# How these bots actually differ

## See all comparisons
[![](/__reroute_image?url=%2Fassets%2Fimages%2Flogo-stoic.png&w=256&q=85&f=webp)CryptoBud vs Stoic AIClosest iPhone auto-trader. Needs exchange keys before it trades.
](/compare/stoic-ai)[![](/__reroute_image?url=%2Fassets%2Fimages%2Flogo-3commas.png&w=256&q=85&f=webp)CryptoBud vs 3CommasYou build the bots. They store your API keys on their cloud.
](/compare/3commas)[![](/__reroute_image?url=%2Fassets%2Fimages%2Flogo-pionex.png&w=256&q=85&f=webp)CryptoBud vs PionexSimple because they are the exchange. Your coins move onto Pionex.
](/compare/pionex)[![](/__reroute_image?url=%2Fassets%2Fimages%2Flogo-cryptohopper.png&w=256&q=85&f=webp)CryptoBud vs CryptohopperCloud hopper with a marketplace. Simulator sits next to the live bot. They hold the keys.
](/compare/cryptohopper)[![](/__reroute_image?url=%2Fassets%2Fimages%2Flogo-bitsgap.png&w=256&q=85&f=webp)CryptoBud vs BitsgapMulti-exchange GRID and DCA. Demo first, then their cloud holds the keys.
](/compare/bitsgap)
## Side by side
CryptoBud vs big players in the crypto trading bot market — paper trading, keys, live match, and AI features.Compared[![](/__reroute_image?url=%2Fassets%2Fimages%2Flogo-stoic.png&w=256&q=85&f=webp)Stoic](/compare/stoic-ai)[![](/__reroute_image?url=%2Fassets%2Fimages%2Flogo-3commas.png&w=256&q=85&f=webp)3Commas](/compare/3commas)[![](/__reroute_image?url=%2Fassets%2Fimages%2Flogo-pionex.png&w=256&q=85&f=webp)Pionex](/compare/pionex)[![](/__reroute_image?url=%2Fassets%2Fimages%2Flogo-cryptohopper.png&w=256&q=85&f=webp)Hopper](/compare/cryptohopper)[![](/__reroute_image?url=%2Fassets%2Fimages%2Flogo-bitsgap.png&w=256&q=85&f=webp)Bitsgap](/compare/bitsgap)![](/__reroute_image?url=%2Fassets%2Fimages%2Favatar.png&w=372&q=85&f=webp)CryptoBud[Paper trading first](#paper)![](/__reroute_image?url=%2Fassets%2Fimages%2Flogo-stoic.png&w=256&q=85&f=webp)Stoic

No. No paper trading up front. Setup is account + API keys.![](/__reroute_image?url=%2Fassets%2Fimages%2Flogo-3commas.png&w=256&q=85&f=webp)3Commas

Partial. Paid demo with perfect fills, on 3Commas servers.![](/__reroute_image?url=%2Fassets%2Fimages%2Flogo-pionex.png&w=256&q=85&f=webp)Pionex

Partial. Futures demo. Spot grid wants a deposit.![](/__reroute_image?url=%2Fassets%2Fimages%2Flogo-cryptohopper.png&w=256&q=85&f=webp)Hopper

Partial. One simulator with the paid hopper — next to live.![](/__reroute_image?url=%2Fassets%2Fimages%2Flogo-bitsgap.png&w=256&q=85&f=webp)Bitsgap

Partial. Demo mode, $100k virtual. Simulated order book.![](/__reroute_image?url=%2Fassets%2Fimages%2Favatar.png&w=372&q=85&f=webp)CryptoBud

Yes. Paper trading is the default. No API keys.[Preview before keys](#discovery)![](/__reroute_image?url=%2Fassets%2Fimages%2Flogo-stoic.png&w=256&q=85&f=webp)Stoic

No. Pick Meta, Long Only, or Yield — their history, not your coins.![](/__reroute_image?url=%2Fassets%2Fimages%2Flogo-3commas.png&w=256&q=85&f=webp)3Commas

Partial. You build the bot, then maybe backtest.![](/__reroute_image?url=%2Fassets%2Fimages%2Flogo-pionex.png&w=256&q=85&f=webp)Pionex

Partial. Copy an AI or influencer grid, then confirm.![](/__reroute_image?url=%2Fassets%2Fimages%2Flogo-cryptohopper.png&w=256&q=85&f=webp)Hopper

Partial. Marketplace, copy trading, or you design the hopper.![](/__reroute_image?url=%2Fassets%2Fimages%2Flogo-bitsgap.png&w=256&q=85&f=webp)Bitsgap

Partial. Pick GRID, DCA, COMBO — you set the bot.![](/__reroute_image?url=%2Fassets%2Fimages%2Favatar.png&w=372&q=85&f=webp)CryptoBud

Yes. See the current coins it would trade, before Sign in with Apple.[Keys on your box](#keys)![](/__reroute_image?url=%2Fassets%2Fimages%2Flogo-stoic.png&w=256&q=85&f=webp)Stoic

No. Keys stored with Stoic. You whitelist their IPs.![](/__reroute_image?url=%2Fassets%2Fimages%2Flogo-3commas.png&w=256&q=85&f=webp)3Commas

No. Sign Center holds keys. Whitelist their IPs.![](/__reroute_image?url=%2Fassets%2Fimages%2Flogo-pionex.png&w=256&q=85&f=webp)Pionex

No. No API keys — because they are the exchange.![](/__reroute_image?url=%2Fassets%2Fimages%2Flogo-cryptohopper.png&w=256&q=85&f=webp)Hopper

No. Keys on Cryptohopper. Whitelist their IPs.![](/__reroute_image?url=%2Fassets%2Fimages%2Flogo-bitsgap.png&w=256&q=85&f=webp)Bitsgap

No. Encrypted keys on Bitsgap servers.![](/__reroute_image?url=%2Fassets%2Fimages%2Favatar.png&w=372&q=85&f=webp)CryptoBud

Yes. Private cloud box. Keys stay on that machine.[Practice matches live](#research)![](/__reroute_image?url=%2Fassets%2Fimages%2Flogo-stoic.png&w=256&q=85&f=webp)Stoic

No. They backtest internally. You go live.![](/__reroute_image?url=%2Fassets%2Fimages%2Flogo-3commas.png&w=256&q=85&f=webp)3Commas

Partial. Backtest ≠ paper ≠ live — they say so.![](/__reroute_image?url=%2Fassets%2Fimages%2Flogo-pionex.png&w=256&q=85&f=webp)Pionex

Partial. 7 / 30 / 180 day backtest panel, then live on Pionex.![](/__reroute_image?url=%2Fassets%2Fimages%2Flogo-cryptohopper.png&w=256&q=85&f=webp)Hopper

Partial. Paper hopper, then toggle live and paste keys.![](/__reroute_image?url=%2Fassets%2Fimages%2Flogo-bitsgap.png&w=256&q=85&f=webp)Bitsgap

Partial. Demo and backtest, then live via API.![](/__reroute_image?url=%2Fassets%2Fimages%2Favatar.png&w=372&q=85&f=webp)CryptoBud

Yes. Same bot from paper trading to live.[Talk from Claude and others](#mcp)![](/__reroute_image?url=%2Fassets%2Fimages%2Flogo-stoic.png&w=256&q=85&f=webp)Stoic

No. No MCP. You connect keys. They pick the strategy.![](/__reroute_image?url=%2Fassets%2Fimages%2Flogo-3commas.png&w=256&q=85&f=webp)3Commas

No. REST API and Telegram. No first-party MCP.![](/__reroute_image?url=%2Fassets%2Fimages%2Flogo-pionex.png&w=256&q=85&f=webp)Pionex

Partial. Official MCP trades on Pionex. Keys live on your laptop.![](/__reroute_image?url=%2Fassets%2Fimages%2Flogo-cryptohopper.png&w=256&q=85&f=webp)Hopper

Partial. Official MCP is market data, not the hopper.![](/__reroute_image?url=%2Fassets%2Fimages%2Flogo-bitsgap.png&w=256&q=85&f=webp)Bitsgap

No. AI Assistant in the dashboard. No MCP.![](/__reroute_image?url=%2Fassets%2Fimages%2Favatar.png&w=372&q=85&f=webp)CryptoBud

Yes. MCP on your box. Same bot as the iPhone and web apps.

- 

YesThe normal way the product works.
- 

PartialClose, but a different product. Demo, backtest, or a related tool.
- 

NoThe opposite, or they do not ship it at all.

## How we compare

We read their homepages, FAQs, help centers, App Store listings, and spend a fair amount of time using the products. These are product facts you can check yourself. We skip who will make you more money. Last check: August 25, 2026.

Paper trading firstYou can run the real crypto trading bot with fake money and real prices, no exchange API keys. That is the default.

Preview before keysBefore you sign in, you see which coins the bot would trade for your budget. You pick a style.

Keys on your boxThe bot runs on a cloud computer that is yours. Your Binance API keys live on that machine. Binance only accepts that IP.

Practice matches liveWhat you preview or paper-trade is the same bot that will trade live.

Talk from Claude and othersYou connect Cursor, Claude Code, or Codex to the same always-on bot. MCP runs on your box. Same relay password as the iPhone and web apps.
What we skip3

- **Advertised returns.** Stoic publishes past strategy results. We did not audit those numbers. We will not argue about yearly return percentages.
- **How many exchanges.** 3Commas, Cryptohopper, and Bitsgap sell a dashboard across many exchanges. CryptoBud is a Binance Spot trading bot. Listing more venues is their product.
- **Funds that hold your coins.** If you send them coins and wait, that is a different product. We do not write that comparison.

Sources43
Every competitor claim on this page points here. We quote their help centers, FAQs, and App Store listings — not something we made up.

- 1[Stoic AI — FAQ
(opens in a new tab)](https://stoic.ai/faq)
- 2[Stoic AI — homepage
(opens in a new tab)](https://stoic.ai/)
- 3[Stoic AI — create a Binance API key
(opens in a new tab)](https://support.stoic.ai/en/articles/7978358-how-to-create-an-api-key-for-stoic-ai-crypto-index)
- 4[Stoic AI — Binance trading bot
(opens in a new tab)](https://stoic.ai/binance-trading-bot)
- 5[Stoic AI — App Store
(opens in a new tab)](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/stoic-ai-crypto-trading-bot/id1516880502)
- 6[Stoic AI — Pricing
(opens in a new tab)](https://stoic.ai/pricing)
- 7[3Commas Help — Demo account
(opens in a new tab)](https://help.3commas.io/en/articles/3108963-demo-account-practice-trading-with-virtual-funds)
- 8[3Commas Help — Enable Demo account
(opens in a new tab)](https://help.3commas.io/en/articles/3638275-enable-demo-account)
- 9[3Commas — homepage
(opens in a new tab)](https://3commas.io/)
- 10[3Commas — Backtesting
(opens in a new tab)](https://3commas.io/backtesting)
- 11[3Commas — Security
(opens in a new tab)](https://3commas.io/security-eu)
- 12[3Commas — API
(opens in a new tab)](https://developers.3commas.io/)
- 13[3Commas Help — Telegram bot commands
(opens in a new tab)](https://help.3commas.io/en/articles/11302936-how-to-link-3commas-to-telegram-and-use-bot-commands)
- 14[3Commas Help — AI Assistant
(opens in a new tab)](https://help.3commas.io/en/articles/12658019-ai-assistant-overview)
- 15[3Commas — App Store
(opens in a new tab)](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/3commas-crypto-trading-tools/id6446649413)
- 16[GitHub — community 3Commas MCP
(opens in a new tab)](https://github.com/severity1/3commas-mcp)
- 17[3Commas — Pricing
(opens in a new tab)](https://3commas.io/pricing)
- 18[3Commas Help — Available subscription plans
(opens in a new tab)](https://help.3commas.io/en/articles/8420093-available-subscription-plans)
- 19[Coin Bureau — copy grid bots on Pionex (2026)
(opens in a new tab)](https://coinbureau.com/guides/how-to-copy-grid-bots-on-pionex)
- 20[Pionex Help — Grid Trading Bot
(opens in a new tab)](https://support.pionex.com/hc/en-us/articles/45085712163225-Grid-Trading-Bot)
- 21[Pionex — 15 bot questions
(opens in a new tab)](https://www.pionex.com/blog/15-reddit-questions-about-crypto-trading-bots-and-pionex-answered-with-data/)
- 22[Pionex — best grid trading bot platforms
(opens in a new tab)](https://www.pionex.com/blog/best-grid-trading-bot/)
- 23[Pionex — MCP quickstart
(opens in a new tab)](https://www.pionex.com/docs/ai-kit-docs/mcp/mcp-quickstart)
- 24[Pionex — AI Kit (GitHub)
(opens in a new tab)](https://github.com/pionex-official/pionex-ai-kit)
- 25[Pionex — App Store
(opens in a new tab)](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/pionex-crypto-trading-bots/id1485348891)
- 26[Pionex — fees for starting a bot
(opens in a new tab)](https://www.pionex.com/blog/is-there-any-fees-for-starting-a-bot-or-only-transaction-fees/)
- 27[Pionex — trading fees
(opens in a new tab)](https://www.pionex.com/en/fees)
- 28[Cryptohopper — paper trading
(opens in a new tab)](https://www.cryptohopper.com/features/paper-trading)
- 29[Cryptohopper Docs — paper trading
(opens in a new tab)](https://docs.cryptohopper.com/docs/fundamentals/paper-trading)
- 30[Cryptohopper — homepage
(opens in a new tab)](https://www.cryptohopper.com/)
- 31[Cryptohopper — Marketplace
(opens in a new tab)](https://www.cryptohopper.com/marketplace)
- 32[Cryptohopper Help — IP whitelisting
(opens in a new tab)](https://support.cryptohopper.com/en/articles/9010286-what-is-ip-whitelisting-and-do-i-have-to-whitelist-ip-addresses)
- 33[Cryptohopper — MCP
(opens in a new tab)](https://www.cryptohopper.com/features/cryptohopper-mcp)
- 34[Cryptohopper Docs — what is MCP
(opens in a new tab)](https://docs.cryptohopper.com/docs/cryptohopper-mcp/what-is-mcp)
- 35[Cryptohopper — App Store
(opens in a new tab)](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/cryptohopper-crypto-trading/id1463052050)
- 36[Cryptohopper — Pricing
(opens in a new tab)](https://www.cryptohopper.com/pricing)
- 37[Bitsgap — Demo trading
(opens in a new tab)](https://bitsgap.com/demo-trading)
- 38[Bitsgap Help — Demo Mode
(opens in a new tab)](https://bitsgap.com/helpdesk/article/13512068818332-How-to-use-Bitsgap-Demo-Mode)
- 39[Bitsgap — homepage
(opens in a new tab)](https://bitsgap.com/)
- 40[Bitsgap — Pricing
(opens in a new tab)](https://bitsgap.com/pricing)
- 41[Bitsgap — AI Assistant
(opens in a new tab)](https://bitsgap.com/ai-assistant)
- 42[Bitsgap Help — Getting started with AI Assistant
(opens in a new tab)](https://bitsgap.com/helpdesk/article/18009773535260-Getting-Started-with-Bitsgap-AI-Assistant)
- 43[Bitsgap — App Store
(opens in a new tab)](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/bitsgap-crypto-trading-bots/id1407713776)

## Paper trading first — live when you say so

### Pick a style. Get a private box.

Your own always-on box starts paper trading in under 3 minutes. Free for 3 days, then the plan you picked. [See plans
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