Three Hidden Growth Tech Stocks Worth Buying Before the Market Runs Away

The tech sector has been unstoppable lately, and if you’re sitting on the sidelines, the fear of missing out is real. But here’s the thing: finding solid growth tech stocks at reasonable prices is actually still possible if you know where to look.

Let me break down three legitimate tech plays that could be worth your attention heading into 2026.

Microsoft: The Steady Performer That Keeps Leveling Up

Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT) might not sound exciting anymore, but boring can be beautiful in investing. While everyone chases flashy AI startups, Microsoft is quietly printing money.

The real story here is Azure and the Intelligent Cloud segment. Cloud revenue jumped 28% year-over-year, and Azure specifically grew 40%. This is the backbone of AI infrastructure—literally every major AI company runs on cloud platforms, and Microsoft owns a massive chunk of that market. That segment alone is running at a $120 billion annual rate.

On top of that, Microsoft’s traditional business (Windows, Microsoft 365, Dynamics) is still cranking out 26% revenue growth. It’s not a one-trick pony betting everything on AI hype.

The valuation? Microsoft trades at 26x next year’s projected earnings, with analysts expecting 16-17% annual earnings growth long-term. That’s fair value for a company with this kind of competitive moat. Sometimes the safest bet in growth tech stocks is buying world-class companies at normal prices, not crazy valuations.

Microsoft stock gained 15% in 2025 alone, and there’s room for this to continue if Azure adoption accelerates.

Motorola Solutions: The Overlooked Infrastructure Play

Motorola Solutions (NYSE: MSI) confuses people because of the brand name—but this isn’t the cell phone company. That got spun off ages ago.

What Motorola Solutions actually does is sell mission-critical communications gear and software. Police departments use their body cameras and drones. Government agencies depend on their radio systems. Schools and corporations use their command center software. It’s the unglamorous backbone of infrastructure that nobody thinks about until they need it.

The catalyst? They just acquired Silvus Technologies for $4.4 billion, adding proprietary communications tech that works in places where regular networks fail. That’s a huge competitive advantage they can now cross-sell to their entire customer base.

Here’s where it gets interesting for growth: the stock currently trades at 25x earnings but the company’s 10-year average P/E is 32. So you’re getting a discount on a business analysts expect will grow earnings 9% annually over the next 3-5 years.

It’s the kind of slow-and-steady growth tech stock that won’t make you rich overnight, but it’s rock-solid.

ADP: The Dividend King With Upside You Might Miss

Automatic Data Processing (NASDAQ: ADP) has been doing the same thing for decades—managing HR and payroll for basically every major company on Earth. It sounds boring, but boring businesses are often the best businesses.

Here’s why this matters: ADP is a Dividend King with 50 consecutive years of dividend increases averaging 11.5% annually. That’s consistency you can bank on.

The beauty of ADP is that it’s essentially a play on global workforce expansion. More people working = more payroll to process. More regulatory complexity = more compliance tools needed. It scales with economic growth.

Analysts project 9% annual earnings growth going forward, which is plenty to keep funding those double-digit dividend increases. The stock is trading near its 52-week low at just 23x forward earnings.

This is a growth tech stock that actually pays you while you wait—and it’s currently undervalued compared to its historical range.

The Takeaway

The problem with the current market is that valuations have gotten ridiculous for a lot of tech. But if you’re willing to dig deeper, these three companies offer genuine growth with reasonable price tags. Microsoft gives you exposure to AI infrastructure at fair value. Motorola Solutions offers steady growth on new acquisition synergies. And ADP provides reliable earnings growth paired with attractive dividends.

None of them are going to moon overnight, but that’s not always what matters when building real wealth.