Gunbot vs Cryptohopper: Which Crypto Trading Bot Is Better?

Gunbot and Cryptohopper are two popular crypto trading bots. This guide compares core features, supported strategies, pricing, and user experience so you can pick the better fit for your trading needs.

For anyone looking for the best alternative to Cryptohopper, the tradeoff is usually cloud convenience versus local control. A Cryptohopper AI trading bot setup is simpler to host, while Gunbot gives more direct control over where strategies and API keys run.

Core Differences: Gunbot vs Cryptohopper

Feature	Gunbot	Cryptohopper
Deployment	Self-hosted desktop or VPS (Windows, macOS, Linux)	Cloud SaaS
Pricing Model	Gunbot Unlimited: $29/month; lifetime options are Standard $599, Pro $899, and DeFi $1,499	Cryptohopper lists annual-billing equivalents of $24.16 for Explorer, $57.50 for Adventurer, and $107.50 for Hero; its former free Pioneer trading plan was retired in June 2026
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 target.

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 is the better fit. Cryptohopper trades a slice of security for the convenience of logging in from any device without running servers.

Pricing and Feature Value

Gunbot Unlimited is $29/month. Cryptohopper lists annual-billing equivalents of $24.16/month for Explorer, $57.50 for Adventurer, and $107.50 for Hero. Its former free Pioneer trading plan was retired in June 2026.

Explorer is slightly cheaper, but Hero is the closer feature match because it adds AI strategies, market making, and arbitrage. Against that tier, Gunbot Unlimited is $78.50/month less while also providing self-hosting, unlimited exchange access, and custom JavaScript.

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 most 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 needing 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
• Unlimited at $29/month, with lifetime licenses also available
• 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 (Gunbot calls this the "simulator")

Who Should Choose Gunbot?

• Traders requiring maximum security and local control
• Users who want full-feature access for $29/month or prefer a lifetime license
• 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 needing a plug-and-play cloud dashboard
• Traders preferring copy trading or ready-made strategy bundles
• Users avoiding server management 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 prioritizes control. Unlimited combines custom scripting, local key custody, and the complete feature set for $29/month; lifetime licenses are also available.

• 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.

For advanced automation, Gunbot Unlimited is the clear winner. It costs $78.50/month less than Cryptohopper Hero's annual-billing equivalent while adding custom JavaScript, unlimited exchange access, and optional self-hosting. Cryptohopper remains attractive only when its marketplace and fully managed onboarding outweigh the large price and control gap.