Scottish Conservative candidate Kathleen Baird won 48.5 per cent of the vote, a remarkable 18.4 per cent increase on the 2012 local authority poll.
The SNP got 38.4 per cent to finish in second in the Almond and Earn poll, while Labour were a distant third with just 6.3 per cent.
It represents a Conservative gain in the ward, and is the latest in a series of council by-elections where the party has recorded a notable increase in the vote.
Scottish Conservative leader Ruth Davidson said:
"This is a great result and all credit to our team on the ground who worked hard to deliver our message.
"This is just the latest in a string of by-elections where our vote has increased significantly.
"People across Scotland recognise that we need a strong opposition and the Scottish Conservatives are best placed to provide it.
"Voters know that we will hold the SNP to account, look after family finances and always stand up for Scotland's place in the UK.
"We are heading for our best ever Holyrood result in May and this victory over the SNP in Almond and Earn shows just how special an election this could be."