Best Open Source Crypto Trading Bots

Automated crypto trading is becoming quite popular these days, and for good reason. Trading bots can trade 24/7 without any intervention and, most importantly, without human emotions.

Nowadays, there are quite a few bot providers you can choose from. In this article, we will be discussing open-source trading bots. We'll go over what they are, their pros and cons, and what to look for when choosing one.

We’ve compiled a list of the top open-source and complimentary crypto trading bots available for download. These bots are user-friendly, requiring only minimal command line knowledge, and despite being free, they come equipped with numerous features to enhance the efficiency and profitability of your automated trading ventures.

Top Choices for Open-Source Crypto Trading Bots

1. Gekko

Gekko, a widely acclaimed open-source crypto trading bot, stands out with its user-friendly web GUI, allowing easy import of historical data, strategy backtesting, and live execution on exchanges. It's particularly beneficial for beginners due to its straightforward interface and capability to display trading outcomes. Gekko's thorough documentation supports users in crafting their strategies.

Gekko Pros:

• Regular updates and wide exchange support.
• Engaged user community.
• Simple setup and interface.
• Options for paper and live trading.
• Plugin-based trade notifications.

Gekko Cons:

• Limited detail in backtesting results. 
   

Gekko strikes a balance between simplicity and functionality, making it suitable for both novice and seasoned traders. It is recommended to run it on a local machine for strategy development and use a VPS for consistent operation and reduced trade latency.

2. Zenbot

Zenbot stands out as a highly favored and regularly updated crypto trading bot, offering versatility in desktop and cloud-based options. It includes numerous trading strategies from the start, with the added benefit of being customizable for those familiar with JavaScript. Zenbot's open-source nature means users can access and modify the underlying code for personalized strategy development.

Zenbot Pros:

• Regular updates.
• Supports numerous exchanges.
• Engaged community.
• Options for paper and live trading.
• Multiple notification services, including SMS and Discord.
• Comprehensive backtesting results.

Zenbot Cons:

• A command-line interface only.
• Slower backtesting process.

Ideal for traders comfortable with command-line operations, Zenbot also includes advanced features like a genetic algorithm backtester. It's best run locally for strategy development and testing, with cloud hosting recommended for live trading continuity.

3. Enigma Catalyst

Enigma Catalyst, built upon the Zipline project, is an algorithmic trading platform designed for advanced Python developers. It's ideal for those seeking to craft, test, and execute trading strategies across multiple crypto exchanges. Although still evolving, it integrates robust statistical and machine learning libraries.

Enigma Catalyst Pros:

• Comprehensive documentation.
• Engaged user community.
• Supports statistical analysis and machine learning.

Enigma Catalyst Cons:

• Limited exchange support for live trades.
• Complex installation.
• Challenging cloud setup.
• Suitable for advanced strategies, Catalyst currently trades on Bitfinex, Bittrex, and Poloniex, with plans to expand its exchange integrations.

4. Superalgos

Superalgos is a versatile trading automation and crypto market research platform renowned for integrating key elements needed for trading intelligence. It enables users to develop complex trading strategies through a visual interface with backtesting based on historical data.

Superalgos Pros:

• The intuitive visual interface simplifies understanding complex crypto trading concepts.
• Offers comprehensive data download from multiple exchanges.
• Converts raw data into traditional indicators with minimal coding.
• Facilitates easy creation of custom indicators and plotters.
• Implements Trading Farms for efficient task management.
• Provides diverse trading sessions like backtesting and live trading. 
   

Superalgos Cons:

• The visual programming aspect might be challenging for beginners.
• Being in open beta, it may undergo frequent updates and changes.

5. Growlonix 

Growlonix is revolutionizing automated crypto trading with its AI-assisted bots and strategies designed for various trader levels. It merges advanced trading features with user-friendly interfaces and high-level security measures.

Growlonix Pros:

• AI-powered bots like Hedge Grid and Dual Grid optimize profits while minimizing risks.
• Advanced trading terminal with unique order options.
• Utilizes DCA and Grid methods for enhanced trading.
• AI-driven recommendations simplify bot configurations, benefiting beginners.
• Extensive signal automation via Telegram, email, and webhook.
• Paper Trading option for risk-free strategy testing.
• High security with encrypted API keys and funds retained on the user's exchange. 
   

Growlonix Cons:

• The array of advanced features may be daunting for beginners.
• Specific to certain major cryptocurrency exchanges.

6. PyCryptoBot

PyCryptoBot, a free and open-source crypto trading bot, operates under the Apache Version 2.0 license. It stands out for its integration with mobile apps and Telegram for status updates.

PyCryptoBot Pros:

• Includes a range of secure hash functions and encryption algorithms.
• Structured for easy addition of new modules.
• Supports Binance and Coinbase Pro.
• Flexible configuration options via the command line or a config.json file.
• Offers both live and test modes for trading.
• Utilizes technical analysis for trading signals.

PyCryptoBot Cons:

• It might require technical knowledge for setup and usage.

7. Freqtrade

Freqtrade, a Python-based, open-source, and free crypto trading bot, is designed for compatibility with major exchanges and Telegram control. It supports Windows, macOS, and Linux.

Freqtrade Pros:

• Allows users to create strategies in Python using pandas.
• Enables downloading of historical market data.
• Offers strategy testing on historical data.
• Hyper-optimization using machine learning for strategy refinement.
• A choice between simulated or real money trading.
• Control and monitoring via Telegram or REST API.

Freqtrade Cons:

• It may require Python programming knowledge.
• Limited to certain exchanges like Bittrex and Binance.

8. OctoBot 

OctoBot, a Python-based open-source trading robot, has been serving over 20,000 users since 2018. It's compatible with major exchanges and supports a variety of strategies, including DCA, Grid trading, AI, and automating TradingView strategies.

OctoBot Pros:

• Offers over 40 prebuilt strategies and the ability to create custom ones.
• Supports a wide range of indicators, including technical, social, and AI.
• Integrated web interface and options to code strategies in Python.
• Facilitates strategy sharing among users.
• Backtesting and paper trading for strategy testing.
• Compatible with most major crypto exchanges.
• Maintains user fund security by not holding funds on the platform.

OctoBot Cons:

• It may require Python knowledge for advanced customization.
• The extensive range of features could be overwhelming for beginners.

What are open-source crypto trading bots?

There are many kinds of trading bots out there. Some are simple; some are complex. Some need to be installed on your computer; some can be accessed from the cloud. But what are open-source crypto trading bots, and why are they interesting? The most important characteristic is that their code is public, and they are entirely free to use. And when I say free to use, I don't mean a downgraded free plan of a company that offers different tiers; I mean completely free-to-use all features without any restrictions or paywalls.

Open-source crypto trading bots are popular for beginner traders, especially those on a tight budget. However, they have specific advantages and disadvantages, so make sure you understand them before using them.

Advantages of open source crypto trading bots

100% free 
One of the most compelling reasons to use an open-source bot is that you can do it for free. You don't need to pay anything to get started with a good-quality bot. That said, if you want to use your own cloud-based bot, you will need to pay for hosting fees or other associated costs (more on that later).

Can be customized 
Another advantage of open-source crypto trading bots is that their code is public. This transparency allows you to tweak it and modify the bot's behavior to fit your trading style. You can also add new features or indicators if you know how to code.

Can be trusted to an extent 
Since the code is open for everyone to see, anyone can check it for security vulnerabilities. This makes it more complicated (but not impossible) for malicious actors to insert harmful code into the bot. Of course, this only applies if you trust the bot's developers in the first place.

There is no need to trust a centralized entity with your sensitive data. 
If you use a cloud-based bot, you will need to entrust your API keys to the provider. This means they will have access to your account and could potentially do some damage if they were so inclined (very unlikely, but not impossible). With an open-source bot, you control your API keys, and no one else can access them (as long as you don't get hacked; see below).

They (usually) have a strong community. 
Another good thing about open-source bots is that they usually have a strong community behind them. Since they depend on the community for their development, the community is generally very involved in helping others install it, set it up, or discuss trading strategies. If you encounter any problems or want to learn more about the bot, you can always contact the community for help.

Disadvantages of open source crypto trading bots

It can be complex to set up and use 
The high customizability and transparency of the code come with a significant drawback: they can be complex to set up and use, especially for beginner traders.

If you're not a developer or don't know how to code, you will need to learn how to do it before you can start using the bot. Even then, you might encounter some errors along the way. This is why it's essential to ensure that the bot you choose has good documentation and a supportive community (more on that later).

It can be less secure. 
As we mentioned, anyone can inspect open-source code for security vulnerabilities. However, this also means hackers can find and exploit these vulnerabilities, so it's essential only to use bots from reputable developers and to keep your software up to date. If a hacker were to obtain your API keys, they could use them to wreak havoc on your account.

Fewer features and indicators 
Another downside of open-source bots is that they often have fewer features and indicators than paid bots. This is because they rely on the community for development, and not everyone has the time or expertise to develop complex features. That being said, there are some very well-developed open-source bots out there.

It can be time-consuming to maintain 
One often overlooked problem with open-source software is that you must take care of the bot's and your machine's updates. In many cases, these updates go smoothly, but in some cases, they break compatibility, especially when making important updates such as the operating system.

You need to ensure the reliability of the hardware. 
If you're using a cloud-based bot, it will be hosted on a platform like AWS or Heroku. These platforms are usually very reliable, but there have been instances where they've gone down for a few hours (rare, but it does happen). If you are using it on your computer or laptop, you also need to ensure that your machine's internet connection is not interrupted, as your bot needs it to monitor the market 24/7. If your bot's internet connection is interrupted in the middle of a trade, this could result in unexpected losses.

Community support doesn't guarantee to solve your problems 
Even if a bot has a large and active community, it doesn't mean that you will always get a timely response to your questions or that you will solve your problems at all. This is especially true if you're asking for help with something that is not well-documented.

What to look for when choosing an open-source crypto trading bot

Now that you know the advantages and disadvantages of open-source crypto trading bots, let's consider what you should look for when choosing one.

Reputation 
First and foremost, you want to ensure that the bot is from a reputable developer. An excellent way to do this is to check if the bot is being developed on a well-known open-source development platform such as GitHub. If it is, you can check how many people have contributed to the project and how often it is updated. This will also give you an idea of how active the community is and how well-supported the bot is.

Features 
As we mentioned before, open-source bots often have fewer features than paid bots. However, they should still have all the essential features you need, such as an order book, charting tools, trading tools, backtesting, portfolio tracker, etc. Make sure you take the time to review what the bot can offer and decide what features you must have and which ones are optional.

Documentation 
Another critical thing to look for is good documentation. Documentation is essential because it will make it easier for you to get started with the bot and troubleshoot any problems you may have. The documentation should be clear and concise and cover all the essential topics, such as installation, usage, features, etc.

Community 
As we mentioned before, the community is vital for two reasons: development and support. If the bot has a large and active community, it's more likely that the community will develop new features, and you'll be able to get help if you have any problems.

Hidden costs 
Finally, though open-source bots are completely free, there are usually some costs associated with them that you ought to be aware of. If you plan to run the bot on your own server, you have to consider the associated server costs. Furthermore, you may want to consider the time you need to invest to set up, run, and maintain the bot. While at first glance it may seem like an open-source bot is a good idea, once you factor in hidden costs and the required time investment, it may not be the best choice for you.