Updated October 14, 2026 · VaultCue Editorial Team
Alpian vs Cake by VPBank
Alpian
Higher score in this comparison
Cake by VPBank
What sets them apart
| Compare | AlpianReviewSee alternativesSee alternatives | Cake by VPBankReviewSee alternativesSee alternatives |
|---|---|---|
| Currencies | 4 | 10Higher |
| Transfer fee | Free in-zone, CHF 7 out-of-zone | 2-10 USD per transaction, plus 11,000 VND per month service fee (fees include 10% VAT) |
| Monthly fee | CHF 0 | Not confirmed |
| Currency conversion fee | 0.2% | Not confirmed |
| Local account details | IBAN | Not confirmed |
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Key differences
- Alpian scores higher overall: 8.7 vs 8.4.
- Founded is lower at Alpian: 2019 vs 2021.
- Currencies is higher at Cake by VPBank: 10 vs 4.
- Support channels: only Alpian offers Chat.
- Support channels: only Cake by VPBank offers Phone, Help centre.
- Pricing model: only Alpian offers No monthly fee, Low FX.
- Pricing model: only Cake by VPBank offers Fixed rate.
Our verdict on each
Alpian
Alpian is built for expats and travelers who want a digital only account with a monthly fee of CHF 0 and a 0.2% conversion charge. The Swiss provider is supervised by FINMA, and the easy-access savings rate of 0.01% to 0.1% is modest for anyone building a large balance.
Cake by VPBank
Cake’s standard term deposit in Vietnam has a stated minimum of VND 100,000 and terms from 1 to 36 months. Interest can be paid at the beginning or end of the term, monthly or quarterly. The page describes partial or full early withdrawal subject to terms and confirms the deposit through Smart OTP.
Score breakdown
| Area | Alpian | Cake by VPBank |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 9.2Transfers cost Free in-zone, CHF 7 out-of-zone and the minimum deposit is CHF 0, so running costs stay thin. | Not confirmed |
| Offer | 8.8Easy-access savings at a variable rate, credited monthly with no lock-in and no cap, inside a digital only service. | 9.0Higher |
| Trust | 8.2Higher | 8.0 |
How they place
| Ranking | Alpian | Cake by VPBank |
|---|---|---|
| Savings accounts | 499 of 1420 | 586 of 1420 |
| Online banks | 156 of 402 | 205 of 402 |
Every fact side by side
| Fact | Alpian | Cake by VPBank |
|---|---|---|
| Audience | Expats, Travelers | Not confirmed |
| Pricing model | No monthly fee, Low FX | Fixed rate |
| Features | Digital only | Digital only |
| Legal entity | ALPIAN S.A. | VPBank Joint Stock Commercial Bank (Ngân hàng TMCP Việt Nam Thịnh Vượng) |
| Headquarters | Switzerland | Vietnam |
| Founded | 2019Lower | 2021 |
| Support channels | Email, Chat | Phone, Email, Help centre |
Savings
| Fact | Alpian | Cake by VPBank |
|---|---|---|
| Headline rate | 0.01% to 0.1% | 4.75% to 7.4%Higher |
| Rate type | Variable | Fixed |
| Term | Not confirmed | 1 to 36 months |
| Minimum deposit | CHF 0 | ₫100,000 |
| Access terms | Interest credited monthly, calculated annually; withdraw anytime without penalties, no lock-in, no maximum cap | Terms from 1 to 36 months; interest paid at beginning of term, end of term, monthly or quarterly; early partial or full withdrawal allowed, minimum partial withdrawal 100,000 VND (or 10% of the deposit) capped at 90% of the book, minimum remaining balance 100,000 VND; deposits covered by Vietnamese deposit insurance |
| Account kind | Easy access | Fixed |
Money transfer
| Fact | Alpian | Cake by VPBank |
|---|---|---|
| Delivery time | Not confirmed | Same day (VND credited the same day if funds arrive before the currency cut-off during processing hours, next business day if after cut-off) |
| Payout methods | Not confirmed | Bank |
| Fee to send 1,000 | Not confirmed | $2 to $10 |
Where each stands against the rest
| Fact | Alpian | Cake by VPBank | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly fee | CHF 0at the median | Not confirmed | CHF 0 |
| Currency conversion fee | 0.2%below the median | Not confirmed | 0.5% |
| Currencies | 4below the median | 10above the median | 5 |
Median across 536 listed accounts.
Pros and cons
Alpian
Pros
- Monthly fee of CHF 0, with a 0.2% charge on currency conversion.
- Interest credited monthly, withdrawals any time, no lock-in and no maximum cap on the balance.
- Regulated in Switzerland by FINMA, with iban details for local payments.
Cons
- Savings interest is modest at 0.01% to 0.1%, well under the 3% site median.
- The service is digital only, so there is no counter for anyone who prefers to deal with someone in person.
- Support runs on email and chat only, which is narrower than a phone line.
Cake by VPBank
Pros
- The listed deposit minimum is VND 100,000, with terms from 1 to 36 months.
- Interest-payment choices include the start or end of term, monthly or quarterly.
Cons
- Early partial or full withdrawal is subject to account terms; the page does not establish interest treatment after withdrawal.
Who each suits
Alpian
Who it suits
- Expats and travellers who need 4 currencies and iban details in one place.
- People who want savings without a lock-in, a balance cap or a minimum they have to hit.
- Holders who mostly move money in-zone, where transfers cost Free in-zone, CHF 7 out-of-zone.
Who should look elsewhere
- Skrill, for shoppers who want to pay straight from a wallet rather than hold savings.
- eToro, for people who also want to trade investments alongside the account.
- PayPal Colombia, for sellers who need a payee wallet for online payments.
Cake by VPBank
Who it suits
- Customers in Vietnam reviewing standard term-deposit options in Cake’s VPBank digital ecosystem.
Current offers
Cake by VPBank
Current offer
Bonus
Sep & Oct 2026 - New savers get +2.2%/year extra interest: +2.2%/year on first-time term deposits from 100,000 VND, terms 6-12 months, total up to 9.6%/year
First-time savings deposit at Cake, terms 6-13 months, promo terms apply
Source, checked September 26, 2026
Bonus
Sep & Oct 2026 - Loyal savers get up to +2.2%/year extra interest: up to +2.2%/year bonus, up to 9.6%/year total
Existing loyal savers, terms 6-13 months, promo terms apply
Source, checked September 26, 2026
Discount code
Save from 100 million VND and get BIGBANG show tickets: code BB20
Deposits from 100,000,000 VND with terms from 6 months
Source, checked September 26, 2026
Country by country
| Country | Alpian | Cake by VPBank |
|---|---|---|
| Switzerland | Yes | No |
| Vietnam | No | Yes |
Questions about each
Alpian
What does it cost to keep the account?+
There is a monthly fee of CHF 0, so nothing is taken out each month for holding the account. Currency conversion costs 0.2%, and transfers cost Free in-zone, CHF 7 out-of-zone. The savings side carries a minimum deposit of CHF 0 and no monthly charge.
How much does Alpian charge to convert currency?+
Conversion costs 0.2%, a little under the 0.22% median for everyday accounts and well under the 2.08% figure across the site. You can hold 4 currencies in the same account, with iban details for local payments.
Who regulates Alpian?+
Alpian is supervised by the Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority, and the account runs under ALPIAN S.A. in Switzerland. The company was founded in 2019. It is a digital only provider, which matters if you would rather handle banking in person.
Can I get at my savings whenever I want?+
Yes. Interest on the easy-access savings account is credited monthly and calculated annually, and you can withdraw whenever you want without penalty. There is no lock-in and no maximum cap, and the minimum deposit is CHF 0, so the balance can start small and grow.
Other options to compare
Other matchups
Related by the facts
Alpian
Cake by VPBank