How To Get Quantum Stock Exposure Intelligently

Quantum is all the buzz but the risks are super high so how do you get exposure to the industry without betting the farm on any given stock?

If I could only bet on one quantum computing stock with the potential to deliver life-changing returns, IonQ (NYSE: IONQ) is probably at the top of my list.

IonQ isn’t just another buzzword company in the AI-adjacent world, it’s already proven its chops. Founded in 2005, IonQ launched its first quantum computer, Harmony, in 2019. That system has since been retired, but three more powerful successors, Aria, Forte, and Forte Enterprise, are now commercially available and showing real traction.

The company’s growth? Off the charts. Since going public thanks to Niccolo deMasi, IonQ has grown revenue at a staggering annual rate but do keep in mind that’s from a low base. While it’s unrealistic to expect that kind of pace to last forever, analysts still expect revenue to nearly double again this year. So, what sets IonQ apart from the rest of the quantum crowd?

For starters, its ion-trap technology is highly scalable and allows for more qubit connectivity than many rival systems. The tech runs at room temperature, meaning it doesn’t require the ultra-cold environments that some quantum systems demand.

And perhaps most importantly, IonQ believes it has the most efficient error-correction system in the business—no small feat in a field where qubit reliability is everything.

Key Points

• With strong revenue growth and scalable, room-temperature ion-trap tech, IonQ is the most proven quantum stock so far.

• D-Wave is gaining momentum with top-tier clients, while Rigetti bets on superconducting qubits with government backing.

• The tech is early and uncertain. Safer exposure may come through big tech names like Alphabet and Microsoft.

D-Wave Quantum Is The Underdog with an Edge

Next up is D-Wave Quantum (NYSE: QBTS), a lesser-known but fast-rising player. With a market cap just over half of IonQ’s, D-Wave offers more room to run if investor excitement catches fire.

And lately, it’s been doing just that. D-Wave’s revenue surged more than 6x year over year in its most recent quarter, and its stock has been one of the top performers among quantum names over the past 12 months, more than 2x’ing in 2025 alone.

The company just launched Advantage2, its most advanced system yet. CEO Alan Baratz didn’t mince words, calling it an “engineering marvel” capable of solving complex problems that even today’s most powerful classical supercomputers can’t touch.

With 133 enterprise customers on board, including 25 members of the Forbes Global 2000 like Mastercard, BASF, and Accenture, D-Wave isn’t just making noise; it’s building a serious business.

A Contrarian Bet on Superconducting Qubits

If you’re looking for an even smaller quantum bet, Rigetti Computing (NASDAQ: RGTI) might pique your interest. With a market cap under $5 billion, it’s the smallest of the trio but arguably the boldest.

Rigetti doesn’t use ion-trap technology like IonQ. Instead, it’s doubling down on superconducting qubits, a field also being explored by tech giants like Google, Amazon, and IBM.

And it’s not flying solo. Rigetti is working with big-time government partners like DARPA, the U.S. Air Force Research Lab, NASA, and the U.K.’s National Quantum Computing Centre.

Before You Dive In Head First To Quantum

Of course, it’s worth pumping the brakes before you start counting future millions. Quantum computing remains a frontier technology, and there’s no guarantee these companies will deliver the kind of returns some investors are hoping for.

Things could go sideways. The tech could take longer than expected to reach commercial scale. Or competitors with deeper pockets could ultimately win out.

If you’re looking for a safer way to play the quantum boom, there’s always Alphabet or Microsoft—both of which are investing heavily in quantum R&D while generating steady cash flows from their core businesses.

But for investors willing to take a higher-risk, higher-reward approach? IonQ, D-Wave, and Rigetti could be the speculative opportunities that, one day, rewrite your portfolio.