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NSSC vs ALRM
Revenue, margins, valuation, and 5-year total return — side by side.
Software - Application
NSSC vs ALRM — Key Financials
Market cap, revenue, margins, and valuation side-by-side.
| Company Snapshot | ||
|---|---|---|
| Industry | Security & Protection Services | Software - Application |
| Market Cap | $1.47B | $2.26B |
| Revenue (TTM) | $197M | $1.01B |
| Net Income (TTM) | $37M | $133M |
| Gross Margin | 57.0% | 64.5% |
| Operating Margin | 19.9% | 13.4% |
| Forward P/E | 28.7x | 16.3x |
| Total Debt | $5M | $1.13B |
| Cash & Equiv. | $83M | $963M |
NSSC vs ALRM — Long-Term Stock Performance
Price return indexed to 100 at period start. Dividends excluded.
| Stock | May 20 | May 26 | Return |
|---|---|---|---|
| Napco Security Tech… (NSSC) | 100 | 363.0 | +263.0% |
| Alarm.com Holdings,… (ALRM) | 100 | 96.1 | -3.9% |
Price return only. Dividends and distributions are not included.
Quick Verdict: NSSC vs ALRM
Each card shows where this stock fits in a portfolio — not just who wins on paper.
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%
- 13.8% 10Y total return vs ALRM's 108.5%
- Lower volatility, beta 1.25, Low D/E 3.2%, current ratio 6.75x
ALRM is the clearest fit if your priority is growth exposure and defensive.
- Rev growth 7.6%, EPS growth 7.4%, 3Y rev CAGR 6.3%
- Beta 1.17, current ratio 1.92x
- 7.6% revenue growth vs NSSC's -3.8%
See the full category breakdown
| Category | Winner | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Growth | 7.6% revenue growth vs NSSC's -3.8% | |
| Value | Lower P/E (16.3x vs 28.7x) | |
| Quality / Margins | 18.7% margin vs ALRM's 13.1% | |
| Stability / Safety | Beta 1.17 vs NSSC's 1.25 | |
| Dividends | 0.9% yield; 3-year raise streak; the other pay no meaningful dividend | |
| Momentum (1Y) | +69.1% vs ALRM's -13.7% | |
| Efficiency (ROA) | 17.6% ROA vs ALRM's 6.3%, ROIC 38.2% vs 12.2% |
NSSC vs ALRM — Revenue Breakdown by Segment
How each company's revenue is distributed across its business units
NSSC vs ALRM — Financial Metrics
Side-by-side numbers across 2 stocks — who leads on profitability, valuation, growth, and risk.
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
NSSC leads this category, winning 4 of 6 comparable metrics.
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
ALRM is the larger business by revenue, generating $1.0B annually — 5.1x NSSC's $197M. NSSC is the more profitable business, keeping 18.7% of every revenue dollar as net income compared to ALRM's 13.1%. On growth, NSSC holds the edge at +11.8% YoY revenue growth, suggesting stronger near-term business momentum.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| RevenueTrailing 12 months | $197M | $1.0B |
| EBITDAEarnings before interest/tax | $42M | $178M |
| Net IncomeAfter-tax profit | $37M | $133M |
| Free Cash FlowCash after capex | $56M | $136M |
| Gross MarginGross profit ÷ Revenue | +57.0% | +64.5% |
| Operating MarginEBIT ÷ Revenue | +19.9% | +13.4% |
| Net MarginNet income ÷ Revenue | +18.7% | +13.1% |
| FCF MarginFCF ÷ Revenue | +28.6% | +13.5% |
| Rev. Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | +11.8% | +8.0% |
| EPS Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | -103.6% | +17.9% |
Valuation Metrics
ALRM leads this category, winning 6 of 7 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
At 18.5x trailing earnings, ALRM trades at a 47% valuation discount to NSSC's 34.7x P/E. Adjusting for growth (PEG ratio), NSSC offers better value at 0.89x vs ALRM's 1.85x — a lower PEG means you pay less per unit of expected earnings growth.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| Market CapShares × price | $1.5B | $2.3B |
| Enterprise ValueMkt cap + debt − cash | $1.4B | $2.4B |
| Trailing P/EPrice ÷ TTM EPS | 34.66x | 18.47x |
| Forward P/EPrice ÷ next-FY EPS est. | 28.74x | 16.30x |
| PEG RatioP/E ÷ EPS growth rate | 0.89x | 1.85x |
| EV / EBITDAEnterprise value multiple | 28.70x | 13.34x |
| Price / SalesMarket cap ÷ Revenue | 8.10x | 2.23x |
| Price / BookPrice ÷ Book value/share | 8.93x | 3.00x |
| Price / FCFMarket cap ÷ FCF | 28.61x | 16.47x |
Profitability & Efficiency
NSSC leads this category, winning 8 of 8 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
NSSC delivers a 20.9% return on equity — every $100 of shareholder capital generates $21 in annual profit, vs $15 for ALRM. NSSC carries lower financial leverage with a 0.03x debt-to-equity ratio, signaling a more conservative balance sheet compared to ALRM's 1.27x. On the Piotroski fundamental quality scale (0–9), NSSC scores 5/9 vs ALRM's 4/9, reflecting solid financial health.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| ROE (TTM)Return on equity | +20.9% | +15.4% |
| ROA (TTM)Return on assets | +17.6% | +6.3% |
| ROICReturn on invested capital | +38.2% | +12.2% |
| ROCEReturn on capital employed | +26.6% | +8.1% |
| Piotroski ScoreFundamental quality 0–9 | 5 | 4 |
| Debt / EquityFinancial leverage | 0.03x | 1.27x |
| Net DebtTotal debt minus cash | -$78M | $171M |
| Cash & Equiv.Liquid assets | $83M | $963M |
| Total DebtShort + long-term debt | $5M | $1.1B |
| Interest CoverageEBIT ÷ Interest expense | — | 10.77x |
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
NSSC leads this category, winning 6 of 6 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
A $10,000 investment in NSSC five years ago would be worth $25,331 today (with dividends reinvested), compared to $5,406 for ALRM. Over the past 12 months, NSSC leads with a +69.1% total return vs ALRM's -13.7%. The 3-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) favors NSSC at 8.0% vs ALRM's -0.4% — a key indicator of consistent wealth creation.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| YTD ReturnYear-to-date | +0.0% | -11.3% |
| 1-Year ReturnPast 12 months | +69.1% | -13.7% |
| 3-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +25.9% | -1.3% |
| 5-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +153.3% | -45.9% |
| 10-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +1384.6% | +108.5% |
| CAGR (3Y)Annualised 3-year return | +8.0% | -0.4% |
Risk & Volatility
Evenly matched — NSSC and ALRM each lead in 1 of 2 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
ALRM is the less volatile stock with a 1.17 beta — it tends to amplify market swings less than NSSC's 1.25 beta. A beta below 1.0 means the stock typically moves less than the S&P 500. NSSC currently trades 85.7% from its 52-week high vs ALRM's 74.8% drawdown — a narrower gap to the peak suggests stronger recent price momentum.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| Beta (5Y)Sensitivity to S&P 500 | 1.25x | 1.17x |
| 52-Week HighHighest price in past year | $48.12 | $60.76 |
| 52-Week LowLowest price in past year | $24.13 | $41.51 |
| % of 52W HighCurrent price vs 52-week peak | +85.7% | +74.8% |
| RSI (14)Momentum oscillator 0–100 | 43.6 | 56.6 |
| Avg Volume (50D)Average daily shares traded | 595K | 420K |
Analyst Outlook
NSSC leads this category, winning 1 of 1 comparable metric.
Analyst Outlook
Wall Street rates NSSC as "Buy" and ALRM as "Buy". Consensus price targets imply 18.8% upside for NSSC (target: $49) vs 10.0% for ALRM (target: $50). NSSC is the only dividend payer here at 0.91% yield — a key consideration for income-focused portfolios.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| Analyst RatingConsensus buy/hold/sell | Buy | Buy |
| Price TargetConsensus 12-month target | $49.00 | $50.00 |
| # AnalystsCovering analysts | 11 | 19 |
| Dividend YieldAnnual dividend ÷ price | +0.9% | — |
| Dividend StreakConsecutive years of raises | 3 | 2 |
| Dividend / ShareAnnual DPS | $0.37 | — |
| Buyback YieldShare repurchases ÷ mkt cap | +2.5% | +1.8% |
NSSC leads in 4 of 6 categories (Income & Cash Flow, Profitability & Efficiency). ALRM leads in 1 (Valuation Metrics). 1 tied.
NSSC vs ALRM: Frequently Asked Questions
10 questions · data-driven answers · updated daily
01Is NSSC or ALRM a better buy right now?
For growth investors, Alarm.
com Holdings, Inc. (ALRM) is the stronger pick with 7. 6% revenue growth year-over-year, versus -3. 8% for Napco Security Technologies, Inc. (NSSC). Alarm. com Holdings, Inc. (ALRM) offers the better valuation at 18. 5x trailing P/E (16. 3x 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 has the better valuation — NSSC or ALRM?
On trailing P/E, Alarm.
com Holdings, Inc. (ALRM) is the cheapest at 18. 5x versus Napco Security Technologies, Inc. at 34. 7x. On forward P/E, Alarm. com Holdings, Inc. is actually cheaper at 16. 3x. The PEG ratio (P/E divided by earnings growth rate) is the most growth-adjusted single valuation metric: Napco Security Technologies, Inc. wins at 0. 74x versus Alarm. com Holdings, Inc. 's 1. 64x — a PEG below 1. 0 traditionally signals the market is underpricing earnings growth.
03Which is the better long-term investment — NSSC or ALRM?
Over the past 5 years, Napco Security Technologies, Inc.
(NSSC) delivered a total return of +153. 3%, compared to -45. 9% for Alarm. com Holdings, Inc. (ALRM). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: NSSC returned +1385% versus ALRM's +108. 5%. Past returns do not guarantee future results, and the stock with the higher historical return may already have its best growth priced in.
04Which is safer — NSSC or ALRM?
By beta (market sensitivity over 5 years), Alarm.
com Holdings, Inc. (ALRM) is the lower-risk stock at 1. 17β versus Napco Security Technologies, Inc. 's 1. 25β — meaning NSSC is approximately 7% more volatile than ALRM relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, Napco Security Technologies, Inc. (NSSC) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 3% versus 127% for Alarm. com Holdings, Inc. — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.
05Which is growing faster — NSSC or ALRM?
By revenue growth (latest reported year), Alarm.
com Holdings, Inc. (ALRM) is pulling ahead at 7. 6% versus -3. 8% for Napco Security Technologies, Inc. (NSSC). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: Alarm. com Holdings, Inc. grew EPS 7. 4% year-over-year, compared to -11. 2% for Napco Security Technologies, Inc.. Over a 3-year CAGR, NSSC leads at 8. 1% 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.
06Which has better profit margins — NSSC or ALRM?
Napco Security Technologies, Inc.
(NSSC) is the more profitable company, earning 23. 9% net margin versus 13. 1% for Alarm. com Holdings, 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 13. 4% for ALRM. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — ALRM leads at 63. 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.
07Is NSSC or ALRM more undervalued right now?
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, Napco Security Technologies, Inc. (NSSC) is the more undervalued stock at a PEG of 0. 74x versus Alarm. com Holdings, Inc. 's 1. 64x. A PEG below 1. 0 is traditionally considered the threshold for growth-adjusted undervaluation. On forward earnings alone, Alarm. com Holdings, Inc. (ALRM) trades at 16. 3x forward P/E versus 28. 7x for Napco Security Technologies, Inc. — 12. 4x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis. Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for NSSC: 18. 8% to $49. 00.
08Which pays a better dividend — NSSC or ALRM?
In this comparison, NSSC (0.
9% yield) pays a dividend. ALRM does not pay a meaningful dividend and should not be held primarily for income.
09Is NSSC or ALRM 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, +1385% 10Y return). Both have compounded well over 10 years (NSSC: +1385%, ALRM: +108. 5%), 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.
10What are the main differences between NSSC and ALRM?
These companies operate in different sectors (NSSC (Industrials) and ALRM (Technology)), which means they face different economic cycles, regulatory environments, and macro sensitivities — making direct comparison nuanced.
NSSC pays a dividend while ALRM does 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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