Passivbot Review

// Review

by the bitcointradingbots editorial desk · review version 1 · editorial audit 2026-10-18 · facts as of 2026-10-18 · editorially verified 2026-10-18 · how we verify

Overview

Passivbot is an active, open-source, self-hosted trading bot launched in 2020 and released into the public domain under the Unlicense. It specializes in grid and DCA strategies for futures markets on five major exchanges, including Bybit and OKX. There is no UI—configuration is done via files, making it ideal for developers but inaccessible to non-technical users. It does not offer TradingView signals or arbitrage.

Security & Custody

Passivbot is self-hosted, meaning you retain full control of your API keys and trading infrastructure—no third party ever accesses them. There are no IP whitelisting or OAuth safeguards built into the platform itself; security depends entirely on your setup. No security incidents are documented in our research (checked 2026-10-18). Since you run it locally or on your own server, the risk of centralized breaches is eliminated, but misconfiguration remains a user-level risk.

Pricing & Plans

Passivbot is completely free to use, with no pricing tiers, subscription fees, or volume-based charges. It operates under the Unlicense, placing it in the public domain. There is no trial period or refund policy because no payment is required. You can download, modify, and run it at no cost—ideal for developers seeking full control without financial commitment.

Bots & Features

Passivbot supports grid trading, DCA, and futures trading on select exchanges, with backtesting and paper trading capabilities for strategy validation. It does not support spot trading, arbitrage, market making, copy trading, AI, or TradingView signals. Custom code integration is fully allowed, reflecting its developer-focused design. There is no documented limit on the number of bots you can run, but operation is manual and file-based, with no graphical interface.

Exchanges & Access

Passivbot connects to five exchanges: Bybit, OKX, Binance, Bitget, and Hyperliquid—primarily focused on futures markets. It is available to users in both the US and EU, with no geographic restrictions enforced by the software. Since it's self-hosted, access depends on your ability to configure API connections and comply with each exchange’s regional policies.

Reputation & Incidents

Passivbot holds strong credibility among developer communities, with 2,133 GitHub stars (Oct 2026) as of 2026 and consistent updates—the latest push was on 2026-09-02. It is recognized as a reliable, no-cost tool for futures grid and martingale strategies. Reddit discussions highlight the surrounding ecosystem of backtesting tools built to complement platforms like this. No red flags or security incidents have been reported, and the Unlicense model reinforces its transparency.

Verdict

Passivbot is a powerful, free, and secure option for developers comfortable with command-line tools and manual configuration. It’s not suitable for beginners. If you want full control over a futures grid bot on Bybit or OKX without paying fees, and can manage your own infrastructure, this is a trustworthy choice.

FAQ

• Is Passivbot legit and safe? Yes, it’s open-source, self-hosted, and public domain. You control your keys and code—no third party can access your funds.
• How much does Passivbot cost? It’s completely free. No payments, subscriptions, or fees of any kind are required.
• Do I need API keys to use Passivbot? Yes, you must generate API keys from your exchange and configure them in the bot’s settings file.
• Does Passivbot support grid bots? Yes, grid trading is a core feature, especially tuned for futures markets on Bybit and OKX.
• Can I use DCA bots with Passivbot? Yes, dollar-cost averaging (DCA) is supported alongside grid strategies in futures trading.
• Does Passivbot accept TradingView signals? No, it does not support TradingView alerts or signal integration.
• Is Passivbot available in the US? Yes, it’s usable in the US since it’s self-hosted, but your access depends on the exchange’s local policies.

// Passivbot FAQ

Is Passivbot legit and safe to use?

Based on our checks as of 2026-09-03: Passivbot scores 7.2/10 in our weighted review. It is operated by enarjord / open-source community. We logged no red flags. User reports and operator background are documented with dated sources in the meta-review below.

How much does Passivbot cost?

It’s completely free. No payments, subscriptions, or fees of any kind are required.

Do I need API keys to use Passivbot?

Yes, you must generate API keys from your exchange and configure them in the bot’s settings file.

Does Passivbot support grid bots?

Yes, grid trading is a core feature, especially tuned for futures markets on Bybit and OKX.

Can I use DCA bots with Passivbot?

Yes, dollar-cost averaging (DCA) is supported alongside grid strategies in futures trading.

Does Passivbot accept TradingView signals?

No, it does not support TradingView alerts or signal integration.

Is Passivbot available in the US?

Yes, it’s usable in the US since it’s self-hosted, but your access depends on the exchange’s local policies.