Quick verdict: ACLS vs ALRM in 2026

Alarm.com Holdings, Inc. (ALRM) appears to hold a significant overall edge in this 2026 stock comparison, outperforming Axcelis Technologies, Inc. (ACLS) across a majority of key financial metrics. ALRM stands out as the clear leader for growth, value, margins, and potential upside, making it the analyst favorite according to current consensus. Investors seeking positive momentum and more attractive valuation metrics would likely find ALRM more compelling, while ACLS presents notable challenges in current performance and future outlook. Not investment advice.

ACLS vs ALRM: key metrics side by side

Full side-by-side comparison of ACLS and ALRM across valuation, profitability, growth and analyst sentiment. Data updated 2026-05-08.

ACLS vs ALRM valuation comparison

When examining the **ACLS vs ALRM valuation** metrics, Alarm.com Holdings, Inc. (ALRM) clearly presents itself as the more attractively valued stock. ALRM trades at a Price-to-Earnings (P/E) ratio of 18.18x, which is significantly lower than Axcelis Technologies, Inc.’s (ACLS) P/E of 48.32x. This indicates that investors are paying considerably less for each dollar of ALRM’s earnings compared to ACLS. Similarly, ALRM’s Price-to-Book (P/B) ratio of 2.71x is also more favorable than ACLS’s 4.67x, suggesting ALRM’s assets are valued more conservatively by the market.

Furthermore, the discounted cash flow (DCF) models provide a stark contrast in potential upside. ALRM’s DCF valuation suggests a substantial upside of +361.8% from its current price of $47, with an estimated fair value of $217.04. In contrast, ACLS’s DCF indicates a significant downside of -61.1% from its current price of $158.66, with a fair value estimate of $61.76. This wide disparity underscores ALRM’s perceived undervaluation and ACLS’s potential overvaluation based on future cash flow projections, making ALRM the unequivocally cheaper option on a fundamental and valuation basis.

ACLS vs ALRM growth comparison

In terms of growth, Alarm.com Holdings, Inc. (ALRM) exhibits significantly stronger momentum compared to Axcelis Technologies, Inc. (ACLS). ALRM reported a positive year-over-year revenue growth of 7.6%, reflecting a healthy expansion in its business operations. This positive trajectory is vital for investors looking for companies with increasing market penetration and demand for their services. ALRM’s total revenue for the trailing twelve months stands at $1.01 billion, demonstrating its ability to generate substantial sales while continuing to grow.

Conversely, ACLS faces a challenging growth landscape, with its revenue growth experiencing a decline of -17.6% year-over-year. This negative growth figure for ACLS’s $839,048,000 revenue raises concerns about its immediate market position and demand for its products or services. While ACLS boasts a slightly larger market capitalization of $4.88 billion compared to ALRM’s $2.33 billion, ALRM’s ability to deliver consistent positive revenue growth, despite a smaller overall size, signals more robust business health and greater future potential in this **acls vs alrm stock comparison 2026**.

ACLS vs ALRM profitability

When analyzing the profitability of Axcelis Technologies, Inc. (ACLS) versus Alarm.com Holdings, Inc. (ALRM), ALRM generally demonstrates superior efficiency and cash generation. ALRM’s gross margin of 70.29% is substantially higher than ACLS’s 43.61%, indicating that ALRM retains a significantly larger portion of its revenue after accounting for the cost of goods sold. While both companies have similar net margins – ACLS at 11.93% and ALRM at a slightly higher 12.36% – the difference in gross margin suggests ALRM has a more efficient core operation or a business model with higher inherent margins.

Delving deeper into operational efficiency, ALRM also boasts a higher EBITDA margin of 20.51% compared to ACLS’s 15.27%. This metric highlights ALRM’s stronger ability to generate profit from its core operations before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization. Furthermore, ALRM’s Free Cash Flow (FCF) yield of 5.12% significantly surpasses ACLS’s 1.85%. A higher FCF yield means ALRM is generating more cash relative to its market capitalization, which is a strong indicator of financial health and the ability to fund future growth, reduce debt, or return capital to shareholders. Both companies show an N/A% for Return on Equity (ROE), preventing a direct comparison on that specific metric.

Analyst ratings: ACLS vs ALRM

The analyst community holds a largely positive view on both Axcelis Technologies, Inc. (ACLS) and Alarm.com Holdings, Inc. (ALRM), with both stocks receiving a consensus “Buy” rating. However, there are notable differences in the specifics of their recommendations. For ACLS, 12 analysts currently cover the stock, with 66.7% assigning a “Buy” rating. The consensus price target for ACLS is $128, which implies a significant potential downside of -19.3% from its current price of $158.66 as of 2026-05-08. This suggests that while analysts generally recommend a “Buy,” the current market price might be considered elevated relative to their near-term expectations.

In contrast, ALRM benefits from broader coverage, with 19 analysts providing ratings, and a slightly higher percentage of them – 68.4% – recommending a “Buy.” More importantly, the consensus price target for ALRM is $50, offering a positive upside of +6.4% from its current price of $47. This indicates a more optimistic outlook on ALRM’s immediate price appreciation potential according to analysts. While both stocks carry an overall “Buy” consensus, ALRM’s positive implied upside makes it the more favored option among analysts when considering potential short-term returns.

Should I buy ACLS or ALRM stock in 2026?

For growth-oriented investors considering the **acls vs alrm stock comparison 2026**, Alarm.com Holdings, Inc. (ALRM) clearly stands out as the superior choice. ALRM’s robust year-over-year revenue growth of 7.6% significantly outperforms ACLS, which recorded a negative growth of -17.6%. This strong top-line expansion for ALRM, coupled with a higher Free Cash Flow (FCF) yield of 5.12% (compared to ACLS’s 1.85%), indicates a healthier and more dynamic business capable of generating substantial cash from operations to fuel further growth. The substantial DCF upside of +361.8% for ALRM further reinforces its potential for long-term capital appreciation driven by future earnings.

Value investors would also likely find ALRM more appealing. On a fundamental valuation basis, ALRM trades at a P/E ratio of 18.18x and a P/B ratio of 2.71x, making it considerably cheaper than ACLS, which trades at a P/E of 48.32x and a P/B of 4.67x. The deep discount suggested by ALRM’s DCF model, indicating a potential fair value significantly above its current price, presents a compelling opportunity for investors seeking undervalued assets. While ACLS has a lower debt-to-equity ratio, ALRM’s overall valuation metrics offer a much more attractive entry point for those focused on intrinsic value.

Regarding income, neither Axcelis Technologies nor Alarm.com Holdings are suitable choices for dividend investors, as both companies currently have a 0% dividend yield. Therefore, investors prioritizing regular income streams from their investments should look elsewhere. Ultimately, the decision on whether to buy ACLS or ALRM stock in 2026 depends on individual investment goals, risk tolerance, and thorough personal research. Based on current fundamentals and valuation, ALRM demonstrates a more favorable profile for both growth and value investors. This is not investment advice.

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FAQ: ACLS vs ALRM