British Gas Ecotricity (August 2026)
Overview
Ecotricity wins for its better service scores and cheaper fixed deal, but British Gas offers far better apps and a cheaper variable tariff.
Ecotricity leads this comparison due to higher independent customer service scores and a lower-priced fixed tariff. British Gas, however, may suit households prioritising smartphone app management or those seeking a cheaper variable deal.
About British Gas and Ecotricity
Who is British Gas?
British Gas is one of the UK's oldest and most recognised energy brands, and one of the biggest domestic suppliers in the country. Owned by Centrica, it offers gas, electricity, and home services such as boiler cover and heating repairs. A key difference for British Gas is its link with Hive, a smart home brand that lets customers control their heating and electric vehicle charging through an app. It also runs PeakSave, a scheme that gives smart meter customers half-price electricity on Sundays to help balance the grid.
Who are Ecotricity?
Founded in 1995, Ecotricity is one of the UK's most established green energy suppliers. It operates on a not-for-dividend model, using the money from customers' bills to build new sources of renewable energy rather than paying shareholders. What sets it apart is its strict ethical focus, being the only UK supplier to offer vegan energy with no animal by-products used in its fuel mix.
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Tariffs and pricing
Ecotricity provides the lowest-priced overall option in this comparison with its EcoFixed - 2 Year August 26 v1 tariff. Priced at £1,677 a year, this 24-month fixed contract includes a £200 exit fee.
For those looking at British Gas, the lowest-priced option is the Cap Tracker Plus Sep27 v1. This variable tariff costs £1,745 a year and operates without a fixed term, though it does carry a £50 exit fee.
Households preferring a fixed rate from British Gas can opt for the Fix and Fall Aug28 v2, which costs £1,834 a year over a 24-month term and includes a £150 exit fee. Conversely, Ecotricity's standard variable alternative, the Standard Variable Green Tariff, is priced higher at £2,032 a year.
Tariff Options
British Gas tariffs
British Gas offers a range of mainstream domestic tariffs, including standard variable and fixed-term options, alongside several specialist smart tariffs.
Ecotricity tariffs
Ecotricity keeps its domestic tariff range simple, offering standard variable and fixed-term options, as well as specialist smart tariffs.
Customer reviews
British Gas holds a 4.4 out of 5 Trustpilot rating, drawn from a substantial volume of 350,018 reviews. Ecotricity maintains a 4.2 out of 5 rating based on a smaller sample of 6,590 reviews.
Looking at the rating distribution, 65% of British Gas reviews are five-star and 20% are one-star. Ecotricity's profile is similar, with 66% five-star and 22% one-star ratings. Both suppliers actively engage with critical feedback: British Gas responds to 99% of negative reviews, while Ecotricity replies to 100%, with both typically responding within 24 hours.
Common themes in British Gas reviews include mentions of polite staff, efficient repairs, and prompt communication. Ecotricity customers frequently note helpful service and quick response times, although some reviewers report difficulties with email correspondence and pricing concerns.
In the annual Which? survey, Ecotricity achieves an overall score of 66 out of 100, placing it ahead of British Gas at 59. While both suppliers receive 2 out of 5 for overall customer service, Ecotricity performs better on value for money (3 out of 5) and complaints handling (9 out of 15), compared to British Gas (2 out of 5 and 5 out of 15, respectively). Both firms score low for the switching process, with British Gas receiving 0 and Ecotricity 1 out of 5.
App quality
British Gas receives strong feedback for its mobile applications, scoring 4.5 out of 5 on the App Store across 13,000 ratings and 4.1 on Google Play from 13,409 ratings. The Android version records over 1,000,000 installs.
Ecotricity's applications hold lower scores, averaging 1.8 on the App Store and 2.8 on Google Play. It is worth noting that these figures are based on much smaller sample sizes of 110 and 181 ratings respectively, which limits direct comparability with British Gas.
Despite British Gas's high overall iOS rating, a recent sample of three reviews averages 2 stars, with users noting slow loading times and difficulties navigating between gas and electricity accounts. Meanwhile, recent iOS feedback for Ecotricity suggests the application functions similarly to a website wrapper and lacks certain usability features.
Customer service and support
According to Citizens Advice data, Ecotricity ranks 7th with an overall score of 3.36 out of 5. British Gas places lower, ranking 13th with a score of 2.61.
Ecotricity records fewer complaints, logging 21.5 per 10,000 customers against 68.7 for British Gas. Call centre wait times are brief for both providers; Ecotricity averages 45 seconds to answer, while British Gas takes 51 seconds. Email responsiveness is also comparable, with both suppliers replying to over 95% of messages within two days.
Both suppliers maintain registered vulnerability commitments with Citizens Advice. Operating hours differ slightly: British Gas support is available weekdays from 8am to 6pm and Saturdays from 9am to 2pm, whereas Ecotricity operates weekdays from 9am to 7pm and weekends from 9am to 5pm.
Complaints and performance
Both suppliers have published their complaints data for the fourth quarter of 2025. Ecotricity gets fewer complaints than British Gas, taking in 320 per 100,000 customers compared to 1,158 for British Gas.
Green Energy Comparison
British Gas
British Gas aims to reach net zero by 2045. It helps customers lower their carbon footprint at home by installing electric vehicle chargers and heat pumps, and is working towards a net-zero fleet by 2030. Based on Citizens Advice data from January to March 2026, the British Gas electricity fuel mix is largely nuclear, with some fossil fuel and renewables. It does not currently offer a dedicated green energy tariff as part of its mainstream range.[1]
Ecotricity
Ecotricity supplies 100% renewable electricity, as shown by Citizens Advice data from January to March 2026. It focuses on building its own wind and solar parks rather than just buying certificates. It is the only UK energy company to offer certified vegan energy, meaning no animal by-products are used to make its electricity or gas. Its gas supply is a mix of fossil gas and sustainable green gas, backed by investments in direct carbon removal projects in Britain through its Carbon Bank. It offers a dedicated green tariff called the Standard Variable Green Tariff.[2]
Our verdict
| If you care most about | Choose |
|---|---|
| The lowest annual cost on our assumptions | Ecotricity |
| Overall customer service | Ecotricity |
| A well-rated mobile app | British Gas |
| A greener fuel mix | Ecotricity |
Ecotricity wins for its better service scores and cheaper fixed deal, but British Gas offers far better apps and a cheaper variable tariff.
Ecotricity leads this comparison based on the available data, driven by higher independent customer service scores and a lower-priced fixed tariff. British Gas, however, may be more suitable for households prioritising smartphone app functionality or seeking a lower-priced standard variable tariff.
Households looking for the lowest-priced fixed contract or a 100% renewable electricity mix may find Ecotricity to be the more suitable option. Conversely, those who prefer managing their account via a highly rated app or require a lower-priced variable tariff might find British Gas better aligned with their needs.
- Higher-rated smartphone apps
- Lower-priced standard variable tariff
- Large volume of positive Trustpilot reviews
- Lower overall Citizens Advice score
- Higher-priced fixed tariff in this comparison
- Higher scores from Citizens Advice and Which?
- Lower-priced fixed tariff
- 100% renewable electricity mix
- Lower-rated smartphone apps
- Higher-priced standard variable tariff
- £200 exit fee on its lowest-priced fixed deal
Frequently asked questions
Which supplier is better overall, British Gas or Ecotricity?
Ecotricity is our winner based on the available evidence, as it scores higher for customer service and currently offers a cheaper fixed tariff. However, British Gas is the better choice if you want a well-rated app or a cheaper variable deal.
Which supplier has the cheapest energy tariff?
Ecotricity currently offers the cheapest overall deal with its fixed tariff at £1,677 a year. However, if you are looking for a variable tariff, British Gas is cheaper at £1,745 a year compared to Ecotricity's £2,032 a year.
Do customers prefer British Gas or Ecotricity?
British Gas has a slightly higher Trustpilot score of 4.4 out of 5 from a huge volume of reviews, compared to Ecotricity's 4.2. However, Ecotricity scores higher in the annual Which? survey, particularly for value for money and complaints handling.
Are the British Gas and Ecotricity apps any good?
British Gas offers highly rated apps, scoring 4.5 out of 5 on the App Store and 4.1 on Google Play. Ecotricity's apps are poorly rated in comparison, scoring 1.8 on iOS and 2.8 on Android, though this is based on a very small number of reviews.
Which supplier offers better customer service?
Ecotricity performs better in Citizens Advice data, ranking 7th overall with a score of 3.36 out of 5. British Gas ranks 13th with a score of 2.61. Both suppliers answer calls in under a minute on average.
Should I switch to British Gas or Ecotricity?
If you want the cheapest fixed deal or care about independent service scores, Ecotricity is the better option. If you prefer to manage your account through a reliable smartphone app or want a cheaper variable tariff, British Gas is the stronger choice.
Do British Gas and Ecotricity offer fixed energy deals?
Yes, both suppliers offer fixed tariffs. Ecotricity's cheapest fixed deal costs £1,677 a year for a 24-month term, while British Gas offers a 24-month fixed deal at £1,834 a year.
How do British Gas and Ecotricity perform in the Which? survey?
Ecotricity scores 66 out of 100 in the Which? survey, beating British Gas which scores 59. Both suppliers score 2 out of 5 for overall customer service, but Ecotricity performs slightly better on value for money.
How quickly do British Gas and Ecotricity answer the phone?
Both suppliers are very quick to answer calls. According to Citizens Advice, Ecotricity customers wait an average of 45 seconds, while British Gas customers wait 51 seconds.
Do British Gas and Ecotricity charge exit fees?
Yes, both suppliers charge exit fees on some of their tariffs. Ecotricity's cheapest fixed deal carries a £200 exit fee, while British Gas's cheapest variable tariff has a £50 exit fee.
What changed this month
This month, British Gas's iOS app updates in last 90 days fell from 3 to 0, Ecotricity's iOS app updates in last 90 days fell from 1 to 0, and Ecotricity's iOS sampled positive reviews rose from 0 to 1. There were 36 other data changes this month — see the full changelog below for details.
Data changes this month (50)
British Gas
- Trustpilot reviews345,969 → 350,018
- iOS app days since last update9 → 16
- iOS app updates in last 90 days3 → 0
- iOS sampled negative reviews2 → 3
- Play Store rating4.0481653 → 4.0881915
- Play Store ratings count13,077 → 13,409
- Play Store days since last update14 → 9
- Play Store positive ratings %76.2 → 77.4
- Play Store negative ratings %20 → 19.1
- Play Store neutral ratings %3.7 → 3.4
- Play Store net-positive %56.2 → 58.3
- Avg social media response time55 → no longer available
- Cheapest variable tariff£1,804.81 → £1,744.71
- Cheapest fixed tariff£1,702.64 → £1,833.95
- Cheapest tariff£1,702.64 → £1,744.71
- Cheapest tariff exit fee£150 → £50
- Cheapest tariff term24 months → 0 months
- Fixed tariffs available2 → 1
- Variable tariffs available1 → 2
- Shortest fixed term14 months → 24 months
Ecotricity
- Trustpilot reviews6,559 → 6,590
- Trustpilot 3-star %2 → 3
- Trustpilot 1-star %23 → 22
- Trustpilot negative reviews replied %98 → 100
- Trustpilot negative reviews %26 → 25
- Trustpilot neutral reviews %2 → 3
- Trustpilot net-positive %46 → 47
- iOS app ratings count108 → 110
- iOS app days since last update39 → 30
- iOS app updates in last 90 days1 → 0
- iOS sampled reviews avg stars1.67 → 2
- iOS sampled positive reviews0 → 1
- iOS sampled neutral reviews1 → 0
- Play Store rating2.7 → 2.75
- Play Store ratings count179 → 181
- Play Store days since last update23 → 45
- Play Store positive ratings %37.1 → 38
- Play Store negative ratings %53.1 → 52
- Play Store neutral ratings %9.7 → 10.1
- Play Store net-positive %-16 → -14
- Cheapest fixed tariffnow available (£1,677.29)
- Cheapest tariff£2,032.01 → £1,677.29
- Cheapest tariff exit fee£0 → £200
- Cheapest tariff term0 months → 24 months
- Cheapest fixed tariff exit feenow available (£200)
- Cheapest fixed tariff termnow available (24 months)
- Tariff count1 → 2
- Fixed tariffs available0 → 1
- Shortest fixed termnow available (24 months)
- Longest fixed termnow available (24 months)
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Written by
Rob Gibbs
Hi, I'm Rob, and I run Energy-Review.co.uk. I initially started this project in 2018 when I was looking to switch energy suppliers and found there wasn't a website that provided simple, data-backed reviews on all the suppliers available. Since then, I have spent a lot of time (too much, some may say!) looking at all publicly available data about each supplier and writing reviews using this information. These reviews are updated as regularly as possible, and any data is backed up by a source where necessary. I have also started writing guides on various energy-related topics, which hopefully you will find useful. If you find any issues, please use our contact form to let us know.