Gunbot and Cryptohopper are two popular crypto trading bots, but which one is better for your trading needs? In this guide, we break down both bots in terms of core features, supported strategies, pricing, and user experience.
Core Differences: Gunbot vs Cryptohopper
| Feature | Gunbot | Cryptohopper |
|---|---|---|
| Deployment | Self-hosted desktop or VPS (Windows, macOS, Linux) | Cloud SaaS |
| Pricing Model | One-time lifetime license – starts at $59 for Gunbot Standard | Subscription model – free tier, then roughly $29-$99 per month |
| Core Strategies | Spot & Futures Grid, DCA, Indicator Based, Liquidity Provider, Scalping, Trailing, Custom JS | DCA, Arbitrage, Strategy Designer, Copy Trading, Strategy Marketplace |
| Custom Scripting | Full JavaScript engine plus TradingView webhooks | No direct code access – visual strategy builder |
| Exchange Integrations | Native connectors for 25+ major exchanges (spot, futures, some DeFi perps) | Roughly 16 exchanges |
| API Key Custody | Local – your API secret or private key never leaves your device | Encrypted keys stored on Cryptohopper servers |
Deployment Model and API Key Security
Gunbot runs entirely on your own hardware. You download a desktop build or spin up a VPS instance, then paste in your exchange API key and secret. Because the secret key stays local, you keep end-to-end control over permissions and can firewall the bot from the broader internet if desired.
Cryptohopper is browser-based. After connecting an exchange, your encrypted key pair is stored on their infrastructure so their cloud workers can place orders for you.
Key takeaway: If local custody and the option to air-gap credentials are critical, Gunbot wins. Cryptohopper trades a slice of security for the convenience of logging in from any device without running servers.
Pricing: Lifetime Value vs Recurring Subscriptions
Gunbot – pay once, keep forever. Even after major version upgrades, license holders receive updates to their tier at no extra cost. At $59 for the Standard tier, the break-even point versus Cryptohopper’s entry subscription is roughly two months.
Cryptohopper – uses a free “Pioneer” plan for paper trading and very small positions. Realistic usage requires a paid plan that starts near $29 a month and rises with position size, multiple bots, or arbitrage add-ons.
Over a year, Gunbot’s ownership cost is hard to beat if you plan to automate continuously.
Strategy Creation, Automation, and Customization
Gunbot ships with presets that cover every major trading style:
- Spot & futures grid
- Dollar-cost averaging (DCA)
- Indicator based (RSI, EMAs, etc.)
- Liquidity provider logic (often called market-making)
- Scalping with fast partial fills
- Trailing take-profit and stop plans
- Full custom JS scripting where you can merge on-chain data, AI signals, or anything you can fetch in code
Every parameter is editable, and advanced users extend the core loop in JavaScript without touching the closed-source engine.
Cryptohopper focuses on low-code setup. Users connect blocks in a visual editor or shop the strategy marketplace for paid templates. Copy trading makes it easy to duplicate another trader’s settings but limits transparency into the underlying logic.
If you value granular control, Gunbot’s scripting depth is unrivaled. If you want to drag, drop, and deploy quickly, Cryptohopper’s GUI has the edge.
Supported Exchanges
Gunbot maintains direct, officially supported connectors for 25+ exchanges – including Binance, Binance US, Bitget, Bybit, OKX, Kraken, KuCoin, Gate.io, MEXC, BingX, Crypto.com, Bitfinex, Coinbase Advanced Trade, and several DeFi perpetual DEXs like dYdX v4 and HyperLiquid. That selection covers the overwhelming majority of global spot and futures liquidity without forcing manual API tinkering.
Cryptohopper’s 16-exchange roster is smaller but covers most household names (Binance, Coinbase, Kraken, etc.). For traders who need long-tail or regional venues, Gunbot’s larger catalog can be decisive.
Unique Selling Points
Gunbot
- Local API key custody – private key never leaves your server
- Lifetime license with no compulsory renewals
- Powerful JavaScript engine that enables exotic conditions, AI integrations, and multi-exchange logic
- Broad spot, futures, and DeFi integration
- Active community where advanced users publish open-source strategies
Cryptohopper
- Cloud convenience – zero installation or server maintenance
- Visual strategy designer that suits non-programmers
- Marketplace with hundreds of pre-made templates and signal providers
- Copy trading to follow high-performing public profiles
- Built-in paper trading to test before risking funds (this is called 'simulator in Gunbot')
Who Should Choose Gunbot?
- Traders who insist on maximum security and local control
- Users who want to own their software without monthly bills
- Developers or technical traders needing fine-grained strategy logic
- People trading on smaller or derivative-heavy exchanges not covered by most cloud bots
- Anyone comfortable running a VPS or desktop app 24-7
Who Should Choose Cryptohopper?
- Absolute beginners who want a plug-and-play cloud dashboard
- Traders preferring copy trading or ready-made strategy bundles
- Users who do not want to manage servers or handle port forwarding
- Investors happy to pay an ongoing fee in exchange for quickly swapping between multiple bots in one browser
The Verdict
Both platforms automate crypto trading, but they solve different problems.
Gunbot is the power tool. If you care about owning your license, scripting unique strategies, and keeping secret keys off third-party hardware, Gunbot delivers unmatched control at a one-time price.
Cryptohopper is the managed service. It excels at rapid onboarding, social trading, and a frictionless web experience – for a recurring fee and with cloud custody of keys.
Choose Gunbot if you want deep customization, long-term cost efficiency, and self-hosted security. Choose Cryptohopper if you value simplicity, marketplace access, and the ability to launch a bot in minutes without touching a server.