Choosing between Octopus and OVO Energy in 2026 is not just about the cheapest monthly direct debit. With UK bills changing and the Ofgem price cap rising, households now compare tariff flexibility, green electricity, EV charging, solar export, customer service, app experience, rewards and complaints. Octopus is known for smart tariffs, while OVO stands out for fixed plans and boiler cover.
In this guide, we compare both suppliers across 10 key features to help you choose better.
Table of Contents
Quick Verdict: Octopus vs OVO Energy
Before choosing any supplier, read this quick verdict because the cheapest headline price is not always the best deal. Octopus Energy is better for smart tariffs, EV savings, green electricity, flexibility and customer service.
OVO Energy is better for fixed plans, boiler cover, home-energy rewards and flexible EV charging. Overall, Octopus suits most users, while OVO suits customers who want simple bundles and home protection.
Octopus vs OVO at a Glance
If you are short on time, this quick table gives you the main answer first. Octopus Energy looks stronger for smart tariffs, EV savings, green electricity and customer service, while OVO Energy is better for fixed plans, boiler cover and home-energy rewards.
| Feature | Octopus | OVO Energy | Better Choice |
| Tariff options | Good for flexible, fixed and smart tariff users | Good for fixed plans, variable tariffs and boiler cover bundles | Draw |
| Price | Better for smart meter users and flexible households | Can be good if fixed bundles are cheaper in your area | Depends on usage |
| Exit fees | More flexible for customers who may switch later | Some fixed plans may include exit fees | Octopus |
| Green energy | Strong zero-carbon and smart energy focus | Green upgrades are available on selected plans | Octopus |
| EV charging | Better if you can charge overnight and use cheap home electricity | Better if you want flexible EV charging plans | Depends on EV use |
| Solar export | Strong option for solar and battery users | Offers SEG and solar-related options | Depends on setup |
| Customer reviews | Strong customer rating and positive service reputation | Good reviews, but service feedback can be mixed | Octopus |
| Customer service | Performs strongly in independent service comparisons | Improving, but not as strong overall | Octopus |
| Complaints | Lower complaint risk in many comparisons | Can resolve some complaints quickly | Octopus overall |
| Rewards | Octopus offers lifestyle perks and energy-saving rewards | OVO Beyond focuses on green and home rewards | Draw |
10 Key Features to Compare Before Choosing Octopus or OVO
Before switching, compare Octopus and OVO on the things that really affect your bill and experience: tariffs, prices, exit fees, green energy, EV charging, solar export, reviews, customer service, complaints and rewards.
1: Tariff Options
Tariff choice matters because your best plan depends on your usage, meter type and budget.
Octopus
Octopus Energy offers more tariff variety for customers who want standard, fixed or smart plans. Its main options include Flexible Octopus, Octopus Fixed, Octopus Tracker, Agile Octopus, Cosy Octopus, Intelligent Octopus Go, Outgoing Octopus and Octopus Flux. The strong point is that Octopus has tariffs for normal homes, EV owners, solar users, battery users and heat pump homes. The weak point is that Tracker and Agile can feel complicated because prices move daily or every 30 minutes.
OVO Energy
OVO Energy is stronger for customers who want simple plans and fixed-term certainty. Its main options include Simpler Energy, 1 Year Fixed, 2 Year Fixed, 1 Year Fixed + Boiler Cover, 1 Year Fixed + Greener Electricity, Charge Anytime and Total Living Control for eligible homes. The strong point is simple budgeting through fixed tariffs. The weak point is that OVO has fewer smart dynamic tariffs than Octopus.
Winner
Octopus Energy wins for smart and flexible tariff choice. OVO Energy is better for simple fixed plans and boiler cover bundles.
2: Price and Monthly Cost
Price depends on your postcode, usage, tariff and payment method, so one supplier is not always cheaper for everyone.
Octopus Energy
Octopus Energy can be competitive for smart-meter users and flexible households. Flexible Octopus usually tracks close to the Ofgem cap, while Intelligent Octopus Go gives EV users 8p/kWh off-peak electricity overnight. Tracker and Agile can be cheaper when wholesale prices fall, but they also need more monitoring.
OVO Energy
OVO Energy prices are usually simpler to understand. Simpler Energy follows variable market pricing, while 1 Year Fixed and 2 Year Fixed lock unit rates and standing charges for 12 or 24 months. OVO can be attractive if its fixed quote is below the upcoming cap, but customers should check unit rates, standing charges and exit fees before signing up.
Winner
Octopus is stronger for smart savings. OVO can work better if you want fixed monthly price certainty.
3: Exit Fees and Contract Flexibility
Exit fees matter because they can stop you from switching if a better tariff appears later.
Octopus
Flexible Octopus, Octopus Tracker and Agile Octopus usually have £0 exit fees, which makes Octopus strong for flexibility. Some fixed or specialist tariffs may have fees, but Octopus is generally better for customers who do not want to feel locked in.
OVO Energy
OVO Simpler Energy has no fixed contract, but OVO fixed plans usually include exit fees. 1 Year Fixed and 1 Year Fixed + Boiler Cover show £50 per fuel, while 2 Year Fixed can show £95 per fuel. This gives price certainty, but less switching freedom.
Winner
Octopus Energy wins for flexibility and lower exit-fee pressure.
4: Green Energy and Sustainability
Green energy matters if you want a supplier focused on renewable electricity and lower carbon impact.
Octopus
Octopus has a stronger green-energy position. It says its tariffs use 100% renewable electricity, and its smart tariffs encourage customers to use electricity when the grid is cleaner. Octopus is also linked with major renewable investment, solar, battery and heat pump products.
OVO Energy
OVO Energy also offers green options. Its 1 Year Fixed + Greener Electricity includes 100% traceable renewable electricity for £80 a year, and OVO Beyond includes green rewards such as solar panel rewards and greener-time electricity perks. The weak point is that greener electricity may be an upgrade rather than the default on every plan.
Winner
Octopus Energy wins for green electricity as a stronger standard offer. OVO is good for customers who want paid green upgrades and home-energy rewards.
5: EV Tariffs and Electric Car Charging
EV tariffs matter because your car-charging cost can be very different from your normal home rate.
Octopus Energy
Intelligent Octopus Go is strong for EV owners. It offers 8p/kWh smart charging for eligible cars, usually during the 11:30pm–5:30am off-peak window. The big value is that cheap overnight electricity can also help with home usage during that period, not just EV charging.
OVO Energy
OVO Charge Anytime works as an EV add-on. Pay-as-you-go smart charging is shown at 14p/kWh, and monthly plans start from £27.50 for around 700 miles a month. Higher plans include more miles, public charging vouchers and EV cover perks. The weak point is that the discount focuses mainly on EV charging, not the whole home.
Winner
Octopus wins if you can charge overnight and shift home usage. OVO suits drivers who want flexible EV plans or fixed monthly EV charging.
6: Solar Panels and Export Tariffs
Solar users should compare export rates separately from normal import prices.
Octopus Energy
Octopus Energy is strong for solar and battery users. Outgoing Octopus pays 12p/kWh for exported electricity, while Octopus SEG pays 4.1p/kWh. Agile Outgoing uses half-hourly export prices, and Octopus Flux is built for solar and battery homes that want cheaper import and stronger export timing.
OVO Energy
OVO Energy offers three SEG options. Standard SEG pays 4p/kWh, SEG Beyond Exclusive pays 12p/kWh, and SEG Install Exclusive can pay up to 20p/kWh if OVO installed your solar panels and/or battery. The strong point is the high install-exclusive rate; the weak point is stricter eligibility.
Winner
Octopus is stronger for flexible solar/export users. OVO can be better if you qualify for its up to 20p/kWh install-exclusive export rate.
7: Customer Reviews and Trustpilot Reputation
Reviews help show how customers feel about billing, switching and support.
Octopus Energy
Octopus Energy has a stronger Trustpilot profile, with around 4.8 rating and about 809k+ reviews. Around 90% of reviews are 5-star, which gives Octopus a strong trust signal for customer experience.
OVO Energy
OVO Energy also has a strong Trustpilot profile, with around 4.7 rating and about 283k+ reviews. Around 77% of reviews are 5-star, and OVO replies to most negative reviews. The weak point is that Octopus has both a higher rating and far more review volume.
Winner
Octopus Energy wins for customer reviews because it has a higher rating, more reviews and stronger 5-star share.
8: Customer Service and Support
Customer service matters when you face billing issues, meter problems, payments or moving home.
Octopus Energy
Octopus Energy performs better in independent customer-service comparisons. Citizens Advice shows Octopus with an overall score of 3.78 out of 5, including 3.5/5 for fewer complaints, 4.0/5 for contact waiting time and 5.0/5 for customer commitments. This makes Octopus stronger for support confidence.
OVO Energy
OVO Energy scores lower in the same comparison, with an overall score of 2.76 out of 5. It shows 2.0/5 for fewer complaints, 2.0/5 for contact waiting time, 3.8/5 for billing and metering and 5.0/5 for customer commitments. OVO is not weak everywhere, but Octopus looks stronger overall.
Winner
Octopus Energy wins for customer service and independent support scores.
9: Complaints and Problem Resolution
Complaints data shows both how often problems happen and how quickly they are fixed.
Octopus Energy
Octopus Energy received 68,683 complaints in Q4 2025, equal to 495 complaints per 100k customer accounts. It resolved 45% the same or next working day and 79% within 8 weeks. The strong point is lower complaint volume; the weak point is that next-day resolution is lower than OVO.
OVO Energy
OVO Energy received 101,103 complaints in Q1 2026, equal to 1,725 complaints per 100k customers. It resolved 66.5% by the end of the next working day and 91.8% within 8 weeks. The strong point is faster resolution; the weak point is much higher complaint volume.
Winner
Octopus Energy wins overall because fewer complaints usually means fewer problems in the first place. OVO is stronger for faster complaint resolution.
10: App, Online Account and Rewards
Apps and rewards matter because customers want usage tracking, easy bills, meter readings and perks.
Octopus Energy
Octopus Energy is strong for smart app users. Customers can track usage, manage meter readings, view bills, access smart tariffs and use Octoplus. Octoplus rewards include energy-saving sessions, bill credits and lifestyle-style perks for smart-meter customers.
OVO Energy
OVO Energy has strong reward value through OVO Beyond. It offers 2 hours of free electricity a week, rewards for using energy at greener times, up to 5 free solar panels over two years, 100 EV miles per month up to 2,400 miles, and other home-energy benefits. The weak point is that many rewards need eligibility, smart meter use or specific OVO products.
Winner
This is a draw. Octopus is better for smart-energy engagement. OVO is better for green/home rewards through Beyond.
For another Octopus comparison, read our Octopus Energy vs Good Energy guide.
Who Should Choose Octopus Energy?
Octopus Energy may be the better choice if:
- You have a smart meter and can shift your electricity use. Tariffs such as Agile, Tracker and Intelligent Octopus Go are designed for households that can use more energy during cheaper periods.
- You own an electric vehicle, solar panels, a home battery or a heat pump. Octopus offers specialist tariffs for each of these technologies, including overnight EV charging and import-export options for solar households.
- Customer-service performance is important to you. In the latest Citizens Advice comparison, Octopus scored 3.67 out of 5 and ranked fourth, ahead of OVO’s 3.30 score and eighth-place ranking.
- You want a supplier with a lower complaint rate. In Q1 2026, Octopus recorded 538 complaints per 100,000 customer accounts, compared with 1,725 for OVO.
Octopus is therefore likely to suit customers who are comfortable using smart technology and want more control over when they buy, use or export electricity. However, smart tariffs are not automatically cheaper for everyone—the benefit depends on your usage pattern and ability to avoid expensive periods.
Who Should Choose OVO Energy?
OVO Energy may be more suitable if:
- You prefer straightforward fixed or variable tariffs. Its range is easier to understand for households that do not want to follow daily or half-hourly electricity prices.
- You want energy and home services from one provider. OVO offers boiler and heating cover, boiler servicing, repairs and other home-protection products, although eligibility and cancellation conditions may apply.
- You prefer an EV charging add-on or fixed monthly charging plan. Charge Anytime is designed for drivers who want managed home and public charging without moving their entire household onto a time-of-use tariff.
- Fast written support matters to you. Citizens Advice data shows OVO answered 98.5% of emails within two days, compared with 86.1% for Octopus. OVO also resolved a higher percentage of complaints by the next working day and within eight weeks.
OVO may therefore appeal to customers who value simple plans, home-service bundles and rewards more than advanced dynamic tariffs. Customers should still check the full price, eligibility rules and exit fees before choosing a bundled deal.
Final Verdict: Is Octopus or OVO Better?
Based on our comparison of tariff choice, pricing flexibility, exit fees, green energy, EV charging, solar export, customer reviews, support, complaints and rewards, Octopus Energy is the stronger overall choice for most households.
Its wider selection of smart tariffs makes it particularly attractive for EV owners, solar and battery users, heat-pump households and customers who can move their electricity use to cheaper times. Octopus also currently ranks higher than OVO in the Citizens Advice customer-service comparison and recorded substantially fewer complaints per 100,000 accounts in Q1 2026.
However, OVO Energy should not be ruled out. It may be the more convenient option for customers who want a conventional fixed plan, boiler or home-protection services, a separate EV charging package or faster email responses. OVO also resolved complaints faster than Octopus in the latest comparable quarterly data.
Ultimately, neither supplier is guaranteed to be the cheapest for every household. Compare both using the same postcode, annual usage, meter type and payment method. Look at the estimated annual cost, unit rates, standing charges, exit fees and tariff conditions—not only the monthly Direct Debit estimate.
Frequently Asked Questions
Still have questions? Here are the answers to some of the most common questions about Octopus Energy and OVO Energy to help you choose the right supplier for your home.
Is Octopus Energy cheaper than OVO Energy?
Neither supplier is always cheaper. Your quote depends on your postcode, consumption, payment method and chosen tariff. Octopus may offer stronger savings for households using smart or time-of-use tariffs, while an OVO fixed deal may occasionally provide better certainty. Always compare both suppliers using identical household details.
Which has better customer service, Octopus or OVO?
Octopus currently has the stronger overall Citizens Advice result, scoring 3.67 out of 5 compared with OVO’s 3.30. However, OVO performed better for email response speed, answering 98.5% of emails within two days compared with 86.1% for Octopus.
Is Octopus or OVO better for electric-car charging?
Octopus is likely to suit drivers who can charge overnight and also shift household electricity use into off-peak hours. Intelligent Octopus provides six off-peak hours for the home and compatible charger each night. OVO may suit drivers who prefer Charge Anytime as a separate charging add-on or monthly plan. Compatibility and eligibility should be checked before switching.
Which supplier is better for solar panels?
Octopus provides several options for solar and battery households, including Outgoing Octopus and Flux products. OVO also offers solar installation, battery storage and Smart Export Guarantee options. The best choice depends on the export rate available to you, import costs and whether your equipment meets the tariff’s eligibility rules.
Do Octopus and OVO charge exit fees?
Exit fees depend on the individual tariff rather than the supplier alone. Variable tariffs normally provide more freedom, while fixed deals may charge a fee if you leave early. Check whether the stated exit fee applies per fuel or to the complete dual-fuel account before signing up.
Does OVO resolve complaints faster than Octopus?
In Q1 2026, OVO resolved 66.5% of complaints by the end of the next working day and 91.8% within eight weeks. Octopus resolved 43% by the same or next working day and 80% within eight weeks. However, Octopus received far fewer complaints per 100,000 customer accounts.
Is OVO Energy becoming part of E.ON?
OVO has announced an agreement under which it would become part of E.ON, but the transaction remains subject to regulatory approvals. Customers should check official supplier communications for any confirmed changes affecting their accounts or tariffs.
Should I switch from OVO to Octopus?
Switching may make sense if Octopus offers a lower like-for-like annual quote, a more suitable EV or solar tariff, or greater contract flexibility. Before switching, compare the unit rates, standing charges, annual estimate, exit fees and smart-meter compatibility. Also check whether leaving your current tariff would remove any rewards, boiler cover or other benefits.
Energy Advisor