Swisscom vs Sunrise: which network is better?
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 71.80/mo. With Sunrise from CHF 29.90/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 19.90 (Mucho) | CHF 13 (Digital Republic) |
| Cheapest with 5G | CHF 19.90 (Mucho) | CHF 13 (Digital Republic) |
| Cheapest with EU | CHF 19.90 (Mucho, 1 GB) | CHF 13 (Digital Republic, 3 GB) |
| Direct price (network operator) | CHF 71.80 | CHF 29.90 |
| Fighters / MVNOs | Wingo, Mucho, Migros Mobile | Digital Republic, yallo, swype, TalkTalk, Galaxus |
Cheapest Swisscom-network plans
Same network as Swisscom: the five cheapest unlimited plans from our current data.
Cheapest Sunrise-network plans
Same network as Sunrise: the five cheapest unlimited plans from our current data.
Our verdict
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.