E.ON Next Outfox Energy (July 2026)
Overview
Outfox Energy wins for its cheaper fixed tariff and faster customer service, though E.ON Next is better if you want a highly rated mobile app.
Outfox Energy leads this comparison due to its lower-priced fixed tariff and higher customer service scores. E.ON Next may suit households looking for a highly rated mobile app or a cheaper variable tariff.
About E.ON Next and Outfox Energy
Who are E.ON Next?
E.ON Next is the retail brand of E.ON UK. It launched in 2020 to replace the older E.ON and npower brands. Today, it is one of the UK's largest energy suppliers. It offers standard tariffs alongside specialist options for electric vehicles, heat pumps, and solar panels, and gives customers discounts on home energy technology.
Who are Outfox Energy?
Outfox Energy is an independent British energy supplier based in Leicester. It launched in 2017 as Outfox the Market and rebranded in 2025. It is a smaller supplier that focuses on simple, low-cost energy and clear pricing, supported by a UK-based customer service team and a mobile app.
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Tariffs and pricing
Outfox Energy provides the lowest overall price in this comparison. Its cheapest option, a 15-month fixed tariff, costs £1,543 a year and includes a £150 exit fee. In contrast, E.ON Next's lowest-priced tariff is the Next Fixed 24m v51 at £1,733 a year, which carries a £200 exit fee. E.ON Next also lists a 12-month fixed deal for the same £1,733 annual cost, though it features a reduced £100 exit fee.
For households seeking a variable rate, E.ON Next offers the more affordable option. The supplier's Next Pledge Tracker 12m v12 tariff is priced at £1,747 a year, whereas Outfox Energy's Fox Standard Dual standard variable tariff costs £1,805 annually.
At present, neither supplier is a signatory to the Energy Switch Guarantee.
Tariff options
E.ON Next tariffs
E.ON Next offers standard variable and fixed-term tariffs for everyday household use. It also provides a tracker tariff that stays below the price cap, alongside specialist smart tariffs for electric vehicle owners, heat pump users, and homes with solar panels and battery storage.
Outfox Energy tariffs
Outfox Energy focuses on simple variable and fixed-term tariffs. It offers standard options that track the price cap, fixed deals for price stability, and a specialist smart tariff for electric vehicle drivers.
Customer reviews
Outfox Energy holds a slight lead on Trustpilot, achieving a score of 4.8 out of 5 against E.ON Next's 4.5. Both providers maintain high positive sentiment: 76% of Outfox Energy reviews and 74% of E.ON Next reviews award five stars. Conversely, just 9% of the feedback for each supplier falls into the one-star category.
Feedback on Trustpilot indicates that Outfox Energy customers frequently note quick response times and helpful staff. E.ON Next reviewers often mention an easy switching process and polite service, although some report slow replies and installation issues. While customer service is a common theme for both, Outfox Energy users tend to highlight clear communication, whereas E.ON Next customers frequently discuss value for money and the app experience.
Results from the Which? annual survey give Outfox Energy a score of 71, ahead of E.ON Next at 66. Both firms receive 2 out of 5 for overall customer service. However, Outfox Energy achieves 3 out of 5 for value for money, compared to 2 for E.ON Next. E.ON Next stands out in the 'help for those who need it' category, securing 9 out of 10.
App quality and features
E.ON Next achieves notably higher app ratings than Outfox Energy. The E.ON Next iOS app scores 4.8 out of 5 across more than 48,000 ratings, and its Google Play version holds a 4.3 out of 5 score with over a million installs. In contrast, Outfox Energy's iOS application scores 2.0 out of 5 from a limited number of reviews, while its Android counterpart scores 2.3 out of 5.
Recent iOS reviews suggest that some E.ON Next users encounter login difficulties, whereas Outfox Energy users frequently cite limited functionality. Regarding software maintenance, the E.ON Next app has seen three updates in the last 90 days.
Service and support
In the Citizens Advice table, Outfox Energy ranks 2nd with a score of 4.25 out of 5, while E.ON Next places 3rd with 3.71. Outfox Energy also records a lower complaint volume, registering 16.3 complaints per 10,000 customers compared to 29.8 for E.ON Next.
Call centre data shows Outfox Energy answers the phone faster, averaging a wait time of 1 minute 17 seconds, versus 2 minutes 3 seconds for E.ON Next. Furthermore, Outfox Energy responds to all emails within two days, whereas E.ON Next reaches 91% in that timeframe. Outfox Energy also reports an average social media response time of 49 seconds.
Both providers maintain formal vulnerability commitments registered with Citizens Advice. E.ON Next accepts Direct Debit, cash, cheques, and prepayment, operating its phone lines Monday to Thursday from 9am to 5pm, and Friday from 9am to 4pm. Outfox Energy accepts Direct Debit and staffs its lines on weekdays from 8:30am to 5pm, as well as Saturdays from 9am to 2pm.
Complaints and performance
When looking at customer complaints, we only have data for E.ON Next from the last quarter of 2025. Outfox Energy does not have any complaints data available for this period.
Green energy comparison
E.ON Next
E.ON Next supplies a mostly renewable mix, with some fossil fuels and a small amount of nuclear. The supplier buys Renewable Energy Guarantees of Origin (REGO) certificates to match the electricity its customers use. It also offers specific tariffs, such as Next Gust and Next Pumped, which give customers 100% renewable electricity backed by UK wind generators and other renewable sources. For every customer who signs up for a fixed tariff, the supplier makes a one-off donation to help restore ancient woodlands in partnership with the Woodland Trust.[1]
Outfox Energy
Outfox Energy supplies a mix largely split between fossil fuels and renewables, with some nuclear. The supplier focuses on keeping prices low rather than running specific green energy or carbon offsetting schemes.[2]
Our verdict
| If you care most about | Choose |
|---|---|
| The lowest annual cost on our assumptions | Outfox Energy |
| Overall customer service | Outfox Energy |
| A well-rated mobile app | E.ON Next |
| A greener fuel mix | E.ON Next |
Outfox Energy wins for its cheaper fixed tariff and faster customer service, though E.ON Next is better if you want a highly rated mobile app.
Outfox Energy leads this comparison by providing a notably cheaper fixed tariff alongside higher customer service scores in several independent surveys. It also features faster call answering times and a higher ranking in the Citizens Advice table.
Outfox Energy may suit households prioritising the lowest fixed price and faster customer service response times. However, E.ON Next could be a better fit for those who prefer tracking variable rates or managing their energy account via a highly rated mobile app.
- Cheaper variable tracker tariff
- Highly rated mobile apps
- High score for helping customers who need it
- More expensive fixed tariff
- Slower call centre wait times
- Lower overall Citizens Advice score
- Significantly cheaper fixed tariff
- Faster call centre response times
- Higher Citizens Advice and Which? scores
- Poorly rated mobile apps
- More expensive variable tariff
Frequently asked questions
Which supplier is better overall?
Outfox Energy wins this comparison because it offers a significantly cheaper fixed tariff and scores higher for customer service. E.ON Next is a strong alternative if you want a highly rated mobile app or a cheaper variable tariff.
Who has the cheaper fixed tariff?
Outfox Energy offers the cheaper fixed tariff. Its 15-month fixed deal costs £1,543 a year, while E.ON Next's cheapest fixed option costs £1,733 a year.
What do customers say about E.ON Next and Outfox Energy?
Both suppliers score highly on Trustpilot. Outfox Energy customers often praise the helpful staff and quick response times. E.ON Next customers highlight polite customer service, though some mention slow responses.
Which supplier has the better mobile app?
E.ON Next has significantly higher app ratings. Its iOS app scores 4.8 out of 5, while Outfox Energy's iOS app scores just 2.0 out of 5.
Who answers the phone faster?
Outfox Energy answers calls faster, with an average wait time of 1 minute 17 seconds. E.ON Next takes an average of 2 minutes 3 seconds to answer calls.
Should I choose E.ON Next or Outfox Energy?
If you want the cheapest fixed price and fast customer service, Outfox Energy is the better choice. If you prefer to track variable rates or manage your account through a highly rated app, E.ON Next is a strong option.
Are there exit fees if I leave my contract early?
Yes, both suppliers charge exit fees on their cheapest fixed tariffs. Outfox Energy charges £150, while E.ON Next charges £100 on its 12-month fixed deal and £200 on its 24-month option.
Do both suppliers have vulnerability commitments?
Yes, both E.ON Next and Outfox Energy have formal vulnerability commitments registered with Citizens Advice to help support their customers.
Have the apps been updated recently?
The E.ON Next app is updated frequently, with three updates in the last 90 days. Outfox Energy has not updated its mobile apps in the last three months.
How do they compare in the Which? annual survey?
Outfox Energy scores 71 in the Which? survey, while E.ON Next scores 66. Outfox Energy scores slightly higher for value for money, but both receive 2 out of 5 for overall customer service.
What changed this month
This month, E.ON Next's cheapest tariff term changed from a variable tariff to a 24-month fixed deal, E.ON Next's iOS sampled positive reviews rose from 0 to 1, and Outfox Energy's iOS sampled negative reviews rose from 2 to 4. There were 37 other data changes this month — see the full changelog below for details.
Data changes this month (49)
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
Outfox Energy
- Trustpilot reviews53,128 → 53,918
- Trustpilot negative reviews replied %98 → 100
- iOS app days since last update192 → 137
- iOS sampled reviews avg stars2 → 1.8
- iOS sampled negative reviews2 → 4
- Play Store rating2.31 → 2.3267326
- Play Store ratings count182 → 185
- Play Store days since last update125 → 140
- Play Store positive ratings %27.8 → 28.6
- Play Store negative ratings %63.3 → 62.6
- Play Store neutral ratings %8.9 → 8.8
- Play Store net-positive %-35.5 → -34
- Citizens Advice score3.9 → 4.25
- Complaints per 10,000 customers23.4 → 16.3
- Avg call centre wait time75 → 77
- Avg social media response timenow available (49)
- Emails responded within 2 days %99.5 → 100
- Cheapest variable tariff£1,584.24 → £1,804.79
- Cheapest fixed tariff£1,522.84 → £1,542.79
- Cheapest tariff£1,443.03 → £1,542.79
- Cheapest tariff exit fee£100 → £150
- Cheapest tariff term12 months → 15 months
- Cheapest fixed tariff term12 months → 15 months
- Fixed tariffs available3 → 4
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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.