FAANG vs MAANG: What’s the Difference for Your Tech Career?

You’ve probably seen the acronyms FAANG and MAANG thrown around in tech circles — but what do they actually mean, and why did they change?

FAANG: The Original

FAANG stood for Facebook, Apple, Amazon, Netflix, and Google. These companies dominated the tech world for years, offering high-paying jobs, prestige, and massive scale.

Why MAANG?

In 2021, Facebook rebranded to Meta, so people started using MAANG instead. It still refers to the same elite group of companies — just with an updated name.

Does the Acronym Really Matter?

Not much, honestly. Whether you call it FAANG or MAANG, it's all about the top tech firms known for big salaries, tough interviews, and major global impact.

Who's Really in the Club?

These days, people also include companies like Microsoft, Tesla, Nvidia, Airbnb, and Stripe when talking about “top tech.” So don’t get stuck on the acronym — focus on where the exciting work is happening.