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KSCP vs NSSC vs SSTI vs DGLY
Revenue, margins, valuation, and 5-year total return — side by side.
Security & Protection Services
Software - Application
Security & Protection Services
KSCP vs NSSC vs SSTI vs DGLY — Key Financials
Market cap, revenue, margins, and valuation side-by-side.
| Company Snapshot | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Industry | Security & Protection Services | Security & Protection Services | Software - Application | Security & Protection Services |
| Market Cap | $9M | $1.48B | $89M | $2M |
| Revenue (TTM) | $12M | $197M | $103M | $19M |
| Net Income (TTM) | $-30M | $37M | $-11M | $-11M |
| Gross Margin | -37.5% | 57.0% | 54.4% | 25.2% |
| Operating Margin | -254.0% | 19.9% | -9.7% | -68.3% |
| Forward P/E | — | 29.0x | — | — |
| Total Debt | $6M | $5M | $6M | $9M |
| Cash & Equiv. | $11M | $83M | $13M | $454K |
KSCP vs NSSC vs SSTI vs DGLY — Long-Term Stock Performance
Price return indexed to 100 at period start. Dividends excluded.
| Stock | Jan 22 | May 26 | Return |
|---|---|---|---|
| Knightscope, Inc. (KSCP) | 100 | 0.3 | -99.7% |
| Napco Security Tech… (NSSC) | 100 | 200.0 | +100.0% |
| SoundThinking, Inc. (SSTI) | 100 | 26.7 | -73.3% |
| Digital Ally, Inc. (DGLY) | 100 | 0.0 | -100.0% |
Price return only. Dividends and distributions are not included.
Quick Verdict: KSCP vs NSSC vs SSTI vs DGLY
Each card shows where this stock fits in a portfolio — not just who wins on paper.
KSCP plays a supporting role in this comparison — it may shine differently against other peers.
NSSC carries the broadest edge in this set and is the clearest fit for income & stability and long-term compounding.
- Dividend streak 3 yrs, beta 1.25, yield 0.9%
- 13.7% 10Y total return vs SSTI's -51.0%
- Lower volatility, beta 1.25, Low D/E 3.2%, current ratio 6.75x
- Beta 1.25, yield 0.9%, current ratio 6.75x
SSTI is the #2 pick in this set and the best alternative if growth exposure is your priority.
- Rev growth 10.0%, EPS growth -227.3%, 3Y rev CAGR 20.6%
- 10.0% revenue growth vs DGLY's -30.4%
- Better valuation composite
DGLY lags the leaders in this set but could rank higher in a more targeted comparison.
See the full category breakdown
| Category | Winner | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Growth | 10.0% revenue growth vs DGLY's -30.4% | |
| Value | Better valuation composite | |
| Quality / Margins | 18.7% margin vs KSCP's -256.1% | |
| Stability / Safety | Beta 1.25 vs DGLY's 3.58 | |
| Dividends | 0.9% yield; 3-year raise streak; the other 3 pay no meaningful dividend | |
| Momentum (1Y) | +69.1% vs DGLY's -73.9% | |
| Efficiency (ROA) | 17.6% ROA vs KSCP's -72.4%, ROIC 38.2% vs -242.5% |
KSCP vs NSSC vs SSTI vs DGLY — Revenue Breakdown by Segment
How each company's revenue is distributed across its business units
KSCP vs NSSC vs SSTI vs DGLY — Financial Metrics
Side-by-side numbers across 4 stocks — who leads on profitability, valuation, growth, and risk.
Who Leads Where
NSSC leads in 5 of 6 categories
SSTI leads 1 • KSCP leads 0 • DGLY leads 0
Explore the data ↓Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
NSSC leads this category, winning 4 of 6 comparable metrics.
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
NSSC is the larger business by revenue, generating $197M annually — 17.0x KSCP's $12M. NSSC is the more profitable business, keeping 18.7% of every revenue dollar as net income compared to KSCP's -2.6%. On growth, KSCP holds the edge at +23.5% YoY revenue growth, suggesting stronger near-term business momentum.
| Metric | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| RevenueTrailing 12 months | $12M | $197M | $103M | $19M |
| EBITDAEarnings before interest/tax | -$27M | $42M | -$123,000 | -$11M |
| Net IncomeAfter-tax profit | -$30M | $37M | -$11M | -$11M |
| Free Cash FlowCash after capex | -$26M | $56M | -$1M | -$11M |
| Gross MarginGross profit ÷ Revenue | -37.5% | +57.0% | +54.4% | +25.2% |
| Operating MarginEBIT ÷ Revenue | -2.5% | +19.9% | -9.7% | -68.3% |
| Net MarginNet income ÷ Revenue | -2.6% | +18.7% | -10.4% | -59.7% |
| FCF MarginFCF ÷ Revenue | -2.3% | +28.6% | -1.0% | -57.7% |
| Rev. Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | +23.5% | +11.8% | -4.4% | +0.3% |
| EPS Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | +72.6% | -103.6% | -45.5% | -84.5% |
Valuation Metrics
SSTI leads this category, winning 2 of 5 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
On an enterprise value basis, NSSC's 29.0x EV/EBITDA is more attractive than SSTI's 37.2x.
| Metric | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Market CapShares × price | $9M | $1.5B | $89M | $2M |
| Enterprise ValueMkt cap + debt − cash | $3M | $1.4B | $82M | $11M |
| Trailing P/EPrice ÷ TTM EPS | -0.28x | 34.94x | -9.78x | -0.23x |
| Forward P/EPrice ÷ next-FY EPS est. | — | 28.98x | — | — |
| PEG RatioP/E ÷ EPS growth rate | — | 0.90x | — | — |
| EV / EBITDAEnterprise value multiple | — | 28.95x | 37.17x | — |
| Price / SalesMarket cap ÷ Revenue | 0.81x | 8.16x | 0.88x | 0.12x |
| Price / BookPrice ÷ Book value/share | 0.56x | 9.00x | 1.24x | — |
| Price / FCFMarket cap ÷ FCF | — | 28.84x | 5.66x | — |
Profitability & Efficiency
NSSC leads this category, winning 7 of 9 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
NSSC delivers a 20.9% return on equity — every $100 of shareholder capital generates $21 in annual profit, vs $-136 for DGLY. NSSC carries lower financial leverage with a 0.03x debt-to-equity ratio, signaling a more conservative balance sheet compared to KSCP's 0.36x. On the Piotroski fundamental quality scale (0–9), SSTI scores 6/9 vs KSCP's 2/9, reflecting solid financial health.
| Metric | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ROE (TTM)Return on equity | -110.5% | +20.9% | -14.6% | -136.3% |
| ROA (TTM)Return on assets | -72.4% | +17.6% | -7.9% | -42.8% |
| ROICReturn on invested capital | -2.4% | +38.2% | -8.2% | -114.7% |
| ROCEReturn on capital employed | -165.1% | +26.6% | -9.7% | -135.2% |
| Piotroski ScoreFundamental quality 0–9 | 2 | 5 | 6 | 3 |
| Debt / EquityFinancial leverage | 0.36x | 0.03x | 0.08x | — |
| Net DebtTotal debt minus cash | -$5M | -$78M | -$7M | $8M |
| Cash & Equiv.Liquid assets | $11M | $83M | $13M | $454,314 |
| Total DebtShort + long-term debt | $6M | $5M | $6M | $9M |
| Interest CoverageEBIT ÷ Interest expense | -93.88x | — | -126.26x | -3.40x |
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
NSSC leads this category, winning 5 of 6 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
A $10,000 investment in NSSC five years ago would be worth $25,160 today (with dividends reinvested), compared to $0 for DGLY. Over the past 12 months, NSSC leads with a +69.1% total return vs DGLY's -73.9%. The 3-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) favors NSSC at 8.3% vs DGLY's -94.2% — a key indicator of consistent wealth creation.
| Metric | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| YTD ReturnYear-to-date | -25.4% | +0.8% | -9.2% | +93.9% |
| 1-Year ReturnPast 12 months | -37.1% | +69.1% | -53.5% | -73.9% |
| 3-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | -88.3% | +26.9% | -76.8% | -100.0% |
| 5-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | -99.0% | +151.6% | -77.6% | -100.0% |
| 10-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | -99.0% | +1365.8% | -51.0% | -100.0% |
| CAGR (3Y)Annualised 3-year return | -51.1% | +8.3% | -38.5% | -94.2% |
Risk & Volatility
NSSC leads this category, winning 2 of 2 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
NSSC is the less volatile stock with a 1.25 beta — it tends to amplify market swings less than DGLY's 3.58 beta. A beta below 1.0 means the stock typically moves less than the S&P 500. NSSC currently trades 86.4% from its 52-week high vs DGLY's 8.2% drawdown — a narrower gap to the peak suggests stronger recent price momentum.
| Metric | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Beta (5Y)Sensitivity to S&P 500 | 2.82x | 1.25x | 1.53x | 3.58x |
| 52-Week HighHighest price in past year | $10.14 | $48.12 | $17.43 | $15.61 |
| 52-Week LowLowest price in past year | $2.92 | $24.60 | $5.78 | $0.60 |
| % of 52W HighCurrent price vs 52-week peak | +29.9% | +86.4% | +40.4% | +8.2% |
| RSI (14)Momentum oscillator 0–100 | 41.1 | 42.0 | 47.7 | 42.6 |
| Avg Volume (50D)Average daily shares traded | 564K | 598K | 115K | 161K |
Analyst Outlook
NSSC leads this category, winning 1 of 1 comparable metric.
Analyst Outlook
NSSC is the only dividend payer here at 0.90% yield — a key consideration for income-focused portfolios.
| Metric | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Analyst RatingConsensus buy/hold/sell | — | Buy | — | — |
| Price TargetConsensus 12-month target | — | $49.00 | — | — |
| # AnalystsCovering analysts | — | 11 | — | — |
| Dividend YieldAnnual dividend ÷ price | — | +0.9% | — | — |
| Dividend StreakConsecutive years of raises | — | 3 | — | 1 |
| Dividend / ShareAnnual DPS | — | $0.37 | — | — |
| Buyback YieldShare repurchases ÷ mkt cap | +0.9% | +2.5% | +6.7% | 0.0% |
NSSC leads in 5 of 6 categories (Income & Cash Flow, Profitability & Efficiency). SSTI leads in 1 (Valuation Metrics).
KSCP vs NSSC vs SSTI vs DGLY: Key Questions Answered
8 questions · data-driven answers · updated daily
01Is KSCP or NSSC or SSTI or DGLY a better buy right now?
For growth investors, SoundThinking, Inc.
(SSTI) is the stronger pick with 10. 0% revenue growth year-over-year, versus -30. 4% for Digital Ally, Inc. (DGLY). Napco Security Technologies, Inc. (NSSC) offers the better valuation at 34. 9x trailing P/E (29. 0x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate Napco Security Technologies, Inc. (NSSC) a "Buy" — based on 11 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 — KSCP or NSSC or SSTI or DGLY?
Over the past 5 years, Napco Security Technologies, Inc.
(NSSC) delivered a total return of +151. 6%, compared to -100. 0% for Digital Ally, Inc. (DGLY). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: NSSC returned +1366% versus DGLY's -100. 0%. 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 — KSCP or NSSC or SSTI or DGLY?
By beta (market sensitivity over 5 years), Napco Security Technologies, Inc.
(NSSC) is the lower-risk stock at 1. 25β versus Digital Ally, Inc. 's 3. 58β — meaning DGLY is approximately 185% more volatile than NSSC relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, Napco Security Technologies, Inc. (NSSC) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 3% versus 36% for Knightscope, Inc. — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.
04Which is growing faster — KSCP or NSSC or SSTI or DGLY?
By revenue growth (latest reported year), SoundThinking, Inc.
(SSTI) is pulling ahead at 10. 0% versus -30. 4% for Digital Ally, Inc. (DGLY). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: Digital Ally, Inc. grew EPS 39. 5% year-over-year, compared to -227. 3% for SoundThinking, Inc.. Over a 3-year CAGR, KSCP leads at 46. 9% 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 — KSCP or NSSC or SSTI or DGLY?
Napco Security Technologies, Inc.
(NSSC) is the more profitable company, earning 23. 9% net margin versus -293. 7% for Knightscope, Inc. — meaning it keeps 23. 9% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: NSSC leads at 25. 5% versus -274. 7% for KSCP. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — SSTI leads at 57. 3%, 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.
06Which pays a better dividend — KSCP or NSSC or SSTI or DGLY?
In this comparison, NSSC (0.
9% yield) pays a dividend. KSCP, SSTI, DGLY do not pay a meaningful dividend and should not be held primarily for income.
07Is KSCP or NSSC or SSTI or DGLY better for a retirement portfolio?
For long-horizon retirement investors, Napco Security Technologies, Inc.
(NSSC) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β 1. 25), 0. 9% yield, +1366% 10Y return). Digital Ally, Inc. (DGLY) carries a higher beta of 3. 58 — meaning larger drawdowns in market downturns, which matters significantly when you cannot wait years for a recovery. Both have compounded well over 10 years (NSSC: +1366%, DGLY: -100. 0%), 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.
08What are the main differences between KSCP and NSSC and SSTI and DGLY?
These companies operate in different sectors (KSCP (Industrials) and NSSC (Industrials) and SSTI (Technology) and DGLY (Industrials)), which means they face different economic cycles, regulatory environments, and macro sensitivities — making direct comparison nuanced.
NSSC pays a dividend while KSCP, SSTI, DGLY 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.
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