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The 3 Best Quantum Computing Stocks to Buy Right Now

The Motley Fool
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⚡ Quantum Brief
Three quantum computing stocks—IonQ, D-Wave, and Alphabet—are highlighted as top 2026 investment opportunities, with analysts predicting major gains as the technology nears commercial viability by 2030. IonQ leads in quantum accuracy metrics, reporting 429% YoY revenue growth ($62M in Q4 2025) and projecting $235M for 2026, positioning it as the dominant pure-play quantum hardware firm. D-Wave focuses on optimization problems like logistics and AI, achieving 179% revenue growth ($25M in Q4 2025) with its specialized quantum annealing approach, targeting high-demand niche markets. Alphabet leverages its $3.6T market cap and cloud infrastructure to develop quantum capabilities, offering lower-risk exposure compared to startups, with potential to dominate quantum-as-a-service via Google Cloud. Investors are urged to diversify across all three—high-risk pure plays (IonQ, D-Wave) and stable giants (Alphabet)—to balance upside potential with downside protection before anticipated 2030 commercial breakthroughs.
The 3 Best Quantum Computing Stocks to Buy Right Now

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By Keithen Drury – Mar 22, 2026 at 4:15AM ESTKey PointsD-Wave and IonQ are two top pure plays in quantum computing.Alphabet has massive resources to develop its quantum computing platform. While artificial intelligence (AI) investing may dominate the headlines, quantum computing investing is the next big thing. Quantum computing can unlock problem-solving capabilities that have previously been unthinkable, and we're rapidly approaching the point when this technology becomes viable and deployed in several use cases around the world. This will lead to some stocks soaring, and I think positioning yourself early in these stocks is a great idea, as they could skyrocket if their technology becomes widely adopted. Three that I've got my eye on are IonQ (IONQ 2.10%), D-Wave Quantum (QBTS 2.30%), and Alphabet (GOOG 2.27%) (GOOGL 2.01%). These three represent a great, balanced approach and spread investors' bets out. Image source: Getty Images. IonQ and D-Wave Quantum IonQ and D-Wave Quantum are quantum computing-focused start-ups that have one mission: To create viable quantum computing. If they fail at this task, then their stocks will likely head to $0, and investors will lose everything. While that's a scary proposition, investing in quantum computing stocks is a lot like biotech. There will be a lot of competitors, and relatively few winners. However, I think IonQ and D-Wave have what it takes to make it to the finish line. The biggest issue with quantum computing is accuracy. Right now, quantum computing benefits are well-known, but its consistency and ability to deliver trustworthy results are in question. As a result, investing in companies that are leading the way in terms of accuracy is a smart idea. ExpandNYSE: IONQIonQToday's Change(-2.10%) $-0.67Current Price$31.23Key Data PointsMarket Cap$11BDay's Range$30.50 - $32.2452wk Range$18.81 - $84.64Volume810KAvg Vol21MGross Margin-2267.11% IonQ is currently the worldwide leader in the most commonly used accuracy metric. This gives it a leg up on the competition, and that's actually showing up in its financial results. During the fourth quarter of 2025, IonQ's revenue rose 429% year over year to $62 million, with that revenue coming from some product sales and research contracts. This is well above most competitors' revenue, and 2026 looks to be more of the same, with management expecting $235 million in revenue, up from the $130 million it recognized in 2025. IonQ's technology is clearly the most popular in quantum computing right now, but D-Wave is also a compelling investment. ExpandNYSE: QBTSD-Wave QuantumToday's Change(-2.30%) $-0.37Current Price$15.73Key Data PointsMarket Cap$5.8BDay's Range$15.24 - $16.0552wk Range$5.77 - $46.75Volume631KAvg Vol31MGross Margin82.59% D-Wave Quantum isn't pursuing a broad-purpose quantum computer. Instead, it's tailoring its approach to solve optimization problems, such as logistic networks and AI inference. These are among the biggest use cases for quantum anyway, giving it a big enough market to operate in. D-Wave similarly reported huge growth, with revenue rising 179% to $25 million in Q4. Both of these are excellent quantum computing investments, but so is Alphabet. Alphabet Alphabet represents the opposite end of the spectrum of quantum computing investing. Alphabet is an already established tech player, valued at nearly $4 trillion. It has nearly unlimited resources it can throw at quantum computing and has made some impressive technological breakthroughs. Its quantum computing strategy pivots around having internal capabilities and the ability to rent out computing power to its clients via its cloud computing platform. ExpandNASDAQ: GOOGLAlphabetToday's Change(-2.01%) $-6.17Current Price$300.96Key Data PointsMarket Cap$3.6TDay's Range$298.29 - $305.7652wk Range$140.53 - $349.00Volume1.6MAvg Vol32MGross Margin59.68%Dividend Yield0.28% While the verdict is still out about what potential quantum computing demand will be, if Alphabet can beat everyone else to the punch and offer quantum computing for use via its already established cloud computing platform, it will still be a huge winner for the technology. I think Alphabet is also another way to decrease the overall investment risk in quantum computing, as Alphabet will be OK if its quantum computing endeavors don't pan out, unlike IonQ or D-Wave. Having a balanced approach with all three stocks in a basket is a wise move, as it gives you ultimate upside while also having a strong floor. We're still years away from knowing how quantum computing will be integrated into commercial settings (likely in 2030), but by then each of these stocks will have already likely moved to account for growing quantum computing demand. As a result, investors would be best to start investing now before the huge moves occur.Read NextMar 21, 2026 •By Keithen DruryA Once-in-a-Lifetime Opportunity: This Quantum Stock Looks Primed to SkyrocketMar 20, 2026 •By Adam SpataccoWall Street Is Wrong About This Quantum Computing StockMar 19, 2026 •By Geoffrey SeilerWant to Invest in Quantum Computing Before It Goes Mainstream?

Start With These 3 Stocks.Mar 18, 2026 •By Jack DelaneyIs It Too Late to Buy IonQ Stock After Its 198% Rally?Mar 17, 2026 •By Geoffrey Seiler2 Millionaire-Maker Technology StocksMar 15, 2026 •By Keithen DruryBetter Quantum Computing Stock: Rigetti Computing vs. IonQAbout the AuthorKeithen Drury is a contributing Motley Fool technology analyst covering AI, semiconductors, cybersecurity, and SaaS stocks. In addition to The Motley Fool, Keithen is a mechanical engineer and has held roles at Honeywell and smaller industrial companies like Brand Hydraulics and Lincoln Industries. He holds a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from Dordt University.TMFTripleOptionStocks MentionedIonQNYSE: IONQ$31.20(-2.19%)-$0.70AlphabetNASDAQ: GOOGL$300.96(-2.01%)-$6.17AlphabetNASDAQ: GOOG$298.79(-2.27%)-$6.94D-Wave QuantumNYSE: QBTS$15.73(-2.30%)-$0.37*Average returns of all recommendations since inception. Cost basis and return based on previous market day close.

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