3Commas. Why I Chose Exactly These Bots to Automate My Trading Strategies

Complete Review of 3Commas: A Powerful Platform for Cryptocurrency Trading Automation

In the dynamic world of cryptocurrency trading, where every second counts and emotions often override logic, automation is not just an option but a necessity. Among the many solutions on the market, the 3commas platform stands out as one of the most powerful, functional, and mature tools designed for both beginners and professional traders. In this review I will tell you why I chose exactly these bots to automate my trading strategies and help you understand all aspects of 3commas, from basic connection to complex trading strategies.

What is 3Commas: History, Founders, and Philosophy

3Commas is a cloud-based platform for automated cryptocurrency trading, which was founded in 2017. Thus, at the time of writing this review, the 3commas project is already over 7 years old, which is a significant indicator of sustainability and reliability in the rapidly changing crypto industry. The company’s co-founders are Yuriy Sorokin, Vladislav Filinov and Egor Razumovskii. The company’s headquarters are located in Tallinn, Estonia.

The main mission pursued by the creators of 3commas is the democratization and simplification of complex trading strategies. The platform was created to give ordinary users tools that were previously available only to major players with their own development teams. 3commas is not a broker or an exchange; it is an intelligent overlay that connects via API to leading crypto exchanges, allowing users to manage assets, analyze the market, and execute trades according to predefined algorithms.

Initially, 3commas focused on creating trading bots, but over the years it has evolved into a multifunctional terminal that combines portfolio management, copy-trading, analytics, and, of course, a wide range of automated trading robots. The maturity of the 3commas platform is confirmed by its long presence in the market and the constant development of its functionality.

Summary Table of 3Commas Functionality

The Arsenal of 3Commas Bots: A Detailed Breakdown of Each Tool

One of the key reasons for why I chose 3commas is its diverse arsenal of trading bots, each designed to solve specific tasks and operate in certain market conditions.

DCA Bot (Dollar-Cost Averaging Bot)

This is perhaps the most popular and fundamental bot in the 3commas ecosystem. Its philosophy is based on the dollar-cost averaging strategy, which minimizes risks associated with volatility.

• Principle of Operation: The bot does not try to guess the market top or bottom. Instead, it opens a base buy order and then places a series of buy orders at lower prices (SO – Safety Orders). If the price falls after opening a position, these orders average down the entry price. Once the price reverses and reaches the take-profit level, the bot closes the entire position with a profit.
• Who it is for: Ideal for beginner users of 3commas, as well as for those who prefer conservative but reliable strategies. It works excellently in a sideways trend (flat) and in a falling market, turning drawdowns into opportunities for averaging.

Grid Bot (Grid Trading Bot)

This bot is designed to profit from volatility within a specific price channel. Its logic is to create a grid of orders.

• Principle of Operation: The user sets the upper and lower boundaries of the price range. Within this range, 3commas evenly distributes buy and sell orders. When the price fluctuates, the bot constantly buys at the lower grid lines and sells at the upper ones, locking in profit on each fluctuation. The higher the volatility within the range, the more trades the bot makes.
• Who it is for: For traders who are confident that an asset will trade within a certain range and not in a strong trend. The risk lies in “grid breakdown” – when the price leaves the set range, and the bot stops being active.

Smart Trade (Smart Trade)

Although technically not a “bot” in the classical sense, Smart Trade is the cornerstone of the 3commas platform. It is a tool for manual trading but with automation elements.

• Principle of Operation: The user manually opens a trade but can immediately set complex conditions for its closure. This includes multiple take-profits (up to 3 targets), a stop-loss, and a trailing stop. This allows pre-defining the entire trade logic and eliminating emotional decisions during the process.
• Who it is for: For all 3commas users without exception. It is the primary tool for implementing one’s own trading ideas in a semi-automatic mode.

Connection and Integration: Bridges to Exchanges and External Services

The 3commas platform builds an ecosystem around the trader, allowing integration not only with exchanges but also with key analytical and signal services.

Connection to Exchanges

The connection process is simple and secure. It is carried out through API keys.

1. Some exchanges, such as Bybit and others, connect to 3commas almost automatically. But for some, you still need to create an API manually.
2. Creating an API Key on the Exchange: The user goes to the API settings on their exchange (e.g., Binance, Bybit, OKX) and creates a new key.
3. Critically Important Permission Settings: For safe operation of 3commas, the key must be granted permissions only for Reading and Trading. Under no circumstances should the Enable Withdrawals permission be activated. This ensures that your funds always remain on the exchange, and the platform can only manage orders.
4. Adding the Key to 3commas: The copied API Key and Secret Key are pasted into the 3commas personal account in the section for adding a new exchange. The platform supports dozens of leading exchanges.

Integration with TradingView

This is one more reason why I chose this platform. It’s one of the most powerful features of 3commas. It allows using the analytical power of TradingView to generate trading signals that will be automatically executed by 3commas bots according to additional platform’s rulls.

• How it Works:
  1. The user creates an Alert in TradingView using any indicator or their own strategy on Pine Script.
  2. The special Webhook URL generated in the 3commas personal account for a specific bot or Smart Trade is pasted into the alert settings.
  3. When the condition in TradingView is triggered, the alert is sent to the 3commas server, which instantly interprets it and executes it as a trading operation on the exchange.
• Example of a 3commas Strategy on TradingView: A user can create a Pine Script strategy that generates according to strategy’s rulls. The Webhook URL is configured to open a signal bot in 3commas. When the signal triggers, the bot automatically starts and begins its work according to the preset settings (base position, safety orders, take-profit). This creates a fully automated cycle from analysis to execution.

Integration with Telegram

Telegram is a key channel for receiving trading signals, and 3commas brilliantly utilizes this.

How it Works:

1. The user configures a special Telegram bot from 3commas.
2. This bot is added to third-party Telegram channels or chats that provide trading signals.
3. When a signal appears in the channel (e.g., “BUY BTC/USDT”), the 3commas bot reads it.
4. The signal is processed and converted into a trading operation on the Binance or other connected exchange. The user can pre-configure with which parameters should be launched the bot for a particular type of signal.

Trading Strategies, Settings, and Backtesting

The flexibility of 3commas is evident in the vast number of settings for each bot, allowing for fine-tuning of strategies according to one’s risk appetite and market views.

Available Settings (using the DCA Bot as an example):

• Base Order Volume: The amount or percentage of the deposit for the initial purchase.
• Safety Orders (Safety Orders): The number, volume, and step (in % or $) between these orders. It is these that allow for cost averaging.
• Take Profit (Take Profit): The target profit level for the entire averaged position.
• Stop Loss (Stop Loss): A protective order (used less frequently in classic DCA, as safety orders themselves are a protective mechanism).
• Trailing (Trailing): A function to protect and increase profits. When trailing is activated, the take-profit “moves” following the rising price.
• Maximum Drawdown (Max Safety Trades Count): A limit on the total amount of funds that can be used for safety orders.
• Other settings.

Backtesting on History

The ability to test a strategy on historical data is a key feature for serious traders. The 3commas platform provides tools for backtesting, however, according to the analysis of reviews, this feature has its nuances.

• Which Bots Can Be Tested: Backtesting is mainly available for DCA and Grid bots.
• How it is Done: The user selects a trading pair, time period, and configures the bot parameters. 3commas runs these settings against historical data and produces a report with key metrics: total profit, number of trades, maximum drawdown, profit factor.

Marketplace and 3Commas’ TradingView Strategies

Beyond its core automation tools, the 3commas platform is enriched with numerous additional features that enhance its versatility. One of the standout elements is its integrated Marketplace, where users can explore and copy the trading bots and configurations of professional, seasoned traders. This provides a significant shortcut for those looking to leverage proven strategies without starting from scratch.

Furthermore, for traders who prefer a hands-on analytical approach, 3commas offers deep integration with TradingView, allowing you to code, backtest, and deploy your own unique trading strategies written in Pine Script directly onto the charts, seamlessly connecting advanced technical analysis with automated execution.

Before launching an automated strategy, I highly and strongly recommend conducting a high-quality backtest of the strategy in the TradingView strategy tester to determine how a particular algorithm performed on historical data. I have described in detail how to conduct a backtest in my article “How to Backtest TradingView Strategy: Step-by-Step Guide with a Real Example” using the example of my strategy Script_Algo – High Low Range MA Crossover Strategy on the cryptocurrency pair WIF on the hourly timeframe.

What Automated Startegies you can use with 3Commas Bots

Strategy 1: Conservative DCA Investing for Long-Term Growth

This strategy utilizes the DCA Bot and is ideal for investors seeking steady, long-term accumulation of major cryptocurrencies like BTC and ETH. Configure the bot with a small base order (e.g., 2% of your capital) and set several Safety Orders (e.g., 5 orders with a 3% price step) to average your entry price during market dips. The bot is designed to wait for a price rebound and close the position at your predefined Take Profit target (e.g., 3-5%). This approach aims to generate consistent returns (e.g., 4-6% monthly) that outperform traditional savings, all with minimal daily involvement.

Strategy 2: Grid Trading for Profiting from Market Volatility

This approach leverages the Grid Bot to capitalize on assets trading in a stable range, such as ADAUSDT on Binance. Define the upper and lower price boundaries of the identified range. The bot will then automatically place multiple buy and sell orders within this corridor. As the price oscillates, it systematically captures profit on each fluctuation. This strategy can yield substantial weekly returns (e.g., 5.2%) even if the asset’s overall price remains flat, making volatility itself the primary source of income.

Strategy 3: Automated Pivot Point Startegy with TradingView Integration

This advanced strategy combines the power of TradingView’s analytics with 3Commas’ Smart Trade terminal for full automation. Create a custom Pine Script or use Extremum Range MA Crossover strategy. Connect it to 3Commas via Webhooks. When your script triggers a trading signal, it automatically executes a Smart Trade with an aggressive Trailing Stop. This allows you to capture the majority of strong trend movements 24/7, with the system managing both entry and exit points automatically based on your predefined logic.

3Commas Prices and Tariff Plans

3commas operates on a subscription model. The official website presents several tariff plans: Starter, Pro, Expert and Asset Manager. It is important to note that the 3commas team periodically reviews and updates tariffs, so current information should always be checked on the website 3commas.io.

How to Top Up an Account and Start Trading

This is a key point to understand: the account is not topped up on 3commas. The platform does not have internal wallets for storing cryptocurrency.

The process is as follows:

1. You choose an exchange (e.g., Binance) and top up your account on that exchange with USDT, BTC, or other assets.
2. You connect this exchange to 3commas via API, as described above.
3. When creating a bot in 3commas, you specify what amount from your exchange account it can operate with.
4. The funds are always physically located in your account on the exchange. 3commas only manages orders via the API.

User Reviews: An Objective Picture

Analysis of reviews on Trustpilot and other sources paints a mixed but generally positive picture.

• Positive Reviews: Users praise 3commas for its incredible flexibility, wide functionality, reliability, and user-friendly interface. Many note that the platform really helps to earn and save time. The quality of educational materials and the responsiveness of the support service are separately highlighted.
• Negative Reviews: The main mass of criticism is related to two aspects:
  1. Losses: Users who lost money often blame the platform, not understanding that 3commas is just a tool that executes the given settings. If the strategy was unprofitable or the risks were too high, the bot will faithfully bring a loss.
  2. Cost: Some find the subscription too expensive.
  3. Technical Failures: In rare cases, during extreme market volatility, there could be delays in order execution.

Key Conclusion: The vast majority of negative reviews are related not to the work of the 3commas platform itself, but to the lack of trading discipline and knowledge among users. All trading decisions, including the choice of strategy, setting parameters, and capital management, are made by traders independently and they bear full responsibility for them.

Other platforms offering automated trading on crypto exchanges

• Cornix: A similar platform, also capable to integrate with TradingView. Detailed description of that platform you can find in my review Cornix trading bot. What can it do, how to connect, and is it worth it
• Trade Santa: Specializes in Grid and DCA strategies, has a very simple interface. Very good for biginners.
• Veles Bot: A less promoted analog with simple interface. Veles excels by combining an easy-to-use interface with serious trading tools, a commission-only pricing model that aligns with your profits, and reliable backtesting for data-backed strategy development. Access a full suite for automated crypto trading, including various bot strategies, sophisticated risk management, in-depth analytics, and support for multiple exchanges.
• CoinRule: Offers the creation of trading rules in a language close to natural. 
• Bitsgap: Beyond active trading, Bitsgap serves as a powerful portfolio aggregation tool. By connecting all your exchange accounts, it automatically syncs your balances and transaction history to present a clear, consolidated overview of your total crypto holdings and their performance. This eliminates the need for manual spreadsheet tracking and gives you a precise, real-time understanding of your net worth across the entire crypto landscape.
• TradingView Hub: Building a profitable trading system involves two crucial stages: strategy development and automation. TradingView Hub completes the second stage by providing a reliable bridge between TradingView and crypto exchanges. After backtesting your strategy in TradingView, you can launch it in live mode with just a few clicks. The service supports all major order types and provides detailed execution statistics, making it an ideal choice for systematic traders.
• For traders seeking a transparent and community-driven automation solution, OctoBot stands out. This cryptocurrency trading platform operates on an open-source model, allowing full auditability of its trading logic and risk management features—a stark contrast to proprietary “black box” competitors. Its innovative “tentacles” system acts like customizable building blocks, enabling you to easily combine evaluators, trading modes, and tools to create a tailored setup. With support for over 15 major exchanges and features like AI-driven signals and sophisticated Dollar-Cost Averaging (DCA), OctoBot offers a powerful and trustworthy environment for automating your crypto portfolio.

Read the full list of 3Commas’ competitors.

Main Advantages of 3commas:

• Versatility: Covers all aspects of trading – from manual to fully automatic.
• Integrations: Powerful integration with TradingView and Telegram.
• Community and Education: A huge knowledge base, blog, webinars.
• Reliability: 7 years on the market without major scandals.

Conclusion: Is 3Commas Worth Choosing?

3commas is, without exaggeration, one of the most powerful and well-thought-out platforms for automating cryptocurrency trading. Its main trump cards are incredible flexibility, extensive functionality, and maturity.

Who is this platform for?

• Ideal for traders who want to put their strategies on autopilot and get rid of emotions.
• Suitable for investors who want to use the DCA strategy for long-term asset accumulation.
• Indispensable for those who actively use TradingView and want to directly connect analysis with execution.

However, 3commas is not a “magic pill”. It is a complex tool that requires learning and an understanding of trading principles. Its use does not eliminate market risks. Profitability depends solely on the soundness of your strategies and capital management settings. 3commas is your high-tech navigator and assistant, but you remain the captain of the ship, making the final decisions.

FAQ — Frequently Asked Questions