Octopus Energy Review: Is It a Good Energy Supplier in 2026?
Octopus Energy has grown faster than almost any other supplier in the UK energy market. Founded less than a decade ago, it now supplies millions of households and has built a reputation that many longer-established suppliers would envy.
It is particularly well known for renewable electricity tariffs, strong customer service scores, and a range of smart tariffs designed for households with flexible energy habits. But reputation alone does not pay the bills, and whether Octopus is the right supplier for your home depends on more than just what other people say about it.
This review covers the key things you need to know before switching. You will find a breakdown of tariffs and pricing, a summary of customer feedback, and an honest look at where Octopus performs well and where it falls short.
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Octopus Energy: Company Background
Octopus Energy was founded in 2016 and is headquartered in London. For a supplier that has only been operating for around nine years, its growth has been remarkable. It now serves millions of customers across the UK and has expanded internationally, operating in markets including the US, Germany, Japan, and Australia.
The company was built around a technology platform called Kraken, which it developed in-house to manage customer accounts, billing, and energy data. Octopus has licenced this platform to other energy companies, which gives you a sense of how central technology is to how it operates.
Octopus supplies 100% renewable electricity as standard across its tariffs. The electricity is matched by renewable energy certificates, meaning that for every unit of electricity you use, an equivalent amount is fed into the grid from renewable sources. This does not mean the electricity physically flowing into your home comes from a wind turbine, but it does mean your consumption is backed by renewable generation.
The supplier has picked up multiple awards for customer service, regularly appearing near or at the top of Ofgem and consumer satisfaction surveys. This is one of the main reasons households consider switching to Octopus. Many people who have been with larger legacy suppliers for years report a noticeable difference in how easy it is to deal with Octopus directly.
That said, Octopus is no longer a scrappy underdog. It is now one of the largest suppliers in the UK, and with scale comes the same pressures that have challenged bigger suppliers before it. It is worth reading recent reviews rather than relying solely on its historical reputation
Octopus Energy Tariffs Explained
One of the things that sets Octopus apart is the range of tariffs it offers. Some are straightforward. Others are designed for households with smart meters and specific energy habits. Here is a breakdown of the main options.
Fixed tariffs
Octopus offers fixed rate tariffs that lock in your unit rate for a set period, usually 12 months. Your rate will not change during that time regardless of what happens in the wider market. This gives you certainty over your bills and protection if energy prices rise.
The downside is the same as with any fixed deal. If market prices fall, you will not benefit until your deal ends. Some fixed tariffs carry exit fees, so check the terms before committing.
Octopus Flexible
This is Octopus’s standard variable tariff. It tracks the Ofgem price cap, so your unit rate will move when the cap is reviewed each quarter. There are no exit fees, which makes it easy to leave if you find a better deal elsewhere. It suits households who want simplicity without being tied into a fixed contract.
Octopus Tracker
The Tracker tariff moves daily based on wholesale energy prices. It can be cheaper than the price cap when wholesale costs are low, but it can also rise above it when market prices spike. This tariff is best suited to households who are comfortable with some price variability and want to take advantage of periods when wholesale energy is cheap.
Octopus Agile
Agile is one of Octopus’s more distinctive offerings. It offers half-hourly pricing that changes throughout the day based on wholesale rates. Energy is cheaper during off-peak periods, often overnight, and more expensive during peak demand times. To make the most of it, you need a smart meter and some flexibility in when you run appliances or charge devices. Households with electric vehicles or battery storage systems are often well suited to this tariff.
Green tariffs
All Octopus electricity tariffs are backed by 100% renewable electricity. For customers who also want to offset gas usage or explore additional green options, Octopus has developed further products in this space.
Tariff availability varies by region and changes with market conditions. The best way to see what Octopus is currently offering is to compare deals using your postcode.
Octopus Energy Prices and Standing Charges
Like all major UK suppliers, Octopus Energy pricing is influenced by the Ofgem price cap for customers on variable tariffs. Fixed tariff rates are set when you sign up and may sit above or below the cap depending on market conditions at the time.
Unit rates
The unit rate is what you pay per kilowatt hour of gas or electricity you consume. Octopus unit rates vary by region, which reflects differences in local distribution costs. This is the same across all suppliers. A household in the East of England may pay slightly different rates to one in the North West or Scotland.
Standing charges
Standing charges are a daily fixed cost that applies regardless of how much energy you use. Octopus, like other suppliers, applies standing charges to both gas and electricity. These cover the cost of maintaining your connection to the energy network.
Some Octopus tariffs, including certain Agile options, have offered lower or no standing charges in the past in exchange for higher unit rates. Whether this works out cheaper depends entirely on how much energy you use.
Are Octopus prices competitive?
Octopus tariffs are frequently competitive, particularly for households with smart meters who can take advantage of off-peak pricing. On standard fixed tariffs, prices are broadly in line with other mid-sized and large suppliers, though they are often more competitive than the default rates offered by some of the older legacy suppliers.
Prices shift regularly, so comparing directly is always the most reliable approach.
Check whether switching to Octopus Energy could reduce your energy bills.
Octopus Energy Pros and Cons
Pros
- Consistently high customer service ratings across multiple platforms
- 100% renewable electricity included across tariffs as standard
- Wide range of tariff options including smart tariffs for flexible households
- No exit fees on variable tariffs
- Strong app and online account management tools
- Available across Great Britain
Cons
- Some of the more flexible tariffs, like Agile and Tracker, require a smart meter and suit specific household types
- Price variability on Tracker and Agile can be difficult to budget around
- As the company has grown, some customers have reported longer wait times for customer service
- Not all tariffs are available in every region
Octopus Energy Customer Reviews
Octopus Energy has one of the strongest customer satisfaction records in the UK energy market. On Trustpilot, it consistently scores higher than most major suppliers, with a large volume of reviews praising the clarity of billing, the responsiveness of customer service, and the ease of managing an account online.
Ofgem’s own customer satisfaction data has also placed Octopus favourably compared with the larger legacy suppliers. The company has won multiple Which? Recommended Provider awards over recent years.
Common positive feedback includes:
- Helpful and responsive customer service team
- Clear and accurate billing
- Easy-to-use app and online account tools
- Smooth switching process with good communication throughout
Common criticisms include:
- Some customers report that response times have lengthened as the company has grown
- Tracker and Agile tariffs can catch households out when wholesale prices spike
- A small number of billing complaints, though these appear less frequent than with some larger suppliers
It is fair to say that Octopus’s reviews are unusually positive for an energy supplier. Energy companies tend to attract complaints more readily than praise, so the volume of positive reviews Octopus receives stands out. Even so, no supplier is without problems, and reading recent reviews will give a more current picture than overall scores built up over several years.
Is Octopus Energy Good Value?
For many households, yes. Octopus regularly offers competitive tariffs, and for customers willing to engage with smart tariffs like Agile or Tracker, there is genuine potential to save money compared with a standard fixed deal.
On straightforward fixed tariffs, Octopus prices are generally competitive with suppliers like EDF Energy and E.ON Next. Compared with some of the default rates offered by British Gas to long-standing customers who have never switched, Octopus fixed deals often look significantly better value.
The renewable electricity angle is also worth considering. Some suppliers charge a premium for green tariffs. With Octopus, renewable electricity backing comes as standard, so you are not paying extra to reduce the carbon footprint of your electricity use.
Where Octopus is less straightforwardly good value is on the more complex tariffs. Agile and Tracker can deliver savings, but they require active management. If you are not monitoring prices or shifting energy use to off-peak periods, you may not see the benefits that other customers report.
For households who want a simple, competitive fixed tariff with good customer service, Octopus is a strong option to compare. For households with smart meters and flexible habits, the smart tariffs can offer additional savings on top.
Compare Octopus Energy deals in your area and see what tariffs are available.
How to Switch to Octopus Energy
Switching to Octopus Energy follows the same straightforward process as switching to any UK energy supplier.
Step 1: Compare tariffs
Use an energy comparison tool to see what Octopus Energy is currently offering alongside deals from other suppliers. You will need your postcode and an estimate of your annual energy usage in kWh, which you can find on a recent bill.
Step 2: Choose a tariff
Select the Octopus tariff that fits your needs. If you have a smart meter and want to explore Agile or Tracker, make sure you understand how pricing works before committing. If you want simplicity, a fixed tariff or Octopus Flexible may be a better fit.
Step 3: Enter your details
Provide your personal information, current meter readings, and preferred payment method. Direct debit is the most common and usually the cheapest way to pay.
Step 4: The switch completes
Switching typically takes around five working days. Your energy supply will not be interrupted at any point during the process. You will not notice any change in the gas or electricity coming into your home.
Step 5: Submit a meter reading
Once the switch is complete, submit an opening meter reading. If you have a compatible smart meter, this may happen automatically.
Switching is free, and if you are on a variable tariff with your current supplier, there are no exit fees to worry about either.
Octopus Energy vs Other Suppliers
Octopus Energy vs British Gas
British Gas is one of the most established suppliers in the UK with a much longer history than Octopus. It offers additional home services like boiler cover, which Octopus does not bundle with energy supply in the same way. On price and customer service, however, Octopus frequently comes out ahead in direct comparisons. For households who want the lowest possible bill and good service, Octopus is often the stronger option. For those who value having energy and home services under one roof, British Gas may still appeal.
Octopus Energy vs EDF Energy
EDF is a large supplier with a significant presence in UK electricity generation through its nuclear operations. It scores reasonably well for customer satisfaction among the larger suppliers. Tariff prices between EDF and Octopus are often similar on standard fixed deals, though Octopus’s smart tariff options give it an edge for the right household. EDF’s green credentials are also worth comparing directly if renewable energy matters to you.
Octopus Energy vs OVO Energy
OVO Energy has built its identity around sustainability and reducing carbon emissions. It has faced some customer service challenges during periods of rapid growth. Both OVO and Octopus place renewable energy at the centre of their offering, but Octopus has generally maintained stronger customer satisfaction scores. Tariff prices are worth comparing directly since they shift regularly.
Should You Switch to Octopus Energy?
Octopus Energy has earned its reputation. It consistently scores well for customer service, offers competitive tariffs, and includes renewable electricity as standard without charging a premium for it. For many households, it is one of the strongest options available in the UK market right now.
The smart tariffs like Agile and Tracker are genuinely interesting if you have the right setup and habits. They are not for everyone, but for households with smart meters and some flexibility, they can deliver real savings.
That said, Octopus is now a large supplier, and no supplier is perfect. It is always worth comparing current tariffs before switching rather than assuming a well-regarded name automatically means the best deal for your home.
Compare Octopus Energy tariffs today and see if switching could reduce your energy bills.
Start Comparing Energy Prices Today
Comparing gas and electricity prices is one of the quickest ways to reduce your household bills. The process takes minutes, the switch itself causes no disruption, and for many households the annual saving runs into hundreds of pounds.
Whether you’re on a standard variable tariff that’s quietly costing you more than it should, or a fixed deal that’s coming to an end, now is a good time to see what else is available.
Free Energy Savings makes it straightforward to compare tariffs from trusted UK suppliers, review your options, and switch to a cheaper deal when you’re ready.
Frequently Asked Questions
It depends on which tariff you compare and when. Octopus is frequently competitive on fixed tariffs and can be significantly cheaper for households who use smart tariffs effectively. Comparing directly using your postcode and usage figures is the only reliable way to know whether Octopus is cheaper for your specific situation.
Switching to Octopus Energy typically takes around five working days. Your energy supply will not be interrupted during the process.
Yes. Octopus offers fixed rate tariffs that lock in your unit rate for a set period, usually 12 months. These provide bill certainty and protect against price rises during the fixed term. Some fixed deals include exit fees, so check before you sign up.
Yes. Octopus supports smart meters and can usually take over operation of your existing smart meter when you switch. In some cases there may be a short period where the meter operates in basic mode while the switch completes, but this is typically resolved quickly.
Octopus provides 100% renewable electricity across its tariffs, backed by renewable energy certificates. This means your electricity consumption is matched by an equivalent amount of renewable generation fed into the grid. It does not mean the electrons physically entering your home come exclusively from renewable sources, but your usage is offset by renewable generation.
In most cases, yes. If you pay your energy bills directly rather than through your landlord, you can usually choose your own supplier. Check your tenancy agreement first, as some rental arrangements include energy costs within the rent.
If you are on a variable tariff such as Octopus Flexible, you can leave without paying an exit fee. If you are on a fixed tariff, there may be an early exit fee if you switch before the deal ends. Octopus will send a final bill based on your closing meter reading, and any credit on your account will be refunded.
Octopus Agile is a half-hourly pricing tariff where your unit rate changes throughout the day based on wholesale electricity prices. Energy is cheaper during off-peak periods, often in the early hours of the morning, and more expensive during peak demand times. It requires a smart meter and works best for households who can shift energy use to cheaper periods, such as those with electric vehicles, battery storage, or flexible routines.
What Our Customers Have To Say
Read More Of Our Reviews On Trust Pilot
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