IonQ vs. Rigetti Computing: Which Quantum Computing Stock Will Outperform in 2026?

By Geoffrey Seiler – Dec 22, 2025 at 8:45AM ESTKey PointsQuantum computing stocks went on a wild ride in 2025.IonQ is taking a unique approach that could set it up to win the quantum computing race.Rigetti's technology is much faster than IonQ's, but more error-prone. These 10 Stocks Could Mint the Next Wave of Millionaires ›NASDAQ: RGTIRigetti ComputingMarket Cap$7.8BToday's Changeangle-down(4.05%) $0.93Current Price$23.75Price as of December 19, 2025 at 3:58 PM ETQuantum computing stocks made a lot of headlines in 2025.Quantum computing stocks gained a lot of attention in 2025 as the next big potential technological innovation after artificial intelligence (AI). Two of the most prominent pure-plays in the space are IonQ (IONQ +4.26%) and Rigetti Computing (RGTI +4.05%). While both stocks went on wild rides in 2025, it is Rigetti that is set to outperform in 2025 with a year-to-date gain of nearly 50% versus around 15% for IonQ, as of this writing. Let's look at which stock is set to outperform in 2026. Image source: Getty Images. The case for IonQ Quantum computing is very much in its early days, and revenue for these companies is relatively modest. As such, how they perform will mostly come down to how their technology progresses and the milestones they hit. IonQ's potential advantage in the quantum computing race is its trapped-ion technology. Instead of using fabricated quantum bits, or qubits, like most companies in the space, IonQ's systems use actual ytterbium and barium atoms. Since every atom of an element is identical, they are more stable, which can lead to fewer errors, which is one of the biggest obstacles facing quantum computing. While these systems can initially be more expensive to build, they do have an advantage, as IonQ doesn't need to design new chips to make its systems more powerful; it can just add more ions. ExpandNASDAQ: RGTIRigetti ComputingToday's Change(4.05%) $0.93Current Price$23.75Key Data PointsMarket Cap$7.8BDay's Range$22.82 - $24.0252wk Range$5.95 - $58.15Volume10KAvg Vol77MGross Margin-6849.48% At the same time, IonQ wants to take a page out of Nvidia's book and build an entire quantum computing ecosystem. While Nvidia is known for its powerful graphics processing units (GPUs), it is the company's CUDA software platform and networking portfolio that have made it the dominant company in AI infrastructure. In a similar vein, IonQ has gone out and made aggressive acquisitions in the space to pick up quantum sensing, interconnect, satellite, and semiconductor technology. It's also developed software to help further reduce errors. It will use this technology to make better systems, as well. For example, it is looking to move to a modular architecture, where it can link small ion traps with photonic interconnects, to make even bigger jumps in power. Advertisement The company has a massive war chest of cash on its balance sheet to continue to fund research and development and make more acquisitions. Meanwhile, it has seen strong growth, with its revenue soaring more than 200% in Q3 to nearly $40 million. The case for Rigetti Computing While IonQ has an accuracy advantage with its trapped-ion technology, Rigetti's superconducting qubit technology is faster. In fact, it is much faster, with reports that its technology can be 10,000 times faster. That could eventually become a big advantage. Rigetti currently has a more than 100-qubit chiplet-based system with 99.5% fidelity (accuracy) and is looking to bump that up to an over 1,000-qubit system by 2027. While 99.5% fidelity seems high, it does trail IonQ's 99.99% accuracy, and for computers, both are still considered very error-prone. Computer scientists generally believe that quantum computing companies need to hit at least 99.9% fidelity before even considering implementing other error-reducing techniques. However, if Rigetti does make an error-reduction breakthrough, its speed advantage would help put it in the driver's seat. ExpandNASDAQ: RGTIRigetti ComputingToday's Change(4.05%) $0.93Current Price$23.75Key Data PointsMarket Cap$7.8BDay's Range$22.82 - $24.0252wk Range$5.95 - $58.15Volume10KAvg Vol77MGross Margin-6849.48% Meanwhile, the company also has a partnership with Nvidia, where its system can be integrated into its NVQLink platform. It also has a three-year contract with the U.S. Air Force and has made some commercial sales for its Novera QP system. The verdict IonQ is in a stronger financial position and has achieved more sales. Meanwhile, the company's more accurate technology trumps Rigetti's speed advantage. As the old baseball saying goes, no one cares how fast you throw ball four. Overall, I think IonQ is better positioned for the long run with its trapped-ion technology and ecosystem approach. Meanwhile, there are a few milestones it can hit in 2026 that could send its stock higher, including showing breakeven error correction (being more reliable than an actual atom) and demonstrating a multi-core quantum computer that uses photonic interconnects, which would help solve scaling issues. As such, I think it will be the quantum computing stock that outperforms in 2026.Read NextDec 20, 2025 •By Keithen DruryBetter Quantum Computing Stock for 2026: IonQ or Rigetti Computing?Dec 17, 2025 •By David Jagielski, CPADown More Than 50% From Its High, Is Rigetti Computing Stock a Good Buy Right Now?Dec 14, 2025 •By Chris NeigerWhere Will Rigetti Computing Be in 5 Years?Dec 14, 2025 •By Trevor JennewinePrediction: 2 Popular Stocks Will Crash in 2026 as This Stock Market Bubble Bursts (Hint: Not Palantir)Dec 13, 2025 •By Rick OrfordPrediction: Rigetti Could Surge Nearly 100%Dec 13, 2025 •By Rich SmithDon't Buy Rigetti Computing Stock Until This HappensAbout the AuthorGeoffrey Seiler is a contributing Motley Fool stock market analyst covering technology, consumer goods, healthcare, energy, and materials stocks. Prior to The Motley Fool, Geoffrey was a senior equity analyst at Raging Capital Management, a $600 million long-short hedge fund. He holds a bachelor’s degree in history from Haverford College.TMFFindProfitStocks MentionedRigetti ComputingNASDAQ: RGTI$23.76 (+0.04%) $+0.94IonQNYSE: IONQ$48.48 (+0.04%) $+2.04*Average returns of all recommendations since inception. Cost basis and return based on previous market day close.Advertisement