SBB FreeSurf vs WHY Melody
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
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.
- Free internet access on SBB trains
- Faster and smoother connection
- Utilizes mobile phone coverage
- Automatic recognition via beacon
- SMS confirmation for registration
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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from the train or switching off the connection, you will receive a message stating that free internet access is no longer active.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.
WHY Melody
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Theme-based Dictionary with Notepad.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is update cadence: WHY Melody at every 2 days against SBB FreeSurf's every 3 months. SBB FreeSurf's advantage is iOS requirement (14.0 vs 18.6). 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
Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
SBB FreeSurf ships an update every 3 months, WHY Melody every 2 days. The most recent releases landed on November 2, 2026 and October 25, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | SBB FreeSurf | WHY Melody |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 1.2 (41 ratings) — better | — |
| Positive reviews | 3.4% of reviews | — |
| Number of ratings | 41 — better | — |
| Update frequency | Every 3 months | Every 2 days — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Free | — |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better | iPhone, iPad |
| Requires iOS | 14.0 — better | 18.6 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 53 MB | 3 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | SBB | Joe Chiu |
In-app purchases
SBB FreeSurf
No in-app purchases
WHY Melody
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is SBB FreeSurf free?
Is WHY Melody free?
Do SBB FreeSurf or WHY Melody have ads?
Which is updated more often, SBB FreeSurf or WHY Melody?
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