Switzerland has two big mobile networks: Swisscom and Sunrise. Both cover more than 99% of the population with 4G, and both are expanding 5G rapidly. For most users in cities and suburbs, there is hardly any noticeable difference in network quality.
Swisscom traditionally has slight advantages in mountain regions and rural areas. If you are regularly out in the Alps, you benefit from the slightly broader coverage. Sunrise on the other hand wins in urban centers, where download speeds are sometimes even higher than on Swisscom.
The real difference is the price. Booking directly with Swisscom costs from CHF 69.90/mo. With Sunrise from CHF 35.50/mo. Through cheaper second brands and MVNOs, the price drops to CHF 13–18/mo. with the same network quality. That's exactly what we look at in detail here.
Criterion
🔵 Swisscom
☀️ Sunrise
4G population coverage
99%+
99%+
5G coverage
Broadest
Growing fast
Download speed
Very high
Very high (sometimes faster in cities)
Mountain regions
Best reception
Good, slightly weaker
Cheapest unlimited
CHF 17.95 (Wingo)
CHF 13 (Digital Republic)
Cheapest with 5G
CHF 19.90 (Mucho)
CHF 13 (Digital Republic)
Cheapest with EU
CHF 25.95 (Wingo)
CHF 13 (Digital Republic, 2GB)
Direct price (network operator)
CHF 69.90
CHF 35.50
Fighters / MVNOs
Wingo, Mucho, Migros Mobile
Digital Republic, yallo, swype, TalkTalk, Galaxus
Cheapest Swisscom-network plans
Same network quality as Swisscom direct, from CHF 17.95/mo.
Pick the Swisscom network if you regularly travel in the mountains or rural areas and need maximum reliability. Swisscom still offers the broadest coverage in Switzerland.
For most people in Switzerland, the Sunrise network is the best choice. In cities and suburbs the quality is equivalent (sometimes even better), and through MVNOs like Digital Republic you pay up to CHF 56.90 less per month than directly with Swisscom.
Tip: whichever network you pick, never book directly with the network operator. Through second brands and MVNOs you get the same network quality at a fraction of the price.
Frequently asked questions
Both networks cover more than 99% of the Swiss population. Swisscom has slight advantages in mountain regions and rural areas. Sunrise is sometimes even faster in cities. For most users, both networks are equivalent.
The cheapest unlimited plan on the Sunrise network costs CHF 13/mo. at Digital Republic. On the Swisscom network, unlimited starts at CHF 17.95/mo. with Wingo. Compared with the direct price at Sunrise (CHF 35.50) or Swisscom (CHF 69.90), the savings are substantial.
Besides Swisscom itself, Wingo (Swisscom subsidiary), Mucho, Migros Mobile and M-Budget Mobile use the Swisscom network. They all offer the same network quality at significantly lower prices.
On the Sunrise network you'll find Sunrise itself plus Digital Republic, yallo, swype, TalkTalk and Galaxus Mobile. The Sunrise network has the largest selection of cheap MVNOs.
5G delivers noticeably higher speeds and lower latency on both networks. Since plans from CHF 13/mo. (Digital Republic) or CHF 19.90/mo. (Mucho) already include 5G, paying extra for it barely makes sense anymore. 5G has basically become standard.