Supplier comparison
Octopus Energy vs British Gas, EDF, OVO and E.ON
Octopus is still one of the strongest suppliers for flexible smart tariffs, EVs and solar, but the comparison is less one-sided than it used to be. EDF, E.ON Next, British Gas, OVO and ScottishPower all now have offers that can suit specific homes. Start here, then open the supplier-specific guide when one looks close.
Reviewed 4 July 2026
Compare what gets the cheaper rate, not just who schedules the car. British Gas EV Power and EDF GoElectric have fixed whole-home overnight windows. E.ON Next Drive Smart can also discount household use during its scheduled smart-charging periods. Intelligent Go gives the whole home its night rate from 23:30 to 05:30. For extra smart-charging slots, confirm the household rate that applies to your account with Octopus before shifting appliances or battery charging. Check your tariff version and start date against the Octopus smart-tariff terms, then check the corresponding billed half-hours.
EDF's optional Smart Charging bolt-on can extend whole-home off-peak pricing to eligible smart-charging periods, but only if the underlying tariff has an off-peak rate. Single-rate add-on eligibility does not create a whole-home cheap window, and the monthly credit has separate conditions in the EDF Smart Charging terms. OVO Charge Anytime and ScottishPower EV Optimise instead use EV add-on, allowance or later-credit models.
Use this hub to decide which model deserves a closer read, then check the supplier's own quote page before switching. Exact unit rates, eligibility lists, charger support and fixed-tariff terms can change by postcode and product version.
Where Octopus still stands out
- Choice: Agile, Go, Intelligent Go, Tracker, Cosy and export tariffs cover more real-life situations than most single-supplier smart ranges.
- Flexibility: Flexible, Agile and Tracker have no exit fees. Some fixed smart tariffs carry modest fees, so always check the quote before switching.
- Customer service: 4.8/5 on Trustpilot from 851,000+ reviews. That does not make every case perfect, but it is a useful trust signal.
- Whole-home thinking: Octopus is often strongest when your decision combines EV charging, export, batteries, heat pumps or half-hourly smart-meter data rather than one headline unit rate.
Octopus vs British Gas
The UK's best-known supplier now has several EV-adjacent routes. It is worth comparing if you want a simple overnight EV window, HomeCare or Hive-linked extras, but do not treat all of those products as the same tariff.
- Trustpilot:
- 4.4/5
- Smart tariffs:
- EV Power is a simple overnight whole-home window. Hive Power+ and Charge Power add separate charger, solar or battery conditions, so check the exact route before comparing it with Octopus.
- Exit fees:
- Varies by fix and add-on; check the quoted tariff terms
Octopus vs EDF
Britain's biggest zero-carbon generator remains a serious comparison point. EDF can look strong on overnight EV charging, while Octopus may still suit homes that want wider tariff choice and app-led flexibility.
- Trustpilot:
- 4.8/5
- Smart tariffs:
- GoElectric gives a fixed whole-home overnight window. Eligible EDF Smart Charging periods can extend the off-peak rate to household use if the underlying tariff has one. Monthly credits and Pod-linked packages have separate conditions.
- Exit fees:
- Depends on the EV tariff or bundle; check the quote before switching
Octopus vs OVO Energy
OVO is strongest when Charge Anytime fits your car, charger and charging routine. Compare it carefully with Octopus Go or Intelligent Go because the discounted EV charging does not work like a normal whole-home overnight tariff.
- Trustpilot:
- 4.6/5
- Smart tariffs:
- Charge Anytime is an EV add-on with pay-as-you-go and monthly-plan variants, home smart-charging allowances and public-charging voucher caveats.
- Exit fees:
- Varies by fixed tariff and Charge Anytime plan; check OVO's current plan details
Octopus vs E.ON Next
E.ON Next deserves a proper comparison rather than a quick dismissal. Its Drive Smart tariff can look very Octopus-like, so compatibility, boost charging, export, service and switching experience matter.
- Trustpilot:
- 4.5/5
- Smart tariffs:
- Next Drive Smart combines an overnight whole-home window with app-scheduled smart-charge spillover for the whole home, subject to compatible car, charger, smart-meter and half-hourly-reading checks.
- Exit fees:
- Check the live E.ON quote and terms; fees can vary by product version
Octopus vs ScottishPower
ScottishPower has more smart-tariff activity than a standard supplier, especially around EVs and heat pumps. It still needs careful comparison with Octopus because the cheapest-looking EV rate may arrive through a later bill credit or add-on model.
- Trustpilot:
- 4.3/5
- Smart tariffs:
- EV Saver is the simpler overnight tariff. EV Optimise works as a smart-charging add-on that charges first at the home tariff, then applies a bill credit for eligible smart charging.
- Exit fees:
- Varies by fixed tariff and add-on; check ScottishPower's current terms
Choose your next step
Use the comparison by situation, not by supplier loyalty
Still researching?
Open the closest supplier comparison first. E.ON Next and EDF are now especially worth reading if you have an EV, while OVO depends heavily on Charge Anytime compatibility.
Need live numbers?
Use the tariff comparison tool for Octopus postcode rates, then compare those against the rival quote on the supplier's own site.
Ready to switch?
If Octopus still looks right after the comparison, keep the referral page open for the signup step.
Supplier information is based on publicly available pages checked on 4 July 2026. Prices, compatibility rules and tariff availability change regularly. Use the tariff comparison tool for live Octopus rates based on your postcode, then check each supplier's own quote before deciding.