Polymarket automated bot vs Manual: When to Use a Bot vs Copy by Hand (2026)

Polymarket Bot vs Manual Copy Trading—Which Is Better?

Neither is universally better—it depends on how you want to trade. A automated trading bot runs in the background and places trades so your wallet mirrors a source wallet; you connect once, turn it on, and get 24/7 automation. Manual copy trading means you get playbooks (market, side, entry, size) and you place each trade yourself on Polymarket. Bot = less effort, less day-to-day control; manual = full control, more effort. The best setup is a tool that offers both so you can use playbooks when you want to pick trades and turn the bot on when you want hands-off mirroring. For what a bot does under the hood, see what is a Polymarket automated trading bot; for when copy trading beats picking your own markets, see copy trading vs manual trading on Polymarket.

When Should I Use a Polymarket automated bot?

Use a automated trading bot when you want hands-off mirroring of a top wallet. You connect your wallet, turn the bot on, and it places and adjusts positions to match the source so you don't have to watch the market or execute each trade from a playbook. It suits you if you're comfortable with the tool trading from your connected wallet and you trust the source (e.g. a platform's top leaderboard wallet). You can turn the bot off anytime to stop new trades while keeping existing positions, and you should be able to see your open and historic positions in one dashboard. HolyPoly lets you turn the bot on or off from the bot page and view positions there. For how to connect your wallet, see what is a Polymarket automated trading bot.

When Should I Copy Manually from Playbooks?

Use manual copy trading when you want to pick each trade yourself. You get playbooks from a leaderboard or wallet profile—market, side (YES/NO), entry, size—and you place those trades on Polymarket. Manual copying gives you full control: you choose which playbook trades to take, when to enter, and whether to skip any. It suits you if you don't want a bot trading from your wallet or if you prefer to approve every trade. Many tools offer playbooks for free or as part of a subscription so you can copy manually without ever turning on the bot. HolyPoly provides playbooks for top wallets on the dashboard; you can use them alone or alongside the optional bot. For a step-by-step, see how to copy trade on Polymarket.

Can I Switch Between Bot and Manual Copying?

Yes. Many copy-trading tools offer both: playbooks for manual copying and an optional bot. You can copy manually from playbooks when you want full control, then turn the bot on when you want automation. When you turn the bot off, no new trades are placed but your existing positions stay; you can still view open and historic positions in the same dashboard. So you're not locked in—you can use playbooks only, bot only, or mix both over time. HolyPoly gives you a leaderboard, wallet profiles with playbooks, and an optional bot; you manage the bot from your profile and bot page, and you can switch between manual and bot whenever you like. For a comparison of tools that offer both, see best Polymarket copy-trading tools 2026.

How Do I Turn Off the Bot? Do I Lose My Positions?

To turn off the bot, go to the tool's bot settings—often a dedicated bot page or a section in your profile—and use the on/off toggle. Once off, the bot stops placing new trades but does not close your existing positions. You keep everything it has already opened. You can still see your open and historic positions in the dashboard, and you can close or adjust positions yourself on Polymarket if you want. Turning the bot off only stops new automated copying; it does not liquidate or exit your current positions. On HolyPoly, you turn the bot on or off from the bot page and view your positions there.

Frequently Asked Questions: Bot vs Manual Copy Trading

Polymarket bot vs manual copy trading—which is better?

Neither is universally better. Use a automated trading bot when you want 24/7 mirroring without watching the market. Use manual copy trading when you prefer to pick each trade from playbooks and keep full control. Many tools offer both so you can switch: playbooks for manual and an optional bot you can turn on or off, with one dashboard for open and historic positions.

When should I use a Polymarket automated trading bot?

Use a Polymarket automated trading bot when you want hands-off mirroring of a top wallet—connect once, turn it on, and it places and adjusts positions for you. It suits you if you don't want to watch the market or execute each trade from a playbook, and when you're comfortable with the bot trading from your connected wallet. You can turn it off anytime to stop new trades.

Can I switch between bot and manual copying?

Yes. Many tools offer both playbooks and an optional bot. You can copy manually when you want control, then turn the bot on when you want automation. When you turn the bot off, your existing positions stay and you can still view open and historic positions. HolyPoly gives you playbooks and an optional bot so you can switch as you like.

How do I turn off a Polymarket automated trading bot?

Go to the tool's bot settings (often a dedicated bot page or profile section), find the bot on/off toggle, and turn it off. No new trades will be placed; your existing positions stay open. You can still see your open and historic positions in the same dashboard. On HolyPoly, you turn the bot on or off from the bot page after connecting your wallet in profile.

Do I lose my positions if I turn the bot off?

No. Turning the bot off stops new trades but does not close your existing positions. You keep everything the bot has already opened. You can view open and historic positions in the dashboard and close or adjust them yourself on Polymarket if you want. Turning the bot off only stops new automated copying.