Lidl vs Aldi in Switzerland: Which is Actually Cheaper?

Lidl and Aldi arrived in Switzerland in the early 2000s with a straightforward pitch: fewer products, no frills, lower prices. They've been reshaping Swiss grocery shopping ever since. Migros and Coop had to create their M-Budget and Prix Garantie budget lines specifically to compete with them on price.

But between the two discounters, which one is actually cheaper?

The short answer is that they're extremely close. The price gap between Lidl and Aldi is tiny compared to the gap between either discounter and Migros or Coop. That said, there are meaningful differences beyond price: Lidl's loyalty card, store locations, product range and weekly promotions all play a role.

The data here comes from independent tests by K-Tipp and RTS "A Bon Entendeur", plus the prices we track continuously through Rappn.

The numbers

Let's start with the facts. In two independent tests conducted on the same day, using the same shopping list in comparable stores, Lidl and Aldi came out virtually tied:

K-Tipp test (40 everyday products):

• Lidl: CHF 66.64
• Aldi: CHF 66.69
• Difference: 5 centimes on the entire basket

RTS "A Bon Entendeur" test (30 basic products):

• Lidl: CHF 162.05
• Aldi: CHF 166.59
• Difference: about CHF 4.50, roughly 3%

For context: in the same RTS test, Migros came in at CHF 170.37 and Coop at CHF 173. The discounters are 15–20% cheaper than the two big retailers on comparable products.

In the more specialised K-Tipp test (less common items like cauliflower, rocket, herb butter, Ticino bread), the gap between discounters and big supermarkets widened further: the Lidl basket cost CHF 53.87, the Migros basket CHF 85.37. Nearly 60% more.

Tests compare the cheapest available product in each store. Prices vary by canton and week.

Where Lidl wins

Lidl Plus: the card Aldi doesn't have. This is arguably the biggest practical difference between the two. Lidl Plus is a free app that works as a digital loyalty card. Scan it at the checkout to get automatic discounts on selected products, personalised coupons and points (one point per franc spent) that you can exchange for vouchers or free products. Aldi has no loyalty programme at all. Their approach is "low prices every day, for everyone, no card needed."

In practice, Lidl Plus can save you an extra 5–10% on certain products on top of the already low shelf price. If you shop at Lidl regularly, it's a real benefit.

Slightly more aggressive base prices. In the RTS test, Lidl had the cheapest total basket of all five Swiss supermarkets. In March 2026, Lidl Switzerland also permanently lowered prices on around 60 everyday items.

The bakery. Anyone who shops at Lidl regularly knows this one: the fresh bread baked in-store is some of the best in the discount segment. The Ruchbrot, the butter croissants, the milk rolls. For many families, it's a genuine selling point.

Where Aldi wins

More stores across Switzerland. Aldi Suisse has a wider network of locations. Outside the major cities, you're more likely to find an Aldi nearby than a Lidl. If convenience matters, Aldi often has the shorter drive.

The everyday-low-price philosophy. Aldi doesn't rely on big flash promotions. Their strategy is consistently low prices without the need to check flyers or activate coupons. If you don't want to think about weekly deals, Aldi is the simpler option.

Growing organic range. Aldi's "Natur Aktiv" organic line has expanded significantly in recent years. Organic milk costs CHF 1.80 per litre at Aldi, the same as Lidl and less than Migros (CHF 1.85) or Coop (CHF 1.90).

What they have in common

Both Lidl and Aldi sell alcohol (wine, beer, prosecco) directly in store. This sets them apart from Migros, which doesn't sell alcohol in its supermarkets. If you want to do your entire shop in one place, drinks included, both discounters have you covered.

The main limitation for both is the product range. Lidl and Aldi carry around 1,500–2,000 products per store, compared to 20,000–30,000 at a mid-sized Migros or Coop. If you're looking for a specific ingredient, a Swiss regional product or a particular brand, you may not find it at the discounter.

Both have significantly expanded their fresh fruit and vegetable offering in recent years, and quality has improved noticeably. Several tests, including by Kassensturz, have confirmed that fresh produce quality at the discounters is now comparable to the big supermarkets.

So, Lidl or Aldi?

If you have both nearby, the choice comes down to your habits more than the prices.

Choose Lidl if you want to take advantage of the coupons and extra discounts from Lidl Plus, you appreciate the fresh in-store bakery, and you don't mind checking the weekly promotions for deals.

Choose Aldi if you prefer a straightforward shop with low prices every day and no need for apps or loyalty cards, if your nearest Aldi is more convenient, or if you're looking for a good organic range.

Either way, you'll save 15 to 25% compared to Migros and Coop on your weekly shop. Over a year, for a family, that adds up to several hundred francs.

The insider tip? The biggest savings don't come from choosing between Lidl and Aldi. They come from buying your staples at the discounter and picking up branded products at Migros and Coop only when they're on promotion. That's the combination that really pays off.

Compare deals from every supermarket

Checking flyers from every supermarket each week isn't realistic for anyone.

Rappn collects offers and prices from Migros, Coop, Aldi, Lidl, Denner, Otto's and Aligro in one place. You can filter by canton, search for the products you care about and see where they're cheapest.

If there's a product you buy regularly, you can set up an alert and get notified when it goes on promotion.

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