NEON Bank – Review, Test, and Comprehensive Review (October 2025)

NEON Bank is the first independent Swiss neo-bank. Its app focuses on simplicity of operation with a clean design. It relies on the Hypothekarbank Lenzburg to provide its financial services.

Neon offers 4 mobile bank account packages, tailored to different needs:

Neon Free 💳 – Free

Neon Free is perfectly suitable for basic local use, but its limitations quickly become apparent when traveling or withdrawing money.

Neon plus ➕ (2 CHF/Month)

Includes the benefits of Neon Free, plus:

• 2 free withdrawals in Switzerland per month
• No foreign exchange fees abroad
• Phone customer service

Neon Global 🌍 (8 CHF/Month)

Includes the benefits of Neon Plus, plus:

• Insurance package included (shopping, travel, cyber, etc.)
• Cashback on Wise transfers
• Reduced fees for payments or withdrawals abroad

Neon Metal 💎 (15 CHF/Month)

Includes the benefits of Neon Global, plus:

• Metal Mastercard
• Phone insurance against damage and theft
• Free withdrawals worldwide

Neon Green and Neon Duo

You can customize your account with 2 additional extensions compatible with all plans:

🌱 Neon Green (3 CHF/Month)

• Wooden card (Mastercard Debit)
• Extended warranty for electronic devices
• Integrated carbon offsetting
• Free card delivery
• 1 tree planted for every CHF 500 spent

👥 Neon Duo (3 CHF/Month per Person)

• Shared account with 2 co-holders
• 2 cards, 1 common IBAN
• Consolidated view of transactions
• Budget tools and shared expense tracking

Neon Invest

Also discover all of Neon’s investment solutions (ETFs, stocks, etc.) in our dedicated review.

Promo Code

Use promo code VSWH3C when opening your account.

Free account ✔︎

Open an account

Neon bank is available in French, German, English and Italian.

Step-by-step guide to opening a NEON account

💳 Mastercard Prepaid NEON Free in brief :

• Contactless payment without code up to CHF 80/purchase, max CHF 250/day. Cannot be modified. Beyond that, the code is required.
• Works with Apple Pay / Google Pay / Samsung Pay / SwatchPAY! / Garmin Pay
• Push notifications for card payments
• Daily payment limit: 5,000 CHF online and in-store
• Monthly payment limit: 10,000 CHF

You can temporarily block your card from the app, but you have to go to the ATM to change the PIN code.

The default cash withdrawal limit is CHF 2,000/day or 10,000/month. The card is only funded from the main account (money from Spaces is excluded).

Promo Code

Use promo code VSWH3C when opening your account.

Free account ✔︎

Open an account

The Neon Bank app is adapted to all situations in Switzerland:

• Track account movements
• Push notification of movements
• View expenses by category
• eBill 🇨🇭
• Standing orders
• Scan payment slips (QR invoices) 🇨🇭
• Create “Spaces” sub-accounts
• Instant payment with “Pay a friend” (from Neon user to Neon user)
• Change contact details (2FA required)
• Temporarily block the card
• neon invest allows you to invest in stocks (Swiss and international) and ETFs directly through the app
• Open a joint account directly from the app
• Open a savings plan
• Budget tools and detailed expense tracking

The features it lacks :

✘ A dark mode, yet so popular nowadays.
✘ Create sub-accounts in other currencies (as offered by YUH).
✘ Change card limits in the app.
✘ Buying and selling cryptocurrencies. Too bad because we count on the fintech DNA to bridge the gap between the cryptic world of crypto and the people 😉 Neon should find a way to offer at least Bitcoin (BTC) / Ethereum (ETH).

Neon offers no interest rate.

• Instant transfers with “pay a friend” (from Neon user to Neon user).
• An IBAN transfer within Switzerland made before noon arrives on the same day. If it’s done in the afternoon, it arrives the next day.
• A transfer abroad takes from a few minutes to a maximum of 24 hours.

Promo Code

Use promo code VSWH3C when opening your account.

Free account ✔︎

Open an account

• Free bank account
• IBAN CH free of charge
• Prepaid Mastercard 20 CHF for Neon Free and Plus, free for Neon Global and Metal
• Replacement card 20 CHF (120 CHF for the metal card)
• 👛 Virtual sub-accounts “Spaces” free
• 💳 Card payments without transaction fees
• Exchange fees without markup on the Mastercard exchange rate, except for Neon Free (0.35%)

neon invest

• Swiss stocks and ETFs: 0.5% of the purchase or sale price per transaction
• International stocks: 1.0%
• From July 1, 2024: Minimum fee of 1 CHF per transaction, except:
  • Above 200 CHF for Swiss stocks or ETFs
  • Above 100 CHF for international stocks and investment plans

Discover all Neon Invest’s investment solutions (ETFs, stocks, etc.) in our dedicated review.

Money transfers in Switzerland 🇨🇭 ➔ 🇨🇭

IBAN transfers in CHF are free. In EUR, there are no transaction fees, but a 1.5% markup on the Mastercard exchange rate.

International transfers 🇨🇭 ➔ 🌍

SEPA transfers are not available, but Neon allows you to save fees and time with international transfers:

➔ A very advantageous exchange rate at the average market rate.

➔ Transfers that can end up on the other side of the world in a matter of minutes.

How does it work?

• It’s the WISE service that operates these transfers. It’s generally faster, less expensive, and more transparent than IBAN and SEPA transfers.
• The fees are clearly indicated. They range between 0.8 and 1.7%. This includes a 0.40% convenience fee applied by Neon for integrating the service into the app. Therefore, it’s not necessary to have a WISE account.

Cash withdrawals in Switzerland 🇨🇭

At ATMs (cash dispensers) :

• Neon Free: 2 CHF per withdrawal
• Neon Plus: free 2x/month then 2 CHF per withdrawal
• Neon Global: free 3x/month then 2 CHF per withdrawal
• Neon Metal: free 5x/month then 2 CHF per withdrawal

☝️ Withdrawal limit: 1,000 CHF

➔ In parallel, Neon enables free cash withdrawals in stores, kiosks and restaurants with Sonect, whose updated partner locations are shown below.

➔ You can also withdraw cash from Lidl cashiers (CHF max 300.-/withdrawal) conditional on a minimum purchase of CHF 10.

Cash withdrawals abroad 🌍

ATMs (classic cash dispensers)

• Neon Free: 1.5% of the withdrawn amount, no exchange rate markup
• Neon Plus: 1% of the withdrawn amount, no exchange rate markup
• Neon Global: 0.5% of the withdrawn amount, no exchange rate markup
• Neon Metal: free withdrawals

There is a daily cash withdrawal limit of 1K CHF or 1K EUR.

Neon Metal is essentially free withdrawals everywhere for CHF 15/month. Once you’ve done the math: at what usage level is it worth taking out Neon Metal?

3 examples:

• In Switzerland, you need to use the 2 free withdrawals from Neon Free + make 8 additional withdrawals.
• Abroad, you need to withdraw more than 1000 CHF.
• A combination of 500 CHF withdrawal abroad + 6 withdrawals in Switzerland.

You can easily place yourself in front of these 3 examples to find out if Neon Metal is right for you. ✔︎

Don’t forget:

• Replacement Neon metal card charged at 120 CHF (compared to 20 CHF for other offers)
• Free delivery of the metal card included

Promo Code

Use promo code VSWH3C when opening your account.

Free account ✔︎

Open an account

With NEON bank, there are no transaction fees or exchange fees.

The exchange rate is Mastercard’s, which is about 0.5% above the actual interbank rate. In comparison, it’s more advantageous than Zak, for example, which also uses a VISA reference rate but with a 2% markup.

📍 We always recommend paying in local currency.

• International transfers via WISE available in more than 40 currencies
• Application adapted for mobile payments abroad (Apple Pay / Google Pay, etc.)

Here’s how to deposit cash into your Neon bank account. Purchase a TWINT top-up at a Post Office, Coop, or Interdiscount with the amount you wish to deposit into your account:

With TWINT Prepaid, you need to select the “Unload credit” function then indicate an amount and the account IBAN.

The money is deposited into the account 2 to 3 working days later.

Accessibility: by phone 🤳 Monday to Friday from 8am to 5pm. Response time is quick. By email and form in the app, the response window is two days ⏳, but urgent matters are dealt with quickly.

Unlike N26 and Revolut, it is not possible to speak to a support person directly via chat from the app or website.

Reported experience generally excellent. On the basis of all our interactions in French, the agents are fully up to the level of their promises. There’s a real culture of user feedback within the support department, so that information can be passed on to the development team. Even on Fridays, at the end of the day, even if the call goes overtime, the search for solutions and the efficiency are there.

Relatively inconsequential. NEON bank’s limited offer allows you to benefit from discounts with partner businesses such as: NordVPN, MoneyPark, EF, etc.

No standardized and developed cashback system like some neobanks such as Zak, Radicant and Revolut.

Neon is currently one of the best neo-banks in Switzerland. The app provides a CH IBAN and Swiss QR bill payment and eBill. It is particularly interesting for customers resident in Switzerland who often travel or regularly spend across the border. It’s the best Swiss card for paying abroad, as there are no exchange rate surcharges or foreign fees.

✔︎ As the card costs 0 CHF with our code VSWH3C, you can open an additional account for free with another app. to take advantage of each one and compare services in practice 👍.

Neon vs Zak

Zak natively integrates TWINT, supports eBill, LSV, and covers common payments in Switzerland seamlessly. However, it doesn’t allow managing multiple currencies, severely limits withdrawals outside Switzerland, and offers no access to investment.

Neon bank is more minimalist in terms of classic banking services, but better suited for foreign payments and small investments from the app.

To be preferred if…

• You want a simple app, with integrated TWINT, for 100% local use in CHF: Zak (read Zak review and test)
• You sometimes pay in foreign currencies, travel, or want to invest easily: Neon

To avoid if…

• You’re looking for a multi-currency tool (Zak is limited to CHF)
• You often use TWINT (not compatible with Neon)
• You need an all-in-one tool for bills, payments, transfers and local management (Zak is more complete in this aspect)

Yuh vs Neon

Neon bank offers a better experience for everyday Swiss payments: CH IBAN, QR-bills, eBill, LSV, and free CHF withdrawals. However, the lack of native TWINT and the inability to hold multiple currencies limit its use when traveling or receiving funds in EUR.

Yuh covers traditional Swiss banking services less comprehensively, but it has an advantage in multi-currency payments, EUR withdrawals, and access to investment.

Also read

For a detailed comparison, criterion by criterion: check our complete analysis of Neon vs Yuh.

To be preferred if…

• You live in Switzerland, with regular payments in CHF and bills to manage easily: Neon
• You pay in EUR, travel or wish to invest occasionally: Yuh (read Yuh review and test)

To avoid if…

• You use TWINT daily
• You’re looking for a multi-currency account or an EUR IBAN
• You want to manage your payments, expenses and investments in several currencies

Neon vs Alpian

Alpian allows holding multiple currencies in a single account (CHF, EUR, USD, GBP), making international transfers without fees, and accessing an investment platform assisted by a human advisor. However, the card costs 60 CHF, withdrawals in Switzerland are charged 2 CHF, TWINT is only available as prepaid, and the app remains focused on wealth management logic.

Neon bank is more direct, without fixed fees, smoother for everyday payments in Switzerland, but without multi-currency features or personalized financial management.

To be preferred if…

• You want an account without fixed fees, compatible with Swiss payments and suitable for daily use in CHF: Neon
• You’re looking for personalized support to invest capital, with integrated wealth management: Alpian (read Alpian review and test)

To avoid if…

• You use TWINT or pay regularly by LSV
• You want a free card or CHF withdrawals without surcharge
• You don’t have an active investment project (Alpian then loses its main interest)

Neon vs Radicant

Radicant focuses on an ecological positioning, with a modern interface and access to investments aligned with sustainable goals. But it still lacks common banking functions: no TWINT, no eBill, no LSV, and only one CHF account. Withdrawals in Switzerland are limited, and the card is still in a transitional phase.

Neon bank remains more comprehensive for managing payments, bills, and daily withdrawals, even if the investment offer is more basic and without ESG filters.

To be preferred if…

• You’re looking for a stable solution for CHF payments, Swiss bills and free withdrawals: Neon
• You want to invest according to sustainability criteria and give meaning to your portfolio: Radicant (read review and test of Radicant)

To avoid if…

• You need TWINT or a complete billing system (QR, eBill, LSV)
• You want a ready-to-use card, well integrated for physical withdrawals and payments
• You don’t plan to invest in the short term (Radicant then loses its main interest)

Yuh vs. Neon vs. Revolut

(See reviews on the complete review of Yuh and the complete review of Revolut Switzerland.)

Free bank account	✔︎		✔︎		✔︎
Individual CH IBAN	✔︎		✔︎		✘
Free bank card	✔︎		✘		✘
Withdrawal in Switzerland	✔︎		✔︎		✔︎
International transfers	✔︎		✔︎		✔︎
Traveling abroad	✘		✔︎		✔︎
TWINT	✔︎		✔︎		✘

Promo Code

Use promo code VSWH3C when opening your account.

Free account ✔︎

Open an account

What do you think of Neon?

• Does the Neon app make your daily life easier?
• What feature would you like to customize or improve?
• Is Neon suitable for your needs abroad?

Share your feedback with all Neo’s friends 😈