Alien Purple vs Primary Cyan

How close are they?

ΔE 19.2, loose: different enough that you should pick on purpose. Primary Cyan is a little lighter, more saturated, cooler than Alien Purple.

Can I use Primary Cyan instead of Alien Purple?

Not as a straight swap; see the closer alternatives below. Loose match (ΔE 19). Primary Cyan is a little lighter, more saturated, cooler than Alien Purple.

Can I use Alien Purple instead of Primary Cyan?

The same difference applies the other way round: Alien Purple is a little darker, more muted, warmer.

ΔE is the colour difference between our two swatch estimates: under about 6 is close, over about 15 is loose. Real paints also differ in finish, coverage and how they thin, so test before you commit.