Octopus Energy EDF Energy (August 2026)
Overview
Octopus Energy wins on customer service and support, though EDF Energy currently offers cheaper tariffs.
Octopus Energy leads this comparison due to its higher scores across independent customer service and support metrics. While EDF Energy currently provides cheaper variable and fixed tariffs, Octopus Energy's shorter call wait times and stronger service ratings make it the overall winner.
About Octopus Energy and EDF Energy
Who are Octopus Energy?
Octopus Energy started in 2015 and is backed by the Octopus Group. Through its own growth and buying other suppliers, it has grown quickly to become the UK's largest domestic energy supplier. A key difference is its in-house technology platform, Kraken, which runs its billing and customer service.
Who are EDF Energy?
EDF Energy is owned by the French state-owned energy company, Électricité de France. It is one of the UK's oldest and one of the UK's largest domestic energy suppliers. Over the years, it has taken on customers from failed suppliers to increase its scale. What sets it apart is its status as a major generator of electricity in the UK, running several nuclear power stations.
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Tariffs and pricing
Across both suppliers, the lowest-priced deal is EDF Energy's Simply Tracker Sep27 variable tariff at £1,755 a year. By comparison, the cheapest option from Octopus Energy is the Flexible Octopus variable tariff, priced at £1,792 annually. Because these are variable tariffs without a fixed term, unit rates are subject to change. Octopus Energy applies no exit fee to this tariff, whereas EDF Energy charges £50 if you leave.
For households looking to lock in their rates, EDF Energy provides the cheaper fixed option. The Simply Fixed 2Yr Aug28 tariff costs £1,824 a year, requiring a 24-month commitment and a £150 exit fee. Meanwhile, Octopus Energy's lowest-priced fixed tariff is the Octopus 12M Fixed July 2026 v5 at £1,841 a year. This deal lasts for 12 months and includes a £100 exit fee.
Octopus Energy and EDF Energy: Tariff Options
Octopus Energy
Octopus Energy offers mainstream standard variable and fixed tariffs, with fixed terms lasting 12 months. It also provides a wide range of specialist smart tariffs that reward customers for shifting their energy use to cheaper times.
EDF Energy
EDF Energy offers mainstream standard variable and fixed tariffs, with fixed terms lasting from 12 to 24 months. It also provides specialist options for electric vehicle owners and homes with solar panels or heat pumps.
Customer reviews
Both suppliers achieve a 4.8 out of 5 rating on Trustpilot. Octopus Energy has accumulated 837,814 reviews, with 90% awarding five stars. EDF Energy also maintains a large volume of feedback, holding 243,334 reviews, of which 83% are five-star ratings.
Feedback for Octopus Energy frequently highlights knowledgeable staff and quick response times, with many users noting efficient problem resolution. However, a small number report slower email replies. EDF Energy customers similarly note polite and professional staff, describing their interactions as efficient.
The annual Which? energy survey awards Octopus Energy 74 out of 100, placing it ahead of EDF Energy's score of 58. Octopus Energy leads in multiple sub-categories, including a 4 out of 5 for overall customer service, whereas EDF Energy receives 2 out of 5. When assessed on contacting the supplier, Octopus Energy scores 8 out of 12, compared to EDF Energy's 3 out of 12.
App quality and features
On the App Store, Octopus Energy holds a slightly higher rating of 4.8 out of 5 across 249,000 reviews, while EDF Energy scores 4.6 out of 5 from 185,000 ratings. Both suppliers actively maintain their iOS applications with recent updates.
Google Play ratings are tied at 4.4 out of 5 for both suppliers. Octopus Energy's Android app has generated 47,091 ratings, and EDF Energy's has 50,315. Each application records over 1,000,000 installs alongside regular software updates.
EDF Energy recently updated its mobile app to include a redesigned interface, quick actions on the home screen, and more direct access to the Priority Services Register.
Service and support
In the Citizens Advice energy supplier table, Octopus Energy ranks 4th with a score of 3.67 out of 5. EDF Energy sits lower in 11th place, scoring 2.9 out of 5.
For telephone support, Octopus Energy connects callers faster. Its average call centre wait time is 1 minute 17 seconds, whereas EDF Energy customers wait an average of 2 minutes 46 seconds. Email response rates are similar, with both suppliers replying to approximately 86% of messages within two days.
Both companies maintain formal vulnerability commitments registered with Citizens Advice. Octopus Energy operates its phone lines from 9am to 5pm Monday to Thursday, and 9am to 4pm on Fridays. EDF Energy offers slightly longer hours, opening from 8am to 6pm Monday to Thursday, and 8am to 4pm on Fridays. Neither supplier provides weekend telephone support.
Complaints and performance
In Q4 2025, Octopus Energy received 495 complaints for every 100,000 customers. It resolved 45% of these by the end of the next working day, and 79% within eight weeks. EDF Energy's figures in this section cover Q1 2025, so the two suppliers' complaints results are not directly comparable.
Green Energy Comparison
Octopus Energy
Octopus Energy supplies 100% zero-carbon electricity. Based on Citizens Advice data for early 2026, its electricity mix is mostly renewable, with some nuclear power. The company builds and runs renewable generation sites, such as wind and solar farms, through its generation arm. It also offers specific tariffs to help customers use green technology like heat pumps and electric vehicles.[1]
EDF Energy
EDF Energy is a major generator of zero-carbon electricity in Britain, driven largely by its nuclear power stations. Based on Citizens Advice data for early 2026, its electricity mix is largely nuclear, with some fossil fuels and renewables. The company buys Renewable Energy Guarantee of Origin (REGO) certificates to match some of the electricity its customers use. It also invests in wind and solar projects to help support the UK's net zero targets.[2]
Our verdict
| If you care most about | Choose |
|---|---|
| The lowest annual cost on our assumptions | EDF Energy |
| Overall customer service | Octopus Energy |
| A well-rated mobile app | Octopus Energy |
| A greener fuel mix | Octopus Energy |
Octopus Energy wins on customer service and support, though EDF Energy currently offers cheaper tariffs.
Octopus Energy may suit households prioritising customer service and support metrics. It achieves higher independent scores from Citizens Advice and Which?, and records call wait times that are less than half as long as EDF Energy's.
For those whose primary focus is price, EDF Energy provides lower annual costs across both variable and fixed tariffs in this comparison. However, Octopus Energy's consistent lead in independent service and support ratings makes it the overall winner.
- Higher scores from Citizens Advice and Which?
- Shorter average call centre wait times
- No exit fee on the cheapest variable tariff
- Fixed tariff is more expensive in this comparison
- Variable tariff carries a higher annual cost
- Cheaper variable tariff option
- Cheaper fixed tariff option
- Longer weekday telephone opening hours
- Lower independent scores for customer service
- Longer average call centre wait times
- Charges a £50 exit fee on the cheapest variable tariff
Frequently asked questions
Which supplier is better overall, Octopus Energy or EDF Energy?
Octopus Energy wins our overall comparison. It scores higher across independent customer service metrics, including Citizens Advice and Which? ratings, and has shorter call wait times. EDF Energy does offer cheaper fixed and variable tariffs, but Octopus Energy's stronger service record gives it the edge.
Which supplier has the cheaper energy tariff?
EDF Energy has the cheaper deals in this comparison. Its Simply Tracker Sep27 variable tariff costs £1,755 a year, which is cheaper than Octopus Energy's Flexible Octopus at £1,792 a year. EDF Energy also offers the cheaper fixed deal at £1,824 a year, compared to £1,841 a year from Octopus Energy.
Do customers prefer Octopus Energy or EDF Energy?
Both suppliers score 4.8 out of 5 on Trustpilot, but Octopus Energy has a higher share of five-star reviews (90% compared to 83% for EDF Energy). Octopus Energy also performs much better in the annual Which? survey, scoring 74 overall against EDF Energy's 58.
Which supplier has the better mobile app?
Octopus Energy has a slightly higher rating on the App Store, scoring 4.8 out of 5 compared to EDF Energy's 4.6. On Google Play, both apps score 4.4 out of 5. Both suppliers update their apps regularly and have over a million installs.
Who answers the phone faster, Octopus Energy or EDF Energy?
Octopus Energy answers calls faster. According to Citizens Advice data, its average call centre wait time is 1 minute 17 seconds, while EDF Energy customers wait an average of 2 minutes 46 seconds.
Should I switch to Octopus Energy or EDF Energy?
If you want the best customer service and support, Octopus Energy is the better option. It leads on almost all independent service metrics. If you are focused entirely on keeping your annual energy costs as low as possible, EDF Energy currently offers cheaper variable and fixed tariffs.
Do these suppliers charge exit fees on their tariffs?
It depends on the tariff you choose. Octopus Energy does not charge an exit fee on its cheapest variable tariff, but EDF Energy charges a £50 exit fee on its cheapest variable option. Both suppliers charge exit fees on their fixed tariffs, with Octopus Energy charging £100 and EDF Energy charging £150.
What are the opening hours for Octopus Energy and EDF Energy?
Octopus Energy is open Monday to Thursday from 9am to 5pm, and Friday from 9am to 4pm. EDF Energy opens earlier, running Monday to Thursday from 8am to 6pm, and Friday from 8am to 4pm. Both suppliers are closed on Saturdays and Sundays.
How do Octopus Energy and EDF Energy perform in Which? ratings?
Octopus Energy scores 74 out of 100 in the Which? survey, beating EDF Energy, which scores 58. Octopus Energy also scores higher in specific areas, receiving 4 out of 5 for overall customer service, while EDF Energy receives 2 out of 5.
How long are the fixed tariff contracts?
The cheapest fixed tariff from Octopus Energy lasts for 12 months. EDF Energy's cheapest fixed tariff is a 24-month contract, meaning your prices are locked in for two years.
What changed this month
This month, EDF Energy's iOS app updates in last 90 days rose from 0 to 3, Octopus Energy's iOS sampled positive reviews rose from 0 to 1, and Octopus Energy's iOS sampled negative reviews rose from 0 to 2. There were 26 other data changes this month — see the full changelog below for details.
Data changes this month (34)
Octopus Energy
- Trustpilot reviews821,111 → 837,814
- iOS app ratings count245,000 → 249,000
- iOS app days since last update9 → 6
- iOS sampled reviews avg starsnow available (2)
- iOS sampled positive reviews0 → 1
- iOS sampled negative reviews0 → 2
- Play Store rating4.4341745 → 4.3956046
- Play Store ratings count46,873 → 47,091
- Play Store days since last update11 → 2
- Play Store positive ratings %86.7 → 85.5
- Play Store negative ratings %10 → 11
- Play Store neutral ratings %3.3 → 3.5
- Play Store net-positive %76.7 → 74.5
- Cheapest fixed tariff£1,697.05 → £1,841.19
- Cheapest tariff£1,697.05 → £1,792.32
- Cheapest tariff exit fee£100 → £0
- Cheapest tariff term12 months → 0 months
- Tariff count2 → 3
- Fixed tariffs available1 → 2
EDF Energy
- Trustpilot reviews234,962 → 243,334
- iOS app ratings count182,000 → 185,000
- iOS app days since last update754 → 6
- iOS app updates in last 90 days0 → 3
- Play Store rating4.4540496 → 4.4256063
- Play Store ratings count49,305 → 50,315
- Play Store days since last update20 → 7
- Play Store positive ratings %87.2 → 86.3
- Play Store negative ratings %9.1 → 9.8
- Play Store neutral ratings %3.7 → 3.9
- Play Store net-positive %78.1 → 76.5
- Cheapest fixed tariff£1,692.77 → £1,824.37
- Cheapest tariff£1,692.77 → £1,754.76
- Cheapest tariff exit fee£150 → £50
- Cheapest tariff term24 months → 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.