Have you ever thought about how important semiconductors are? If not, you should! The top semiconductor companies are driving innovation across industries like communication, health, defense, and transportation. They may not seem glamorous, but they power everything from everyday gadgets to advanced technology.
Moreover, Global semiconductor sales are expected to hit $697.2 billion in 2025, an 11.2% increase from the previous year. With rapid advancements ahead, let’s explore the top 10 companies in the semiconductor industry. But first, let’s look at what semiconductors are in simple words.
What is a semiconductor?
Semiconductors are materials that have electrical conductivity between metals and insulators.
Consider semiconductors as a dimmer switch for power. Usually constructed of silicon or germanium, but can also be gallium arsenide. It is the foundation of most modern electronic gadgets, including computers, smartphones, appliances, and automobiles. Understanding them is essential for understanding the technology that shapes our lives!
List Of Top 10 Semiconductor Companies Ranked By Market Cap
| Semiconductor Company | Country | Market Cap 2025 |
| NVIDIA | USA | $3.372 T |
| Broadcom | USA | $1.112 T |
| TSMC | Taiwan | $1.096 T |
| ASML | Netherlands | $301.72 B |
| Samsung | S. Korea | $245.22 B |
| AMD | USA | $197.10 B |
| QUALCOMM | USA | $182.82 B |
| Texas Instruments | USA | $175.52 B |
| Arm Holdings | UK | $156.87 B |
| Applied Materials | USA | $156.26 B |
1. NVIDIA Corporation
- Market Cap: $3.372 Trillion
- Headquarters: Santa Carla
- Founders: Jensen Huang, Curtis Priem, Chris Malachowsky
- Technology: Gaming Architecture, AI computing, Deep learning, ML
NVIDIA Corporation is a leading technology firm that creates system-on-a-chip (SoC) chips for mobile and automotive use, and GPUs for gaming and professional applications.
NVIDIA is also a global leader in AI, high-performance computing (HPC), and computer graphics, ranking first among the top semiconductor companies in the world.
AI development and processing are accelerated by frameworks such as NVIDIA AI Enterprise (NAE) and libraries such as CUDA and TensorRT. AI platforms like Isaac Sim and DGX systems provide sophisticated hardware solutions for AI training and inference.
NVIDIA,s AI-powered hardware and software for autonomous driving systems, including perception, planning, and control, are offered under the NVIDIA DRIVE platform.
Recently, Nvidia has made significant advancements, including the unveiling of the GeForce RTX 50 Series GPUs to enhance creative performance in 3D, video, and generative AI. These new GPUs highlight Nvidia’s continued leadership among the largest semiconductor companies.
Additionally, the company introduced NIM Microservices to secure AI applications, further showcasing its role in advancing semiconductor technology for AI-driven solutions.
2. Broadcom Inc.
- Market Cap: $1.112 Trillion
- Headquarters: Stanford Research Park, Palo Alto
- Founders: Henry Nicholas, Henry Samueli
- Technology: Wireless Devices, Data Storage, Wearable Devices
Broadcom, Inc. is a leading multinational semiconductor and infrastructure software product innovator, developer, and manufacturer.
Formerly known as Broadcom Corporation, it was renamed Broadcom Inc. after its acquisition by Avago. Founded in 1991, the company has developed to become one of the biggest semiconductor companies of the world.
The acquisition of VMware by Broadcom in 2023 signaled a significant push into the cloud and virtualization software markets. Now, Broadcom has a strong market position in diverse segments. It is the market leader in Ethernet switching chips for data centers. It also dominates the production of Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity chips for cell phones. Furthermore, Broadcom is a prominent supplier of storage controllers for enterprise applications.
Broadcom recently demonstrated its industry leadership by delivering the first 3.5D F2F Technology for AI XPUs. This innovative combination of 3D silicon stacking and 2.5D packaging enables the creation of custom compute platforms with breakthrough performance, power efficiency, and cost.
This advancement highlights Broadcom’s commitment to semiconductor innovation, particularly in the development of high-performance AI solutions. Therefore, Broadcom ranks 2nd in the list of the top semiconductor companies worldwide.
3. TSMC
- Market Cap: $1.096 Trillion
- Headquarters: Hsinchu Science Park, Taiwan
- Founders: Morris Chang
- Technology: High-Performance Computing, IoT, Automotive, Direct Consumer Electronics (DCE)
Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) is ranked third among the top semiconductor companies. It is the leading independent contract manufacturer of semiconductor products among the top semiconductor manufacturers in the world.
Founded in 1987, it has changed the chip industry by focusing entirely on manufacturing chips for other firms rather than creating and manufacturing its own. This “pure-play” model has made TSMC an essential partner for tech giants such as Apple, Qualcomm, and Nvidia. These companies rely on advanced technology and manufacturing abilities like TSMC’s to bring their ideas to reality.
TSMC reported it’s fourth-quarter revenue of $26.88 billion, a 37% increase from last year and a 14.4% rise from the previous quarter. Advanced technologies, like 3-nanometer and 5-nanometer chips, made up 74% of total wafer revenue, with 3-nanometer accounting for 26%, and 5-nanometer for 34%.
4. ASML
- Market Cap: $301.72 Billion
- Headquarters: San Jose
- Founders: ASM International, Philips
- Technology: Semiconductor Equipment
ASML is a global firm established in the Netherlands that specializes in the development and manufacturing of photolithography devices that produce computer chips.
ASML ranks 4th in the list of the top semiconductor companies as it has a near-monopoly on the development of extreme ultraviolet (EUV) lithography systems. These ultra-precise devices are critical for carving tiny and intricate circuits into silicon wafers, allowing the development of the most powerful chips that power our modern world. The latest smartphones, computers, and data centers would not be possible without ASML’s EUV technology.
According to ASML’s latest financial reports, the company’s current revenue (TTM) is ₹2.486 Trillion. In 2023, ASML made a revenue of ₹2.491 Trillion, marking an increase over the ₹1.836 Trillion revenue in 2022.
ASML Holding, one of the top semiconductor companies, displayed exceptional performance by increasing revenue year-over-year, reflecting strong demand for its advanced lithography systems and continued innovation in both EUV and DUV technologies.
5. Samsung
- Market Cap: $245.22 Billion
- Headquarters: San Jose
- Founders: Lee Jae-yong
- Technology: Data Centers, Smartphones, Wireless Devices, AI and Robotics
The world knows Samsung as a mobile phone and consumer electronics manufacturer. However, the company has diversified its portfolio by entering several crucial industries, like semiconductor manufacturing. It now ranks fifth among the top semiconductor companies.
Samsung is currently the world’s largest memory chip manufacturer, recognized for its creative and high-performance semiconductor devices. Samsung semiconductors include vital components such as CPUs, modems, and memory. These can connect to 5G networks and handle massive volumes of data required to support sophisticated AI features.
Samsung Electronics recently held a tool-in ceremony for its semiconductor research and development complex (NRD-K) at the Giheung campus. The complex, which broke ground in 2022, will focus on memory, system LSI, and foundry semiconductor R&D. It will also have an advanced infrastructure for research and product verification.
Samsung plans to invest KRW 20 trillion by 2030 in the semiconductor complex, covering 109,000 square meters. Expected to start in mid-2025, the complex will feature High NA EUV lithography, new material deposition equipment, and wafer-to-wafer bonding to advance next-gen memory semiconductors like 3D DRAM and V-NAND.
6. AMD
- Market Cap: $197.10 Billion
- Headquarters: Santa Carla
- Founders: Jerry Sanders
- Technology: High-Performance Computing (HPC), Advanced Memory Technology, MI.
Founded in 1969, Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) initially focused on producing RAM and other memory chips for computers. However, the company gradually shifted its focus from chip companies towards microprocessors, entering the market with the Am9080, a direct competitor to Intel’s 8080.
AMD has evolved over the years, now targeting the data center and cloud computing market with its high-performance CPUs and EPYC™ server processors.
The Ryzen™ processors power desktops, laptops, workstations, and servers, presenting strong competition to Intel’s Core™ series. In addition, Radeon™ graphics cards cater to gamers, content creators, and professionals, challenging NVIDIA’s GeForce™ line for market share. Furthermore, AMD develops software drivers, development tools, and optimization solutions to complement its hardware offerings.
Lately, AMD launched the Ryzen 7 9800X3D processor with 2nd Gen AMD 3D V-Cache technology, relocating the 64MB cache beneath the processor for better cooling. This boosts gaming performance by 8% over the previous generation and 20% faster than competitors, while enabling extreme overclocking.
In addition, AMD launched the Instinct MI325X artificial intelligence chip, designed to compete directly with Nvidia’s GPUs in data centers. It’s production was set to begin early this year.
7. QUALCOMM
- Market Cap: $182.82 Billion
- Headquarters: San Diego
- Founders: Irwin Jacobs, Andrew Viterbi
- Technology: 5G & Wireless Technology, AI, Extended Reality (XR), and UR
Qualcomm, a prominent wireless technology innovator, is one of the top semiconductor businesses, playing an important role in defining the connected world. Founded in 1985, Qualcomm’s early research on CDMA wireless cell phones was funded through the sale of Omnitracs, a two-way mobile digital satellite communications system.
Moreover, Qualcomm possesses fundamental patents in mobile communication protocols, including 5G, 4G, CDMA2000, TD-SCDMA, and WCDMA. The renowned technologies at Qualcomm contribute to its excellence as one of the best American semiconductor companies.
However, Qualcomm’s impact extends beyond its foundational patents. The company leads the 5G chipset and technology sector, enabling faster data speeds, lower latency, and new opportunities for connectivity.
In addition, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and cellular modems from Qualcomm form the backbone of our always-on world by connecting devices to the internet and networks. Similarly, Qualcomm integrates AI capabilities into its chipsets, allowing devices to handle complex tasks such as image recognition and natural language processing on-device.
8. Texas Instruments
- Market Cap: $175.52 Billion
- Headquarters: Dallas, Texas
- Founders: Cecil H. Green, J. Erik Jonsson, Eugene McDermott, Patrick E. Haggerty
- Technology: New wireless battery management technologies for electric vehicles, ML
Texas Instruments Inc. (TI) is a leading semiconductor and integrated circuit manufacturer globally. TI has an extensive portfolio of over 80,000 products and a focus on incorporating core control and processing in its designs. Therefore, Texas Instruments maintains a strong position in the top 5 semiconductor companies in USA.
TI specializes in analog chips for signal processing and embedded processors for control and computation. Its products, including power sensors, actuators, and control systems, are essential for industrial automation, enhancing operational efficiency in factories and infrastructure.
TI’s microcontrollers (MCUs) and processors offer scalable, efficient performance and advanced technology to power the next generation of embedded applications. They include Arm-based microcontrollers, Arm-based processors, C2000 real-time microcontrollers, Digital signal processors (DSPs), and MSP430 microcontrollers
Moreover, TI reported its 2024 third-quarter results with $4.15 billion in revenue, $1.36 billion in net income, and $1.47 in earnings per share. This proves why Texas Instruments ranks 8th among the 10 top semiconductor companies.
9. Arm Holdings
- Market Cap: $156.87 Billion
- Headquarters: Cambridge, England
- Founders: Jamie Urquhart, Mike Muller, Tudor Brown, Lee Smith, John Biggs, Harry Oldham, Dave Howard, Pete Harrod, Harry Meekings, Al Thomas, Andy Merritt, David Sea
- Technology: Semiconductor IP, Physical IP, System IP, security IP
ARM was founded on November 5, 1990, as Widelogic Limited, quickly changing to Advanced RISC Machines Limited. It was a joint venture between Acorn Computers, Apple, and VLSI Technology. In 1997, ARM invested in Palmchip Corporation to enter the system-on-chip and disk drive markets. Eventually in 1998, it officially became ARM Ltd.
ARM is the world’s leading semiconductor IP company, developing and licensing core technologies for billions of devices. Their microprocessor technology offers a wide range of cores to meet performance, power, and cost needs across various markets.
ARM also provides graphics and camera tech for optimal visual experiences in smartphones, tablets, and digital TVs. Their Physical IP and System IP solutions support high-performance, power-efficient designs for diverse applications.
Additionally, ARM’s Security IP ensures robust device protection, and Corstone packages offer ready-made solutions for building secure SoCs, simplifying complex IoT and embedded device creation.
For its fiscal second quarter ending September 30, 2024, ARM reported $844 million in revenue, marking a 5% year-over-year increase. This growth was driven by record royalty revenue and continued strength in license revenue.
In 2024, ARM shipped over 300 billion Arm-based chips globally. This was supported by its world-leading ecosystem of technology partners and more than 20 million software developers. These achievements therefore solidify ARM’s status among top semiconductor companies.
10. Applied Materials
- Market Cap: $156.26 Billion
- Headquarters: Santa Clara
- Founders: Michael A. McNeilly
- Technology: Semiconductor, Display, Roll-to-Roll Web Coating, Solar, Automation Software
Founded in 1967 by Michael A. McNeilly and others, Applied Materials plays a key role in semiconductor technology. Initially focused on supplying chemicals and equipment, the company evolved to push the limits of chip manufacturing. It specializes in manipulating materials at the atomic level to create intricate circuits on silicon wafers.
Beyond individual tools, Applied Materials offers Integrated Materials Solutions combining multiple processes, metrology, and sensors for efficient chip production.
Lately, Applied Materials has developed the SEMVision™ G7C. This is a defect review system for compound semiconductor manufacturing, addressing the limitations of optical inspection in detecting tiny SiC crystalline defects. The system uses Elluminator™ backscattered electron technology to capture high-resolution images, revealing buried defects in 3D structures and deep trenches.
This innovation enhances defect identification, classification, and tracking throughout the fab process, improving yield and device reliability. Due to this innovative nature, Applied Materials ranks 10th in the list of the top semiconductor companies.
Expert Takeaways
| Key Insights | Details |
| The dominance of Key Players | Companies like NVIDIA, TSMC, and Broadcom lead the industry with massive market caps and influence. |
| Increased Focus on AI & HPC | AI and High-Performance Computing (HPC) are central to growth, driving innovation across sectors. |
| Advancements in Semiconductor Manufacturing | Companies are pushing the boundaries of semiconductor production, especially in 3nm and 5nm technology. |
| Diversification of Semiconductor Markets | Semiconductor companies are expanding into new areas like automotive, IoT, and mobile technologies. |
FAQs
- Which is the largest semiconductor company?
Ans: As of 2025, NVIDIA is the largest semiconductor company with a market capitalization of $3.372 trillion. In 2024, NVIDIA reported a record quarterly revenue of $35.1 billion, reflecting a 17% increase from Q2 and a 94% growth compared to the previous year.
- Which are the top 5 semiconductor companies in the USA?
Ans: According to market cap, NVIDIA, Broadcom Inc., AMD, QUALCOMM, and Texas Instruments are the top 5 semiconductor companies in USA.
