Using pension apps via smartphone has become widespread among Swiss savers. These digital solutions are designed to make tax-advantaged private retirement planning simpler and more cost-effective.

However, according to model calculations by the comparison site «moneyland.ch», investing through different providers' pension apps reveals substantial variations in costs.

500 Swiss Francs per Month over Ten Years

The study calculated total costs over a ten-year period, assuming monthly contributions of 500 Swiss francs to a Pillar 3a account - a total investment of 60,000 francs. The figures include both the app's flat fees and the product costs (TER) of the underlying investment instruments, excluding any hypothetical returns.

Across total 18 providers, total costs ranged from 303 francs to 3,267 francs.

«The price differences between the various offerings are enormous,» says Felix Oeschger of Moneyland. «The most expensive option costs eight times as much as the cheapest.»

The lowest-cost option, offered by «Liberty Green», provides only an investment solution with a relatively low equity allocation of 25 percent. For higher equity allocations, total costs rise to around 1,150 francs.

Other providers also show significant cost dospersion depending on the chosen investment product. The most expensive provider in the sample, «My Liberty», shows a cost range between 2,390 francs and 3,267 francs (difference 877 francs).

Liberty Green offers the lowest-cost option, at 303 francs over ten years. However, for this price, investors receive only an investment solution with a relatively low equity allocation of 25 percent. With higher equity allocations, total costs at Liberty Green rise to around 1,150 francs.

According to experts, True Wealth provides the most affordable option for investors seeking a high equity allocation and a broadly diversified portfolio, with costs ranging between 424 francs and 635 francs. Market pioneer Viac also ranks among the most cost-effective providers, with total fees of 484 francs to 1,331 francs.

Bank-Based Products Even More Expensive

According to Moneyland, pension apps remain comparatively inexpensive when measured against traditional pension funds offered by established banks. An additional cost simulation with comparable bank products confirmed this finding. In some cases, banks charge between 3,000 francs and 5,000 francs over a ten-year period. Thus, even the most expensive pension apps still result in lower overall costs.