You're leaving your 3a insurance policy – but where to? Here are all four relevant banking solutions for Swiss 3a savers directly compared: costs, investment universe, minimum deposit and app quality. Plus a decision tree to help you find the right provider for your situation.
All data as of May 2026. TER = Total Expense Ratio incl. ETF costs. App ratings based on App Store reviews.
| Provider | TER (from) | Investment Universe | Min. Deposit | App Rating | Tax Staggering |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
VIAC
Swiss Provider
|
0.15% Base portfolio | NoneMonthly from CHF 1 | 4.6 ★ | ★ Best-seller pick | |
|
finpension
Swiss Provider
|
0.18% Core account | NoneStanding order from CHF 100 | 4.7 ★ | ||
|
Frankly
Swiss Provider
|
0.40% Premium portfolio | NoneRecommended from CHF 1,000 | 4.5 ★ | ||
|
Selma
Robo-Advisor
|
0.50% incl. advice | CHF 1,000One-time | 4.4 ★ |
Average annualised returns (gross, before fees). Past performance does not guarantee future results.
| Provider | 1 Year | 3 Years (p.a.) | 5 Years (p.a.) | Risk | Recommended Profile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| VIAC | +12.4% | +7.8% | +8.2% | High | 30–50 yrs Aggressive / Growth |
| finpension | +11.9% | +7.5% | +7.9% | High | 30–50 yrs Aggressive / Growth |
| Frankly | +10.8% | +6.9% | +7.4% | Medium | 35–55 yrs Balanced / Mixed |
| Selma | +9.6% | +6.2% | +6.7% | Medium | 40–60 yrs Conservative / Balanced |
Sources: Official provider websites, published Annual Returns 2023–2025. Returns based on the most aggressive portfolio. "Medium" and "High" describe relative risk within the 3a comparison – not absolute risk.
Volatility and Sharpe Ratio help you assess return vs. risk. A higher Sharpe means more return per unit of risk.
| Provider | Volatility (10Y.) | Sharpe Ratio | Max. Drawdown | Benchmark Delta |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| VIAC | ~14.2% | 0.62 | −28.5% | +0.3% vs. MSCI World |
| finpension | ~13.8% | 0.61 | −27.2% | +0.1% vs. MSCI World |
| Frankly | ~11.5% | 0.54 | −22.1% | −0.8% vs. MSCI World |
| Selma | ~10.1% | 0.51 | −19.8% | −1.2% vs. MSCI World |
Metrics based on historical data 2015–2025 and are for orientation only. They are not a guarantee of future performance.
TER isn't everything. Deposit fees, currency hedging and advance withdrawal costs add up.
All four providers waive custody and deposit fees. Selma charges CHF 20 for advance withdrawals (tax staggering) – VIAC, finpension and Frankly are free.
The actual available ETFs and index funds per provider. TER in brackets.
Which provider fits which profile? Quick overview for your decision.
| Your Profile | Recommendation | Why? | Risk |
|---|---|---|---|
| 30–40 years, high risk tolerance Full equity exposure desired |
★★★★ VIAC | 0.15% TER, broadest universe, no minimum deposit | High |
| 30–40 years, balanced 60% equities / 40% bonds |
★★★★ finpension | 0.18% TER + best app rating (4.7★) | High |
| 40–50 years, switching from insurance Long-term, large Rescue Delta |
★★★★ VIAC or finpension | Maximum long-term savings, no minimum | High |
| 45–55 years, safety-oriented Conservative portfolio preferred |
★★★ finpension 50/50 | Good compromise: low risk + moderate return | Medium |
| New investor, easiest onboarding No prior knowledge, want to feel welcome |
★★★ ★ Honestly | Most intuitive app, best onboarding, 4.5★ rating | Medium |
| 55+, don't want to manage myself Robo-advisor desired, willing to pay premium |
★★ Selma | Fully automated, infrastructure exposure, 0.50% premium | Medium |
VIAC is the cheapest provider on the market. With a TER from 0.15% and a broad investment universe (equities, bonds, real estate, commodities), VIAC is ideal for self-directed investors who want to optimise every fee.
Frankly offers the most intuitive user interface and is the most popular provider among Swiss beginners. With a 4.5★ app rating and a solid portfolio, it's the best compromise between ease of use and cost.
Selma automatically handles investment decisions and continuously adjusts your portfolio. Ideal if you don't want to manage portfolio composition yourself – but you pay a premium of 0.50% TER for it.
finpension combines one of the lowest TERs (0.18%) with the highest app rating (4.7★). Swiss company, fully available in German and French. For many switching from insurance policies, this is the best choice.
Switching from a 3a life insurance policy to a banking solution makes sense in most cases – but not always. Check these three points before making your decision:
The Rescue Delta is the net advantage you gain from switching – after deducting the cancellation loss (the difference between your surrender value and the premiums you've paid in). If the delta is above CHF 5,000, switching almost always makes sense. Below CHF 5,000, it only makes sense if you're planning long-term (10+ years to retirement).
Most 3a life insurance policies have a cancellation deadline of 3 months to year-end. If you cancel after September 30th, the cancellation only applies for the following year. Plan your switch accordingly – ideally start in July or August.
If you're using tax staggering (advance withdrawal for home ownership equity), you'll need a second 3a account with a vested benefits foundation. All four compared providers support staggering. Clarify before switching whether your planned staggering is also possible with the new provider.