A Betfair Bot Without a VPS (or a PC Left On)
Why desktop bots end up needing a VPS, what that costs, and how a cloud bot avoids it.
Most Betfair bots are Windows programs. They only place bets while the computer they're installed on is switched on and connected. That's why so many bot users end up renting a VPS.
Why desktop bots need a VPS
BF Bot Manager states on its site that it needs Windows, and suggests a VPS if you don't have it. Gruss Betting Assistant is listed for Windows 10. Bet Angel sells its own VPS so your software can keep running when your computer is off.
The reason is simple. A bot on your home PC stops the moment the PC does: a Windows update restart, a power cut, the router dropping out, or someone switching it off at the wall. If your selections are spread across the day, you can lose a day's bets and not notice until the evening.
A VPS fixes that by moving the PC into a data centre. But you're now paying for, and looking after, a second computer.
What a VPS adds to the bill
Using Bet Angel's own prices as an example (checked 10 October 2026):
| Bet Angel VPS plan | Per month | What it includes |
|---|---|---|
| Basic | £24.99 | 2 vCPU, 4 GB RAM, Windows licence |
| Recommended | £39.99 | 4 vCPU, 8 GB RAM, Windows licence |
| Expert | £69.99 | 8 vCPU, 16 GB RAM, Windows licence |
Source: betangel.com/vps. The Bet Angel Professional licence is sold separately, from £29.99 for one month (betangel.com/buy).
So a month of Bet Angel plus its cheapest VPS comes to £54.98 before you've placed a bet. Bet Angel's longer licences work out cheaper per month, but the VPS is still on top.
How a cloud bot is different
xCloudBot runs on our servers, not yours. You set it up in a web browser, connect your Betfair account, and it places bets 24/7. You can switch your computer off, check on it from your phone, and there's nothing to install or update.
- £40 a month, hosting included. £50 for Premium, which adds 4 premium systems: Betty Lays, Gap 7, Gap 10 and Gap 12.
- 3 days free to try it.
- Back and lay bets on horse racing and greyhounds, with win bets placed at BSP.
- Upload your own selections as a CSV, or use the built-in systems.
- Copy a tipster’s selections automatically each day, or upload your own.
- 48 staking plans, minimum and maximum odds, stop-at-profit and stop-at-loss limits, and a simulation mode for testing first.
Where a VPS is still the better choice: if you trade in-play from a ladder, want sports other than horse racing and greyhounds, or need total control over custom rules, a desktop tool on a VPS gives you more. A cloud bot is for getting selections placed reliably without the upkeep.
Questions people ask
Can I run a Betfair bot on a Mac?
Most desktop bots are Windows-only, so Mac users usually need a VPS or a Windows virtual machine. xCloudBot runs in any web browser, including Safari on a Mac, iPhone or iPad.
Does my computer need to be on for xCloudBot to place bets?
No. Once your strategies are active, bets are placed from our servers whether your devices are on or off.
Is a VPS faster?
A VPS in a data centre usually has a better connection than home broadband, which matters for in-play trading. For placing pre-race selections, including at BSP, speed down to the millisecond isn't what decides the result.
Want the bigger picture? Read our guide to Betfair automation or see how the main bots compare on price and platform.
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