Comparisons of magnetic anisotropy and switching behavior of CoCr‐based alloy and Co/Pd multilayer media were made using a vector vibrating sample magnetometer. Magnetic anisotropy energy was determined from angle‐dependent measurements of the transverse magnetization, using a simple approximate expression for transverse moment versus applied field and rotation angle. Switching behavior was deduced from hysteresis and angle‐dependent energy‐loss measurements. The multilayers were found to switch by curling and domain wall motion, while the Co78Cr17Ta5and Co70Cr15Ta5Pt10media were found to switch by nearly coherent (Stoner–Wohlfarth) rotation. Plasma oxidation of the multilayers was found to slightly reduce the amount of coupling, but degraded readback amplitude to a contact recording transducer. ©1995 American Institute of Physics.