Battle Royale: Oklo vs. NuScale Power. Only 1 Can Make You Rich.

By Steven Porrello – Feb 22, 2026 at 9:05PM ESTKey PointsOklo's reactor will run on a specialized fuel that makes it more efficient. NuScale is the only SMR developer with regulatory approval to build its reactor. We’re bullish on these 10 stocks ›NYSE: OKLOOkloMarket Cap$10.0BToday's Changeangle-down(-5.66%) $3.83Current Price$63.81Price as of February 20, 2026 at 3:58 PM ETOklo and NuScale could disrupt the nuclear energy industry. Which one will emerge as a long-term winner? Oklo (OKLO 5.66%) and NuScale Power (SMR 8.20%) are two of the most exciting names in nuclear technology. On one side is Oklo, a nuclear start-up developing a micro reactor that can deliver clean, continuous energy for a decade or more without refueling. Its reactors can use both recycled and advanced nuclear fuel, which could make the process cheaper and more efficient. ExpandNYSE: OKLOOkloToday's Change(-5.66%) $-3.83Current Price$63.81Key Data PointsMarket Cap$10.0BDay's Range$62.70 - $67.6952wk Range$17.42 - $193.84Volume260KAvg Vol11M Backed early by Sam Altman -- and currently partnered with the U.S. Department of Energy and several data center companies -- Oklo has positioned its factory-assembled reactors as a potential solution to AI's surging power demands. Image source: Oklo. On the other side is NuScale. Like Oklo, NuScale has a small modular reactor (SMR) that's assembled in a factory and can be deployed wherever power is needed. Unlike Oklo, which still lacks the regulatory approval to operate its reactors commercially, NuScale has received an NRC design certification for one of its reactor design. It also generates a small amount of revenue, while Oklo still lacks sales. ExpandNYSE: SMRNuScale PowerToday's Change(-8.20%) $-1.20Current Price$13.44Key Data PointsMarket Cap$3.8BDay's Range$13.33 - $14.5652wk Range$11.08 - $57.42Volume26MAvg Vol26MGross Margin64.95% The NRC design certification has given NuScale first-mover advantage in a hot new market. NuScale, however, has yet to deploy an SMR for a commercial customer, nor is it clear when it will ink a firm sale. The company is burning cash and reporting heavy losses. OKLO Net Income (TTM) data by YCharts Oklo carries a $10 billion market cap, while NuScale's is half of that at roughly $4.3 billion. Both nuclear stocks are high-risk, high-reward, but I think Oklo will have more opportunity to win over the long term. Oklo's microreactor design is much smaller than NuScale's, producing about 15 megawatts of electricity (it also has larger units that can produce 50 MW and 75MW of power). NuScale's modules, on the other hand, produce 50MW or 77MW each. In plain terms, Oklo's smaller sized reactor could make its design more flexible, drawing in customers who need continuous power but don't need 50 MW. Oklo has also diversified its business with the acquisition of Atomic Alchemy, which lets it expand into radioisotopes for near-term revenue. It's also progressing through the NRC's licensing process and is targeting 2027 as the start date to its commercial operations. Both stocks will be volatile in the near term. But if riches are to be gained long-term, I think Oklo will be the growth stock to do it.Read NextFeb 20, 2026 •By Catie HoganShould You Invest $1,000 in Oklo Right Now? 3 Things to Know FirstFeb 18, 2026 •By Bram BerkowitzIf You'd Invested $1,000 in Oklo 5 Years Ago, Here's How Much You'd Have TodayFeb 17, 2026 •By Steven PorrelloShould You Buy the Dip on Oklo?Feb 13, 2026 •By Courtney CarlsenOklo is Down 63% From Its Peak. Here's Why It Could Fall Further.Feb 10, 2026 •By James HiresIs Oklo a Buy, Sell, or Hold in 2026?Feb 9, 2026 •By Scott LevineWhy Oklo Stock Popped TodayAbout the AuthorSteven Porrello is a contributing writer at The Motley Fool covering publicly traded companies in the materials, energy, and industrials sectors. Prior to The Motley Fool, Steven worked in the personal finance space and wrote for other financial publications. He holds a dual B.A. in English and Religion & Philosophy from LaGrange College and is pursuing an MFA from Rutgers University-Newark.TMFsaporrelloStocks MentionedOkloNYSE: OKLO$63.81 (5.66%) $3.83NuScale PowerNYSE: SMR$13.47 (7.99%) $1.17*Average returns of all recommendations since inception. Cost basis and return based on previous market day close.