3Commas on data accuracy
7.6/ 35% of the score
Executes through exchange APIs, and performance figures are computed from the user's own trade history rather than from a vendor claim.
Best Crypto Trading Tools · Rank 07 of 8
3Commas review
Rule-based automation across several exchange accounts
Last verified August 14, 20264 scored axes
Score7.5
Self-reported only
The short answer
3Commas scores 7.5 out of 10 and ranks #7 of 8 in the best crypto trading tools table, strongest on coverage (8.0) and weakest on lock-in (6.8).
A mature automation suite that executes a defined strategy across multiple venues without you watching a screen. A 2022 API-key incident is the reason its security hygiene score sits where it does.
Key facts on record
- Founded
- 2017
- Category
- Trading automation
- Key permissions
- Trade-only recommended
What the record shows
4 axes, weighted as published in the table’s methodology. Each score below is read from the fact printed under it.
3Commas on coverage
8.0/ 25% of the score
Connects to most major venues, with feature availability differing per exchange.
3Commas on pricing honesty
7.4/ 20% of the score
Tiered subscription with published limits; the most-used bot types require a higher tier.
3Commas on lock-in
6.8/ 20% of the score
Requires exchange API keys and functions with trade-only keys and withdrawals disabled; a December 2022 leak exposed roughly 100,000 user API keys, traders reported about $22m of unauthorised losses, the FBI opened an investigation and key handling was changed afterwards.
Quick answers
- What is 3Commas best for?
- Rule-based automation across several exchange accounts. A mature automation suite that executes a defined strategy across multiple venues without you watching a screen.
- Where does 3Commas rank among best crypto trading tools?
- #7 of 8, scoring 7.5 out of 10 — self-reported only on our band scale.
- What is the weakest part of 3Commas?
- Lock-in at 6.8. Requires exchange API keys and functions with trade-only keys and withdrawals disabled; a December 2022 leak exposed roughly 100,000 user API keys, traders reported about $22m of unauthorised losses, the FBI opened an investigation and key handling was changed afterwards.
Strengths and weaknesses
In its favour
- Mature bot and grid tooling across many exchanges
- Good backtesting and paper-trading workflow
- Portfolio view across connected accounts
Against it
- Suffered an API-key exposure incident affecting users
- Pricing tiers gate the features most users eventually need
What the product does well
3Commas executes a defined strategy across several exchange accounts without you watching a screen, with grid and DCA tooling that has been refined over years, backtesting, paper trading and a portfolio view across connected venues. As an execution layer for a plan you already have, it is capable.
December 2022
Roughly 100,000 user API keys were exposed; traders reported around $22m of unauthorised losses, the FBI opened an investigation, and key-handling procedures were changed afterwards. Any tool that holds exchange credentials is a concentration of risk, and this is the clearest illustration the category has produced.
How to use it without repeating that
Issue trade-only API keys with withdrawals disabled, restrict by IP where the exchange supports it, rotate them on a schedule, and revoke immediately if you stop using the service. The platform functions correctly with withdrawal permission switched off — there is never a reason to grant it.
On the performance claims
Figures shown in the product are computed from your own trade history rather than asserted by the vendor, which is the right way round. Subscription tiers are published, and the bot types most users end up wanting sit above the entry plan.
Who it is for
Traders with a written plan who want it executed without supervision, across more than one venue. It is an execution layer, and it is a poor substitute for a strategy.
The honest limitation
Backtests and paper trading tell you how a rule set behaved in conditions that already happened. They cannot tell you how it behaves in the conditions that break it, which is the only test that matters.
Frequently asked questions
Is 3Commas safe after the API key leak?+
It changed key-handling procedures after roughly 100,000 keys were exposed in December 2022, an incident that cost users about $22m and drew an FBI investigation. Use trade-only keys with withdrawals disabled and IP restrictions, which is enough for the product to function.
Do trading bots make money?+
They execute a strategy consistently; they do not supply one. Any tool in this category enforces discipline rather than producing an edge, whatever the marketing implies.
What permissions does 3Commas need?+
Trade permissions only. Never grant withdrawal rights to any third-party trading service, including this one.
How 3Commas compares
8 services in best crypto trading tools
- 01DefiLlamaHonest, free protocol and chain data9.3
- 02TradingViewCharting, alerting and everything price-related9.0
- 03DuneBuilding the query nobody else has published8.7
- 04CoinGlassDerivatives positioning and funding data8.2
- 05ArkhamEntity-level attribution across chains8.1
- 06NansenWallet labelling and flow analysis, if you can justify the price7.9
- 073Commasyou are hereRule-based automation across several exchange accounts7.5
- 08CryptohopperBeginners who want automation with guardrails7.2