Which Quantum Stock Has the Best 2026 Outlook? Comparing IONQ, QBTS, RGTI, and QUBT

IonQ (IONQ), Rigetti Computing (RGTI), Quantum Computing inc.(QUBT), and D-Wave Quantum (QBTS) are four pure play names, but the market is treating them very differently. On the tape, D-Wave Quantum is the clear short-term winner. The stock is up 358.35% over the past year, far ahead of Rigetti (83.26%), IonQ (12.12%), and Quantum Computing (10.53%).

Additionally, on the analyst side, IonQ and D-Wave Quantum both show Strong Buy, while Rigetti and Quantum Computing show Moderate Buy. The average price targets point to large upside across the group: $75.91 for IonQ, $39.78 for Rigetti, $18.00 for Quantum Computing, and $40.23 for D-Wave Quantum.

Even though all four sit in “quantum,” their tech paths are not the same, and that shapes how to think about 2026 versus the long run. In this comparison piece, we’ll examine how all four stocks are set for 2026 and beyond,

IONQ

First, IonQ uses trapped-ion technology and sells access through major cloud hubs. TipRanks’ AI Analyst highlights strong revenue growth, key buys that expand reach, and a strong cash position. At the same time, it flags big losses, high spending, and weak cash flow. For 2026, the near-term story is execution. The next earnings date shown is April 1, 2026, with a sales forecast of $40.38 million and an EPS forecast of -$0.52. The stock also looks steadier than the others on the chart, but it still trades like a high-risk growth name.

Rigetti

Rigetti is a gate model shop that builds its own chips, then offers them for cloud use and on-site deals. TipRanks’ AI Analyst likes the large cash balance of about $600 million and the absence of debt, along with progress on gate quality and a clear roadmap. The key risk is that revenue is slipping, and the firm has had timing risk, which the market tends to punish quickly. The next earnings date is March 5, 2026, with sales forecast of $2.33 million andEPS forecast of -$0.03. A fresh delay on its 108-qubit system also raises the bar for clean wins in 2026, since trust can matter as much as raw qubit count.

QCI

Quantum Computing Inc. (QCI) is the smallest of the four, and it reads more like a tools and photonics roll-up plan than a single-core chip bet. TipRanks’ AI Analyst points to strong growth rates and a major cash boost from large fund raises, plus a CEO change and a bid for Luminar assets to build out photonics. The risks are also clear: weak core profit, cash burn, and heavy tie to a small set of deals. The next earnings date shown is April 1, 2026, with a sales forecast of $394,000 and an EPS forecast of -$0.02. For 2026, the key is proof. The firm needs repeat sales that do not depend on one or two wins.

D-Wave Quantum

D-Wave Quantum is the outlier. It has an annealing base already used for real work in areas like routing and plant plans, and it is now pushing into the gate model via its Quantum Circuits deal. TipRanks’ AI Analyst likes its strong cash position of nearly $836 million, very high gross margin, and the dual-track plan that can expand its use cases. The next earnings date shown is April 10, 2026, with no EPS forecast. For 2026, the main question is whether the firm can turn a huge stock run into a steadier flow of new deals and repeat use.

So, Who Looks Best for the Short-Term, and Who for the Long-Term

For the short term in 2026, D-Wave Quantum looks like the name with the strongest market bid and the clearest near-term story that investors can price, since it can point to live use cases today and a fresh push into gate model. Still, after a 358.35% one-year jump, the risk is that any weak sales trend or lower bookings could hit hard.

For a more balanced 2026 setup, IonQ looks like the “best funded scale play.” It has the largest market cap, a broad cloud footprint, and TipRanks’ AI Analyst notes strong cash to fund deals and labs. The trade-off is simple: it still needs a clear path to better profit trends, or the stock can stay choppy even if sales rise.

For long-term upside, Rigetti and QCI read like higher-risk, higher-swing bets. Rigetti is a direct chip build story, but it must show that the next system ships on time and wins paid use. Quantum Computing is more of a build-up plan across photonics and tools, but it must show that its cash and deals can turn into steady sales.

Taken as a group, analysts remain upbeat on the space, with significant upside targets across all four.

We used TipRanks’ Comparison Tool to line up all four stocks. It’s a great tool to gain an in-depth view of each stock and the broader quantum sector.