Apple (NASDAQ: AAPL) has been the first U.S. company to cross several key valuation thresholds: $1 trillion, $2 trillion, and now $3 trillion. However, Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT) has been trailing Apple every step of the way and often crosses these thresholds (except for $3 trillion) not long after Apple does.

The road to either company achieving a $5 trillion valuation is likely a way off, but which company has the easier path to accomplishing this goal? Let's look at both businesses and see which is a better bet to reach $5 trillion.

Apple is an easier business to understand than Microsoft. Apple is a consumer-facing company that provides leading technology like iPhones, laptops, and now a virtual reality (VR) headset. Microsoft is a bit more complicated, as it has its hands in multiple markets.

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Source Fool.com