Comparison

SBB FreeSurf vs City E

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from the train or switching off the connection, you will receive a message stating that free internet access is no longer active.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

City E

Features
Read full description

Der City E-Guide von Chur Tourismus ist die individuelle Stadtführung für Ihr Handy oder Tablet. Sie erfahren in 43 Kapiteln viel Wissenswertes aus der Geschichte und der Kultur der Alpenstadt Chur und des Ferienkantons Graubünden. Zusätzlich erfahren Sie in weiteren 32 Kapiteln viel Interessantes über das Domschatzmuseum des Bistums Chur - über die Bistumsgeschichte, den Churer Domschatz und die Todesbilder aus dem Bischöflichen Schloss. Statt sich einer Führung anzuschliessen, begeben Sie sich mithilfe der Kartenansicht auf Ihren eigenen, ganz individuellen Stadtrundgang oder Sie wählen eine unserer vorgeschlagenen Routen aus. Anhand eines übersichtlichen Planes orientieren Sie sich und wählen am jeweiligen Standort das gewünschte Kapitel an. - Es funktioniert ganz einfach. Falls Sie keine Möglichkeit haben eine Route vor Ort abzulaufen oder nur einen Teil davon, können Sie alles ganz bequem über die Kartenansicht oder die Route des Domschatzmuseums von überall aus anhören und sich mit den hinterlegten Bildern eine Vorstellung von den einzelnen Stationen verschaffen.

Screenshots

SBB FreeSurf3 screens
City E4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is update cadence: SBB FreeSurf at every 3 months against City E's every 12 months. On price, ads, in-app purchases and device support 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.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

SBB FreeSurf ships an update every 3 months, City E every 12 months. The most recent releases landed on October 13, 2026 and October 3, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard1 real difference · 9 level
SBB FreeSurf versus City E: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterSBB FreeSurfCity E
PriceFreeFree
Rating1.2 (36 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews3.4% of reviews—
Number of ratings36 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 3 months — betterEvery 12 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFree—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS14.013 — better
Further details — not scored
Size53 MB649 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperSBB AGChur Tourismus

In-app purchases

None

SBB FreeSurf

No in-app purchases

None

City E

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is SBB FreeSurf free?
SBB FreeSurf is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is City E free?
City E is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do SBB FreeSurf or City E have ads?
Neither SBB FreeSurf nor City E shows ads.
Which is updated more often, SBB FreeSurf or City E?
SBB FreeSurf ships an update every 3 months, and City E every 12 months. Most recently, SBB FreeSurf was updated on October 13, 2026 and City E on October 3, 2026.

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