The Most Successful Business of All Time, Ranked
Voting rules: Choose the business you think is the most successful!
Updated on May 1, 2024 06:57
Welcome to StrawPoll, where your opinion shapes the rankings of the world's greatest phenomena! Today, we're diving into the vast ocean of enterprise to discover the most successful business of all time. From technological giants that revolutionized our lives to retail empires that transformed the way we shop, we've curated a list of industry titans for you to cast your vote upon. However, if you feel there's a deserving contender missing from our lineup, don't hesitate to suggest it and let the world know about their remarkable achievements. So, dear reader, it's time to flex your voting muscles and contribute to unveiling the ultimate champion of the business world. Let the voting marathon begin!
What Is the Most Successful Business of All Time?
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126votesApple is one of the most successful businesses of all time, with a market capitalization of over $2 trillion. It has revolutionized the technology industry with its innovative products and services, including the iPhone, iPad, and MacBook.Apple Inc. is a multinational technology company headquartered in Cupertino, California. It designs, develops, and sells consumer electronics, computer software, and online services. Apple is widely recognized for its innovative products, sleek designs, and seamless user experiences.
- Founded: April 1, 1976
- Industry: Technology
- Products: iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch, Apple TV, AirPods, HomePod, Apple Music, iCloud, and more
- Revenue (2020): $274.5 billion
- Employees: 147,000 (as of September 2020)
Apple Inc. in other rankings- Position 1 of 10 in Most successful electronics company
- Position 1 of 10 in Most successful organizations
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216votes
Coolcaesar · CC BY-SA 4.0Microsoft Corporation
Bill Gates and Paul AllenMicrosoft is a multinational technology company that has been successful for decades. Its Windows operating system dominates the personal computer market, and it has also successfully entered other markets, such as gaming and cloud computing.Microsoft Corporation is a multinational technology corporation known for developing, manufacturing, licensing, and supporting a wide range of software and hardware products. It was founded by Bill Gates and Paul Allen in 1975.- Year Founded: 1975
- Headquarters: Redmond, Washington, United States
- Industry: Technology
- Revenue: Over $125 billion USD (2019)
- Employees: Over 163,000 (2019)
Microsoft Corporation in other rankings- Position 7 of 10 in Most successful electronics company
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324votes
Joe Mabel · CC BY-SA 4.0Amazon.com Inc.
Jeff BezosAmazon is one of the most successful e-commerce companies in the world, with a market capitalization of over $1.5 trillion. It has revolutionized the online shopping industry with its vast selection of products, competitive pricing, and fast delivery.Amazon.com Inc. is an American multinational technology company known for its e-commerce platform, which offers various products and services worldwide. It was founded by Jeff Bezos in 1994 and has grown to become one of the most successful businesses of all time.- Year Founded: 1994
- Headquarters: Seattle, Washington, United States
- Industry: E-commerce, Cloud computing, Digital streaming
- Products and Services: Online retail, Amazon Prime, Amazon Web Services (AWS), Kindle e-readers, Fire tablets, Echo devices, Alexa virtual assistant
- Revenue (2020): $386 billion
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421votes
The original uploader was Autiger at English Wikipedia. · Public domainCoca-Cola Company
John PembertonCoca-Cola is one of the most recognized and valuable brands in the world, with a market capitalization of over $230 billion. The company has been producing its signature soft drink for over a century and has successfully expanded into other markets, such as bottled water and sports drinks.The Coca-Cola Company is a multinational beverage corporation known for its flagship product, Coca-Cola. It is one of the most successful companies in the world, with a strong global presence and a rich history dating back to its creation in 1886.- Brand Portfolio: Over 500 beverage brands, including Sprite, Fanta, and Dasani
- Headquarters: Atlanta, Georgia, USA
- Industry: Beverages
- Founding Year: 1886
- Key Product: Coca-Cola
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514votes
Coolcaesar · CC BY-SA 4.0Walt Disney Company
Walt DisneyDisney is a multimedia conglomerate that has been successful for decades. Its iconic characters, such as Mickey Mouse and Donald Duck, have become a part of popular culture, and its theme parks and movies are enjoyed by millions around the world.The Walt Disney Company, commonly known as Disney, is one of the most beloved entertainment and media conglomerates in the world. It was founded by Walt Disney and Roy O. Disney on October 16, 1923.- Headquarters: Burbank, California, United States
- Industry: Entertainment and media
- Products and services: Film production, television production, theme parks, music, publishing, merchandise
- Popular franchises: Mickey Mouse, Disney Princess, Marvel Cinematic Universe, Star Wars, Pixar animation films
- Annual revenue (2019): $69.6 billion
Walt Disney Company in other rankings- Position 5 of 10 in Most loved companies in the world
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612votes
Tokumeigakarinoaoshima · CC0Toyota Motor Corporation
Kiichiro ToyodaToyota is a multinational automotive manufacturer that has been successful for decades. It has a reputation for producing reliable and high-quality vehicles, including the Corolla and the Camry.Toyota Motor Corporation is a Japanese automotive manufacturer headquartered in Toyota City, Japan. It is one of the largest and most successful automobile companies in the world. Toyota is known for producing a wide range of vehicles, including cars, trucks, SUVs, and hybrids.- Founded: August 28, 1937
- Headquarters: Toyota City, Japan
- Industry: Automotive
- Revenue (2020): ¥27.2 trillion
- Number of Employees: 366,283 (as of March 2021)
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78votesP&G is a multinational consumer goods company that has been successful for over 180 years. Its products, such as Tide laundry detergent and Crest toothpaste, are household names, and the company has successfully expanded into other markets, such as beauty and personal care.Procter & Gamble Company, also known as P&G, is a multinational consumer goods corporation headquartered in Cincinnati, Ohio, United States. It was founded by William Procter and James Gamble in 1837. P&G operates in various sectors including beauty, grooming, health care, fabric & home care, and baby, feminine, and family care products.
- Founded in: 1837
- Headquarters: Cincinnati, Ohio, United States
- Industry: Consumer goods
- Sectors: Beauty, grooming, healthcare, fabric & home care, baby, feminine, and family care products
- Global presence: Operates in over 180 countries
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84votes
McDonald's Corporation
Richard and Maurice McDonaldMcDonald's is a fast food company that has been successful for over 60 years. Its iconic golden arches are recognized around the world, and its menu of burgers, fries, and shakes has become a part of popular culture.The McDonald's Corporation is an American fast food restaurant chain that was founded in 1940. It is the world's largest chain of hamburger fast food restaurants, serving customers in over 100 countries. The company primarily sells hamburgers, cheeseburgers, chicken products, french fries, breakfast items, soft drinks, milkshakes, and desserts. McDonald's popularized the concept of the fast food restaurant and revolutionized the industry through its efficient service and standardized menu offerings. It is known for its iconic Golden Arches logo and its family-friendly atmosphere.- Year Founded: 1940
- Headquarters: Chicago, Illinois, United States
- Number of Locations: Over 38,000
- Annual Revenue (2020): $19.2 billion
- Number of Employees: Over 200,000
McDonald's Corporation in other rankings- Position 1 of 10 in Most popular McDonald's
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94votes
Coolcaesar · CC BY-SA 4.0Nike, Inc.
Bill Bowerman and Phil KnightNike is a multinational athletic apparel and footwear company that has been successful for decades. Its "swoosh" logo is one of the most recognizable in the world, and its products are worn by athletes and fashion-conscious consumers alike.Nike, Inc. is an American multinational corporation that is one of the world's largest suppliers of athletic shoes and apparel. The company was founded in 1964 as Blue Ribbon Sports by Bill Bowerman and Phil Knight, and officially became Nike, Inc. in 1971. Nike's mission is to bring inspiration and innovation to every athlete in the world.- Headquarters: Beaverton, Oregon, United States
- Founded: January 25, 1964
- Industry: Sportswear, footwear, equipment, accessories
- Products: Athletic shoes, apparel, accessories
- Revenue: Approximately $37.4 billion (2020)
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109votes
Visa Inc.
Bank of AmericaVisa is a multinational financial services company that has been successful for decades. Its credit and debit cards are accepted by merchants around the world, and its global network of ATMs and point-of-sale terminals processes billions of transactions every year.Visa Inc. is a global financial services corporation that facilitates electronic funds transfers throughout the world. It operates the world's largest retail electronic payments network, connecting consumers, businesses, financial institutions, and governments in more than 200 countries and territories. Visa provides secure, reliable, and convenient payment solutions for individuals and businesses worldwide.- Industry: Financial services
- Type: Public company
- Founded: 1958
- Headquarters: San Francisco, California, United States
- Revenue: $23 billion (2020)
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Ranking factors for successful business
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RevenueThe total amount of money earned by the business over its lifetime. 2. Profitability: The ability of the business to generate profit, both in terms of operating and net profit. 3. Market share: The percentage of the market that the business controls or has dominated. 4. Brand value: The recognition that a brand has among consumers and the overall value of the brand as an asset. 5. Innovation: The ability of the business to consistently innovate and remain relevant in the market. 6. Social impact: The positive impact that the business has had on society, environment and economy. 7. Longevity: The ability to withstand the test of time and remain successful over a long period.
About this ranking
This is a community-based ranking of the most successful business of all time. We do our best to provide fair voting, but it is not intended to be exhaustive. So if you notice something or business is missing, feel free to help improve the ranking!
Statistics
- 1435 views
- 134 votes
- 10 ranked items
Voting Rules
A participant may cast an up or down vote for each business once every 24 hours. The rank of each business is then calculated from the weighted sum of all up and down votes.
More information on most successful business of all time
When it comes to defining the most successful business of all time, there are a number of factors to consider. Some might argue that the most successful business is the one that has generated the highest revenue or profits, while others might look at factors like brand recognition, customer loyalty, or innovation.
One possible contender for the title of most successful business is Microsoft. Founded in 1975 by Bill Gates and Paul Allen, Microsoft has become one of the most iconic and influential companies in the world of technology. Its operating system, Windows, is used by millions of people around the globe, and its suite of productivity software, including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, has become a standard in offices and homes everywhere.
Another potential contender for the title of most successful business is Apple. Founded in 1976 by Steve Jobs, Steve Wozniak, and Ronald Wayne, Apple has revolutionized the way we interact with technology with products like the iPod, iPhone, and iPad. Its sleek designs and intuitive user interfaces have made it a favorite among consumers and creatives alike.
Of course, there are many other businesses that could be considered for the title of most successful, from multinational corporations like Coca-Cola and McDonald's to innovative startups like Airbnb and Uber. Ultimately, the answer to this question may depend on how you define success and what criteria you use to measure it.
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