Best Mobile Phone Plans Switzerland 2025: Complete Comparison Guide

Choosing the right mobile phone plan in Switzerland can save you hundreds of francs annually. With 5G now widely available, unlimited data plans becoming more affordable, and new digital providers shaking up the market, 2025 is the perfect time to review your mobile subscription.

This comprehensive guide compares all major Swiss mobile providers, from premium networks (Swisscom, Sunrise, Salt) to budget-friendly options (Yallo, Wingo, Digital Republic), helping you find the best plan for your needs.

Swiss Mobile Market Overview 2025

Switzerland has one of the most advanced mobile networks in Europe, with 5G coverage exceeding 95% of the population. The market is dominated by three network operators:

• Swisscom (own network, best coverage)
• Sunrise (own network, merged with UPC)
• Salt (own network, competitive pricing)

Budget providers (MVNOs) use these networks but offer lower prices:

• Yallo (uses Sunrise network)
• Wingo (uses Swisscom network, owned by Swisscom)
• Digital Republic (uses Swisscom/Salt networks)
• M-Budget Mobile (uses Swisscom network)
• Lebara (uses Salt network)

Mobile Plan Comparison Table 2025

Prices as of November 2024, subject to promotional offers

Premium Providers: Best Coverage & Service

Swisscom - Best Network Quality

Best for: Remote areas, business users, maximum reliability

Swisscom operates Switzerland's largest and most reliable mobile network, with the best coverage in Alpine regions and tunnels.

Key Plans:

• inOne mobile unlimited (CHF 95/month): Unlimited data, 10 GB EU roaming, 5G nationwide
• inOne mobile S (CHF 40/month): 10 GB data, 1 GB EU roaming
• inOne mobile M (CHF 65/month): 50 GB data, 5 GB EU roaming

Advantages:

• Best network coverage in Switzerland (99.9% population)
• Fastest customer service response
• Free WiFi at thousands of hotspots
• Family discounts available

Disadvantages:

• Highest prices on the market
• 12-month minimum contract
• No pay-as-you-go unlimited option

Sunrise - Strong 5G Network

Best for: Urban users, 5G enthusiasts, fiber/mobile bundles

Sunrise offers competitive pricing with excellent 5G coverage in cities and strong home internet bundles.

Key Plans:

• Swiss Flat (CHF 80/month): Unlimited data, 10 GB EU roaming, 5G
• Freedom (CHF 60/month): 50 GB data, 5 GB EU roaming, 5G
• Young (CHF 30/month, under 30): 30 GB data, 3 GB EU roaming

Advantages:

• Competitive unlimited plan pricing
• Excellent 5G speeds in cities
• Good fiber + mobile bundles
• Young person discounts (under 30)

Disadvantages:

• Coverage gaps in remote areas
• Customer service quality varies
• Merged with UPC (some confusion during transition)

Salt - Best Value Premium Option

Best for: Budget-conscious users wanting premium network quality

Salt has emerged as the value leader among network operators, offering unlimited data at lower prices than competitors.

Key Plans:

• Salt unlimited (CHF 60/month): Unlimited data, 5 GB EU roaming, 5G
• Salt Swiss (CHF 35/month): 20 GB data, 2 GB EU roaming, 5G
• Salt Europe (CHF 45/month): 30 GB data, 10 GB EU roaming, 5G

Advantages:

• Most affordable unlimited plan from network operator
• Good 5G coverage in populated areas
• No speed throttling
• EU roaming included in most plans

Disadvantages:

• Weaker coverage in Alpine regions than Swisscom
• Customer service primarily online
• Network can be congested in peak hours

Budget Providers: Best Price-Performance

Digital Republic - Most Innovative

Best for: Tech-savvy users, minimal data users, flexible needs

Digital Republic revolutionized Swiss mobile with its CHF 20 unlimited plan (with fair use speed throttling after heavy usage).

Key Features:

• Core Plan (CHF 20/month): Unlimited data (throttled after heavy usage), 5G
• EU Roaming Add-on (CHF 10/month): 10 GB EU roaming
• Uses both Swisscom and Salt networks (automatically switches)
• Fully digital app-based management

Advantages:

• Cheapest unlimited plan in Switzerland
• Excellent 5G coverage (dual network)
• No contract, cancel anytime
• Transparent pricing via app

Disadvantages:

• Speed throttling after ~100 GB/month heavy usage
• No EU roaming in base plan
• No physical stores for support
• Requires smartphone app for management

Wingo - Swisscom Network at Budget Price

Best for: Swisscom quality seekers on a budget, families

Wingo is Swisscom's budget brand, offering the same network quality at much lower prices.

Key Plans:

• Fair Flat (CHF 55/month): Unlimited data, 3 GB EU roaming
• Swiss 40 (CHF 35/month): 40 GB data, 2 GB EU roaming
• Swiss 20 (CHF 25/month): 20 GB data, 1 GB EU roaming

Advantages:

• Uses Swisscom's premium network
• Competitive pricing
• Family discounts available
• 5G included

Disadvantages:

• Less EU roaming than parent company Swisscom
• Customer service slower than Swisscom
• Online-only management

Yallo - Budget-Friendly Sunrise Network

Best for: Moderate data users, EU travelers

Yallo uses Sunrise's network and offers good value for moderate data needs.

Key Plans:

• Yallo Swiss (CHF 39/month): 50 GB data, 5 GB EU roaming, 5G
• Yallo Swiss Plus (CHF 49/month): 100 GB data, 7 GB EU roaming, 5G
• Yallo Swiss Light (CHF 19/month): 10 GB data, 1 GB EU roaming

Advantages:

• Good EU roaming allowances
• 5G included
• No contract required
• Competitive data packages

Disadvantages:

• Not truly unlimited (even highest plan capped at 100 GB)
• Same coverage limitations as Sunrise
• Customer service primarily online

How to Choose the Right Mobile Plan

Step 1: Assess Your Data Usage

Check your current usage in your phone settings (Settings > Mobile Data on iOS, Settings > Network & Internet on Android).

Usage Guidelines:

• 0-5 GB/month: Light user (emails, messaging, occasional streaming)
• 5-20 GB/month: Moderate user (daily social media, some video)
• 20-50 GB/month: Heavy user (frequent streaming, video calls)
• 50+ GB/month: Very heavy user (consider unlimited plan)

Step 2: Consider Coverage Needs

Need best coverage? Choose Swisscom or Wingo

• Essential for: Alpine regions, frequent tunnel driving, remote work locations
• Cost premium: Worth it if you regularly experience poor signal with other networks

Urban-focused? Sunrise or Salt work well

• Cities, major towns, and highways all have excellent coverage
• Save CHF 20-40/month compared to Swisscom

Step 3: EU Roaming Requirements

If you travel to EU countries regularly, check roaming allowances carefully:

Frequent EU travelers (10+ days/year):

• Swisscom or Sunrise (10 GB EU roaming)
• Salt Europe plan (10 GB EU roaming)

Occasional EU travelers (1-5 days/year):

• Most budget providers (1-5 GB sufficient)
• Or buy separate EU roaming add-ons when needed

Note: EU roaming is NOT automatically free in Switzerland (unlike EU countries). Always check what's included.

Step 4: Contract vs. Prepaid

12-24 Month Contracts:

• Usually required for subsidized phones
• Often better prices for unlimited plans
• Harder to switch providers

Month-to-Month (No Contract):

• Cancel anytime
• More flexibility
• Digital Republic, Yallo, most MVNOs offer this
• Recommended unless you want a subsidized phone

5G in Switzerland: What You Need to Know

Switzerland has excellent 5G coverage, with all major providers offering 5G access:

5G Coverage by Network (2025):

• Swisscom: 97% population coverage
• Sunrise: 95% population coverage
• Salt: 93% population coverage

5G Speed Expectations:

• Download: 200-800 Mbps (vs 20-100 Mbps on 4G)
• Upload: 50-150 Mbps
• Lower latency (better for gaming, video calls)

Do You Need 5G?

Yes, if you:

• Stream 4K video on your phone
• Use mobile hotspot frequently
• Play online games on mobile
• Live in a well-covered 5G area

No, if you:

• Primarily use WiFi
• Basic usage (messaging, browsing, email)
• Have an older phone without 5G support

Most 2025 phones support 5G, and the price difference is negligible, so it's worth getting even if you don't use it heavily yet.

Money-Saving Tips

1. Negotiate Your Current Plan

Call your provider before your contract ends and ask for a loyalty discount. Success rate: 60-70% for customers of 2+ years. Potential savings: CHF 10-20/month.

2. Family Plans

Most providers offer discounts for multiple lines:

• Swisscom: 20% off 2nd line, 40% off 3rd+ lines
• Sunrise: CHF 10 off per additional line
• Wingo: CHF 5 off per additional line

3. Bundle Discounts

If you have home internet, check bundle offers:

• Swisscom inOne (internet + mobile): Save up to CHF 20/month
• Sunrise fiber + mobile bundles: Save CHF 15/month
• Salt home + mobile: Save CHF 10/month

4. Timing Your Switch

Best times to switch providers:

• January/February: Post-holiday promotions
• November: Black Friday deals (can save 3-6 months fees)
• End of contract period: Negotiate or switch without penalties

5. Bring Your Own Device

Never finance phones through mobile contracts in Switzerland - you pay much more than retail price. Instead:

• Buy unlocked phones online (digitec.ch, galaxus.ch)
• Choose SIM-only plans
• Save CHF 500-1,000 over 2 years

How to Switch Providers

Switching mobile providers in Switzerland is straightforward thanks to number portability regulations.

Step-by-Step Process:

1. Check contract end date: Find in your current provider's app or contract documents
2. Choose cancellation timing:
   • Give 3 months notice before contract end
   • Or switch immediately if on month-to-month plan
3. Order new SIM: From new provider
4. Request number porting:
   • Tell new provider you want to keep your number
   • They handle the porting process
   • Takes 1-5 business days
5. Cancel old contract:
   • Send registered letter (recommended) or via provider app
   • Keep confirmation

Important: Your old SIM stops working when porting completes, usually within 24 hours of activation date.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can I keep my phone number when switching providers? A: Yes, number portability is typically by Swiss law. The new provider handles the transfer, usually within 1-5 business days.

Q: What's the best network for Alpine regions? A: Swisscom has the best coverage in mountains and remote areas, followed by Sunrise. Salt has more coverage gaps in Alpine regions.

Q: Do unlimited plans really have no data cap? A: Most premium providers (Swisscom, Sunrise, Salt, Wingo) truly don't cap data. Digital Republic throttles speeds after very heavy usage (100+ GB/month) but doesn't cut you off.

Q: Is 5G safe? A: Swiss radiation limits (ORNI ordinance) are among the strictest in the world. All 5G installations should generally comply with these limits, which are 10x stricter than international guidelines.

Q: Can I use my Swiss mobile plan in EU countries? A: Only if your plan includes EU roaming. Check your allowance - it's usually much smaller than your Swiss data allowance.

Final Recommendations

Best Overall Value: Salt unlimited (CHF 60/month)

• True unlimited data, 5G, decent EU roaming, fair price

Best Budget Option: Digital Republic (CHF 20/month)

• Unbeatable price for unlimited data (with fair use)
• Perfect for WiFi-primary users who want unlimited backup

Best Premium Experience: Swisscom inOne mobile unlimited (CHF 95/month)

• Best coverage, best support, unlimited everything
• Worth it if you need reliability in remote areas

Best for Young People: Sunrise Young (CHF 30/month, under 30)

• 30 GB data, 5G, EU roaming
• Great value for students and young professionals

Best for EU Travelers: Swisscom inOne mobile unlimited (CHF 95/month)

• 10 GB EU roaming included
• Or Salt Europe plan for budget option

Your ideal plan depends on your usage patterns, coverage needs, and budget. Most Swiss residents find the best value in mid-tier plans (CHF 35-60/month) from Salt, Wingo, or Yallo, which offer plenty of data on good networks without premium pricing.

Remember to review your plan annually - the Swiss mobile market is competitive, and better deals regularly emerge.

Data accurate as of November 2024. Prices and plans subject to change. Always verify current offers on provider websites.