SMLR vs ATEC

For growth investors, Alphatec Holdings, Inc.

(ATEC) is the stronger pick with 25. 0% revenue growth year-over-year, versus -17. 4% for Semler Scientific, Inc. (SMLR). Semler Scientific, Inc. (SMLR) offers the better valuation at 4. 0x trailing P/E, making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate Semler Scientific, Inc. (SMLR) a "Buy" — based on 7 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.

Over the past 5 years, Alphatec Holdings, Inc.

(ATEC) delivered a total return of -48. 7%, compared to -81. 8% for Semler Scientific, Inc. (SMLR). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: SMLR returned +1110% versus ATEC's +225. 4%. 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), Alphatec Holdings, Inc.

(ATEC) is the lower-risk stock at 1. 13β versus Semler Scientific, Inc. 's 2. 48β — meaning SMLR is approximately 120% more volatile than ATEC relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, Semler Scientific, Inc. (SMLR) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 0% versus 17% for Alphatec Holdings, Inc. — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.

By revenue growth (latest reported year), Alphatec Holdings, Inc.

(ATEC) is pulling ahead at 25. 0% versus -17. 4% for Semler Scientific, Inc. (SMLR). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: Semler Scientific, Inc. grew EPS 95. 1% year-over-year, compared to 15. 0% for Alphatec Holdings, Inc.. Over a 3-year CAGR, ATEC leads at 29. 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.

Semler Scientific, Inc.

(SMLR) is the more profitable company, earning 72. 7% net margin versus -18. 8% for Alphatec Holdings, Inc. — meaning it keeps 72. 7% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: SMLR leads at 37. 2% versus -10. 7% for ATEC. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — SMLR leads at 91. 5%, 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.

Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for ATEC: 222.

6% to $25. 00.

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.

For long-horizon retirement investors, Alphatec Holdings, Inc.

(ATEC) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β 1. 13), +225. 4% 10Y return). Semler Scientific, Inc. (SMLR) carries a higher beta of 2. 48 — meaning larger drawdowns in market downturns, which matters significantly when you cannot wait years for a recovery. Both have compounded well over 10 years (ATEC: +225. 4%, SMLR: +1110%), 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 Healthcare sector, making this a peer-level intra-sector comparison — the same macro tailwinds and headwinds will affect both.

In terms of investment character: SMLR is a small-cap deep-value stock; ATEC is a small-cap high-growth stock. 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.