Four banking solutions side by side: costs, investment universe, minimum deposit and app quality. As of 05/2026, source: provider. This page does not select an account for you.
Each row is a provider, each column a feature (TER, investment universe, minimum deposit, app rating, tax staggering). The figures are provider data, as of 05/2026. The table does not assign an account. All providers with fees are in the comparison.
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 ★ | ||
|
finpension
Swiss Provider
|
0.18% Core account | NoneStanding order from CHF 100 | 4.7 ★ | ||
|
Frankly
Swiss Provider
|
0.40% Premium portfolio | NoneStarting amount stated by the provider: 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 | Age band in this table |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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.
Model calculation, not advice.
The actual available ETFs and index funds per provider. TER in brackets.
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). A large delta means that in the model the policy costs you a lot of return. Risk cover and guarantees in the policy are not valued in it.
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.