As 2025 draws to a close, investors are turning their focus to emerging transportation technologies that could take off in 2026. Electric air taxis, also known as electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, have moved closer to reality, with Archer Aviation (ACHR) and Joby Aviation (JOBY) standing out as two of the most closely watched players in the space. Both are racing toward FAA approval and future commercial launches. Using TipRanks’ Stock Comparison Tool, we compared the two to see which stock Wall Street believes offers more upside heading into 2026.
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Archer Aviation (NYSE:ACHR) Stock
Archer stock is down about 20% so far this year as investors react to delays in FAA approvals, rising development costs, and ongoing cash burn concerns. The company said it is still working toward the next FAA milestone for its Midnight aircraft and now expects its first commercial flights to begin in 2026.
Even so, Archer has continued to build out its business. The company has moved ahead with plans to take control of Hawthorne Airport in Los Angeles. It is also expanding overseas, with a new engineering hub in the U.K. and deeper ties with partners such as Anduril, opening the door to defense-related work beyond air taxis. Archer has also signed an agreement with Saudi aviation regulators to explore eVTOL services in the region. Analysts believe these moves, along with progress on FAA approvals, could still position Archer as an early mover when commercial flights begin in 2026.
On the earnings front, Archer posted a smaller loss of $0.20 per share in Q3 2025, compared with $0.29 a year ago and better than Wall Street’s forecast of $0.30. The company ended the quarter with $1.64 billion in cash and short-term investments, giving it support as development continues. For now, Archer remains a pre-revenue business. However, CEO Adam Goldstein said revenue is expected to start in the first quarter of 2026, as the company moves closer to commercial launch.
Is Archer Aviation Stock a Good Buy?
Despite volatility in Archer’s shares in 2025, Street analysts remain cautiously optimistic about the company’s prospects. Based on six recent ratings, Archer Aviation boasts a “Moderate Buy” consensus with an average ACHR stock price target of $12.17. This implies a 53.08% upside from the current price.
Joby Aviation (NYSE:JOBY) Stock
Joby stock has gained about 73% this year as investors grow more confident in the company’s certification progress. The company recently reached a key milestone with its first aircraft built to full FAA standards, as it prepares for the next stage of testing with the regulator.
Beyond certification, Joby is also expanding its commercial footprint. The company is building demand ahead of launch through international agreements and partnerships outside the U.S. While the stock may stay volatile as FAA testing continues, analysts see Joby’s steady progress as a key reason it remains one of the front-runners heading into 2026.
On the earnings side, Joby reported a loss of $0.48 per share in Q3 2025. The company also reported $23 million in revenue, mainly from government and defense-related work, not from commercial air taxi service yet. Analysts see this as a positive step, showing Joby can generate income while it works toward approval and full commercial operations.
Is Joby Aviation a Good Company to Invest In?
According to TipRanks, JOBY stock has received a Hold consensus rating, with one Buy, four Holds, and two Sells assigned in the last three months. The average stock price target for Joby Aviation is $15.45, suggesting a potential upside of 9.81% from the current level.
Conclusion
Archer offers much higher upside, with price targets pointing to about 53% potential gains, even though the stock is down this year and carries a Moderate Buy rating. Meanwhile, Joby is up more than 75% year-to-date, which limits upside to around 10% and leaves the stock with a Hold rating.
In short, Archer looks like the higher-risk, higher-reward play, while Joby reflects steadier progress but less near-term upside heading into 2026.