Gunbot and WolfBot are two popular self-hosted crypto trading bots. Both keep your API keys on your own machine, but they diverge sharply in price, exchange coverage, and strategy flexibility. This guide walks through the details so you can decide which one fits your workflow.
Core Differences: Gunbot vs WolfBot
| Feature | Gunbot | WolfBot |
|---|---|---|
| Deployment | Desktop or server on Windows, macOS, Linux, ARM; no Docker required | Mostly Docker on Linux. Can be run elsewhere with effort |
| Pricing Model | Lifetime license from 59 USD (Standard) | Lifetime license about 699 EUR |
| Customization Language | Full JavaScript strategy engine with TradingView webhook input | Python modules for custom indicators and logic |
| Built-in Strategy Types | Spot & Futures Grid, DCA, Indicator Based, Liquidity Provider, Scalping, Trailing, Custom JS | Indicator Based, DCA, Grid |
| Native Exchange Support | 25 plus spot and futures exchanges as of 2025, including Binance, Bybit, OKX, Kraken, dYdX | Roughly 3 exchanges |
| API Key Custody | Local storage. The private API secret stays on your PC or VPS | Local storage in the Docker container |
| User Interface | Web GUI plus CLI; preset wizards and visual backtesting | CLI and minimal web panel |
Deployment and API Key Security
Both bots run entirely on hardware you control, so the private API secret key never leaves your device. Gunbot scores points for its native installers on every major operating system, which means you can spin up a test instance on a Raspberry Pi just as easily as on a Windows laptop. WolfBot depends on Docker, which is straightforward for Linux admins but can be a speed-bump for less-technical users on desktop systems.
Pricing and Long-Term Value
Gunbot’s entry tier is 59 USD for the Standard license. All licenses are perpetual and include updates for the purchased edition. Higher tiers unlock more exchanges and advanced features, but you can already run multiple strategies on one exchange at the starter price.
WolfBot’s single license comes in at roughly 699 EUR. It is also perpetual, yet the steep upfront cost limits experimentation for budget-conscious traders. If you plan to run many instances the price difference grows quickly.
Strategy Depth and Customization
Gunbot covers the full spectrum of retail trading tactics:
- Spot & Futures Grid – place layered orders that adapt to price ranges.
- DCA – auto average down or up in controlled steps.
- Indicator Based – drive entries and exits with classics like RSI, MACD, or your own TradingView signals.
- Liquidity Provider – market-maker style algorithms that post bids and asks for passive income.
- Scalping – fast in-and-out plays on low time-frame volatility.
- Trailing – dynamic stop, step, and take-profit logic.
- Custom JS – write or import full JavaScript files, pull any external data, and backtest it inside the bot.
WolfBot leans on Python. You can attach your own indicators or machine-learning libraries, but the default templates are limited to Indicator Based, DCA, and basic Grid. Users who are not fluent in Python may need to copy snippets from the community rather than tweak parameters in a GUI.
Exchange Coverage
Gunbot ships with native connectors for 25 plus top-tier venues, from centralized giants like Binance to perpetual DEXs such as dYdX v4. Whether you are arbitraging between spot books or hedging perpetual futures, you can do it inside the same interface.
WolfBot officially supports only a small set of centralized exchanges. If you trade elsewhere you must create and maintain a custom connector.
Extra Considerations
| Topic | Gunbot | WolfBot |
|---|---|---|
| Backtesting & Simulation | Integrated visual backtester in the GUI | Command-line backtester scripts |
| Resource Footprint | Lightweight; runs on a Raspberry Pi 4 or modest VPS | Requires Docker and more RAM for Python |
| Multi-Instance Management | Supports multiple pairs per instance and license upgrades | One instance per license is typical |
| Licensing Flexibility | Easy license migration between machines via the customer hub | Manual re-registration |
| Roadmap Transparency | Public changelog and Trello board | GitHub issues and commit log |
Who Should Choose Gunbot?
- Traders who want maximum strategy variety without writing code.
- Users who need wide exchange coverage or trade both spot and futures.
- Developers who like JavaScript or want to trigger bots with TradingView webhooks.
- Anyone looking for a low-cost entry point with lifetime ownership.
Who Should Choose WolfBot?
- Python enthusiasts who prefer to craft bespoke indicators in a familiar language.
- Operators comfortable with Docker and headless Linux servers.
- Traders whose workflow is confined to one of the few exchanges WolfBot supports.
- Users willing to pay more for an open-source code base they can audit.
Verdict
Both Gunbot and WolfBot keep your private API key at home and run without a third-party cloud. Beyond that, their paths diverge. Gunbot delivers broader exchange support, a richer set of turnkey strategies, and a dramatically lower price tag. WolfBot occupies a niche for Python coders who are content with limited exchange coverage and are ready to pay a premium.
For the average trader seeking flexibility, affordability, and an active user community, Gunbot is the more rounded and accessible choice.