Gunbot and Tuned are two popular crypto trading bots, but they take very different approaches. Gunbot is self-hosted software that you run on your own machine and fine-tune with JavaScript, while Tuned is a cloud platform built for quants who prefer Python notebooks and a marketplace model. In this guide, we break down both bots in terms of deployment, strategies, pricing, exchange coverage, and overall user experience.
Core Differences: Gunbot vs Tuned
| Feature | Gunbot | Tuned |
|---|---|---|
| Deployment | Self-hosted (Desktop, Server, or VPS) | Fully cloud based SaaS |
| Typical User | Individual traders and JavaScript developers | Quantitative traders, Python developers, strategy renters |
| Pricing Model | One-time lifetime license — Gunbot Standard starts at \$59 | Free backtesting tier, live trading incurs performance fees (often 0.2%–0.5% of AUM or profits) |
| Core Strategy Types | Spot & futures grid, DCA, indicator based, liquidity provider, scalping, trailing, custom JS | Custom Python strategies, marketplace rentals, factor models, statistical arbitrage |
| Custom Scripting | Built-in JavaScript engine and TradingView webhook support | Jupyter-style Python notebooks with a large data science toolkit |
| Exchange Integrations | Native connectors for 25+ exchanges including Binance, Bybit, OKX, Kraken, and KuCoin | A curated list of major venues such as Coinbase Advanced Trade, Bybit, Kraken, and Binance |
| API Key Custody | API key and API secret stay on your device | API keys stored on Tuned’s servers |
Deployment Model and API Key Security
Gunbot installs on Windows, macOS, and Linux, or runs headless on a VPS. Because execution happens on your own hardware, the exchange API secret never leaves your machine. If you prefer an air-gapped setup, you can even run Gunbot on a local server with outbound firewall rules.
Tuned is fully cloud hosted. You log in, paste your API keys, and let Tuned’s infrastructure run the strategy. Convenience is high, but you delegate custody of the keys and must trust their operational security.
Why it matters: Self-hosting grants maximum control and reduces third-party risk. Cloud hosting reduces maintenance but introduces custodial risk.
Strategy Development and Flexibility
Gunbot ships with dozens of presets and lets you write entire strategies in JavaScript. Every parameter is exposed, so advanced users can blend multiple indicators, define position sizing logic, add trailing elements, or even fetch external data through webhooks. Also has a Python SDK.
Tuned focuses on Python. You build strategies in a notebook, backtest against tick data, then deploy them with a few clicks. A built-in marketplace lets quants lease their strategies to others for a revenue share.
Key takeaway: Gunbot shines for tinkerers who like granular control, while Tuned is ideal for data-driven quants who want scalable cloud tools and potentially an income stream from licensing their code.
Pricing and Long-Term Cost
- Gunbot: Pay once, use forever. Upgrades within the same major version are free. There are higher tiers for added features, but even Gunbot Standard at \$59 can trade unlimited volume.
- Tuned: Backtesting is free, yet live trading costs performance fees. If you manage significant capital or run multiple rented strategies, fees compound quickly.
Bottom line: Gunbot offers predictable cost and no revenue share. Tuned aligns incentives with performance but may become expensive for profitable or high-volume traders.
Backtesting and Analytics
- Gunbot: Includes an integrated backtester. It is fast for most spot and futures pairs and supports exporting results for external analysis.
- Tuned: Puts backtesting front and center. Its engine supports parameter sweeps, walk-forward testing, and ensemble pipelines, all managed in the cloud.
If deep statistical testing and rapid iteration are your priorities, Tuned has the edge. If you want practical backtests without extra fees, Gunbot’s toolset is more than adequate.
Exchange Coverage
Gunbot supports more than 25 exchanges out of the box — enough to cover almost every liquid pair you may want to trade. Tuned purposely limits its connectors to a few high-quality venues, so double-check if your preferred exchange is available.
Learning Curve
Gunbot’s GUI has improved, but you still need to understand basic trading concepts to tune parameters. Tuned assumes you can code in Python and think in terms of vectors, pandas, and backtests. Neither platform is truly set-and-forget, yet both reduce manual trading drudgery once configured.
Who Should Choose Gunbot?
- Traders who value local control and do not want their API secrets on a third-party server.
- JavaScript developers or non-coders who like presets but want the option to dive deeper over time.
- Users looking for a low up-front investment with no ongoing performance split.
- Anyone needing broad exchange coverage, including smaller altcoin markets or regional futures desks.
Who Should Choose Tuned?
- Python-savvy quants who want a managed infrastructure with institutional-grade backtesting.
- Traders interested in renting or selling strategies through a marketplace.
- Users comfortable paying a performance fee in exchange for cloud convenience.
- Those who primarily trade on the major exchanges supported by Tuned.
Verdict
Gunbot is the go-to choice if you want lifetime ownership, self-hosting, and the freedom to craft or tweak strategies down to the smallest parameter. Its wide exchange support and one-time fee make it a favorite among hands-on traders.
Tuned excels for quantitative developers who prefer Python notebooks, cloud scalability, and a performance-based business model. The built-in marketplace and advanced analytics can be lucrative for quants who consistently beat the market.
Ultimately, pick the tool that matches your coding language, security comfort level, and cost expectations. If local control and predictable pricing sound good, Gunbot wins. If rapid backtesting and cloud deployment trump everything else, Tuned deserves serious consideration.