Zak Pillar 3a Account Review in September 2025
Everything you need to know about Zak bank's 3rd pillar account: opening, fees, returns, allocation, investment strategy. Our review.
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Everything you need to know about Zak bank’s 3rd pillar account: opening, fees, returns, allocation, investment strategy. Our review.
Description
The 3rd pillar offered by Zak remains true to the app’s spirit: accessible, digital, and no-frills. You can open a 3a account in minutes, invest according to your risk profile, and manage everything from the mobile app. However, compared to specialized platforms (VIAC, finpension, frankly), the level of personalization remains limited.
An ultra-simple opening from the app (and only the app)
Everything happens on your smartphone: account opening is done directly from the Zak app, with no papers to send.
The interface allows you to:
- make a one-time or recurring deposit;
- track your performance;
- modify your allocation.
Good to know :
- You must be a Swiss resident and earn income subject to OASI.
- No web version is offered → everything happens on mobile.
Yes, and it’s recommended to optimize taxation at the time of withdrawal.
No. You can start with small amounts and increase them over time.
Yes. Account assets (uninvested portion) are guaranteed up to CHF 100,000 by Esisuisse. Invested funds follow market values.
Promo Code
Free account ✔︎
The two types of Zak’s 3rd pillar
Zak offers two distinct approaches for its 3a account:
Guaranteed Rate
- The Pillar 3a account with a guaranteed rate of 0.50%. It’s a risk-free solution, interesting if you’re looking for security rather than returns.
But beware: in a low-interest rate environment, these returns remain limited against inflation.
Variable Rate (Securities Investment)
- Savings are invested according to your risk profile, with a flexible allocation from 0% to 100% in equities.
With Zak, you get a pre-configured offer, without direct access to funds or the ability to build your own portfolio.
Yes, directly in the app. You can adjust the equity portion according to your risk tolerance.
Yes. Zak allows you to change your approach at any time: you can switch from the fixed-rate account to a securities strategy according to your preferences (and vice versa). However, you cannot combine the two on the same account.
Risk profile
Zak offers four standard profiles:
- Income → approx. 25% equities · for cautious investors
- Balanced → approx. 50% equities · for those seeking a security/return compromise
- Growth → approx. 75% equities · for dynamic savers with a long-term horizon
- Equities → 100% equities · for aggressive profiles aiming for maximum returns
It includes:
- diversified ETFs
- a bond portion for cautious profiles
- a sustainable option (ESG)
Net fees, but higher than specialists
No opening or deposit fees: transparency is key → it’s clear, with no surprises.
However, Zak charges approximately 1.25% per year on the invested portion – a significantly higher level than specialized platforms like finpension (~0.39%), VIAC (~0.38%), or frankly (~0.45%).
it remains interesting if you want a simple solution integrated into your banking app, but not if you’re looking to optimize every franc in fees. In summary, Zak remains competitive compared to traditional banks (often >1.5%), but significantly less advantageous than digital 3a specialists for those who want to minimize their fees.
🌱 Integrated Sustainable Option
An ESG strategy is offered for those who wish to align their investments with environmental and social criteria.
But this option remains general. There is no thematic choice, nor detailed impact tracking like with providers such as Inyova or Radicant.
Fees & Personalization
Zak 3a vs. Specialized Platforms Comparison
| Criterion | Zak 3a | VIAC | finpension | frankly |
| Annual fees on invested portion | ~1.25% | ~0.38% | ~0.39% | ~0.45% |
| Number of strategies | 4 standard profiles | 10+ | 10+ | 5 |
| Allocation customization | ✘ No (fixed profiles) | ✔ Partial | ✔ Advanced | ✔ Partial |
| Thematic choices (ESG, etc.) | ✔ ESG available, but not customizable | ✔ ESG with partial customization | ✔ ESG with thematic filters | ✔ ESG with standard profiles |
| Web portal | ✘ No | ✔ Yes | ✔ Yes | ✔ Yes |
| 100% mobile opening | ✔ Yes | ✔ Yes | ✔ Yes | ✔ Yes |
Key takeaways – Who is Zak 3a for?
Advantages:
- 100% mobile opening, in minutes
- No hidden fees
- Simple, readable interface
- Possibility to open multiple 3a accounts to optimize tax withdrawal
- Sustainable investment option available
- Real-time tracking of Pillar 3a account contributions
- Automation of payments
What to Keep in Mind:
- No integrated support or advice
- No web portal
- Few investment strategies available (compared to finpension or VIAC)
- No advanced customization
- No integrated support or advice
Our review of Zak 3a: a simple solution, but not designed for maximum optimization
Zak allows you to save without complicating your life: quick opening, mobile management, and the option to choose between a guaranteed rate (currently 0.50%) or a securities strategy.
The fixed-rate option provides rare security in the digital 3a world, but remains unattractive in the long term given inflation.
The securities part, however, allows for seeking higher returns, but with fees around 1.25%/year, higher than those of specialized digital solutions. In summary: the solution is practical if you want to centralize your pension provision in Zak, less convincing if the goal is to optimize costs and strategy.
The verdict on Zak Pillar 3a
✔ Choose if…
- You already use Zak and want to manage everything in one place.
- You prefer a mobile, simple solution with a guaranteed rate as a safety net.
✘ Avoid if…
- You want to minimize fees.
- You are looking to customize your portfolio or invest in specific themes.
Promo Code
Free account ✔︎
Also read
- Review and Test of Yuh Investment Trading
- Review and test of Neon Investment Trading
- Review and Test of Alpian Investment Trading
What do you think of Zak for your pension?
- Has the Zak app made account opening easier?
- What feature would you like to customize or improve?
- Is Zak Pillar 3a optimized enough for you?
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