Gunbot and Botsfolio target very different audiences, yet traders often compare them because both claim to automate crypto investing. Gunbot gives you fine-grained control and runs on your own hardware, while Botsfolio positions itself as a portfolio manager that lives in the cloud. The guide below highlights the most important differences so you can pick the tool that actually fits your trading style.
Core Distinctions: Gunbot vs Botsfolio
| Feature | Gunbot | Botsfolio |
|---|---|---|
| Deployment | Self-hosted desktop or VPS | Fully cloud-hosted SaaS |
| Pricing Model | One-time lifetime license (starts at 59 USD for Gunbot Standard) | Subscription from 10 USD per month plus 0.5 %–0.7 % annual management fee on portfolios over 500 USD |
| Supported Strategies | Spot & futures grid, DCA, indicator based, liquidity provider, scalping, trailing, custom JS | Thematic portfolios, periodic rebalancing, automated futures, smart stablecoin pivots |
| Custom Scripting | Full JavaScript engine; TradingView webhooks | None |
| Exchange Integrations | 25+ native connectors for major spot and derivatives venues | Binance, Coinbase Advanced Trade, OKX |
| API Key Custody | Local only – the secret or private key never leaves your machine | Stored on Botsfolio servers |
| Minimum Technical Work | Needs install, exchange setup, and strategy tuning | Browser signup and risk profile, then connect exchange |
Deployment and Security of API Keys
Gunbot runs entirely on hardware you control. The API secret or private key remains on your PC or VPS, and orders are signed locally before leaving the machine. You decide when to update and you can audit the log files at any time.
Botsfolio operates in the cloud. You grant remote API access to its servers so the service can place trades. Keys are encrypted in transit and at rest, but you still trust a third-party infrastructure.
Key takeaway: If local custody and auditability are must-haves, Gunbot is the safer model.
Pricing: Fixed Licence vs Recurring Fees
Gunbot: Pay once, trade forever. Upgrades within the same major version are free, and you can move the licence between machines whenever you like.
Botsfolio: Charges roughly 10 USD a month (billed annually) for full features. Portfolios bigger than 500 USD add a 0.5 %–0.7 % annual management fee. Botsfolio phased out its old 15 % performance fee after 2024, but costs still rise with account size.
Cost analysis: A five-year horizon at today’s rates puts Botsfolio north of 600 USD before management fees, while Gunbot remains a one-time 59–999 USD purchase depending on edition.
Strategy Toolbox and Flexibility
Gunbot covers the full spectrum:
- Spot & futures grid with adaptive step sizing
- Dollar-cost averaging (DCA) with safety orders
- Indicator based logic (RSI, BB, MACD, and custom)
- Liquidity provider setups for thin books
- Short-term scalping with profit caps
- Trailing entries and exits to maximise runner legs
- Full custom JS so advanced users can roll their own
Backtesting, walk-forward optimisation, and live paper trading are built in.
Botsfolio keeps it simple:
- Thematic portfolios built around risk buckets
- Scheduled rebalancing toward target weights
- Futures bots that hedge or amplify exposure
- Automatic stablecoin rotation during drawdowns
No code, no parameters – the platform makes the calls.
Key takeaway: If you want to iterate on your edge, Gunbot is the only option. If you want one-click allocation, Botsfolio is the quicker start.
Exchange Connectivity
Gunbot ships with native connectors for more than 25 exchanges, covering both spot and perpetual futures at the likes of Binance, Bybit, Kraken, and OKX. That flexibility lets you arbitrage fees, latency, or liquidity across venues.
Botsfolio deliberately narrows the list to three large exchanges – Binance, Coinbase Advanced Trade, and OKX – to keep the onboarding path uniform. FTX is no longer supported because the exchange collapsed in late 2022.
Ease of Setup
| Step | Gunbot | Botsfolio |
|---|---|---|
| Install software | Yes (Windows, macOS, Linux, ARM) | No |
| Open firewall ports | Often | No |
| Connect exchange | Manual API key paste | Exchange OAuth or API paste |
| Pick strategy | Choose preset or code your own | Run risk quiz |
| Start trading | Click run or schedule | Click activate |
Botsfolio wins on first-hour usability. Gunbot takes longer but rewards with deeper control once configured.
Who Should Choose Gunbot?
- Traders who need absolute control over strategy logic and order signing.
- Developers wanting to code in JavaScript without external limits.
- Users who trade on multiple exchanges or hedge futures and spot simultaneously.
- Cost-conscious buyers who prefer an upfront licence to ongoing service fees.
Who Should Choose Botsfolio?
- Investors seeking a managed, low-touch approach.
- Beginners who would rather answer a questionnaire than tweak indicators.
- Users happy with Binance, Coinbase, or OKX and comfortable paying subscription plus a small AUM fee.
- People who cannot or do not wish to run 24-hour infrastructure.
Verdict
Both bots automate crypto exposure, but they live at opposite ends of the control spectrum.
Gunbot is the power tool. Self-hosting, lifetime licences, and a rich strategy engine make it ideal for active traders willing to learn the ropes.
Botsfolio is the managed service. Simple onboarding and auto-rebalancing suit hands-off investors who are fine with recurring costs and limited venues.
Pick the one that aligns with your tolerance for complexity, fees, and custody of your exchange keys. The right choice is the one you will actually use with confidence.