TL;DR
A sniper bot is an automated trading tool that executes buy orders within milliseconds of a token launch or liquidity event, aiming to get the earliest possible entry price.
Sniper bots monitor Solana’s blockchain for specific events — new Raydium pool creation, Pump.fun bonding curve graduations, or token launches on other platforms. When the target event is detected, the bot submits a buy transaction with high priority fees and Jito tips to land as early as possible in the block. The goal is to buy before the broader market reacts, securing the lowest price. Top bots can execute in under 200 milliseconds from event detection to transaction confirmation.
Launch sniping targets the very first block a new token becomes tradeable. Graduation sniping targets Pump.fun tokens the moment they migrate to Raydium. Liquidity sniping detects when existing tokens receive a new liquidity pool. Copy-trade sniping follows specific wallets and mirrors their buys instantly. Each type requires different configuration and carries different risk profiles.
Sniping is competitive and risky. You’re often buying tokens with zero track record. Many sniped tokens are rugs or pump-and-dumps. High priority fees and Jito tips can be expensive, and failed snipes still cost gas. Bots require careful configuration — wrong slippage or gas settings can lead to losses. Never snipe with more than you can afford to lose, and always cross-reference with tools like Deployer Hunter for deployer track records.
Key factors: execution speed (measured in milliseconds), supported platforms (Raydium, Pump.fun, Meteora), MEV protection, configurable buy conditions (filters for liquidity, holder count, deployer history), and cost. Some bots are free with a per-trade fee; others charge a monthly subscription. MadeOnSol’s Snipers category lists and compares the top options with community reviews.