E.ON Next Ecotricity (July 2026)
Overview
E.ON Next is the clear winner for most households due to its significantly cheaper tariffs and highly rated apps, though Ecotricity offers faster phone support and a 100% renewable electricity mix.
E.ON Next leads this comparison due to its lower tariff prices and higher-rated digital tools. Ecotricity may suit households prioritising a 100% renewable energy mix and faster phone support, though its higher costs and lower app scores make it less competitive for the average customer.
About E.ON Next and Ecotricity
Who is E.ON Next?
E.ON Next is one of the UK's largest energy suppliers and the consumer brand of the German energy group E.ON. It launched in 2020 to take on customers after E.ON bought npower, moving accounts to a new software platform. E.ON has announced a planned takeover of OVO, which would increase its scale in the home energy market. In 2026, E.ON Next gained two Uswitch Flex Accreditations for its Next Smart Saver and Next Drive tariffs. It was also named in the Sunday Times Best Places to Work 2026 list.
Who is Ecotricity?
Ecotricity is a smaller, independent energy supplier based in Stroud. Dale Vince founded the company in 1995. It started with a single windmill and became one of the first suppliers to offer green electricity. It operates as a not-for-dividend company, meaning it puts its profits into building new wind and solar generation in Britain. In 2026, Ecotricity won the Customer Service Award for small suppliers at the Uswitch Energy Awards.
- [1] Uswitch.com: Smart Saver and Next Drive tariffs
- [2] E.ON Next: named in the Sunday Times Best Places to Work 2026 list
- [3] En.wikipedia.org: smaller, independent energy supplier based in Stroud
- [4] En.wikipedia.org: founded the company in 1995
- [5] Ecotricity.co.uk: one of the first suppliers to offer green electricity
- [6] Ecotricity.co.uk: puts its profits into building new wind and solar generation
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Tariffs and pricing
Based on our priced data, E.ON Next is currently the cheaper option. The lowest-priced deal across both suppliers is E.ON Next's Next Fixed 24m v51 at £1,733 a year. This 24-month fixed tariff carries a £200 total exit fee.
In comparison, Ecotricity's most affordable option in our data is its Standard Variable Green Tariff at £2,032 a year. This variable deal has no fixed term or exit fees. For those interested in variable options from E.ON Next, the supplier offers the Next Pledge Tracker 12m v12 at £1,747 a year.
Households seeking a shorter commitment can opt for E.ON Next's 12-month fixed deal, also priced at £1,733 a year, which includes a £100 exit fee. We do not currently hold priced data for any Ecotricity fixed tariffs. Additionally, neither supplier currently participates in the Warm Home Discount scheme.
Tariff options
E.ON Next
E.ON Next offers standard variable and fixed-term tariffs for everyday household use. It also provides a range of smart and specialist tariffs for electric vehicle drivers, heat pump users, and homes with solar panels and battery storage.
Ecotricity
Ecotricity keeps its energy options simple, focusing on a main variable tariff alongside specialist choices for electric vehicle drivers and prepayment customers.
Customer reviews
E.ON Next holds a higher overall Trustpilot score of 4.5, drawn from a very high volume of reviews, compared to Ecotricity's 4.2 rating from a medium volume. Looking at the breakdown, 74% of E.ON Next's reviews award five stars, whereas Ecotricity receives 66%. Furthermore, Ecotricity sees a higher proportion of one-star ratings at 23%, against 9% for E.ON Next.
Reviewers frequently mention E.ON Next's polite staff and straightforward switching process, though some report slow responses and unfulfilled callbacks. Conversely, Ecotricity customers often note the supplier's personalised approach and quick response times.
In the annual Which? customer satisfaction survey, both suppliers achieve an overall score of 66 and receive 2 out of 5 for customer service. However, their performance diverges in the smart meters category, where E.ON Next scores 8 out of 10 and Ecotricity receives 4 out of 10.
Smartphone apps
E.ON Next's digital tools score higher across both major app stores. Its iOS app holds a 4.8 rating, compared to Ecotricity's 1.8. A similar gap exists on Google Play, where E.ON Next scores 4.3 and Ecotricity scores 2.7. Both suppliers actively maintain their software with recent updates.
With over 1 million installs on Google Play, E.ON Next's app sees widespread use. A sample of recent iOS reviews indicates that users find the account information helpful, although some report experiencing occasional login resets.
Ecotricity's app has over 1,000 Google Play installs. The lower ratings appear connected to a recent update; sampled iOS reviews suggest the new version functions as a basic website wrapper and removes access to older billing history.
Service and support
In the latest Citizens Advice data, E.ON Next places 3rd overall with a score of 3.71 out of 5, while Ecotricity ranks 7th with 3.36. Both suppliers maintain formal vulnerability commitments registered with the organisation.
Despite a lower overall score, Ecotricity performs better on call wait times. Customers wait an average of 45 seconds to reach an Ecotricity agent, compared to 2 minutes 3 seconds for E.ON Next. Ecotricity is also slightly faster with email support, responding to 95% of messages within two days against E.ON Next's 91%.
Ecotricity provides weekend support, with phone lines open on Saturdays and Sundays from 9am to 5pm. In contrast, E.ON Next operates its call centre on weekdays only. For billing, both suppliers accept Direct Debit, Cash/Cheque, and Prepayment methods.
Complaints and performance
When looking at how often customers complain, Ecotricity has a clear lead. It receives 320 complaints for every 100,000 customers. E.ON Next gets more than double this amount, with 795 complaints per 100,000 customers.
Green energy comparison
E.ON Next
E.ON Next supplies a mostly renewable mix, with some fossil fuels and nuclear. For households wanting a fully renewable option, the supplier offers a specific green tariff called Next Gust, which provides 100% renewable electricity backed by UK wind generators. When a customer signs up for a fixed tariff, E.ON Next makes a one-off donation to the Woodland Trust to help restore ancient woodlands.[1]
Ecotricity
Ecotricity supplies 100% renewable electricity. It builds its own renewable generation sites across Britain rather than relying solely on certificates. Its electricity is certified vegan by The Vegan Society, meaning no animal by-products are used in generation. The supplier provides a mix of sustainable green gas and fossil gas, and it offsets the fossil gas by investing in direct carbon removal projects in Britain. It offers a simple tariff range, and its main variable tariff is exempt from the Ofgem price cap so it can fund new green energy projects.[2]
Our verdict
| If you care most about | Choose |
|---|---|
| The lowest annual cost on our assumptions | E.ON Next |
| Overall customer service | E.ON Next |
| A well-rated mobile app | E.ON Next |
| A greener fuel mix | Ecotricity |
E.ON Next is the clear winner for most households due to its significantly cheaper tariffs and highly rated apps, though Ecotricity offers faster phone support and a 100% renewable electricity mix.
Based on the available data, E.ON Next may suit a wider range of households. It provides lower energy prices, higher-rated smartphone apps, and a stronger overall score from Citizens Advice.
Ecotricity may appeal to households prioritising a 100% renewable electricity mix and faster phone support. It answers calls in under a minute and maintains weekend support hours. However, its tariffs cost nearly £300 a year more than E.ON Next's cheapest deals, and its apps currently receive low ratings.
- Lower overall and fixed tariff prices
- Higher app ratings on iOS and Android
- Higher Citizens Advice and Trustpilot scores
- Longer average call wait times
- No weekend phone support
- Provides a 100% renewable electricity mix
- Faster average call answering times
- Phone support available on weekends
- Higher annual tariff costs
- Lower smartphone app ratings
- Higher proportion of one-star Trustpilot reviews
Frequently asked questions
Which supplier is better overall?
E.ON Next performs better across the sources we reviewed, offering much cheaper tariffs, better digital tools, and a higher overall Citizens Advice score.
Which supplier offers the cheapest energy tariff?
E.ON Next offers the cheapest deal in our comparison. Its cheapest fixed tariff costs nearly £300 a year less than Ecotricity's standard variable deal.
Do customers prefer E.ON Next or Ecotricity?
E.ON Next holds a higher Trustpilot rating and a greater share of five-star reviews. However, Ecotricity customers often praise its personalised approach and fast response times.
Which supplier has the better smartphone app?
E.ON Next has significantly higher ratings on both the App Store and Google Play, while Ecotricity's apps score very poorly following a recent update.
Which supplier is faster at answering the phone?
Ecotricity answers calls much faster, taking just 45 seconds on average. E.ON Next takes just over two minutes to answer calls.
Should I switch to E.ON Next or Ecotricity?
E.ON Next is the better choice for price and app quality, while Ecotricity suits households who prioritise green energy and fast phone support on weekends.
Does Ecotricity offer a fixed energy tariff?
We do not currently have priced data for any fixed tariffs from Ecotricity. Its main priced option is a standard variable deal.
Are E.ON Next and Ecotricity open on weekends?
Ecotricity opens its phone lines on Saturdays and Sundays from 9am to 5pm. E.ON Next support lines are closed on weekends.
How do E.ON Next and Ecotricity perform in Which? rankings?
Both suppliers score 66 overall in the Which? customer satisfaction survey. However, E.ON Next scores much higher than Ecotricity for smart meters.
Do E.ON Next or Ecotricity offer tracker tariffs?
E.ON Next offers a variable tracker tariff called Next Pledge Tracker, while Ecotricity's main option is a standard variable deal.
What changed this month
This month, E.ON Next's cheapest tariff term changed from a variable tariff to a 24-month fixed deal, Ecotricity's Citizens Advice rank rose from 1 to 7, and E.ON Next's iOS sampled positive reviews rose from 0 to 1. There were 33 other data changes this month — see the full changelog below for details.
Data changes this month (42)
E.ON Next
- Trustpilot reviews205,883 → 211,533
- iOS app days since last update8 → 9
- iOS sampled reviews avg stars2.33 → 3
- iOS sampled positive reviews0 → 1
- iOS sampled negative reviews2 → 1
- iOS sampled neutral reviews1 → 0
- Play Store rating4.369063 → 4.3445005
- Play Store ratings count15,579 → 15,798
- Play Store days since last update24 → 9
- Play Store positive ratings %84.2 → 83.5
- Play Store negative ratings %13.2 → 13.7
- Play Store neutral ratings %2.6 → 2.8
- Play Store net-positive %71 → 69.8
- Citizens Advice rank5 → 3
- Complaints per 10,000 customers29.4 → 29.8
- Avg call centre wait time116 → 123
- Emails responded within 2 days %90.6 → 90.7
- Cheapest variable tariff£1,584.14 → £1,747
- Cheapest fixed tariff£1,645.75 → £1,733
- Cheapest tariff£1,584.14 → £1,733
- Cheapest tariff exit fee£0 → £200
- Cheapest tariff termvariable → 24 months
- Tariff count7 → 5
- Fixed tariffs available6 → 3
- Variable tariffs available1 → 2
Ecotricity
- Trustpilot reviews6,530 → 6,559
- Trustpilot negative reviews replied %100 → 98
- iOS app days since last update25 → 39
- Play Store rating2.72 → 2.7
- Play Store ratings count178 → 179
- Play Store days since last update30 → 23
- Play Store negative ratings %52 → 53.1
- Play Store neutral ratings %10.9 → 9.7
- Play Store net-positive %-14.9 → -16
- Citizens Advice rank1 → 7
- Citizens Advice score3.93 → 3.36
- Complaints per 10,000 customers13 → 21.5
- Avg call centre wait time46 → 45
- Emails responded within 2 days %93.5 → 95.2
- Cheapest variable tariff£1,825.18 → £2,032.01
- Cheapest tariff£1,825.18 → £2,032.01
- Cheapest tariff termvariable → 0 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.