Prism vs Perpetua: Which Amazon PPC Tool Is Right for You?
An honest comparison to help you choose the right Amazon advertising platform for your business.
Both Prism and Perpetua offer AI-powered Amazon PPC optimization, but they take fundamentally different approaches. This guide breaks down the key differences to help you decide which platform fits your needs.
Quick Summary
Choose Prism if you want:
- • LLM-powered explanations for every decision
- • Guided 12-step weekly workflow
- • Visible statistical validation
- • Power keyword analysis (80/20 Pareto)
- • Flat-rate pricing ($29-$449/mo)
Choose Perpetua if you want:
- • Goal-based automation (hands-off)
- • Established track record with large brands
- • Multi-marketplace enterprise features
- • DSP (Demand Side Platform) integration
Feature-by-Feature Comparison
| Feature | Prism | Perpetua |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Flat rate: $29-$449/mo | $695/mo flat (Essentials), $695/mo + % (Growth) |
| AI Type | Adaptive ML with Recommendation explanations | Black-box AI |
| 12-Step Weekly Workflow | ✓ Guided | ✗ |
| Statistical Validation | ✓ Visible | Hidden |
| Power Keyword Analysis | ✓ 80/20 Pareto | ✗ |
| Campaign Types | SP, SB, SD | SP, SB, SD, DSP |
| Marketplaces | US (expanding) | Multiple global |
| Best For | Growth sellers who want control | Enterprise, agencies |
Pricing: What You'll Actually Pay
The biggest difference between Prism and Perpetua is the pricing model. Perpetua's Essentials tier is $695/month flat rate for up to $10k/month in ad spend. The Growth tier (for over $10k/month) adds a percentage of ad spend on top of the $695 base. Premium tier (over $500k/month) has custom pricing. Prism charges a truly flat monthly rate with no percentage fees at any spend level.
| Monthly Ad Spend | Prism Cost | Perpetua Cost | Savings |
|---|---|---|---|
| $1,000 | $29 | $695 (Essentials) | $666/mo |
| $5,000 | $79 | $695 (Essentials) | $616/mo |
| $15,000 | $199 | $695+ (Growth tier) | $496+/mo |
| $50,000 | $449 | $1,500+ (Growth tier) | $1,051+/mo |
| $100,000+ | $449 | Custom (Premium) | Significant |
* Perpetua pricing: Essentials $695/mo flat (up to $10k/mo spend), Growth $695/mo base + % of spend (over $10k), Premium custom pricing (over $500k). Exact percentages not publicly disclosed.
Key insight: Even at Perpetua's Essentials tier ($695/mo flat), Prism is 79-89% less expensive. As you move into Growth and Premium tiers, the savings compound dramatically.
The Transparency Difference
Perpetua uses goal-based optimization, you set targets and the AI handles the rest. This is convenient but opaque. You don't see why specific changes are made.
Prism takes the opposite approach. Every recommendation includes an AI-generated explanation in plain English:
Example Prism Recommendation
Recommendation: Increase bid from $0.85 to $1.05
Why: This keyword has a 15% conversion rate with 38% impression share. Your target ACOS is 25%, and this keyword is currently at 21%. Increasing the bid should capture more auctions while maintaining profitability. Expected impact: +12% impressions, minimal TaCoS change.
Our Honest Recommendation
Choose Prism if:
- ✓You want to understand why changes are being made
- ✓Predictable pricing matters to your business
- ✓You want control over which automations run
- ✓TaCoS (total business impact) matters more than just ACOS
- ✓You're a growth-stage seller ($1k-100k/month ad spend)
Consider Perpetua if:
- •You prefer hands-off, goal-based automation
- •You need DSP (Demand Side Platform) integration
- •You sell on multiple international marketplaces
- •You're an enterprise with dedicated account management needs
Frequently Asked Questions
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