Rigetti vs QCi: A Comparative Analysis of Quantum Computing Investments
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: Jan 29 2026
0mins
Should l Buy RGTI?
Source: Fool
- Market Performance Divergence: Over the past 12 months, Rigetti's stock surged nearly 60%, while QCi's rose only 3%, indicating Rigetti's strong performance and investor confidence in the quantum computing market.
- Technological Comparison: Rigetti accelerates electrons through superconducting loops to achieve quantum states, which, despite high operational costs, offers higher gate fidelity, maintaining its competitive edge; in contrast, QCi's photonic chips show manufacturing potential but are costly to produce in small quantities.
- Future Revenue Projections: Analysts expect Rigetti's revenue to grow from $7.6 million in 2025 to $45.4 million in 2027, highlighting the market potential of its new systems, while QCi is projected to reach $15 million in revenue by 2027, though it still faces profitability challenges.
- Investment Recommendation: While both companies are high-risk investments, Rigetti stands out as a more attractive option due to its established technology and clear roadmap for future growth, whereas QCi must overcome significant manufacturing hurdles to compete.
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Analyst Views on RGTI
Wall Street analysts forecast RGTI stock price to rise over the next 12 months. According to Wall Street analysts, the average 1-year price target for RGTI is 39.75 USD with a low forecast of 30.00 USD and a high forecast of 51.00 USD. However, analyst price targets are subjective and often lag stock prices, so investors should focus on the objective reasons behind analyst rating changes, which better reflect the company's fundamentals.
10 Analyst Rating
7 Buy
3 Hold
0 Sell
Moderate Buy
Current: 14.975
Low
30.00
Averages
39.75
High
51.00
Current: 14.975
Low
30.00
Averages
39.75
High
51.00
About RGTI
Rigetti Computing, Inc. is a full-stack quantum computing company. The Company operates quantum computers over the cloud and serves global enterprise, government, and research clients through its Rigetti Quantum Cloud Services platform. The Company’s quantum-classical infrastructure provides high-performance integration with public and private clouds for practical quantum computing. It has developed a multi-chip quantum processor for scalable quantum computing systems. Through the Company’s Quantum Computing as a Service (QCaaS) platform, its machines can be integrated into any public, private or hybrid cloud. It is also engaged in the sale of quantum processing units (QPUs) and custom computing components, and development contracts and other services. Its QPUs contain fabricated silicon-based chips featuring superconducting qubits. The Company designs and manufactures its chips in-house at Fab-1, an integrated quantum device manufacturing facility.
About the author
Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
Analysis of Rigetti Quantum Computing Stock Outlook
- Market Performance Review: Rigetti Computing's stock has risen by 17.96% over the past year, yet it is currently trading over 60% below its 2025 peak, indicating investor concerns about its future prospects and the need for careful risk assessment.
- Technical Competition Analysis: Rigetti's 108-qubit system boasts impressive gate speeds of 50-70 nanoseconds; however, its median two-qubit gate fidelity of 99% lags behind competitors like IonQ, which achieves 99.99%, highlighting the urgent need for technological improvements.
- Future Development Goals: Rigetti aims to develop a 1,000-qubit system by 2027 with a target fidelity of 99.7%, but this still falls short compared to IonQ's ambitions, and the commercial viability threshold remains at 1 million qubits and 99.99% fidelity.
- Investor Recommendations: While the quantum computing market is projected to reach $72 billion by 2030, Rigetti could become a significant player if it captures market share; however, due to its speculative nature, investors are advised to adopt a small stake strategy to mitigate risks.
See More
Rigetti Quantum Computing Faces Significant Challenges
- Intensifying Market Competition: Rigetti Computing is competing in the quantum computing space against tech giants like Google and IBM, with its 108-qubit system achieving gate speeds of 50-70 nanoseconds but only 99% accuracy, significantly lower than rival IonQ's 99.99%, threatening its market competitiveness.
- Future Development Goals: Rigetti aims to develop a system with 1,000 qubits by 2027, targeting 99.7% two-qubit gate fidelity; however, this appears conservative compared to IonQ's ambition to achieve 10,000 qubits in the same timeframe.
- Investment Risk Warning: Despite the quantum computing market being projected to reach $72 billion by 2030, Rigetti's stock has fallen over 60% from its 2025 peak, and it has given back all gains made in 2026, indicating high investment risk suitable only for risk-tolerant investors.
- Uncertain Market Outlook: If Rigetti can achieve large-scale quantum computing in the future, it may secure a position in the rapidly evolving quantum computing market, but there is currently no clear path or timeline, necessitating cautious evaluation of potential returns against risks for investors.
See More
Rigetti Computing Faces Competitive Pressure in Quantum Sector
- Stock Volatility: Rigetti Computing has garnered attention over the past year, yet its stock has plummeted approximately 70% from its all-time high, indicating a significant decline in market confidence regarding its future prospects, prompting investors to reassess its investment value.
- Competitive Landscape: In the quantum computing sector, Rigetti faces fierce competition from companies like IonQ, which is set to release a 256-qubit system in 2026, highlighting Rigetti's disadvantages in technological advancement and market share.
- Technical Challenges: Rigetti's 108-qubit system is lagging in achieving 99.5% two-qubit gate fidelity, while its nine-qubit system achieves 99.7%; however, insufficient performance in larger systems may hinder its market position and future funding capabilities.
- Investment Risks: Should Rigetti fail to accelerate its technological progress, it risks further stock declines or even bankruptcy, which poses a negative signal for investors, as the market's sell-off reflects concerns over its future performance.
See More
Rigetti Computing Stock Soars 1,420% Amid Quantum Hype
- Stock Surge: As of February 4, 2026, Rigetti Computing's share price has skyrocketed by 1,420% over the past 15 months, trailing D-Wave Quantum's 1,910% increase but significantly outperforming IonQ's 770% rise, reflecting strong investor confidence in the quantum computing sector.
- Market Expectations: Investors widely believe that quantum computing will disrupt various industries, including encryption, genetic analysis, and financial forecasting, with Rigetti aiming to offer a comprehensive suite of quantum computing solutions from hardware manufacturing to cloud services to attract deep-pocketed enterprise clients.
- Profitability Challenges: Despite its impressive stock performance, Rigetti faces significant unprofitability, with a staggering valuation ratio of 757 times sales, making it appear unreasonable compared to its market peers, indicating potential overvaluation risks.
- Future Outlook: While the stock may experience volatility due to market sentiment in the short term, the company's ongoing losses and reliance on stock issuance to sustain operations suggest a looming risk of price correction within the next one to two years.
See More
Rigetti Computing Shares Surge 18.3% Amid Tech Rally
- Significant Stock Surge: Rigetti Computing's shares rose 18.3% on Friday, closing at $2.69, driven not by company-specific news but by a broader tech rally, indicating ongoing investor interest in the quantum computing sector.
- Market Recovery Context: Following a brutal four-day decline, the Nasdaq Composite rebounded with a 2.1% increase, as renewed fears of an AI bubble emerged, fueled by major tech earnings revealing accelerating spending, which boosted investor sentiment.
- Surge in Capital Expenditures: Alphabet expects capital expenditures to range between $175 billion and $185 billion in 2026, nearly doubling its 2025 spending, while Amazon raised its 2026 capex guidance to $200 billion, a 60% increase from $125 billion, highlighting a trend of escalating investments among major tech firms.
- Ongoing Business Challenges: Despite Rigetti's market cap exceeding $5 billion, analysts suggest that the timeline for achieving commercial viability in quantum computing may be overly optimistic, as breakthrough success could be much further away than current valuations imply, posing risks to stock sustainability.
See More
Infleqtion Set to Go Public via SPAC Merger
- Quantum Technology Breakthrough: Infleqtion focuses on quantum computing and sensing powered by neutral-atom technology, boasting over 230 patents and leveraging Nobel Prize-winning technology, showcasing a strong technical foundation and market potential.
- Collaboration with Nvidia: Infleqtion is closely working with Nvidia to integrate its Sqale quantum computer with Nvidia's CUDA-Q and NVQLink technology, aiming to accelerate hybrid quantum-classical computing applications, potentially unlocking commercial quantum computing sooner.
- SPAC Merger Financing: The proposed merger with Churchill Capital Corp X is expected to generate approximately $540 million in gross proceeds, including over $125 million in new capital, reflecting strong market confidence in Infleqtion's future growth.
- Strong Market Performance: Churchill Capital shares rose 5.59% to $11.34 at the time of publication, indicating positive investor sentiment towards the merger, which may present a good opportunity for long-term holding.
See More
Analysis of Rigetti Quantum Computing Stock Outlook
- Market Performance Review: Rigetti Computing's stock has risen by 17.96% over the past year, yet it is currently trading over 60% below its 2025 peak, indicating investor concerns about its future prospects and the need for careful risk assessment.
- Technical Competition Analysis: Rigetti's 108-qubit system boasts impressive gate speeds of 50-70 nanoseconds; however, its median two-qubit gate fidelity of 99% lags behind competitors like IonQ, which achieves 99.99%, highlighting the urgent need for technological improvements.
- Future Development Goals: Rigetti aims to develop a 1,000-qubit system by 2027 with a target fidelity of 99.7%, but this still falls short compared to IonQ's ambitions, and the commercial viability threshold remains at 1 million qubits and 99.99% fidelity.
- Investor Recommendations: While the quantum computing market is projected to reach $72 billion by 2030, Rigetti could become a significant player if it captures market share; however, due to its speculative nature, investors are advised to adopt a small stake strategy to mitigate risks.
See More
Rigetti Quantum Computing Faces Significant Challenges
- Intensifying Market Competition: Rigetti Computing is competing in the quantum computing space against tech giants like Google and IBM, with its 108-qubit system achieving gate speeds of 50-70 nanoseconds but only 99% accuracy, significantly lower than rival IonQ's 99.99%, threatening its market competitiveness.
- Future Development Goals: Rigetti aims to develop a system with 1,000 qubits by 2027, targeting 99.7% two-qubit gate fidelity; however, this appears conservative compared to IonQ's ambition to achieve 10,000 qubits in the same timeframe.
- Investment Risk Warning: Despite the quantum computing market being projected to reach $72 billion by 2030, Rigetti's stock has fallen over 60% from its 2025 peak, and it has given back all gains made in 2026, indicating high investment risk suitable only for risk-tolerant investors.
- Uncertain Market Outlook: If Rigetti can achieve large-scale quantum computing in the future, it may secure a position in the rapidly evolving quantum computing market, but there is currently no clear path or timeline, necessitating cautious evaluation of potential returns against risks for investors.
See More
Rigetti Computing Faces Competitive Pressure in Quantum Sector
- Stock Volatility: Rigetti Computing has garnered attention over the past year, yet its stock has plummeted approximately 70% from its all-time high, indicating a significant decline in market confidence regarding its future prospects, prompting investors to reassess its investment value.
- Competitive Landscape: In the quantum computing sector, Rigetti faces fierce competition from companies like IonQ, which is set to release a 256-qubit system in 2026, highlighting Rigetti's disadvantages in technological advancement and market share.
- Technical Challenges: Rigetti's 108-qubit system is lagging in achieving 99.5% two-qubit gate fidelity, while its nine-qubit system achieves 99.7%; however, insufficient performance in larger systems may hinder its market position and future funding capabilities.
- Investment Risks: Should Rigetti fail to accelerate its technological progress, it risks further stock declines or even bankruptcy, which poses a negative signal for investors, as the market's sell-off reflects concerns over its future performance.
See More
Rigetti Computing Stock Soars 1,420% Amid Quantum Hype
- Stock Surge: As of February 4, 2026, Rigetti Computing's share price has skyrocketed by 1,420% over the past 15 months, trailing D-Wave Quantum's 1,910% increase but significantly outperforming IonQ's 770% rise, reflecting strong investor confidence in the quantum computing sector.
- Market Expectations: Investors widely believe that quantum computing will disrupt various industries, including encryption, genetic analysis, and financial forecasting, with Rigetti aiming to offer a comprehensive suite of quantum computing solutions from hardware manufacturing to cloud services to attract deep-pocketed enterprise clients.
- Profitability Challenges: Despite its impressive stock performance, Rigetti faces significant unprofitability, with a staggering valuation ratio of 757 times sales, making it appear unreasonable compared to its market peers, indicating potential overvaluation risks.
- Future Outlook: While the stock may experience volatility due to market sentiment in the short term, the company's ongoing losses and reliance on stock issuance to sustain operations suggest a looming risk of price correction within the next one to two years.
See More
Rigetti Computing Shares Surge 18.3% Amid Tech Rally
- Significant Stock Surge: Rigetti Computing's shares rose 18.3% on Friday, closing at $2.69, driven not by company-specific news but by a broader tech rally, indicating ongoing investor interest in the quantum computing sector.
- Market Recovery Context: Following a brutal four-day decline, the Nasdaq Composite rebounded with a 2.1% increase, as renewed fears of an AI bubble emerged, fueled by major tech earnings revealing accelerating spending, which boosted investor sentiment.
- Surge in Capital Expenditures: Alphabet expects capital expenditures to range between $175 billion and $185 billion in 2026, nearly doubling its 2025 spending, while Amazon raised its 2026 capex guidance to $200 billion, a 60% increase from $125 billion, highlighting a trend of escalating investments among major tech firms.
- Ongoing Business Challenges: Despite Rigetti's market cap exceeding $5 billion, analysts suggest that the timeline for achieving commercial viability in quantum computing may be overly optimistic, as breakthrough success could be much further away than current valuations imply, posing risks to stock sustainability.
See More
Infleqtion Set to Go Public via SPAC Merger
- Quantum Technology Breakthrough: Infleqtion focuses on quantum computing and sensing powered by neutral-atom technology, boasting over 230 patents and leveraging Nobel Prize-winning technology, showcasing a strong technical foundation and market potential.
- Collaboration with Nvidia: Infleqtion is closely working with Nvidia to integrate its Sqale quantum computer with Nvidia's CUDA-Q and NVQLink technology, aiming to accelerate hybrid quantum-classical computing applications, potentially unlocking commercial quantum computing sooner.
- SPAC Merger Financing: The proposed merger with Churchill Capital Corp X is expected to generate approximately $540 million in gross proceeds, including over $125 million in new capital, reflecting strong market confidence in Infleqtion's future growth.
- Strong Market Performance: Churchill Capital shares rose 5.59% to $11.34 at the time of publication, indicating positive investor sentiment towards the merger, which may present a good opportunity for long-term holding.
See More
