Software - Infrastructure
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BB vs VRNS
Revenue, margins, valuation, and 5-year total return — side by side.
Software - Infrastructure
BB vs VRNS — Key Financials
Market cap, revenue, margins, and valuation side-by-side.
| Company Snapshot | ||
|---|---|---|
| Industry | Software - Infrastructure | Software - Infrastructure |
| Market Cap | $3.60B | $3.37B |
| Revenue (TTM) | $537M | $660M |
| Net Income (TTM) | $22M | $-137M |
| Gross Margin | 75.0% | 78.1% |
| Operating Margin | 3.6% | -21.9% |
| Forward P/E | 43.1x | 242.2x |
| Total Debt | $239M | $572M |
| Cash & Equiv. | $267M | $202M |
BB vs VRNS — Long-Term Stock Performance
Price return indexed to 100 at period start. Dividends excluded.
| Stock | May 20 | May 26 | Return |
|---|---|---|---|
| BlackBerry Limited (BB) | 100 | 131.5 | +31.5% |
| Varonis Systems, In… (VRNS) | 100 | 102.0 | +2.0% |
Price return only. Dividends and distributions are not included.
Quick Verdict: BB vs VRNS
Each card shows where this stock fits in a portfolio — not just who wins on paper.
BB carries the broadest edge in this set and is the clearest fit for value and quality.
- Lower P/E (43.1x vs 242.2x)
- 4.1% margin vs VRNS's -20.7%
- +65.8% vs VRNS's -36.7%
VRNS is the clearest fit if your priority is income & stability and growth exposure.
- beta 0.95
- Rev growth 13.2%, EPS growth -31.4%, 3Y rev CAGR 9.6%
- 317.5% 10Y total return vs BB's -7.3%
See the full category breakdown
| Category | Winner | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Growth | 13.2% revenue growth vs BB's -29.5% | |
| Value | Lower P/E (43.1x vs 242.2x) | |
| Quality / Margins | 4.1% margin vs VRNS's -20.7% | |
| Stability / Safety | Beta 0.95 vs BB's 1.37 | |
| Dividends | Tie | Neither stock pays a meaningful dividend |
| Momentum (1Y) | +65.8% vs VRNS's -36.7% | |
| Efficiency (ROA) | 1.9% ROA vs VRNS's -8.2%, ROIC 0.1% vs -11.0% |
BB vs VRNS — Revenue Breakdown by Segment
How each company's revenue is distributed across its business units
BB vs VRNS — Financial Metrics
Side-by-side numbers across 2 stocks — who leads on profitability, valuation, growth, and risk.
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
Evenly matched — BB and VRNS each lead in 3 of 6 comparable metrics.
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
VRNS and BB operate at a comparable scale, with $660M and $537M in trailing revenue. BB is the more profitable business, keeping 4.1% of every revenue dollar as net income compared to VRNS's -20.7%. On growth, VRNS holds the edge at +26.9% YoY revenue growth, suggesting stronger near-term business momentum.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| RevenueTrailing 12 months | $537M | $660M |
| EBITDAEarnings before interest/tax | $38M | -$135M |
| Net IncomeAfter-tax profit | $22M | -$137M |
| Free Cash FlowCash after capex | $39M | $120M |
| Gross MarginGross profit ÷ Revenue | +75.0% | +78.1% |
| Operating MarginEBIT ÷ Revenue | +3.6% | -21.9% |
| Net MarginNet income ÷ Revenue | +4.1% | -20.7% |
| FCF MarginFCF ÷ Revenue | +7.3% | +18.1% |
| Rev. Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | -0.8% | +26.9% |
| EPS Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | +2.2% | 0.0% |
Valuation Metrics
BB leads this category, winning 3 of 5 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| Market CapShares × price | $3.6B | $3.4B |
| Enterprise ValueMkt cap + debt − cash | $3.6B | $3.7B |
| Trailing P/EPrice ÷ TTM EPS | -46.92x | -25.38x |
| Forward P/EPrice ÷ next-FY EPS est. | 43.11x | 242.23x |
| PEG RatioP/E ÷ EPS growth rate | — | — |
| EV / EBITDAEnterprise value multiple | 78.54x | — |
| Price / SalesMarket cap ÷ Revenue | 6.73x | 5.40x |
| Price / BookPrice ÷ Book value/share | 5.04x | 6.19x |
| Price / FCFMarket cap ÷ FCF | 562.72x | 24.99x |
Profitability & Efficiency
BB leads this category, winning 9 of 9 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
BB delivers a 3.0% return on equity — every $100 of shareholder capital generates $3 in annual profit, vs $-27 for VRNS. BB carries lower financial leverage with a 0.33x debt-to-equity ratio, signaling a more conservative balance sheet compared to VRNS's 0.96x. On the Piotroski fundamental quality scale (0–9), BB scores 6/9 vs VRNS's 5/9, reflecting solid financial health.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| ROE (TTM)Return on equity | +3.0% | -27.4% |
| ROA (TTM)Return on assets | +1.9% | -8.2% |
| ROICReturn on invested capital | +0.1% | -11.0% |
| ROCEReturn on capital employed | +0.1% | -14.0% |
| Piotroski ScoreFundamental quality 0–9 | 6 | 5 |
| Debt / EquityFinancial leverage | 0.33x | 0.96x |
| Net DebtTotal debt minus cash | -$28M | $369M |
| Cash & Equiv.Liquid assets | $267M | $202M |
| Total DebtShort + long-term debt | $239M | $572M |
| Interest CoverageEBIT ÷ Interest expense | 7.33x | -9.01x |
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
Evenly matched — BB and VRNS each lead in 3 of 6 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
A $10,000 investment in BB five years ago would be worth $7,193 today (with dividends reinvested), compared to $6,014 for VRNS. Over the past 12 months, BB leads with a +65.8% total return vs VRNS's -36.7%. The 3-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) favors VRNS at 7.3% vs BB's 7.0% — a key indicator of consistent wealth creation.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| YTD ReturnYear-to-date | +60.5% | -10.5% |
| 1-Year ReturnPast 12 months | +65.8% | -36.7% |
| 3-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +22.5% | +23.7% |
| 5-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | -28.1% | -39.9% |
| 10-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | -7.3% | +317.5% |
| CAGR (3Y)Annualised 3-year return | +7.0% | +7.3% |
Risk & Volatility
Evenly matched — BB and VRNS each lead in 1 of 2 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
VRNS is the less volatile stock with a 0.95 beta — it tends to amplify market swings less than BB's 1.37 beta. A beta below 1.0 means the stock typically moves less than the S&P 500. BB currently trades 97.8% from its 52-week high vs VRNS's 44.9% drawdown — a narrower gap to the peak suggests stronger recent price momentum.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| Beta (5Y)Sensitivity to S&P 500 | 1.37x | 0.95x |
| 52-Week HighHighest price in past year | $6.24 | $63.90 |
| 52-Week LowLowest price in past year | $3.12 | $19.70 |
| % of 52W HighCurrent price vs 52-week peak | +97.8% | +44.9% |
| RSI (14)Momentum oscillator 0–100 | 78.8 | 66.1 |
| Avg Volume (50D)Average daily shares traded | 13.8M | 2.3M |
Analyst Outlook
Insufficient data to determine a leader in this category.
Analyst Outlook
Wall Street rates BB as "Hold" and VRNS as "Buy". Consensus price targets imply 25.5% upside for VRNS (target: $36) vs -27.9% for BB (target: $4).
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| Analyst RatingConsensus buy/hold/sell | Hold | Buy |
| Price TargetConsensus 12-month target | $4.40 | $36.00 |
| # AnalystsCovering analysts | 14 | 34 |
| Dividend YieldAnnual dividend ÷ price | — | — |
| Dividend StreakConsecutive years of raises | 1 | — |
| Dividend / ShareAnnual DPS | — | — |
| Buyback YieldShare repurchases ÷ mkt cap | 0.0% | +3.4% |
BB leads in 2 of 6 categories — strongest in Valuation Metrics and Profitability & Efficiency. 3 categories are tied.
BB vs VRNS: Frequently Asked Questions
9 questions · data-driven answers · updated daily
01Is BB or VRNS a better buy right now?
For growth investors, Varonis Systems, Inc.
(VRNS) is the stronger pick with 13. 2% revenue growth year-over-year, versus -29. 5% for BlackBerry Limited (BB). Analysts rate Varonis Systems, Inc. (VRNS) a "Buy" — based on 34 analyst ratings — the highest consensus in this comparison. The "better buy" depends entirely on your goals: growth investors should weight revenue trajectory, value investors should weight P/E and PEG, and income investors should weight dividend yield and streak.
02Which is the better long-term investment — BB or VRNS?
Over the past 5 years, BlackBerry Limited (BB) delivered a total return of -28.
1%, compared to -39. 9% for Varonis Systems, Inc. (VRNS). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: VRNS returned +317. 5% versus BB's -7. 3%. Past returns do not guarantee future results, and the stock with the higher historical return may already have its best growth priced in.
03Which is safer — BB or VRNS?
By beta (market sensitivity over 5 years), Varonis Systems, Inc.
(VRNS) is the lower-risk stock at 0. 95β versus BlackBerry Limited's 1. 37β — meaning BB is approximately 45% more volatile than VRNS relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, BlackBerry Limited (BB) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 33% versus 96% for Varonis Systems, Inc. — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.
04Which is growing faster — BB or VRNS?
By revenue growth (latest reported year), Varonis Systems, Inc.
(VRNS) is pulling ahead at 13. 2% versus -29. 5% for BlackBerry Limited (BB). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: BlackBerry Limited grew EPS 40. 9% year-over-year, compared to -31. 4% for Varonis Systems, Inc.. Over a 3-year CAGR, VRNS leads at 9. 6% annualised revenue growth. Higher growth typically commands a higher valuation multiple — check whether the premium P/E or P/S is justified by the growth rate using the PEG ratio.
05Which has better profit margins — BB or VRNS?
BlackBerry Limited (BB) is the more profitable company, earning -14.
8% net margin versus -20. 7% for Varonis Systems, Inc. — meaning it keeps -14. 8% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: BB leads at 0. 1% versus -23. 5% for VRNS. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — VRNS leads at 79. 1%, reflecting greater pricing power or product mix advantage. Stronger margins indicate durable pricing power, lower cost of revenue, or higher mix of software/services. They are one of the clearest signs of business quality.
06Is BB or VRNS more undervalued right now?
On forward earnings alone, BlackBerry Limited (BB) trades at 43.
1x forward P/E versus 242. 2x for Varonis Systems, Inc. — 199. 1x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis. Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for VRNS: 25. 5% to $36. 00.
07Which pays a better dividend — BB or VRNS?
None of the stocks in this comparison currently pay a material dividend.
All are effectively zero-yield and should be held for capital appreciation rather than income.
08Is BB or VRNS better for a retirement portfolio?
For long-horizon retirement investors, Varonis Systems, Inc.
(VRNS) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β 0. 95), +317. 5% 10Y return). Both have compounded well over 10 years (VRNS: +317. 5%, BB: -7. 3%), confirming both are viable long-term holds — but the lower-volatility option typically results in less emotional selling during corrections. Retirement portfolios generally favour predictability over maximum returns. Consult a financial advisor before making allocation decisions.
09What are the main differences between BB and VRNS?
Both stocks operate in the Technology sector, making this a peer-level intra-sector comparison — the same macro tailwinds and headwinds will affect both.
These fundamental differences mean investors should not choose between them on a single metric — the "better stock" depends entirely on which of these characteristics aligns with your investment strategy.
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