CAGR. This increase may warrant attention — for this metric, lower values are generally preferred.

Analysis

StatementIncome Statement
SectionOperating Expenses
CategoryProfitability
SignalLower is better
VolatilityStable
First reportedQ1 2021
Last reportedQ4 2025Jan 29, 2026

How to read this metric

Rising costs may indicate increased compensation levels or a shift toward equity-heavy pay structures.

Detailed definition

The total pre-tax accounting expense recorded for all share-based payment arrangements, such as stock options and restri...

Peer comparison

Standard metric found in the notes to financial statements for all public companies.

Metric ID: cat_stock_based_compensation_expense_pretax

Historical Data

5 years
 FY'21FY'22FY'23FY'24FY'25
Value$1.13B$1.40B$1.60B$1.75B$1.96B
YoY Change+23.9%+14.5%+8.9%+12.0%
Range$1.13B$1.96B
CAGR+14.7%
Avg YoY Growth+14.8%
Median YoY Growth+13.2%
Current Streak4+ years growth

Product Breakdown

View all
SegmentQ2 '24Q3 '24Q4 '24Q1 '25Q2 '25Q3 '25Q4 '25Q1 '26
Subscription$62.00M$64.00M$66.00M$68.00M$76.00M$78.00M$78.00M$84.00M
Professional services and other$12.00M$11.00M$11.00M$11.00M$11.00M$11.00M$11.00M$12.00M
Total$436.50M$436.50M$436.50M$488.75M$488.75M$488.75M$488.75M

Stock-Based Compensation Expense (Pre-tax) at Other Companies

Frequently Asked Questions

What is ServiceNow's stock-based compensation expense (pre-tax)?
ServiceNow (NOW) reported stock-based compensation expense (pre-tax) of $488.75M in Q4 2025.
How has ServiceNow's stock-based compensation expense (pre-tax) changed year-over-year?
ServiceNow's stock-based compensation expense (pre-tax) increased by 12.0% year-over-year, from $436.50M to $488.75M.
What is the long-term trend for ServiceNow's stock-based compensation expense (pre-tax)?
Over 4 years (2021 to 2025), ServiceNow's stock-based compensation expense (pre-tax) has grown at a 14.7% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), from $1.13B to $1.96B.
What does stock-based compensation expense (pre-tax) mean?
The total pre-tax cost of employee stock-based compensation.