Diamond Pigs vs 3Commas: which automated crypto platform is right for you?

What are Diamond Pigs and 3Commas?

Diamond Pigs and 3Commas are both API-connected crypto automation platforms - but their core purpose is different.

3Commas is a trading toolkit. It gives active traders a range of bot types - DCA bots, Grid bots, Signal bots, and SmartTrade - that they can configure, tune, and run across 15+ exchanges. It is designed for people who want to stay in control of their setups and enjoy the process of building and adjusting strategies.

Diamond Pigs is a managed investment platform. Rather than handing you a set of bot-building tools, it offers a selection of ready-made strategies that run on your behalf. The bots monitor the market 24/7, adapt to conditions, and protect your capital during downturns - without you needing to touch a thing. You connect your exchange account, choose a strategy, and let the platform work.

The key distinction: 3Commas requires ongoing input and configuration. Diamond Pigs is designed to run without it.

How does the investment philosophy differ?

This is the most important difference between the two platforms, and it is often overlooked in feature comparisons.

3Commas is built for active traders who want to execute strategies themselves. The platform gives them the infrastructure - but the strategy logic, the configuration, and the adjustments are the trader's responsibility. This suits someone who treats crypto trading as a skill to develop and a process to manage.

Diamond Pigs is built for investors who want intelligent automation without the complexity. The platform's philosophy - as described in The end of the Crypto Cowboy Era - is that the crypto market is maturing. Hype-chasing is giving way to structured, disciplined investing. The focus is on long-term growth, capital protection during bear markets, and measured participation during bull markets.

In practice, this means Diamond Pigs bots are not designed to trade frequently. Infrequent trading is a deliberate design choice - bots that trade too often generate more fees and typically produce weaker long-term results. The platform explicitly avoids day trading and frantic monitoring. Instead, it uses a swing trading methodology on 2-hour and 4-hour timeframes, entering confirmed trends and exiting when reversal signals appear.

For someone who wants to learn crypto trading and stay actively involved, 3Commas gives you the tools to do that. For someone who wants reliable, hands-free growth without needing to manage configurations, Diamond Pigs is the more natural fit.

What strategies and bot types does each platform offer?

The two platforms take very different approaches to strategy design.

3Commas bot types:

• DCA Bot - builds positions at an average price by making multiple buys as price drops
• Grid Bot - captures profit from sideways price movements by buying and selling within a range
• Signal Bot - executes trades based on TradingView or custom webhook signals
• SmartTrade - manual execution with tools like trailing stop-loss and take-profit
• Arbitrage Bot - exploits price differences across exchanges

Each bot type requires manual setup and ongoing management. Users configure parameters like safety order sizes, deviation percentages, and take-profit targets. 3Commas also offers an AI Assistant that can generate bot setups from a plain-English description - a useful starting point, though the user still needs to review and run the configuration.

Diamond Pigs strategy lineup:

• Index strategy - Top 10 Crypto Index rebalances monthly to reflect the top 10 coins by market cap (0.25%/month, no performance fee)
• Active single-coin strategies - Bitcoin Protect, Ethereum Protect, Solana Protect, and others. Each uses AI bots to manage one coin, exiting during major declines and re-entering when conditions improve.
• Active multi-coin strategies - Top Crypto Protect (high-potential coins from the top market cap list), Top 3 Crypto Protect (BTC, ETH, SOL), and Meme Coins Protect
• HODL strategies - Bitcoin Only, Ethereum Only, Solana Only. Passive hold with no bot trading (0.1%/month)
• Fiat/stablecoin strategies - Euro Only and USD Only for capital preservation

All active strategies include downside protection - that is what the word "Protect" refers to in each strategy name. During severe market declines, bots exit positions to limit losses. They re-enter when conditions stabilise. This is built in by design, not something the user configures.

You can use the Strategy Matching Tool on the Diamond Pigs website to find the right fit based on your risk profile and goals.

How does risk management compare?

Risk management is where the two platforms diverge most clearly, and it is worth understanding the difference before choosing.

On 3Commas, risk management is the user's responsibility. You set stop-losses, configure safety orders, and decide when to exit. The platform gives you the tools - but the decisions are yours. This works well for experienced traders who understand position sizing and know how to read market conditions. For less experienced users, it can lead to poorly configured bots that lose money during volatile periods.

On Diamond Pigs, risk management is built into every strategy. The platform's protection-focused bots are designed to maximise Sharpe and Sortino ratios - measures of risk-adjusted return - while minimising drawdowns. During market corrections, bots with wider stop-losses hold positions to allow for rebounds. During severe declines, all bots exit to protect capital. Users do not need to intervene.

This approach reflects Diamond Pigs' core investment framework: as described in the 4-Pillar crypto investment framework, established crypto assets can suffer 70%+ drawdowns in bear markets. Passive buy-and-hold becomes painful for late-cycle entrants. Active risk management with drawdown reduction is therefore not optional - it becomes the strategy itself.

How does pricing compare?

Pricing structures are different enough that a direct comparison requires some context.

3Commas charges a flat monthly subscription fee based on the number of bots and exchanges you need:

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Annual plans reduce these prices by up to 25%. There is no performance fee on any plan - you pay the same amount regardless of whether your bots make money.

Diamond Pigs uses a different model. Pricing is based on a percentage of your allocated wallet size:

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The right model depends on your situation. 3Commas suits active traders who want predictable monthly costs. Diamond Pigs suits investors who prefer fees tied to portfolio size - and who value a transparent structure with no surprises. You can see the full breakdown and use the pricing calculator on the Diamond Pigs pricing page.

Which exchanges does each platform support?

3Commas supports 15+ exchanges, including Binance, Bybit, OKX, Kraken, Coinbase, KuCoin, Bitfinex, HTX (Huobi), and others. The broader exchange support makes it more flexible for traders already committed to a specific platform.

Diamond Pigs currently supports seven exchanges: Binance, Bitvavo, WhiteBIT, Kraken, HTX (Huobi), ByBit, and Crypto.com. Fast Connect (no manual API key setup required) is available for Kraken and Crypto.com, simplifying onboarding.

If your preferred exchange is not on the Diamond Pigs list, that is a relevant factor. However, for most European retail investors, the supported exchanges cover the main options well.

Who is each platform best suited for?

Rather than declaring one platform better, it is more useful to describe who each one actually suits.

3Commas is a good fit if you:

• Enjoy building and refining your own trading strategies
• Have experience with technical analysis and bot configuration
• Want to trade futures, use leverage, or run complex multi-bot setups
• Are comfortable taking responsibility for your own risk management
• Want access to a wide range of exchanges

Diamond Pigs is a good fit if you:

• Want automated crypto investing without learning to configure bots
• Prefer a hands-off approach with built-in risk management
• Are focused on long-term growth rather than short-term trading gains
• Want transparent, structured fee models with no hidden complexity
• Have a wallet of at least $500 and want to put it to work efficiently

Diamond Pigs is not designed for day traders or those seeking fast returns from short-term speculation. It is built for people who want steady, intelligent growth - and who would rather spend their time on something other than monitoring crypto charts. You can read more about who Diamond Pigs is designed for on the platform's website.

Key takeaways

• 3Commas is a trading toolkit for active traders who want to build and manage their own bot strategies. Diamond Pigs is a managed investment platform for investors who want hands-off automation.
• Diamond Pigs includes built-in downside protection in every active strategy. 3Commas puts risk management in the user's hands.
• 3Commas charges a flat monthly subscription. Diamond Pigs charges 0.25%/month of allocated wallet size, with a $20/month minimum.
• 3Commas supports 15+ exchanges. Diamond Pigs supports 7, with Fast Connect available for Kraken and Crypto.com.
• Diamond Pigs uses a high watermark performance fee model - fees only apply to new profits, never recoveries from a dip.
• If you want to invest without spending time on configuration and monitoring, Diamond Pigs is the stronger 3Commas alternative for long-term investors.

Frequently asked questions

Is Diamond Pigs a good 3Commas alternative?

Yes, for investors who want a hands-off approach. Diamond Pigs replaces manual bot configuration with ready-made, professionally managed strategies that include built-in risk protection. If you have been using 3Commas but find it time-consuming to manage, Diamond Pigs is worth considering as a simpler, long-term-focused alternative.

Does Diamond Pigs charge performance fees?

New users pay no performance fee - just 0.25% of allocated wallet size per month (minimum $20). Users on the older model pay a 15% performance fee on new profits only, based on a high watermark structure. Fees only apply when you reach a new profit peak, not when you recover from a loss.

Can I try Diamond Pigs before committing?

Yes. Diamond Pigs offers a 14-day free trial after completing onboarding, plus a Play Mode that simulates strategies using real market data before you commit any funds. This lets you see how the bots behave without any financial risk.

How much do I need to start with Diamond Pigs?

The minimum recommended wallet size is approximately $500 for most active strategies. Meme Coins Protect requires a higher minimum of around $1,000. Wallets under $1,000 are best suited to Active Single Coin or Index strategies.

Does Diamond Pigs support futures trading?

No. Diamond Pigs operates exclusively in the spot market. The platform focuses on long-term portfolio growth, not leveraged or futures trading. If futures trading is important to you, 3Commas Pro and Expert plans include that capability.

Is my money safe on Diamond Pigs?

Diamond Pigs is a non-custodial platform. Your assets remain in your own exchange wallet at all times. Diamond Pigs only has permission to place spot buy and sell orders on your behalf - it cannot withdraw or transfer your funds. Learn more about how the platform works.

Glossary

DCA (dollar-cost averaging) - An investment strategy where you buy an asset in smaller amounts over time rather than all at once. This spreads your entry price and reduces the impact of short-term volatility.

Swing trading - A style of trading that holds positions for days or weeks to capture medium-term price moves. Diamond Pigs bots use this approach rather than day trading.

High watermark (HWM) - A performance fee mechanism where fees are only charged when an investment reaches a new peak in value. If a portfolio drops and recovers to the same level, no fee applies.

Sortino ratio - A measure of risk-adjusted investment performance that focuses specifically on downside volatility. A higher Sortino ratio means better returns relative to the downside risk taken.

Non-custodial - A platform or service where the user retains full custody of their own assets. The platform cannot move, withdraw, or transfer funds on the user's behalf.