Hub24 or Altium: Which ASX 200 tech stock is the better buy right now?

After a year that absolutely hammered technology stocks, some investors are now starting to go bargain shopping with an eye on a possible turnaround.

Two such S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) shares that seem to be favoured by professional investors are Hub24 Ltd (ASX: HUB) and Altium Limited (ASX: ALU).

Hub24 shares are currently rated as a strong buy by nine out of 13 analysts surveyed on CMC Markets.

"Altium is aiming to achieve US$500 million in revenue by 2026. This will be more than double FY2022's revenue of US$220.8 million," wrote The Motley Fool's James Mickleboro, who reported that Jefferies is "a fan of the company". 

"It currently has a buy rating and $38.13 price target on its shares."

The trouble is that many investors are short of cash in turbulent times.

So if you're tempted by both Hub24 and Altium, which is the better investment if you have limited funds?

'Like trying to pick a favourite child'

Shaw and Partners portfolio manager James Gerrish was asked this very question this week in a Market Matters Q&A.

He admitted it's a tough one, as his team holds both of them and they "have performed stoically".

"At this stage the answer is we like them both. It's sort of like trying to pick a favourite child!"

Indeed, during a period when tech has really struggled to hold their valuations, Hub24 shares have done well to be only 9% lower year to date. Altium has been relatively resilient too, with the stock price down 20%.

This compares to a 32% drop for the S&P/ASX All Technology Index (ASX: XTX).

But which one to choose, if there was a gun to the head?

But if Gerrish absolutely had to pick one, it would be the financial platform provider over the electronic design software maker. 

"We do think there is probably more upside for Hub24 in the short term given its strong platform growth that was reported recently and the aggressive commercial model they run," he said.

"That said, Altium continues to go from strength to strength and we see at least 15% upside into Christmas, but more wouldn't surprise."