7 Best Quantum Computing Stocks to Buy in 2026

Quantum computing is one of the most disruptive technologies emerging in the 2020s. By harnessing the principles of quantum mechanics, quantum computers can potentially solve complex problems that traditional computers can’t. While true commercial quantum dominance is still several years away, 2026 presents a unique opportunity for investors to gain exposure to this high-growth sector.

This article explores the best quantum computing stocks that could offer long-term upside for your investment portfolio:

1. IonQ, Inc. (NYSE: IONQ)

IonQ is widely considered the leading pure-play quantum computing stock. This means that its business is almost entirely focused on quantum technologies. 

The company builds trapped-ion quantum computers, which are known for long qubit coherence and high computational fidelity. IonQ’s systems are accessible via major cloud platforms like Microsoft Azure and Google Cloud, helping it generate commercial revenue earlier than most pure plays.

In early 2026, IonQ reported strong revenue growth that exceeded analyst expectations, thanks to the expanding demand for its quantum services. It also made headlines with a major acquisition of semiconductor foundry SkyWater Technology, to vertically integrate its production and accelerate innovation. Despite ongoing operating losses typical of emerging tech firms, many analysts rate IonQ as a Buy due to its first-mover advantage and expansive quantum ecosystem.

Why it matters: IonQ is arguably the most pure quantum investment available today, making it a core pick for quantum-themed portfolios.

2. D-Wave Quantum Inc. (NYSE: QBTS)

D-Wave Quantum is one of the most established quantum players, specialising in quantum annealing systems, which is a type of quantum computing suited to solving optimization problems at scale. Unlike gate-model quantum machines, D-Wave’s technology found early commercial applications with business customers looking for advanced computational solutions.

D-Wave’s stock has seen strong performance over the past year and earned an Outperform rating from major investment analysts thanks to its real-world revenues and solid liquidity position. It also offers a full stack quantum ecosystem, including hardware, software and services.

Why it matters: D-Wave is one of the few quantum companies with real commercial customers and growing revenue streams.

3. Rigetti Computing Inc. (NASDAQ: RGTI)

Rigetti Computing is another pure-play quantum hardware firm focused on superconducting qubit systems, competing directly with other early quantum builders. The company has made a lot of progress in scaling qubit performance and has secured commercial purchase orders that suggest early market traction.

Rigetti’s stock saw impressive gains and has been boosted by government contracts — including multi-year research partnerships.

Why it matters: Rigetti is on the cutting edge of quantum hardware and attracts attention for its commercial system deployments.

4. Quantum Computing, Inc. (NASDAQ: QUBT)

Quantum Computing, Inc. (QUBT) operates at the intersection of quantum hardware and software, and offers integrated photonics-based computing solutions. While smaller than some pure plays, QUBT stepped up as a speculative but intriguing candidate for investors looking for exposure to quantum machine development and algorithm innovation.

MarketBeat and other stock track­ing tools list QUBT as one of the quantum computing stocks to watch.

Why it matters: QUBT represents a middle ground between early hardware pioneers and the larger tech giants, with potential in both systems and software.

5. Alphabet Inc. (NASDAQ: GOOGL)

While Alphabet isn’t a quantum computing company in the pure sense, its Google Quantum AI division is one of the most technologically advanced research efforts in the world. Google’s quantum labs have achieved multiple breakthroughs in error reduction and fault tolerance research — key steps toward scalable quantum machines.

Investors often favour Alphabet stock as a safer way to play quantum computing because the company’s deep financial resources and diversified business model help absorb the inherent long-term risk.

Alphabet stock price over the past year (Source: CoinCodex)

Why it matters: Alphabet combines world-class quantum research with strong overall financials, making it a lower-risk way to gain exposure to quantum progress.

6. IBM (NYSE: IBM)

IBM is a heavyweight in quantum computing research that offers cloud access to its quantum systems through the IBM Quantum platform since 2016. The company wants to scale up to thousands of qubits over the coming decade, and its historical leadership in quantum research gives it a competitive edge.

IBM’s stock isn’t purely quantum-driven, but the potential for this division to contribute meaningfully to future revenue — particularly in enterprise computing and quantum-as-a-service — makes it a key inclusion in this list.

Why it matters: IBM is one of the most established names in quantum computing and brings decades of R&D to the table.

7. Intel Corporation (NASDAQ: INTC)

Intel’s involvement in quantum computing centers on semiconductor-based qubits and quantum-ready hardware infrastructure. While not a pure-play, Intel’s expertise in chip manufacturing and research into quantum systems makes it an important part of the overall ecosystem that quantum technologies depend on.

Being part of the legacy semiconductor world gives Intel both stability and potential long-term upside if quantum chips gain commercial traction.

Why it matters: Intel offers quantum exposure through its semiconductor strength and research into next-generation computing architectures.

Final Takeaway

Investing in quantum computing stocks today is a long-term, high-risk, high-potential strategy. Pure plays like IonQ, D-Wave, and Rigetti offer the most direct exposure to the technology itself, while major tech giants like Alphabet, IBM, and Intel provide broader exposure with more established business models.

If you believe quantum computing will reshape industries over the next decade, these seven stocks are some of the most compelling ways to ready your portfolio for that future.