An annual ranking of the world’s most valuable brands has been revealed, with tech firms and retailers among the high-fliers which contains 193 US firms among its cohort of 500.
While the top five is dominated by pure technology brands – Apple, Microsoft, Google are the top three – Amazon also makes this elite group along with Walmart, showing the strength of these retail brands (although Amazon also counts as a tech firm for some of its activities).
The rankings from consultancy firm Brand Finance considers the net economic benefit that a brand owner would achieve by licensing the brand in the open market. The Global 500 is being launched today (Jan. 21) at Davos in partnership with Infosys.
Walmart is the fastest growing brand among the top 5, with its brand value increasing by 42% to $137.2 billion.
Top Five Globally
The world’s 500 most valuable brands grew 10% to $9.5 trillion in 2025, outpacing global economic growth at 3%.
1. Apple: brand value of $574.5 billion, up 11% from 2024
2. Microsoft: brand value of $461.1 billion, up 35%
3. Google: brand value of $413.0 billion, up 24%
4. Amazon: brand value of $356.4 billion, up 15%
5. Walmart: brand value of $137.2 billion, up 42%
Among the fastest-growing firms in the Global 500 over the past five years are TikTok, NVIDIA, and AMD, along with American gambling brands DraftKings and FanDuel which are cashing in as US legislators and courts legalize online gambling and overturn old laws preventing betting.
“Our analysis of what brands have grown the most since 2020 reveals that technology companies do not have a monopoly on sustained brand growth,” said David Haigh, chairman and CEO of Brand Finance. “This longer-term view also reinforces another important global trend: how Chinese brands like TikTok, Pinduoduo, and BYD are leading the charge by creating value, and challenging established brand leaders. As China continues to refine its brand-building strategies and focus on quality, we expect to see more Chinese companies enter the global marketplace in 2025.”
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