Neon
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2018
- HeadquartersZürich, Switzerland
- Headcount51–100
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingSoftware
Neon firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Neon
- Legal name
- neon
- Website
- https://neon-free.ch
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2018
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 51–100 employees
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Neon industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Mobile Banking
- NAICS
- Depository Credit Intermediation (5221), Savings Institutions and Other Depository Credit Intermediation (522180), Commercial Banking (52211)
- SIC
- Commercial Banks, Nec (6029), Functions Related To Depository Banking, Nec (6099)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Retail-focused Neobanks (Mass Market) (FSABAFAA)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Digital Banking & Neobank Platforms (BPAMAFAD), BaaS Platforms & Sponsor Bank Enablement (FSAGALAA), Embedded Deposit Accounts & Digital Wallet Infrastructure (FSAGALAE), Customer Experience & Engagement (CRM, Support, Rewards, Loyalty) (FSAGAAAM)
Keywords
Where Neon is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Zürich
- HQ country
- Switzerland
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
Neon business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Software
- Cost components
- Technology or R&D, Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Interchange fees: When users use their neon card, merchants pay a small fee (interchange fee) set by the card network (Mastercard). Neon receives approximately 0.2-0.3% of the transaction amount for domestic payments in Switzerland.
- Foreign exchange fees: Foreign transaction fees for card payments abroad: 0.35% of transaction amount for neon free users. Higher-tier plans (plus, global, metal) eliminate this fee.
- Monthly subscription fees: Monthly fees from premium plans: neon plus (2 CHF/month), neon global (8 CHF/month), neon metal (15 CHF/month). Diversifies revenue beyond interchange.
- Trading commissions: Transaction fees for investing: 0.5% for ETFs and Swiss stocks, 1.0% for international stocks. No custody fees. Covers costs at Hypothekarbank Lenzburg for infrastructure, custody, and trading access.
- Partner referral commissions: Commissions from partner offerings in the app: Säule 3a partners (up to 150 CHF per completion), investment partners (up to 150 CHF per completion), insurance partners (up to 75 CHF per insurance), mortgage advisory partners (based on mortgage amount).
- ATM withdrawal fees: Fees for cash withdrawals: 2.50 CHF per withdrawal in Switzerland for free users; 1.5% for foreign withdrawals (free users). Premium plans offer free or reduced-cost withdrawals.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Freemium | Monthly | Free digital everyday account with essential banking features |
| Subscription | Monthly | Enhanced account with phone support and warranty extension |
| Subscription | Monthly | Borderless account with travel and cyber protection |
| Subscription | Monthly | Premium metal account with full insurance package |
| Subscription | Monthly | Sustainable banking with tree planting per 500 CHF spent |
| Subscription | Monthly | Digital joint account for couples (first in Switzerland) |
| Subscription | Monthly | Pillar 3a pension savings with automated investing |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels6 records
Neon product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Neon is a Swiss mobile-first neobank offering a digital everyday banking account paired with a debit Mastercard, delivered through a single iOS/Android app. The platform integrates current accounts, investment trading in stocks/ETFs/crypto-ETPs, automated savings plans, integrated Swiss pillar 3a pension savings, the first app-based joint account in Switzerland, and a sustainable banking option that plants trees with card spending. Banking infrastructure is provided by partner Hypothekarbank Lenzburg via Finstar banking-as-a-service.
Product overview
Neon is a Swiss mobile banking fintech company offering a multi-tier platform with a core digital account paired with a Debit Mastercard. The product portfolio centers on four subscription tiers (free, plus at 2 CHF/month, global at 8 CHF/month, and metal at 15 CHF/month) that layer additional services like phone support, travel/cyber insurance, and Wise integration discounts. Key integrated products include Neon Invest for stock/ETF trading, Neon Sparplan for automated monthly investments, and Neon Säule 3a for Swiss pension savings. The Neon Duo enables shared accounts for couples, while Neon Green adds sustainability features through tree-planting partnerships. All services are accessed via a single mobile app with banking infrastructure provided by Hypothekarbank Lenzburg.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- neon free: Free digital everyday account with basic banking features, zero monthly fees
- neon plus
- neon global
- neon metal
- neon duo
- neon green
- neon invest
- neon Sparplan
- neon Säule 3a
Products and services
- Neon Konto (Neon Account) Digital mobile banking account for daily finances providing Swiss residents with a current account, debit Mastercard, payments, Spaces money management, and email/card emergency support, fully managed through the neon iOS/Android app. Available as a free tier with optional subscription upgrades.
- Neon Mastercard (Debit Card) Worldwide debit Mastercard linked to the neon account, available in multiple variants including red recycled plastic for free/plus/global tiers, wooden and green plastic cards for neon green users, and a metal card for the metal tier. Used for in-store, online, and ATM transactions.
- Neon Invest Mobile investment feature allowing Swiss users to buy and sell over 400 stocks, ETFs, and crypto-ETPs directly from the neon app with 0.5% trading fees for ETFs and Swiss stocks and 1.0% for international stocks, with no custody fees. Includes pre-built investment portfolio templates (Vorsichtig, Ausgewogen, Ambitioniert) and Preisalarme price alerts at 3%/5%/10% thresholds.
- Neon Säule 3a Integrated Swiss pillar 3a tax-advantaged retirement savings with five investment strategies ranging from 25% to 100% equities, annual management fee of 0.39%-0.45% (decreasing with balance), and no custody, entry, or transaction fees. Minimum contribution 1 CHF.
- Neon Sparplan Automated monthly investment savings plan allowing users to schedule recurring purchases of up to 6 stocks and ETFs through the neon app, featuring 0% fee titles from partner offerings and fee-based purchases of other instruments for long-term wealth building.
- Neon Duo Digital joint account for Swiss couples, the first fully app-based joint account in Switzerland, enabling shared expense management and joint finances at 3 CHF per person per month with plan benefits applying to duo transactions for plus, global, and metal users.
- Neon Green Sustainable banking add-on available for 3 CHF/month on top of any neon plan, planting one tree for every 500 CHF spent using the neon Mastercard through partnerships with veritree and EarthLungs, with options for a wood Mastercard or standard green plastic card and CO2 footprint compensation for all accounts.
Quantifiable outcome
- 2 million trees planted by 7,500 neon green users in 1.5 years, compensating ~600,000 tonnes CO2
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use Neon
Customer profileNamed customers1 record
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles5 records
Neon technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration3 records
AI capability2 records
Feature4 records
Neon partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.
- Hypothekarbank LenzburgcoreCore banking-as-a-service partnership since 2018. The bank provides underlying banking infrastructure, technology, and regulatory framework. Manages 1.4 billion CHF in deposits from neon users as of end 2025. Extended partnership in 2026 for instant payments rollout.
- FinstarcoreIT subsidiary of Hypothekarbank Lenzburg providing technological infrastructure for neon's banking platform.
- Invesco Asset ManagementmajorLong-term partnership announced October 2023 for fee-free ETF trading. Goal to democratize investing in Switzerland through passive investment instruments with low barriers to entry.
- VanguardmajorPartnership to offer Vanguard FTSE All-World UCITS ETF with 0% trading fees through neon savings plan. Vanguard manages 12.5 trillion USD globally.
- Xtrackers (DWS)majorETF provider offering multiple 0% trading fee ETFs including Global Stocks (FTSE), Global Stocks ESG, Emerging Markets, S&P 500, Nasdaq 100, AI & Big Data, Clean Energy, Bitcoin and Ethereum trackers.
- Swisscanto (ZKB Asset Management)majorESG ETF partnership offering four sustainable ETFs (Swiss Stocks, Global Stocks, US Stocks, Eurozone Stocks) with 0% trading fees. Swisscanto is leading provider of sustainable investment solutions in Europe.
- simply3acorePension foundation that holds Säule 3a assets for neon customers. Part of the integrated 3a solution launched October 2025.
- Lienhardt & PartnercorePrivate bank that invests Säule 3a assets in Swisscanto funds. Part of the integrated pillar 3a solution with simply3a foundation.
- veritreemajorData-driven reforestation platform partnered from 2026 for verified tree planting. Uses on-ground monitoring and multi-level verification for transparency. Targets 1 billion verified trees by 2030.
- EarthLungsminorNon-profit organization working in Tudor Creek, Kenya. Has restored over 3,200 hectares of mangroves and plants 2+ million mangroves monthly. Partnered with veritree for neon green planting sites.
- Eden Reforestation Projects / Eden: People+PlanetminorTree planting partner from 2021 to early 2026. Planted trees in Haiti, Madagascar, Nepal, Indonesia, Mozambique, Kenya, Honduras, Nicaragua. Partnership ended as Eden shifted focus to carbon credits.
Scale indicators13 records
Recent moves8 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Neon competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Revolut: Revolut is the leading Swiss neobank with 1.2M customers and 53% market share, offering a similar mobile-first digital account with multi-currency, investing, and tiered subscription plans. Direct competitor in the same Swiss consumer segment.
- Yuh: Yuh is a Swiss neobank joint venture between PostFinance and Swissquote with 424K customers (19% share). Competes head-to-head with Neon on free everyday banking, investing, and Säule 3a in Switzerland.
- Zak (Bank Cler): Zak is the mobile-first banking app of Bank Cler (Basler Kantonalbank), targeting young Swiss consumers with a free account, payments, and savings features. Direct competitor in the Swiss digital banking category.
- Wise: Wise is integrated into Neon's app for international transfers and is also a competing offering for cross-border payments and multi-currency accounts in Switzerland. Both target consumers seeking low-cost cross-border financial services.
Broad incumbents
- Migros Bank: Migros Bank is an established Swiss retail bank offering free everyday banking and is a traditional incumbent competing for the same digital-first consumer segment in Switzerland.
- PostFinance: PostFinance is Switzerland's fifth-largest bank and co-owner of Yuh. It offers retail banking, payments, and Säule 3a products directly competing with Neon's product suite.
Regional players
- N26: N26 is a major European neobank with comparable mobile-first consumer banking features. While N26 does not currently serve Switzerland at scale, it represents the broader European neobank archetype Neon competes against in feature parity and customer expectations.
- Swissquote: Swissquote is a Swiss online bank/broker and co-owner of Yuh, offering trading, savings, and Säule 3a. Indirectly competes with Neon's invest and pillar 3a offerings through the Yuh platform.
Emerging players
- bunq: bunq is a European neobank offering tiered subscription banking with multi-currency, savings, and investing—closely mirroring Neon's freemium-plus strategy and product mix for European consumers.
Others
- Hypothekarbank Lenzburg: Hypothekarbank Lenzburg is Neon's core BaaS partner and Swiss private bank, providing the regulated banking infrastructure, deposit custody, and Finstar technology stack. Critical enabling partner rather than a competitor.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Neon social profiles
Digital presenceNeon compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance1 record
Neon financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Neon leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles4 records
Neon funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds7 records
Investors8 records
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Neon M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Neon
What does Neon do?
Neon is a Swiss mobile-first neobank offering a digital everyday banking account paired with a debit Mastercard, delivered through a single iOS/Android app. The platform integrates current accounts, investment trading in stocks/ETFs/crypto-ETPs, automated savings plans, integrated Swiss pillar 3a pension savings, the first app-based joint account in Switzerland, and a sustainable banking option that plants trees with card spending. Banking infrastructure is provided by partner Hypothekarbank Lenzburg via Finstar banking-as-a-service.
Is Neon a public or private company?
Neon is a private company. It is classified as venture growth investor backed and is currently operating.
When was Neon founded?
Neon was founded in 2018. It employs 51 to 100 people.
Where is Neon based?
Neon is headquartered in Zürich, Switzerland, in the Europe region.
How does Neon make money?
Six revenue lines are on record. Interchange fees are the primary driver. The others are foreign exchange fees, monthly subscription fees, trading commissions, partner referral commissions and ATM withdrawal fees.
Who are Neon's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Revolut, Yuh, Zak (Bank Cler) and Wise. Broad incumbents are Migros Bank and PostFinance. Regional players are N26 and Swissquote. bunq is listed as an emerging player. Hypothekarbank Lenzburg is listed as an others.
Does Neon have an API?
No public API is recorded for Neon.
What industry is Neon in?
Neon's product category is Mobile Banking. Its primary akta.pro industry code is FSABAFAA, Retail-focused Neobanks (Mass Market), with a secondary code of BPAMAFAD, Digital Banking & Neobank Platforms. Its NAICS code is 5221 and its SIC code is 6029.