JAMF vs ATEN vs TENB vs QLYS vs VRNS

For growth investors, Varonis Systems, Inc.

(VRNS) is the stronger pick with 13. 2% revenue growth year-over-year, versus 10. 1% for Qualys, Inc. (QLYS). Qualys, Inc. (QLYS) offers the better valuation at 17. 3x trailing P/E (12. 4x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate A10 Networks, Inc. (ATEN) a "Buy" — based on 20 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.

On trailing P/E, Qualys, Inc.

(QLYS) is the cheapest at 17. 3x versus A10 Networks, Inc. at 48. 8x. On forward P/E, Tenable Holdings, Inc. is actually cheaper at 11. 2x — notably different from the trailing picture, reflecting expected earnings growth. The PEG ratio (P/E divided by earnings growth rate) is the most growth-adjusted single valuation metric: Qualys, Inc. wins at 0. 64x versus A10 Networks, Inc. 's 1. 28x — a PEG below 1. 0 traditionally signals the market is underpricing earnings growth.

Over the past 5 years, A10 Networks, Inc.

(ATEN) delivered a total return of +224. 0%, compared to -57. 7% for Jamf Holding Corp. (JAMF). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: ATEN returned +375. 1% versus JAMF's -64. 8%. Past returns do not guarantee future results, and the stock with the higher historical return may already have its best growth priced in.

By beta (market sensitivity over 5 years), Qualys, Inc.

(QLYS) is the lower-risk stock at 0. 46β versus Jamf Holding Corp. 's 1. 21β — meaning JAMF is approximately 163% more volatile than QLYS relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, Qualys, Inc. (QLYS) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 17% versus 143% for Tenable Holdings, Inc. — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.

By revenue growth (latest reported year), Varonis Systems, Inc.

(VRNS) is pulling ahead at 13. 2% versus 10. 1% for Qualys, Inc. (QLYS). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: Jamf Holding Corp. grew EPS 39. 8% year-over-year, compared to -31. 4% for Varonis Systems, Inc.. Over a 3-year CAGR, JAMF leads at 19. 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.

Qualys, Inc.

(QLYS) is the more profitable company, earning 29. 6% net margin versus -20. 7% for Varonis Systems, Inc. — meaning it keeps 29. 6% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: QLYS leads at 33. 2% versus -23. 5% for VRNS. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — QLYS leads at 82. 8%, 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.

The PEG ratio (forward P/E divided by expected earnings growth rate) is the most precise measure of undervaluation relative to growth potential.

By this metric, Qualys, Inc. (QLYS) is the more undervalued stock at a PEG of 0. 64x versus A10 Networks, Inc. 's 1. 28x. A PEG below 1. 0 is traditionally considered the threshold for growth-adjusted undervaluation. On forward earnings alone, Tenable Holdings, Inc. (TENB) trades at 11. 2x forward P/E versus 241. 0x for Varonis Systems, Inc. — 229. 8x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis. Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for TENB: 28. 0% to $27. 94.

In this comparison, ATEN (0.

8% yield) pays a dividend. JAMF, TENB, QLYS, VRNS do not pay a meaningful dividend and should not be held primarily for income.

For long-horizon retirement investors, A10 Networks, Inc.

(ATEN) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β 1. 01), 0. 8% yield, +375. 1% 10Y return). Both have compounded well over 10 years (ATEN: +375. 1%, JAMF: -64. 8%), 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.

Both stocks operate in the Technology sector, making this a peer-level intra-sector comparison — the same macro tailwinds and headwinds will affect both.

In terms of investment character: JAMF is a small-cap quality compounder stock; ATEN is a small-cap quality compounder stock; TENB is a small-cap quality compounder stock; QLYS is a small-cap deep-value stock; VRNS is a small-cap quality compounder stock. ATEN pays a dividend while JAMF, TENB, QLYS, VRNS do not, making them suitable for different income and tax situations. 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.