In short: Leasing spreads the cost of an ultrasound system over its working life instead of paying it at once. For a practice that is starting, expanding or replacing a system without touching its reserves, it is often the simpler route. Purchase gives the lowest total cost; leasing gives the lowest entry cost and a predictable monthly figure. Meditron SA, Samsung Healthcare's partner in Switzerland, offers both through its financing partners and quotes them side by side.

Key takeaways

• Leasing means fixed monthly instalments over a set term, typically with a purchase option at the end.

• Instalments are an operating expense for the practice; purchase is an investment that is depreciated. Your fiduciary decides which fits your situation.

• The leased object is the whole configuration: system, probes, software packages and often the service contract.

• Check term, end-of-term options, insurance, what happens on early termination and whether service is included.

• Certified pre-owned systems can also be leased, which lowers the instalment further.

Last reviewed: October 2026. Author: Dr. Henri Hagenmüller, Managing Director.

What is ultrasound leasing?

A leasing company buys the system and lets the practice use it for an agreed term against monthly instalments. At the end of the term the practice can usually buy the system for a residual value, extend, or return it and switch to a newer model. The practice uses the system from day one as if it owned it; Meditron installs, trains and services it exactly as for a purchased system.

Purchase or leasing: which fits my practice?

The tax and accounting side differs by canton and legal form; your fiduciary should look at both options with the actual quote. Meditron provides the two quotes so that comparison is straightforward. Background on what drives the price itself is in how much a Samsung ultrasound system costs in Switzerland.

What does a leasing quote include?

The leased object is the complete configuration, so the quote should list the system, every probe, the software packages, delivery, installation, DICOM connection and applications training. A service contract can be included in the instalment or run separately; including it means one monthly figure covers everything, which many practices prefer. Insurance of the equipment is usually required by the leasing company and may be included or arranged by the practice.

When does leasing make sense?

• Starting a practice. Reserves go into fit-out and staff; the ultrasound system is paid from the income it generates.

• Expanding. A second room or a second system without a large one-off payment.

• Replacing an old system. The old system can be traded in; the new one is leased with a fixed monthly cost.

• Keeping options open. A shorter term with an exchange option suits practices that expect to grow into a larger system.

• Pre-owned. A certified pre-owned Samsung system from Meditron can be leased too, which lowers the instalment further.

Purchase remains the better choice when the practice has the reserves and intends to keep the system for eight to ten years: the total cost is lowest and there is no contract to manage.

What should I check in a leasing contract?

1. Term and instalment: how many months, what is fixed, what could change.

2. End of term: purchase option and residual value, extension, return conditions.

3. Early termination: what it costs if the practice closes, merges or wants to upgrade sooner.

4. What is in the object: every probe and software package listed; nothing you need left out.

5. Service and warranty: whether the service contract is in the instalment and who the warranty partner is.

6. Insurance: who insures the system against damage and theft.

7. Ownership and transfer: what happens if the practice changes legal form or owner.

How does leasing through Meditron work?

You choose the system and configuration with Meditron as usual. Meditron prepares a purchase quote and a leasing quote through its financing partners, with the service contract shown separately so the two are comparable. Once the leasing is approved, delivery, installation, training and service are the same as for a purchased system. The practice has one contact for the equipment, Meditron, and one for the financing, the leasing partner.

Next step

Ask Meditron for a purchase and a leasing quote. Related: how much a Samsung ultrasound system costs in Switzerland and new or pre-owned. Overview of all models: Samsung ultrasound at Meditron.

Sources: Meditron SA sales practice and financing partners' standard terms; no figures quoted. Tax treatment: consult your fiduciary.

Author: Dr. Henri Hagenmüller, Managing Director, Meditron SA. Reviewed by: Nikita Müller, Sales Consultant Ultrasound. Last updated: October 2026.