E.ON Next vs OVO Energy: Which Supplier Is Better in 2026?

Better Overall: E.ON Next — it’s cheaper by around £101/year, ranks higher with Citizens Advice, and supplies far more renewable electricity, while OVO Energy leads on Trustpilot and its iOS app.

E.ON Next is the stronger overall choice for most households on the current evidence, though OVO Energy remains competitive on customer sentiment and app quality.

E.ON Next vs OVO Energy: At a Glance

Before the full breakdown, here’s how E.ON Next and OVO Energy compare on the numbers that matter most.

If you only wanted to know which supplier is better, you already have the answer above. But if you want to understand why one is better and whether that applies to you, the comparison below breaks down the important differences in simple terms.

Prices and Overall Tariff Value

E.ON Next is cheaper on every tariff type compared here — and unusually, its cheapest deal overall is a fixed tariff, not its variable one.

E.ON Next

• Cheapest overall: Next Fixed 24m Exclusive — £1,510/year, 24-month term, £200 exit fee — best for price certainty
• Variable: Next Pledge Tracker 12m — £1,560/year, tracks wholesale rates, £50 exit fee — best for 12-month commitment

OVO Energy

• Cheapest: Simpler Energy — £1,611/year, standard variable, no fixed term, no exit fee — best for flexibility
• Fixed: 1 Year Fixed + Boiler Cover — £1,742/year, 12-month term, £100 exit fee — best for price certainty plus boiler cover

Price verdict:
E.ON Next is cheaper across the board — £101/year less than OVO’s variable tariff, and £232/year less than OVO’s fixed deal. The catch: E.ON’s cheapest price requires a 24-month commitment with a £200 exit fee, while OVO’s variable tariff has zero exit fee and no minimum term. If price alone matters most, E.ON Next wins clearly; if you want to leave anytime without penalty, OVO’s variable tariff is the more flexible option even at a higher cost.

📌 Ofgem price cap update: From October 2026, the cap rises 4% to £1,723/year (up from £1,663). Both suppliers’ variable and tracker rates are likely to increase this autumn — worth factoring into your decision now.

Pricing based on East Midlands, average 3-bed detached home, monthly direct debit, dual fuel. Source: E.ON Next, OVO Energy, pricing data from uSwitch.

Fixed and Variable Tariff Options

E.ON Next offers eight tariffs across variable, fixed, EV, and green options, while OVO Energy keeps a simpler core range built around one variable and one fixed tariff, plus a green add-on.

E.ON Next

• Next Flex — standard variable — best for maximum flexibility
• Next Pledge — tracker guaranteed below the Ofgem price cap, £50 exit fee (dual fuel) — best for guaranteed savings vs. the cap
• Next Fixed 12m — 12-month fixed, £100 exit fee (dual fuel) — best for short-term price certainty
• Next Fixed 24m — 24-month fixed, £200 exit fee (dual fuel) — best for long-term price certainty
• Next Drive / Next Drive Smart — EV tariffs — best for electric vehicle owners
• Next Smart Saver — time-of-use pricing — best for shifting usage off-peak
• Next Gust — 100% UK wind-backed electricity — best for wind-specific green energy
• Next Optimise — solar and battery management — best for homes with solar and storage

OVO Energy

• Simpler Energy — standard variable, no exit fee — best for switching freedom
• 1 Year Fixed + Boiler Cover — 12-month fixed, £50 exit fee per fuel — best for bundling energy with home cover
• Greener Electricity upgrade — traceable 100% renewable electricity for £80/year — best for verified green sourcing without switching tariff

Tariff verdict:
E.ON Next has the wider range — eight tariffs against OVO’s three — including options OVO doesn’t match at all: time-of-use pricing, wind-specific green energy, and solar/battery management. OVO’s edge is simplicity and cost: its variable tariff carries zero exit fee, the only truly penalty-free option between the two.

Customer Service: Response Times and Contact Channels

OVO Energy answers the phone faster and replies to more emails on time, while E.ON Next offers a slightly longer daily contact window.

E.ON Next

• Email response: 91% within 2 days
• Average call wait: 2.1 min
• Phone: Mon–Thu 9am–5pm, Fri 9am–4pm, closed weekends
• Email: 24/7 | Social media: not published

OVO Energy

• Email response: 99% within 2 days
• Average call wait: 1.6 min
• Phone: weekdays 9am–5pm, closed weekends
• Email: 24/7 | Social media: business hours

Feature verdict:
OVO Energy is faster on both measures that matter most when you actually need help — it answers calls about 30 seconds quicker on average, and answers 8 percentage points more emails within 2 days. This is a genuine point in OVO’s favour, even though E.ON Next scores higher on the broader Citizens Advice ranking overall.

Source: Citizens Advice – E.ON Next, Citizens Advice – OVO Energy.

Complaint History and Regulatory Record

E.ON Next receives less than half OVO Energy’s complaint rate, and unlike E.ON, OVO has faced two significant Ofgem enforcement actions in 2026.

E.ON Next (Q2 2026)

• Complaints: 760 per 100k customers
• Citizens Advice: 29.8 per 10,000
• Resolved same/next day: 50% | Within 8 weeks: 90%
• Top themes: customer service (32.28%), payments (12.16%), general billing/meter reading (11.19%), debt-related (10.4%), smart billing (7.02%)

OVO Energy (Q2 2026)

• Complaints: 1,775 per 100k customers — more than double E.ON Next’s rate
• Citizens Advice: 39.5 per 10,000
• Resolved same/next day: 64% | Within 8 weeks: 91%
• Top themes: customer service, payment issues, smart billing/meter reading, debt-related disconnections, general billing/meter reading

Regulatory record:
In June 2026, Ofgem found that OVO’s prepayment-meter failures had breached rules protecting vulnerable customers. OVO agreed to pay £7 million into Ofgem’s Voluntary Redress Fund and provide £3.4 million in credit and debt relief. Separately, in January 2026, Ofgem announced a further £2.7 million redress package after OVO failed to pay Warm Home Discount rebates to 11,646 customers by the legal deadline — some payments arrived more than 19 months late, and many affected customers were considered vulnerable. E.ON Next has no comparable enforcement action on record in this period.

Feature verdict:
Both figures cover the same Q2 2026 period, so this is a direct comparison — and E.ON Next wins clearly, with under half OVO’s complaint rate. OVO does resolve a higher share of complaints quickly (64% vs 50% same/next day), but its recent Ofgem settlements, particularly around vulnerable-customer support, are relevant context alongside the raw numbers.

Source: E.ON Next performance page, OVO Energy performance page.

Billing and Payment Management

E.ON Next scores higher on independently verified billing accuracy, while OVO Energy’s account offers more granular self-service tools.

E.ON Next

• Citizens Advice billing/metering score: 4.3/5
• App lets you pay bills, submit readings, and top up — though some users report daily usage tracking is missing
• Clear contract length and exit fee display on tariff pages

OVO Energy

• Citizens Advice billing/metering score: 3.8/5
• Account lets you view/download bills, submit readings, adjust Direct Debit, and track daily usage
• Note: the separate Charge Anytime app is being discontinued from 4 November 2026, with EV charging moving to a new OVO Charge app

Feature verdict:
E.ON Next leads on billing accuracy; OVO Energy offers deeper day-to-day account control, though EV customers should note the upcoming app change.

Source: Citizens Advice – E.ON Next, Citizens Advice – OVO Energy, OVO Energy.

Smart Meters, Apps and Energy Tracking

OVO Energy’s Android app has taken a sharp hit in recent ratings, while E.ON Next’s iOS app appears to have been pulled from the App Store entirely.

E.ON Next

• App Store (iOS): no longer available — previously rated 4.8/5 from 49,000 reviews, now missing from listings
• Google Play (Android): 4.34/5 from 16,278 reviews
• App supports bill payment, meter readings, and top-ups; some users report missing daily usage tracking

OVO Energy

• App Store (iOS): 4.6/5 from 18,000 reviews
• Google Play (Android): 2.82/5 from 10,825 reviews — down sharply this month, now 52% negative reviews against 43% positive, a net-positive score of -9.2%
• Supports usage tracking, meter readings, statements, and Direct Debit management

Feature verdict:
This is a genuinely mixed picture right now. E.ON Next’s iOS app has vanished from the App Store — worth confirming directly before assuming it’s still available — while its Android app remains solidly rated. OVO Energy’s iOS app is strong, but its Android app has collapsed into net-negative sentiment this month, more negative reviews than positive. Neither supplier currently has a clean sweep across both platforms.

Source: App Store – OVO Energy, Google Play – E.ON Next, Google Play – OVO Energy.

EV Tariffs: E.ON Next Drive Smart vs OVO Charge Anytime

E.ON Next offers a simple, transparent overnight rate, while OVO Energy’s plan-based model is harder to compare directly — and is about to change apps.

E.ON Next — Drive Smart

• 8p/kWh off-peak, whole-home, midnight–6am (plus eligible daytime smart-charging windows)
• 12-month fixed, no exit fee
• Requires a compatible EV, working smart meter, and half-hourly data collection

OVO Energy — Charge Anytime

• Standard plan: £27.50/month for up to 700 miles of home smart charging (based on 175kWh, 4 miles/kWh)
• Includes a £120 annual public-charging voucher and EV charger cover
• Mileage above your plan, or boost charging, is billed at your normal home rate
• Pay-as-you-go option available at 14p/kWh
• ⚠️ The Charge Anytime app is being discontinued from 4 November 2026 — charging management moves to the new OVO Charge app

Feature verdict:
E.ON Next is easier to evaluate — one flat overnight rate, no exit fee, no app transition to navigate. OVO’s plan suits drivers who want public-charging credit bundled in, but the upcoming app switch is worth knowing about before signing up.

Source: E.ON Next – Drive Smart, OVO Energy – Charge Anytime.

Renewable Energy and Sustainability

E.ON Next’s supplied electricity is overwhelmingly renewable — OVO Energy’s is not, despite both marketing green options.

E.ON Next (Jan–Mar 2026, Citizens Advice)

• Renewable: 86% | Nuclear: 2% | Fossil fuel: 12% | Other: 1%
• Next Gust: 12-month fixed tariff backed by 100% UK wind-generated electricity
• Wider product range covering solar, batteries, and heat pumps

OVO Energy (Jan–Mar 2026, Citizens Advice)

• Renewable: 11% | Nuclear: 9% | Fossil fuel: 74% | Other: 6%
• Greener Electricity upgrade adds traceable 100% renewable electricity for £80/year
• Plan Zero strategy targets net-zero-carbon operations by 2035

Feature verdict:
This isn’t close — E.ON Next’s actual supplied electricity is nearly eight times more renewable than OVO’s (86% vs 11%), and OVO’s underlying mix is almost three-quarters fossil fuel. OVO’s green upgrade lets customers pay extra to offset this with traceable renewable electricity, but without it, the default supply is far from green. If renewable sourcing matters to you by default rather than as a paid add-on, E.ON Next is the clear choice.

Source: E.ON Next, OVO Energy, Citizens Advice fuel mix data Jan–Mar 2026.

Will E.ON’s Acquisition of OVO Affect Customers?

E.ON announced its agreement to acquire OVO’s energy retail business on 11 May 2026, with closing expected in the second half of 2026, subject to regulatory approval — including from the Competition and Markets Authority. OVO is separately selling its Home Services business (boiler insurance and servicing) to Hometree, also pending approval.

Until both deals complete, E.ON and OVO continue to operate as separate companies. Customers’ tariffs, bills, balances, and support teams remain unchanged for now — OVO says it will notify customers well in advance of any future changes.

Acquisition verdict: This shouldn’t drive your switching decision today. Current prices, tariff terms, and service performance matter more than an unfinished acquisition — treat E.ON Next and OVO Energy as separate suppliers until the deal actually closes.

Source: OVO Energy — An Update About OVO, E.ON News.

Which Supplier Is Best for Your Household?

Choose E.ON Next when you:

• Want the lowest overall price — around £101–232/year cheaper depending on tariff type
• Value independently verified service quality — higher Which? score, better Citizens Advice ranking, and stronger billing accuracy
• Want genuinely renewable-sourced electricity by default (86% vs OVO’s 11%)
• Prefer a simple, flat 8p/kWh overnight EV rate with no exit fee
• Want a wider range of specialist tariffs — wind-backed, time-of-use, solar/battery management

Choose OVO Energy when you:

• Want zero exit fee on your core variable tariff
• Value faster response times — quicker call answers and a higher share of emails answered within 2 days
• Prefer a higher Trustpilot rating from a larger review base
• Want an EV plan bundling home charging with a public-charging voucher
• Are comfortable weighing OVO’s stronger contact-speed evidence against its higher complaint rate and 2026 Ofgem settlements

Overall Winner: E.ON Next

E.ON Next is the stronger all-round choice in July 2026. It leads OVO in the latest Citizens Advice comparison, performs better for billing and metering, offers a broader tariff range and does not have the same recent Ofgem enforcement concerns highlighted in this comparison.

You can also compare ScottishPower vs E.ON Next if you prefer established suppliers and conventional fixed tariffs.

OVO still has genuine strengths. Its account provides useful consumption and payment tools, while Charge Anytime offers a distinctive EV product for customers who prefer a monthly allowance and public-charging benefits.

The result can still change when personalised prices are compared. A substantially lower unit rate or standing charge may outweigh a general service advantage, particularly for households with high consumption.

Pros and Cons

E.ON Next

✓ Pros

• Cheaper across every tariff type — up to £232/year less than OVO’s fixed deal
• Higher Which? score (66% vs 61%) and Citizens Advice ranking (#3 vs #8)
• Supplied electricity is 86% renewable, against OVO’s 11%
• Less than half OVO’s complaint rate (760 vs 1,775 per 100k)
• Simple, flat 8p/kWh overnight EV rate with no exit fee

✗ Cons

• Cheapest overall price requires a 24-month commitment with a £200 exit fee
• iOS app currently unavailable on the App Store
• Slower phone and email response times than OVO

OVO Energy

✓ Pros

• Zero exit fee on its standard variable tariff — the most flexible option of the two
• Higher Trustpilot rating (4.7 vs 4.5) from a larger review base
• Faster call answer times and a higher share of emails answered within 2 days
• EV plan bundles home charging with a public-charging voucher

✗ Cons

• More expensive on every tariff type compared here
• Android app rating has collapsed to 2.82/5, now more negative reviews than positive
• More than double E.ON Next’s complaint rate, and subject to two 2026 Ofgem enforcement actions
• Supplied electricity is only 11% renewable by default

Final Conclusion

E.ON Next vs OVO Energy isn’t a simple traditional-vs-digital comparison — both offer online accounts, EV tariffs, and green energy options. But on the evidence available in September 2026, E.ON Next is the stronger overall choice: it’s cheaper, more independently well-reviewed, more renewable by default, and generates far fewer complaints.

OVO Energy still has real strengths worth weighing — faster contact response times, a higher Trustpilot score, and an EV package that suits drivers who want public-charging credit bundled in. Its recent regulatory settlements around vulnerable-customer support and its Android app’s current ratings are worth factoring in too, particularly if service reliability and app quality matter to you.

Before switching, get personalised quotes from both suppliers using the same annual consumption and payment method, and compare unit rates, standing charges, exit fees, and contract length directly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Choosing the right energy supplier depends on your tariff, usage, customer service expectations and specific needs. Below are answers to some of the most common questions customers ask when comparing E.ON Next and OVO Energy.