Comparison

SBB FreeSurf vs PubliBike Velospot

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from the train or switching off the connection, you will receive a message stating that free internet access is no longer active.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

PubliBike Velospot

This app allows users to find and rent bicycles in various Swiss cities and regions. It provides a convenient way to access shared bikes for transportation and exploration.

Highlights
  • Find rental bicycles
  • Rent bicycles
  • Usable in multiple Swiss locations
  • Convenient transportation
Features
Read full description

App usable in Bern, Zurich, Basel, Aarau, Biel/Bienne, Fribourg, Ticino, Central Valais Agglo, Hochrhein, Aigle, Martigny, La Chaux-de-Fonds – Le Locle, St. Peter’s Island, Andermatt, Brugg-Windisch, Delémont, Grenchen, Herrliberg-Feldmeilen, Meilen, Solothurn, Pampigny‑Sévery‑Montricher‑L’Isle.

Screenshots

SBB FreeSurf3 screens
PubliBike Velospot4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is update cadence: PubliBike Velospot at every 4 weeks against SBB FreeSurf's every 3 months. On price, review sentiment, 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.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

SBB FreeSurf ships an update every 3 months, PubliBike Velospot every 4 weeks. The most recent releases landed on November 2, 2026 and November 8, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard1 real difference · 9 level
SBB FreeSurf versus PubliBike Velospot: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterSBB FreeSurfPubliBike Velospot
PriceFreeFree
Rating1.2 (41 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews3.4% of reviews — better0.0% of reviews
Number of ratings41 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 3 monthsEvery 4 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFreeFree
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPod
Requires iOS14.0 — better15.6
Further details — not scored
Size53 MB64 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperSBB AGPubliBike AG

Customer experience

SBB FreeSurf

All ratings36 ratings
Positive5.6%
Neutral0.0%
Negative94.4%
Written reviews59 reviews
Positive3.4%
Neutral3.4%
Negative93.2%

PubliBike Velospot

Written reviews9 reviews
Positive0.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative100.0%

In-app purchases

None

SBB FreeSurf

No in-app purchases

None

PubliBike Velospot

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is SBB FreeSurf free?
SBB FreeSurf is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is PubliBike Velospot free?
PubliBike Velospot is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do SBB FreeSurf or PubliBike Velospot have ads?
Neither SBB FreeSurf nor PubliBike Velospot shows ads.
Which is updated more often, SBB FreeSurf or PubliBike Velospot?
SBB FreeSurf ships an update every 3 months, and PubliBike Velospot every 4 weeks. Most recently, SBB FreeSurf was updated on November 2, 2026 and PubliBike Velospot on November 8, 2026.

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