Comparison

SBB FreeSurf vs ZVV

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

SBB FreeSurf

Access free internet on SBB long-distance trains. This app leverages strong mobile coverage for a faster connection than traditional train Wi-Fi. It's available for customers with specific Swiss mobile contracts and international travelers with participating SIM cards.

Highlights
  • Free internet access on SBB trains
  • Faster and smoother connection
  • Utilizes mobile phone coverage
  • Automatic recognition via beacon
  • SMS confirmation for registration
Features
Read full description

Internet access free of charge from the app. SBB FreeSurf is available on all SBB long-distance trains (IC and IR). SBB FreeSurf is based on the excellent mobile phone coverage along the Swiss rail routes – passengers can benefit from a faster and smoother internet connection with more bandwidth than you get with conventional train Wi-Fi. Customers with a digitec, Quickline, Salt (Das Abo, GoMo, Lidl Connect are included), Sunrise or Swisscom mobile phone contract can surf the internet for free with die SBB FreeSurf app. Passengers from abroad will be able to surf the internet for free with a SIM card (also eSIM) from a mobile phone provider participating in SBB FreeSurf. Trains with a free internet connection are marked with ‘FS’ (for FreeSurf) in the online timetable. When boarding the train, the customers can open the SBB FreeSurf app. Automatic recognition takes place using a beacon. After registering successfully, the customers will receive an SMS text confirming that they can surf for free via their mobile phone provider. When alighting from the train or switching off the connection, you will receive a message stating that free internet access is no longer active. We only need customers to provide the mobile number to be used for registration.

About

ZVV

Access real-time public transport information across Switzerland. Purchase tickets, travelcards, and day passes for all Swiss transport networks directly within the app. Manage your tickets and travelcards easily, with convenient payment options.

Highlights
  • Real-time connection search
  • Next departures timetable
  • Area map for orientation
  • Incident and disruption alerts
  • Save planned journeys
  • Two-click ticket purchase
  • Digital travelcards and discounts
Read full description

The ZVV app provides you with real-time timetable information throughout Switzerland and allows you to buy travelcards and tickets in seconds. All ZVV and Z-Pass travelcards, multicards and tickets as well as tickets and day passes for the whole of Switzerland (national long-distance connections and regional fare networks) are available. The key features at a glance: • Real-time connection search • Table with the next departures for each stop • Area map for orientation from the current location • Overview of current incidents and disruptions in the ZVV area • Save planned journeys and commuter routes on the home tab • Purchase tickets with two clicks in the shop or directly after a timetable request • Check-in ticket as alternative - simply check in and start travelling • Easy ticket purchase also for fellow travellers, dogs and bikes • Purchase of e-multicards with up to 10% discount • Purchase and renewal of ZVV and Z-Pass travelcards with just a few clicks • Quick access to all valid tickets via homepage • Digital presentation of travelcards and discounts with SwissPass Mobile • Refund of unused tickets directly in the app • Download of sales and refund receipts • Easy access to personal settings and customer service Payment options: TWINT, credit cards (Mastercard, VISA, American Express), debit cards, Apple Pay, PostFinance, REKA, purchase on account (several payment methods can be entered) Available languages: German / English Contact: If you have any questions about the app, ZVV-Contact is available daily from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. on the free number 0800 988 988 or contact@zvv.ch.

Screenshots

SBB FreeSurf3 screens
ZVV4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: ZVV at 4.6 against SBB FreeSurf's 1.2. ZVV also leads on update cadence (weekly vs every 3 months) and review sentiment (31% vs 4%). SBB FreeSurf's advantage is monetization model (free vs free with in-app purchases) and device support (3 vs 1). On price, ads and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

ZVV holds the better App Store score, 4.6 against 1.2. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: ZVV has 224 ratings behind it against 36, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 4% of SBB FreeSurf's written reviews are positive against 31% of ZVV's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

SBB FreeSurf ships an update every 3 months, ZVV weekly. The most recent releases landed on September 14, 2026 and September 18, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard7 real differences · 3 level
SBB FreeSurf versus ZVV: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterSBB FreeSurfZVV
PriceFreeFree
Rating1.2 (36 ratings)4.6 (224 ratings) — better
Positive reviews3.6% of reviews30.8% of reviews — better
Number of ratings36224 — better
Update frequencyEvery 3 monthsWeekly — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFree — betterFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone
Requires iOS14.0 — better16.6
Further details — not scored
Size53 MB156 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperSBB AGZürcher Verkehrsverbund ZVV

Customer experience

SBB FreeSurf

All ratings36 ratings
Positive5.6%
Neutral0.0%
Negative94.4%
Written reviews56 reviews
Positive3.6%
Neutral3.6%
Negative92.9%

ZVV

All ratings224 ratings
Positive90.6%
Neutral2.2%
Negative7.1%
Written reviews26 reviews
Positive30.8%
Neutral7.7%
Negative61.5%

In-app purchases

None

SBB FreeSurf

No in-app purchases

None

ZVV

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is SBB FreeSurf free?
SBB FreeSurf is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is ZVV free?
ZVV is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, SBB FreeSurf or ZVV?
ZVV is rated higher. SBB FreeSurf averages 1.2 out of 5 from 36 ratings, while ZVV averages 4.6 from 224 ratings.
Do SBB FreeSurf or ZVV have ads?
Neither SBB FreeSurf nor ZVV shows ads.
Which is updated more often, SBB FreeSurf or ZVV?
SBB FreeSurf ships an update every 3 months, and ZVV weekly. Most recently, SBB FreeSurf was updated on September 14, 2026 and ZVV on September 18, 2026.

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