For expats living in Switzerland, which mobile internet provider is the best choice? Switzerland is known for its high telecom costs, but there are affordable plans and hidden gems worth considering.
In this article, I’ll provide a 2025 updated comparison of Swisscom, Sunrise, Salt, Digital Republic, and Yallo. I’ll break down their pros and cons, contract flexibility, and hidden fees you need to watch out for—helping you find the best plan for your needs.
And in the end, my top recommendation is Digital Republic!
Why? Because it offers no contracts, unlimited data, low costs, a Swiss phone number, and eSIM support—making it a perfect choice for expats.
If you’re looking for the best mobile internet provider in Switzerland, keep reading to find the right option for you! 🚀
- Crucial Points for Expats When Choosing a Mobile Internet Provider
- Breakdown of the Pros and Cons of 5 Providers in Switzerland
- Other Internet Connection Options: Prepaid SIM or Using Your Home Country’s Plan
1.Crucial Points for Expats When Choosing a Mobile Internet Provider
Have you ever walked into a store, felt overwhelmed by too many options, and ended up buying something without fully understanding it? It’s a common experience—especially when dealing with long contracts and complicated pricing.
That’s why having a clear priority list before choosing a provider is essential!
Here are key factors to consider when choosing a mobile internet provider:
✅ International roaming (Do you travel frequently?)
✅ International calling (Do you need unlimited global calls?)
✅ Contract flexibility (Can you cancel anytime?)
✅ Data amount (Do you need unlimited data?)
✅ English support (Is customer service available in English?)
✅ eSIM compatibility (Can you activate it instantly?)
✅ National unlimited calls (Do you need Swiss-wide free calls?)
✅ Coverage (How good is the signal in your area?)
✅ Speed (Does it support 4G or 5G?)
As an Expat, I categorized them into high priority and low priority.
⚠️I categorized as one expat, but of course priority is different depend on person to person. So please read as one example🙇♀️
High-Priority Factors for Expats
🔹 1. Cost
Switzerland is expensive, so minimizing fixed monthly costs is crucial.
🔹 2. Contract Flexibility
As an expat, you may not know how long you’ll stay in Switzerland. However, many mobile providers require a 2-year contract—often hidden under attractive discounts! Always check the fine print for cancellation penalties.
🔹 3. English Support
Switzerland’s official languages are French, German, and Italian. While some websites offer English translations, important sections (e.g., contract terms, drop-down menus) might remain untranslated. This can lead to accidental sign-ups for expensive plans.
🔹 4. Data Amount
If you mostly use Wi-Fi at home, you don’t need unlimited data—a prepaid SIM might be sufficient.
If you want worry-free data usage, an unlimited plan is better. You can also use your phone as a Wi-Fi hotspot, reducing the need for home internet.
🔹 5. International Roaming
If you frequently travel to neighboring countries (e.g., shopping in France, business trips to Germany), having a monthly EU data allowance is useful. Some plans offer 2GB or more for roaming, which is helpful.
🔹 6. eSIM Support
eSIM lets you use two internet lines without swapping physical SIM cards. This is useful if you want to keep your home country’s number while using a Swiss internet plan.
⚠️ Depending on your mobile phone version, you cannot use eSIM!
⚠️ Please check advance if you can get Swiss number or phone call if you need!
Low-Priority Factors for Expats
📞 International Calls
If you frequently call abroad, an unlimited international calling plan may be worth considering. However, if you mostly use internet-based apps like WhatsApp, Skype, or Zoom, international calling is less important since these services allow free voice and video calls over Wi-Fi or mobile data.
📱 National Unlimited Calls
Similar to international calls, unlimited national calling is not essential unless you regularly make phone calls within Switzerland. Personally, I only use it when contacting places like hospitals that don’t accept emails or online bookings.
⚠️ However, I strongly recommend getting a Swiss phone number for TWINT.
TWINT is a widely used mobile payment system in Switzerland, and to register, you need a Swiss number.
🌍 Coverage Inside Switzerland
If you love hiking or frequently visit remote areas, nationwide network coverage is important. However, if you spend most of your time in cities like Geneva, Zurich, or Lausanne, you don’t need to worry too much about coverage, as all major providers offer strong signals in urban areas.
Breakdown of the Pros and Cons of 5 Providers in Switzerland
Quick summary of 5 Providers offers
| Provider (Plan) | Price (CHF) | Contract Flexibility | International Roaming | Cancellation notification |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Digital Republic Flat Mobile | 18 | No contract | 2GB in EU/USA | No cancellation period |
| Salt (Swiss Max) | 24.95 ⚠️65% discount price | 1, 12, 24-month contract | 1G in Salt EU Zone | 60 days before |
| Swisscom (blue Mobile S) | 69.90 | 12-month contract | Not included | 60 days before |
| Sunrise (Up Mobile M) | 34.95 ⚠️44% discount price | 24-month contract | 3G in EU/UK/USA/Canada | 60 days before |
| Yallo (Swiss Plus) | 24.90 ⚠️64% discount price | 0 month | 1G in EU/US/Canada | 2 months before |
The information is accurate as of February 15, 2025.
There are other mobile providers, such as:
Wingo (English info unavailable)
Galaxus Mobile (Similar to Digital Republic)
Mobile Migro (No English website)
Pros & Cons of Each Provider
Let’s take a look at the pros and cons of each provider.
| Provider | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| Digital Republic | -Instant eSIM support -No hidden fee | -No physical shop |
| Salt | -Physical shop available -Offer Internet&TV package | – Some negative feedback to end the contract |
| Swisscom | -Best network coverage -Offer Internet&TV package -Physical shop available | -Higher price -Contract commitment* |
| Sunrise | -Physical shop available -Strong network performance | – Higher price – Contract commitment* |
| Yallo | -Affordable pricing -Access to Sunrise’s network | – Activation fee: CHF 59.– |
There are many hidden fees in mobile plans that can unexpectedly increase your bill. To protect yourself from these costly surprises, check out the following post and learn about the common traps waiting for you! 🚨📱
Other Internet Connection Options: Prepaid SIM, Home Country Plans & Wi-Fi
Prepaid SIM Cards – Best for Short-Term Stays
Prepaid SIM cards let you pay-as-you-go without contracts.
✅ Pros:
✔️ No contracts—great for tourists & short-term residents
✔️ Full cost control—only pay for what you use
✔️ Easy to buy at supermarkets, kiosks & mobile stores
❌ Cons:
✖️ Higher data costs per GB
✖️ Limited international roaming options
✖️ No long-term discounts
Using Your Home Country’s Plan
If your SIM card already have from your country and give you nice offer and not inconvenient, you can continue to use. Only negative aspect is you cannot get Switzerland phone number. Why is it negative point? Because TWINT is well used for paying, sending money each other in Switzerland. For using TWINT, Switzerland phone number is necessary.
Conclusion
The Best Option for Expats is Digital Republic
Why choose Digital Republic?
✔️ No contracts – Cancel anytime, ideal for expats
✔️ Low cost – More affordable than most Swiss providers
✔️ Unlimited data – No worries about overuse
✔️ No hidden fees – No activation or termination fees
✔️ Instant eSIM activation – No waiting for a physical SIM
