How Much Does It Cost to Run a Polymarket Bot?
Before automating, it helps to know the true running costs. They are modest compared with most trading tools, but they are real — and they apply whether or not you make money, so budget for them honestly.
The cost categories that matter
1. Software
Either a one-time purchase for a packaged bot, a subscription for a hosted service, or “free” open source that costs your time. PolyBot is one-time: the Copy Bot is $49.99, the 15-Min AI Trader is $69.99, and the Bundle is $99.99.
2. Hosting / VPS
A self-hosted bot needs an always-on machine. A basic VPS runs roughly $5–10/month — enough for most bots.
3. On-chain costs
Polymarket settles in USDC on Polygon, where gas fees are low, but they are not zero. Frequent strategies incur more on-chain activity.
4. Trading fees and spread costs
The cost most people forget: spreads and slippage on every trade. For active strategies these often dwarf hosting costs, which is why execution quality matters so much.
Example monthly budgets
| Item | Light trader | Active trader |
|---|---|---|
| Software | One-time (amortized) | One-time (amortized) |
| VPS | ~$5/mo | ~$10/mo |
| On-chain/gas | Minimal | Higher |
| Spread/slippage | Low | Often the largest cost |
Notice that for active traders, execution costs usually exceed hosting costs. Optimizing spreads and slippage saves more than shaving a few dollars off a VPS.
Hidden costs people forget
- Your time for setup and monitoring.
- Downtime risk if hosting fails at the wrong moment.
- The cost of mistakes while learning (start small).
Keeping costs proportional to bankroll
Costs should be small relative to your bankroll. Paying $10/month in hosting to trade a tiny account may not make sense; the same cost is trivial on a larger, active account. Match the setup to the scale.
Running costs are incurred whether or not you profit. Budget for them as a fixed expense, and never assume a bot will “pay for itself” — that depends entirely on trading results, which are never guaranteed.
Automate Polymarket the self-hosted way
PolyBot runs on your own server with your keys — copy trading and an AI strategy, a full dashboard, risk limits, and a kill switch included. One-time purchase.
Frequently Asked Questions
Disclaimer: This article is for educational purposes only and is not financial, investment, or legal advice. Prediction-market trading carries a real risk of loss. Automation does not guarantee profit, and past performance never guarantees future results. Only trade funds you can afford to lose, and confirm that Polymarket is available and legal in your jurisdiction before trading.