Is Algorithmic Trading Really Better Than Manual Trading?

I’ve been reading a lot about algorithmic trading lately, and I’m curious about real experiences from traders here. Some say algorithms are the future of trading because they remove emotions and can execute faster than humans. Others argue that without a solid strategy, even the best code won’t help.

So my question is:For those who have tried algorithmic trading, did it actually give you a consistent edge over manual trading? Or is success still mainly about strategy, market knowledge, and risk management?

Algorithmic trading can be better than manual trading in some ways, but not always. Algorithms follow rules and don’t panic when the market goes up or down. Humans often make emotional decisions, like closing trades too early out of fear or holding on too long out of greed. An algorithm can scan lots of markets and place trades in a split second, something a person simply can’t do. This gives it an edge, especially in fast-moving markets.

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I think they complement each other. If you’re not already a good discretionary trader, how would you know what to code in the first place? An algorithm on its own doesn’t magically create an edge — it just automates the edge you’ve already developed through experience.

So in my view, success still starts with strategy, risk management, and market understanding. Once those foundations are in place, algorithmic trading makes the work easier: it removes emotional bias, ensures consistency, and allows you to scale or test strategies more efficiently.

It can be helpful but it can not fully replace human experience. In my experience mixed trading is the most profitable, by far. I use algorithms for analysis and trade manually.

Algorithmic trading can definitely give an edge, especially in consistency and speed. I’ve been running my own EA trading XAUUSD for over 3.5 years, and it’s achieved 911% overall gain so far. That kind of disciplined, emotion-free execution would be extremely hard to match consistently as a human.

That said, success still hinges on a solid strategy, proper risk management, and market understanding. Algorithms don’t replace the need for a well-tested approach—they just allow you to apply it reliably and at scale. My experience shows that combining careful strategy development with algo execution is where the real advantage lies.

First of all, any trading is algorithmic. You probably meant automatic trading. Yes, it is much better than manual trading. I have no tiny doubt.

Why software can't replace your trading if it already replaced your analysis? It cannot click the "trade" button for you?  

I trust manual trading, strategy, risks - it's all exciting.