TrueClicks vs Adpulse (and why Shopstory is better)

When managing PPC campaigns, selecting the right tool can significantly influence performance, budget efficiency, and time savings. Both TrueClicks and Adpulse Are well-regarded platforms in the world of PPC management, but they cater to slightly different user bases and offer varying capabilities. In this article, we'll dive deep into the strengths, limitations, and differentiators of TrueClicks vs Adpulse While highlighting why neither fully addresses the needs of e-commerce businesses and performance marketers compared to Shopstory.

TL; DR

TrueClicks and Adpulse each provide powerful features for PPC management, but they target different audiences. TrueClicks focuses heavily on Google Ads auditing and compliance, making it ideal for PPC agencies looking to monitor account health. Adpulse, on the other hand, offers wider functionality across ad platforms with a focus on insights and budget management. However, neither tool excels in handling eCommerce-specific workflows, product feed optimization, or comprehensive campaign automation.

Shopstory Bridges these gaps by providing tailored solutions for e-commerce businesses and performance marketers. Its ability to automate product feed management and optimize ad campaigns across platforms like Google Ads and Meta Ads makes it a standout choice.

A comparison of TrueClicks vs Adpulse (vs Shopstory)

1. TrueClicks vs Adpulse: A Summary

Both TrueClicks and Adpulse offer specialized PPC management features but approach automation and optimization differently. Let’s explore how these platforms stack up in key areas.

1.1 Pricing

• TrueClicks: TrueClicks offers custom pricing based on the size and scope of the account being managed, starting with a 30-day free trial. While flexible, this pricing structure can lack transparency for users trying to gauge long-term costs.
• Adpulse: Adpulse starts at $25/month, making it more accessible for smaller teams or businesses. However, its limited functionality for enterprise-level campaigns might require users to upgrade or supplement it with other tools.

Key Takeaway: In TrueClicks vs Adpulse, TrueClicks is better suited for agencies managing larger ad accounts, while Adpulse appeals to smaller advertisers or teams with basic needs. However, both platforms lack the cost predictability and scalability needed for ecommerce operations.

1.2 Ease of Use

• TrueClicks: With its intuitive interface and straightforward features, TrueClicks is easy to navigate for PPC managers and team leaders. However, its limited customization for workflows may hinder more advanced users.
• Adpulse: Adpulse is beginner-friendly and provides quick access to performance insights. Its simplicity works well for smaller teams but may feel restrictive for seasoned marketers looking for advanced automation or optimization capabilities.

Key Takeaway: Adpulse is the easier tool for entry-level users, while TrueClicks balances ease of use with agency-focused features. However, both fall short of offering robust automation tools for non-technical users.

1.3 PPC Campaign Management

• TrueClicks: TrueClicks specializes in Google Ads with features like account audits, compliance checks, and performance tracking. While excellent for identifying issues, it doesn’t directly optimize campaigns or budgets across multiple platforms.
• Adpulse: Adpulse supports campaign monitoring across multiple ad platforms but primarily focuses on insights and budget allocation. It lacks tools for in-depth campaign optimization or cross-channel management.

Key Takeaway: TrueClicks vs Adpulse reveals limited multi-channel capabilities in both tools. Neither platform provides cross-platform campaign optimization, which can be a critical need for performance marketers.

1.4 Reporting and Insights

• TrueClicks: Generates detailed Google Ads reports, emphasizing account health, compliance, and budget performance. Its reporting features are valuable for agencies managing multiple clients but lack real-time customization.
• Adpulse: Adpulse focuses on performance snapshots and real-time insights, allowing users to make quick decisions. However, its reports lack the depth and customization required for detailed account analysis.

Key Takeaway: TrueClicks offers more robust reporting for account health, while Adpulse excels in providing immediate insights. However, neither platform can deliver the cross-channel reporting required for modern performance marketing.

1.5 Scalability for High-Volume Tasks

• TrueClicks: Scales well for agencies managing multiple Google Ads accounts but struggles with high-volume operations involving other ad platforms or advanced workflows.
• Adpulse: Works effectively for small to mid-sized campaigns but lacks the tools to handle extensive ad accounts or high-frequency optimizations.

Key Takeaway: Both platforms are suitable for small to medium operations but face limitations in scalability, particularly for ecommerce businesses or large-scale campaigns.

1.6 Ecommerce Focus

• TrueClicks: Lacks features specifically designed for ecommerce, such as product feed management or dynamic campaign optimization. It primarily focuses on PPC account health for Google Ads.
• Adpulse: Similarly, Adpulse does not cater specifically to ecommerce needs, missing integrations with product feeds or inventory-based ad adjustments.

Key Takeaway: Neither TrueClicks nor Adpulse is built with ecommerce businesses in mind, limiting their utility for online retailers managing product catalogs or multi-channel campaigns.

2. Alternative to TrueClicks vs Adpulse: Shopstory

While TrueClicks vs Adpulse highlights useful PPC management features, both platforms fail to address the broader needs of ecommerce businesses and performance marketers. Shopstory fills this gap with a specialized focus on campaign optimization and product feed management.

2.1 Pricing & Scalability

Shopstory starts at €199/month and includes a freemium plan with one free activated flow forever (with unlimited actions and executions). Unlike TrueClicks’ custom pricing or Adpulse’s entry-level costs, Shopstory offers predictable and scalable pricing, making it an excellent choice for growing businesses.

This stability is particularly beneficial for ecommerce businesses managing large product catalogs and running multi-channel campaigns. With no hidden costs tied to account size or task volume, Shopstory ensures cost efficiency as businesses scale.

2.2 Ecommerce & Product Feed Automation

Shopstory is purpose-built for ecommerce, offering tools to automate product feed management, inventory syncing, and data optimization. These features are designed to simplify operations and improve the accuracy of product listings across platforms.

Here are some examples of Shopstory flows:

• Generate Supplemental Feed with Performance-Based Labels: Automate the labeling of products based on sales performance, enhancing budget allocation in campaigns.
• Export Shopify Orders to Google Sheets Daily: Streamline inventory tracking and sales management by automating order data exports.
• Create SEO-Optimized Product Titles and Descriptions: Leverage ChatGPT and Google Search Console to generate optimized content, improving search rankings.
• Sync Inventory Across Platforms: Ensure consistent and accurate product availability across ecommerce and ad platforms.

These workflows allow ecommerce businesses to reduce manual tasks, minimize errors, and align their operations with customer demand.

2.3 Performance Marketing Optimization

Shopstory also excels in automating and optimizing PPC campaigns across Google Ads, Meta Ads, and other platforms. Its cross-channel capabilities enable businesses to monitor and adjust campaigns in real time, ensuring maximum ROI.

Here are some examples of Shopstory flows for performance marketing:

• Adjust Campaign Budgets Based on ROAS Thresholds: Dynamically allocate ad budgets to maximize efficiency based on real-time performance data.
• Pause Underperforming Keywords in Google Ads: Automatically identify and pause low-performing keywords to optimize ad spend.
• Create Weekly Cross-Channel Performance Reports: Automate detailed reporting to track campaign performance across multiple channels.
• Reactivate Late Converting Keywords: Re-enable paused keywords that start showing positive conversion activity after a delay.
• Optimize Ad Spend Based on Inventory Levels: Redirect ad budgets toward in-stock products to avoid wasted spend.

These features empower businesses to make data-driven decisions while reducing the manual workload associated with campaign management.

2.4 Ease of Use and No-Code Platform

Shopstory’s drag-and-drop interface is designed for all skill levels, making it accessible for teams without technical expertise. Its pre-built templates and step-by-step guides allow users to set up powerful workflows in minutes, ensuring both speed and efficiency.

This simplicity, combined with Shopstory’s advanced capabilities, positions it as a superior alternative for businesses and agencies seeking to streamline their ecommerce and marketing operations.

3. Get Started for Free

Shopstory provides a risk-free freemium model, allowing users to activate one flow for free indefinitely, with unlimited actions and executions. This enables businesses to explore the platform's advanced features without any upfront costs or time restrictions.

The freemium plan does not require a credit card, making it a simple and secure way to test the platform. Try Shopstory today and see how it can enhance your ecommerce and marketing operations.

TrueClicks vs Adpulse: Our Conclusion

While TrueClicks vs Adpulse highlights strong PPC management tools, their limitations make them less ideal for ecommerce and performance marketing. TrueClicks excels in Google Ads auditing and compliance, making it a good choice for PPC agencies. Adpulse, with its affordable pricing and real-time insights, appeals to smaller businesses seeking simplicity. However, neither platform provides the depth of automation or cross-channel capabilities required to manage campaigns and product feeds at scale.

Shopstory stands out as the ultimate solution, offering specialized features for ecommerce businesses and performance marketers. From automating product feed management to optimizing PPC campaigns, Shopstory combines ease of use, scalability, and robust functionality into a single platform.

Ready to supercharge your ecommerce and marketing workflows? Get started for FREE with Shopstory today.