Gunbot and Coinrule are both well-known crypto trading bots, but they cater to different user profiles. Gunbot targets traders who want granular control and local custody of credentials, while Coinrule focuses on a no-code, cloud-based experience. This 2025 guide dissects the two products across features, pricing, security, strategy depth, and user experience.
Core Differences at a Glance
| Feature | Gunbot | Coinrule |
|---|---|---|
| Deployment | Self-hosted app for Windows, macOS, Linux, or any VPS | Cloud SaaS – log in through a browser |
| Pricing Model | One-time lifetime license (starts at $59 for Gunbot Standard) | Free tier plus monthly plans from roughly $29 to $449 |
| Strategy Types | Spot & Futures Grid, DCA, Indicator Based, Liquidity Provider, Scalping, Trailing, Custom JS | Visual “If-This-Then-That” rule builder (spot and some futures) |
| Custom Scripting | Full JavaScript engine, TradingView webhook intake | No direct coding – rules are built with blocks |
| Exchange Integrations | Native connectors for 25 + exchanges (spot and derivatives) | About 14 major exchanges |
| API Key Custody | Local – the API secret never leaves your machine | Stored (encrypted) on Coinrule servers |
Deployment Model and API Key Security
Gunbot is installed on your own hardware or rented VPS. Because all trade logic runs locally, the API secret (private key) stays on the device you control. No external service can access or decrypt it.
Coinrule executes trades from its cloud infrastructure. While keys are encrypted at rest, execution requires the service to handle them. Convenience is high but you entrust key management to a third party.
Bottom line: If local custody and maximum control over exchange credentials are critical, Gunbot has the edge.
Pricing: Lifetime License vs Recurring Subscription
- Gunbot – A straightforward model: pay once, use forever. The $59 Standard tier already covers core features, unlimited strategy modifications, and all future fixes within that major version.
- Coinrule – Starts free with limited rules. Serious usage requires a monthly or yearly plan; higher tiers unlock more live rules, trading size, and futures access.
Break-even analysis: Even Coinrule’s lowest paid plan overtakes the Gunbot Standard fee in roughly three months. Heavy users on premium plans cross that threshold in less than a month. Long-term cost favors Gunbot decisively.
Strategy Creation and Customization
Gunbot
- Seven official strategy categories – Grid, DCA, Indicator-Based, Liquidity Provider, Scalping, Trailing frameworks, plus entirely Custom JS.
- Each strategy exposes dozens of tunable parameters. You can backtest locally, feed external TradingView alerts, or combine multiple indicators in code.
- The included editor features syntax highlighting and real-time validation, reducing common scripting errors.
Coinrule
- Visual blocks let you chain conditions like “IF price drops 2 % AND RSI < 30 THEN buy 100 USDT”.
- A large template gallery speeds up first-time setups.
- Flexibility is inherently bounded by the blocks the platform provides. Complex logic such as nested loops, adaptive position sizing, or multi-time-frame calculations is difficult or impossible without raw code access.
Takeaway: Gunbot suits users who want to innovate or replicate pro-trading desk logic. Coinrule trades some power for simplicity.
Exchange Coverage
Gunbot ships with connectors for more than 25 spot and derivatives venues, including Binance, Bybit, OKX, Kraken, KuCoin, dYdX v3 & v4, and cutting-edge DeFi perps like HyperLiquid. Futures engines (USD-M, COIN-M, inverse, dated) are supported where the exchange offers them.
Coinrule supports around 14 well-known centralized exchanges such as Binance, Coinbase Advanced Trade, and Kraken. Futures availability varies by plan.
If you trade on niche venues or want rapid access to newly launched derivatives, Gunbot’s broader coverage is useful. If you stick to large Tier-1 exchanges, Coinrule suffices.
Additional Considerations
Backtesting and Simulation
- Gunbot – Ships with an offline backtester using historical candles. You can replay months of data to gauge performance before risking capital.
- Coinrule – Offers a paper-trading mode on live markets. Historical backtesting is limited to paid tiers and simplified slippage assumptions.
Updates and Maintenance
- Gunbot updates are downloadable installers. You decide when to upgrade, giving stability during live trading.
- Coinrule updates are applied server-side automatically. New features appear without user action, but you also rely on the vendor’s rollout schedule.
Strengths and Weaknesses
| Aspect | Gunbot Strengths | Gunbot Weaknesses |
|---|---|---|
| Security | Local key storage; offline backtesting | Requires your own uptime management |
| Cost | Single lifetime fee | Separate license needed for major version jumps |
| Customization | Full JS engine, TradingView hooks, granular parameters | Steeper learning curve if you want to code |
| Reach | 25 + exchanges, spot, perps, DeFi connectors | Setup time increases with multi-exchange orchestration |
| Aspect | Coinrule Strengths | Coinrule Weaknesses |
|---|---|---|
| Usability | Drag-and-drop rules, template library | Power limited by block availability |
| Onboarding | Cloud setup, nothing to install | API keys reside server-side |
| Pricing Flex | Free tier for experiments | Paid tiers get expensive fast |
| Maintenance | Automatic updates | No option to delay breaking changes |
Who Should Choose Gunbot?
- Traders prioritizing root control over API keys and local execution.
- Developers wanting a full JavaScript sandbox to craft novel strategies.
- Cost-conscious users who prefer a one-time payment instead of recurring fees.
- Traders requiring connectivity to niche or multiple exchanges in one workstation.
Who Should Choose Coinrule?
- Beginners or non-technical users who value visual workflows over code.
- Traders who favor a hands-off cloud service and do not want to manage servers.
- Users needing a quick start with pre-built template rules on Tier-1 exchanges.
- Anyone happy to pay a subscription for convenience and automatic scaling.
Verdict
Gunbot and Coinrule solve different problems. Gunbot is crafted for serious traders, algorithm developers, and security-minded users who crave unrestricted strategy design and the lower TCO of a lifetime license. Coinrule excels at providing a gentle entrance into automation with minimal setup.
If you intend to iterate, backtest, and push the boundaries of automated trading, Gunbot is the more capable and economically sound platform. If your priority is speed of deployment with zero coding, Coinrule’s visual builder delivers a smoother first-time experience, though at higher long-term cost and reduced flexibility. Choose according to your technical appetite and budget.