Gunbot and SnapBots are popular crypto trading bots. This guide compares core features, supported strategies, pricing, and user experience.
Core Differences: Gunbot vs SnapBots
| Feature | Gunbot | SnapBots |
|---|---|---|
| Deployment | Self-hosted (desktop, server, or VPS) | Cloud SaaS |
| Primary Strategy Types | Versatile: spot & futures grid, dca, indicator based, liquidity provider, scalping, trailing, custom js | Pre-built high-frequency scalping bots |
| Pricing Model | One-time lifetime license (starts at $59 for Gunbot Standard) | Per-trade fee (for example 0.05 percent of trade value) |
| Custom Scripting | Full JavaScript engine plus TradingView webhooks | Not available |
| Exchange Integrations | Native connectors for 25 + major exchanges (both spot and futures, including Binance, OKX, Kraken, and dYdX) | Roughly six tier-one exchanges selected for HFT |
| API Key Custody | Local – the API secret or private key remains on your device | Stored on SnapBots servers |
Deployment Model and API Key Security
Gunbot runs on hardware you control (Windows, macOS, Linux, or a VPS). API keys stay local. You can audit logs, add firewalls, or run behind a VPN.
SnapBots is cloud hosted. API keys are stored on SnapBots servers so trades can execute at microsecond speed.
Bottom line: Gunbot prioritizes full control of API keys. SnapBots prioritizes hosted convenience at the cost of delegating custody.
Strategy Catalog and Customization Depth
Gunbot
Gunbot’s strategy engine supports seven official categories:
- Spot & futures grid – programmable grid spacing, smart orders, and built-in drawdown controls.
- DCA (dollar cost averaging) – adaptive averaging with configurable distance, max safety orders, and trailing exits.
- Indicator based – trigger entries and exits using classic TA such as RSI, MACD, EMA cross, or custom combos.
- Liquidity provider – market-maker style quoting with adjustable spread and inventory targets.
- Scalping – fast, tick-level positions aimed at clipping small moves on liquid pairs.
- Trailing – dynamic trailing for entries, take profits, and stop losses across any strategy.
- Custom JS – write or import any JavaScript logic, backtest it, and push it live, all within the same GUI.
Because everything runs locally, latency is low enough for intraday work while still allowing full parameter control or custom strategy forks. TradingView alerts can trigger Gunbot for overrides or hybrid systems.
SnapBots
SnapBots centers on high-frequency scalping. You choose pre-built bots optimized for liquidity pools on major exchanges. You can tune parameters like target spread or trade size within narrow ranges, but you cannot edit the underlying code. Orders are placed and canceled from low-latency co-located servers.
Key takeaway: Gunbot offers breadth and depth; SnapBots offers plug-and-play speed with limited customization.
Pricing and Total Cost of Ownership
| Scenario | Gunbot Cost (once) | SnapBots Cost (recurring) |
|---|---|---|
| Light trader (10 trades per week) | \$59 | ≈ \$2 per week |
| Active swing trader (100 trades/week) | \$59 | ≈ \$20 per week |
| HFT scalper (1000 trades/day) | \$59 | ≈ \$350 per day |
Gunbot charges once and updates are included; exchange fees still apply. SnapBots charges per trade, which scales with volume.
Exchange Coverage
Gunbot ships with native connectors for more than 25 exchanges, covering spot, futures, and on-chain perpetual DEXs like dYdX and HyperLiquid. Highlights include:
- Binance (spot and USD-M & COIN-M futures)
- Kraken (spot plus Kraken Futures)
- OKX (spot, perps, and dated futures)
- Bybit (USDT and inverse perpetuals)
- PancakeSwap (on-chain BSC DEX support)
SnapBots integrates roughly six highly liquid venues suited to latency-sensitive scalping bots. Gunbot’s roster covers more exchanges, including niche pairs and regional venues.
User Experience and Community
- Ease of use: SnapBots has instant onboarding. Gunbot requires install, initial config wizard, and port forwarding for browser access outside your LAN.
- Learning resources: Gunbot has an active Telegram community with thousands of users, help center, and email support. SnapBots maintains a help center and ticket support but a smaller peer community.
- Updates: Gunbot releases frequent updates. SnapBots updates continuously, with brief changelogs to protect proprietary IP.
Risk Management Features
| Capability | Gunbot | SnapBots |
|---|---|---|
| Max drawdown limiter | ✔️ | ✔️ |
| Dynamic position sizing | ✔️ | Limited |
| Exchange safu integration | ✔️ | ✖️ |
| On-the-fly strategy switch | ✔️ | ✖️ |
| Local backtesting | ✔️ | ✖️ |
Gunbot’s local backtester lets you validate ideas against historical ticks before risking capital. SnapBots requires live deployment or paper trading inside its closed environment.
Pros and Cons Summary
Gunbot
Pros
- Lifetime license – no hidden recurring costs
- Runs locally – API secret never leaves your device
- Seven strategy families plus unlimited custom JS
- 25 + exchange connectors, including DeFi perps
- Active community and third-party add-ons
Cons
- Initial setup takes longer than cloud SaaS
- Performance depends on your hardware and internet
SnapBots
Pros
- No install – start trading from any browser
- Ultralow-latency infrastructure out of the box
- Pre-tuned HFT bots for micro-scalping
Cons
- Fees scale linearly with trade count
- Limited to a small set of exchanges and strategies
- API keys stored off-device
- No code customization or deep analytics
Who Should Choose Gunbot?
- Traders who want full control of software, credentials, and strategy code
- Users needing a wide range of strategies beyond pure scalping
- High-volume or long-term traders who want predictable costs
- Developers building bespoke algorithms in JavaScript
- Anyone requiring connectors to less common exchanges or DeFi venues
Who Should Choose SnapBots?
- Traders who value convenience and instant deployment over customization
- Users specifically targeting high-frequency scalping on major CEXs
- Individuals comfortable paying a percentage of every trade rather than an upfront fee
- Anyone who prefers not to manage local infrastructure
Verdict
Gunbot and SnapBots target different segments of automated trading.
Gunbot is the superior choice if you need versatility, deep customization, full control of API secrets, and a cost structure that does not penalize high volume. Its self-hosted design and JavaScript engine enable extensive strategy control.
SnapBots excels when you want to run high-frequency scalping bots immediately without writing code or managing servers. The trade-off is higher variable costs, fewer exchanges, and limited strategy options.
For most traders seeking a robust, future-proof automation stack, Gunbot delivers more power and better value than SnapBots in 2025 and beyond.