1.0Market Snapshot
- 10,568
- Businesses in computer programming (custom software development) in 2024 (BFS STATENT, NOGA 62.01). IT consulting and operations and software publishing are counted in other classes.
- 68,126
- Employees in custom software development in 2024 (BFS STATENT), 59,168 full-time equivalents; 83.2% more than in 2011.
- +1.0%
- Employment growth in 2024 (BFS STATENT), after +11.5% in 2023 and an average of about 5% a year since 2011: hiring has slowed sharply.
According to Val Index analysis of Swiss commercial-register and federal data (2026), Switzerland counts 10,568 custom software development companies — Businesses in computer programming (custom software development) in 2024 (BFS STATENT, NOGA 62.01). IT consulting and operations and software publishing are counted in other classes..
2.0Industry Overview
Custom software development is one of Switzerland's fastest-growing industries over the long run. BFS counted 10,568 businesses in computer programming with 68,126 employees in 2024 (STATENT, NOGA 62.01), 58.8% more businesses and 83.2% more jobs than in 2011. Most are small: the average business has 6.4 employees, and a handful of engineering firms with several hundred staff, such as Zühlke, Netcetera, Adnovum and ti&m, sit at the top.
3.0Industry Health Check (SWOT)
- Demanding clients in banking, insurance, pharma and industry
- High salaries limit price competitiveness
- AI integration in client systems and AI-assisted development
- Gap of 54,400 ICT specialists by 2033 (ICT-Berufsbildung)
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Custom Software Development business valuation in Switzerland
- Statutory Multiple (EBITDA)
- 4.5 - 6.5×
- Deal Multiple (EBITDA)
- 6.0 - 8.5×
- Market Trend
- Rising
Indicative ranges based on market research. Actual multiples vary by company size, growth, and market conditions.
8.0Regional Clusters
Zurich
2,726 businesses with 25,111 employees in 2024 (BFS STATENT), 36.9% of the national total and 9.2 employees per business; Zühlke, Netcetera, Adnovum, ti&m and Ergon are registered here.
Western Switzerland
2,218 businesses with 12,135 employees.
Central Switzerland
1,685 businesses with 8,245 employees; BBV Software Services is registered in Lucerne.
Northwestern Switzerland
1,169 businesses with 6,620 employees; BSI is registered in Baden.
Eastern Switzerland
1,119 businesses with 5,354 employees.
Bern and Solothurn
1,081 businesses with 8,078 employees, 7.5 per business.
Ticino
570 businesses with 2,583 employees.
Sources
9.0Frequently Asked Questions
▶How much is a software development company worth in Switzerland?
ValIndex's multiples table puts Swiss software development at 6.0–8.5× EBITDA in transactions and 4.5–6.5× EBITDA on statutory valuations. Firms with recurring maintenance revenue, diversified clients and scarce skills sit at the upper end; project shops dependent on one client at the lower end.
▶What drives the value of a Swiss software development firm?
Buyers price: (1) recurring maintenance and operations revenue; (2) client diversification; (3) team stability and staff turnover; (4) utilisation and daily rates; (5) domain expertise in areas such as banking, payments or security; (6) a management level beyond the founders.
▶How big is the Swiss software development industry?
BFS counted 10,568 businesses in computer programming with 68,126 employees and 59,168 full-time equivalents in 2024 (STATENT, NOGA 62.01). Employment has grown by 83.2% since 2011, but only by 1.0% in 2024.
▶Who are the main Swiss software development firms?
Leading firms include Zühlke in Schlieren, Netcetera, Adnovum, ti&m and Ergon in Zurich, BSI in Baden and BBV Software Services in Lucerne.
▶What are the key trends in Swiss software development?
Five trends: (1) a sharp slowdown in hiring; (2) more cautious clients; (3) security and identity as a growth area; (4) a lasting shortage of specialists; (5) strategic owners buying into Swiss firms.
▶What are the main risks when buying a Swiss software firm?
The main risks are: (1) dependence on one or a few clients; (2) key-person risk among founders and lead engineers; (3) project revenue that can drop quickly; (4) staff turnover in a tight labour market; (5) price pressure from offshore providers and AI tools. Due diligence should check client concentration, contract terms, utilisation and staff retention.
▶How severe is the shortage of ICT specialists in Switzerland?
ICT-Berufsbildung Schweiz expects a gross need of 128,600 additional ICT specialists by 2033. About 44,400 should come from the education system and 29,800 from immigration, leaving a gap of 54,400 (Netzwoche, September 2025).
▶Where are Swiss software development firms located?
Using BFS figures for 2024: Zurich has the most software development businesses (2,726, with 25,111 employees), followed by Western Switzerland (2,218; 12,135), Central Switzerland (1,685; 8,245), Northwestern Switzerland (1,169; 6,620), Eastern Switzerland (1,119; 5,354), Bern and Solothurn (1,081; 8,078) and Ticino (570; 2,583).