VIAC vs. finpension vs. frankly: The Big Pillar 3a Comparison 2026

Three names, one question: where should you put your Pillar 3a (Switzerland's voluntary private pension savings)?

Whether you're just starting your first job or well into your career – at some point you'll ask yourself this. And you'll quickly realise: there's no single perfect option, but several good ones. The differences are real though.

I've tested all three, dug into the current fees, and I'll tell you which solution works best for whom.

Quick overview: who are these three?

VIAC – the established fintech player

VIAC has been around since 2017 and was essentially a pioneer in the Swiss Pillar 3a fintech space. WIR Bank (yes, the one with the WIR business-to-business currency) stands behind it, giving the whole thing a solid institutional foundation.

VIAC is what you'd call "proven" – it just works. The app is intuitive, fees are reasonable, and you can go up to 99% equities.

finpension – the cost-conscious option

finpension is the youngest of the three and positions itself as the cheapest. Started as a startup, it's now operated in partnership with Glarner Kantonalbank (a cantonal bank). That means it's not a hobby project – it's genuine Swiss banking infrastructure.

finpension shines through: an all-in cost of 0.39% (for the standard strategy), a broad ETF offering, and maximum flexibility on equity allocation. If you watch every franc, this is often the right choice.

frankly – the premium new kid on the block

frankly is effectively the child of Zürcher Kantonalbank (ZKB) – one of Switzerland's largest cantonal banks. This isn't a fintech; these are real bankers with an app. frankly launched in 2022 and gained volume quickly.

The pitch: with ZKB behind it, you get modern banking technology and a feeling of security.

The big comparison table

Criterion	VIAC	finpension	frankly
All-in fee (min–max)	0.00%–0.44%	0.39% (standard)	0.44%–0.45%
Max. equity allocation	99%	99%	95%
Investment strategies	18	~15	~10
ESG/Sustainable	Yes (3 strategies)	Yes (some)	Yes (available)
App quality	Very good	Good	Very good
Minimum investment	None	None	None
Custodian bank	WIR Bank	Glarner Kantonalbank	ZKB
Customer service	Chat, email, phone	Chat, email	Chat, email, phone
Switching	Easy	Easy	Easy
Standout feature	Strategy range	Lowest total costs	ZKB security, premium feel

Note: fees may change. These figures are based on March 2026. Always check for yourself.

VIAC in detail: the reliable classic

Fee structure

VIAC charges an all-in fee of 0.00% to 0.44% depending on strategy. That means: management fee + ETF costs are already included. No hidden charges.

Conservative strategy: ~0.14%
Balanced 60/40: ~0.30%
Aggressive 99% equities: ~0.44%

This isn't the cheapest option, but it's not expensive either. Over 30 years and CHF 25'000 in contributions, we're talking a few thousand francs more than finpension.

Arguments for VIAC

Great app – This is where VIAC really shines. Clean, fast, and you can see your performance in real time.
Wide strategy range – 18 different strategies give you real room to choose. From "I want to keep it simple" to "give me 99% equities".
Established – On the market since 2017, no surprises, solidly funded.
Up to 99% equity allocation – If you're young, this can make a real difference.
ESG strategies – Dedicated sustainable portfolios are available.

Weaknesses

Fees – Not the cheapest. With a high equity allocation, you pay noticeably more than with finpension.
Less "banking feel" – It's a fintech. Some people want a traditional bank behind them.
Limited ETF selection – You can't pick specific ETFs; you choose from their predefined strategies.

Ideal for:

Anyone who wants a reliable, proven solution that simply works
People who value a good app experience
Those who want to explore different strategies

finpension in detail: the cost champion

Fee structure

finpension is very transparent: 0.39% all-in fee for the standard strategy. The cheapest of the three.

To put it in context: - CHF 100'000 in assets costs CHF 390/year - CHF 500'000 costs CHF 1'950/year

Over a career, that can easily save you CHF 5'000–10'000 compared to the others.

Arguments for finpension

Cost leader – That's the most significant differentiator. Full stop.
Broad ETF offering – finpension lets you choose from multiple ETFs, which is more flexible than VIAC.
99% equity allocation possible – Available for those who want it.
Simple interface – The app is functional and straightforward.
Reputable custodian bank – Glarner Kantonalbank is a genuine Swiss cantonal bank.

Weaknesses

Younger platform – finpension has only existed since around 2015. Not necessarily a problem, but some people prefer more established providers.
App experience – A bit utilitarian. Not wrong, just not as polished as VIAC or frankly.
Less hand-holding – finpension is more suited to people who know what they want.

Ideal for:

Anyone who watches every franc
Cost-conscious investors who don't place a premium on app aesthetics
People who like to decide which ETFs to include

frankly in detail: the premium option

Fee structure

frankly charges 0.44%–0.45% all-in fee. More expensive than VIAC at aggressive strategies (0.44%) and significantly more than finpension (0.39%).

That's the price for: - ZKB behind it - Premium app experience - Customer service of genuine banking quality

Arguments for frankly

ZKB behind it – Not just symbolic. There's a genuinely major bank here that has existed for around 150 years. For many people, that provides real peace of mind.
Excellent app – frankly has a premium app quality. Beautiful visualisations, fast performance, modern design.
Real banking trust – If you value a traditional bank relationship, this is for you.
Good customer service – Because it's a real bank, you can actually call them.
ESG strategies available – Sustainable investment options are implemented.

Weaknesses

Expensive – At 0.44%–0.45%, you pay significantly more than finpension. Over 30 years, that could be CHF 5'000–15'000.
Max. 95% equity allocation – Not 99%. Slightly limiting for younger investors.
Fewer strategies – Only ~10 predefined strategies. Fine, but less varied than VIAC.
Newer player – frankly has only existed since 2022. Not much track record yet.

Ideal for:

Anyone who values Swiss banking tradition
People who appreciate a top-tier app experience and are willing to pay for it
Those who prefer to engage directly with a real bank

Which one do I actually use?

I'll be honest: I personally use VIAC.

Not because it's objectively the best – but because it fits my situation. I'm 38, want to stay heavily invested in equities (I'm at 85%), and the app matters to me. I like being able to look at my Pillar 3a account and see it growing. It's motivating.

I could have gone with finpension – the CHF 3'000–5'000 I'd save over 25 years is not trivial. But the slightly more functional app and smaller strategy range is a genuine drawback for me.

frankly tempts me for a potential second Pillar 3a account. The app is genuinely beautiful, and the ZKB feel is not to be underestimated. But for my primary account, I'm not keen to pay that premium.

That doesn't mean you'd feel the same way. My priorities aren't yours.

Decision guide: 3 real scenarios

Scenario 1: "I want the lowest fees"

→ finpension

If cost efficiency is your top priority, finpension is your answer. At 0.39%, you save the most, systematically. Over 30 years and CHF 25'000 per year in contributions, that's real thousands.

Requirement: you don't need a visually slick, hand-holding app. You're fine with "functional but understated".

Scenario 2: "I want the most proven, solid solution"

→ VIAC

VIAC has stood the test of time, the app is polished, the strategy range is broad, and fees are fair. Not a spectacular reason to choose it, but a solid one.

Requirement: you're OK with not picking the absolute cheapest option.

Scenario 3: "I want a Swiss bank behind me"

→ frankly

If the ZKB feeling, the premium app, and real customer service matter to you, you'll happily pay for it. frankly is honestly expensive, but it's genuine quality.

Requirement: you're not watching the extra 0.05%–0.06% so closely that it bothers you.

Scenario 4: "I can't decide"

Here's the most important thing in this whole article:

All three are genuinely good. There's no "mistake" in choosing any of them. The only real mistake is not contributing at all.

The difference between VIAC, finpension, and frankly over 30 years is maybe CHF 10'000–20'000. The difference between "I contribute" and "I don't contribute" is CHF 200'000+.

Pick one, get started, and in three years you probably won't think about the choice anymore.

FAQ

1. Can I switch later?

Yes, absolutely. All three providers allow transfers without hassle. You can move your assets with no penalty fees. The switch takes 2–4 weeks.

So: if you realise VIAC isn't right for you, you can switch to finpension. No drama.

2. How safe is my money with these providers?

Very safe. All three work with genuine Swiss custodian banks: - VIAC: WIR Bank - finpension: Glarner Kantonalbank - frankly: ZKB

Your assets are held separately from the provider's own assets. Even if VIAC ceased operations tomorrow, your money is protected. Swiss banking law requires this.

3. What happens to my money if the provider goes under?

A reasonable concern. But: the money is held at the bank, not with the fintech provider. If VIAC went under, WIR Bank would hold your money and either return it or transfer it to a new provider.

The bigger theoretical risk is the custodian bank going under (extremely unlikely for WIR; essentially impossible for ZKB). In that scenario, the first CHF 100'000 per person is protected through Swiss deposit insurance.

4. Can I have multiple Pillar 3a accounts at the same time?

Yes, with limits. You can contribute a total maximum of CHF 7'056 per year (2026) across all accounts. You can split this between providers (e.g. CHF 3'528 to VIAC, CHF 3'528 to finpension).

Why would you? Mainly if you want to test different providers, or to build up multiple accounts for staggered withdrawals at retirement.

5. Which strategy should I choose?

It depends on your situation, but here's the rough rule of thumb:

Under 35: 85–99% equities. You have time to ride out fluctuations.
35–50: 70–85% equities. Slightly more conservative, but still equity-heavy.
50+: 50–70% equities. Less time ahead, less risk makes sense.
General rule: choose a strategy and don't check it every day. This is a 30-year game, not a 30-day game.

Conclusion: just get started

VIAC vs. finpension vs. frankly? A real question. But not the real question.

The real question is: are you going to start saving into Pillar 3a, or not?

All three providers are solid. All three let you save for retirement with tax advantages. And all three will give you significantly more security over 30 years than doing nothing.

If I could leave you with just one sentence, it would be this:

The best provider is the one you actually sign up with.

Choose one, open an account, make a contribution, and don't overthink it. In a year's time you'll realise: it wasn't that complicated after all.