Octopus Energy Outfox Energy (September 2026)
Contents
Overview of the suppliers
There is no clear overall winner: Octopus Energy is stronger for app quality and Trustpilot review strength, while Outfox Energy offers lower-priced tariffs and higher Citizens Advice scores.
Octopus Energy leads this comparison due to its higher-rated apps, stronger Which? score, and a 90% five-star share on Trustpilot. However, Outfox Energy currently provides cheaper fixed and variable tariffs alongside a higher Citizens Advice score, which may suit households prioritising price.
About Octopus Energy and Outfox Energy
Who is Octopus Energy?
Octopus Energy is the UK's largest domestic energy supplier. It launched in 2015 and has grown quickly, partly by taking on customers from closed suppliers and buying Shell Energy's household business. It runs on its own technology platform, which it shares with other energy firms. The company focuses on smart technology and green energy, offering a wide range of tariffs for electric vehicles, heat pumps, and solar panels.
Products & services
Awards & recognition
Who is Outfox Energy?
Outfox Energy is one of the UK's smaller domestic energy suppliers. Based in Leicester, the independent, family-owned business launched in 2017 as Outfox the Market and changed its name in 2025. It focuses on keeping running costs low to offer cheaper, straightforward energy deals. The supplier encourages customers to manage their accounts online or through its app.
Products & services
Awards & recognition
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Tariffs and pricing
Outfox Energy currently provides the cheaper overall deal. Its variable tariff, Outfox the Price Cap Tracker 12M Dual - V3, costs £1,481 a year, making it £117 less than Octopus Energy's lowest-priced option. By comparison, Octopus Energy's cheapest deal is the Flexible Octopus variable tariff at £1,598 a year. Although Outfox Energy costs less, this variable tariff requires a 12-month term and includes a £150 exit fee. Octopus Energy's variable tariff operates without a fixed term or exit fees.
For households seeking a fixed rate, Outfox Energy remains the cheaper option. Its Fix'd Dual Aug26 24M v1 - Family Advantage+ tariff costs £1,516 a year, requiring a 24-month term and a £200 exit fee. Octopus Energy's lowest-priced fixed option is the Octopus 12M Fixed August 2026 v6 at £1,642 a year, which involves a shorter 12-month term and a £100 exit fee. Neither supplier is signed up to the Energy Switch Guarantee.
| Metric | Octopus Energy | Outfox Energy |
|---|---|---|
| Cheapest fixed tariff | £1,641 / year | £1,515 / year |
Octopus Energy and Outfox Energy: Tariff Options
Octopus Energy
Octopus Energy offers standard variable and fixed deals, alongside a wide range of smart and specialist tariffs. These include options for electric vehicle owners, homes with heat pumps, and customers with solar panels and battery storage.
Outfox Energy
Outfox Energy provides standard variable and fixed deals, as well as a tracker tariff and a smart option for electric vehicle owners. It focuses on straightforward energy plans with terms from 12 to 24 months.
Customer reviews and ratings
Both suppliers hold a 4.8 out of 5 Trustpilot rating, although Octopus Energy's score draws from a significantly larger volume of 857,633 reviews compared to Outfox Energy's 55,424. Octopus Energy maintains a higher share of five-star reviews at 90%, whereas Outfox Energy sits at 76%. Additionally, Outfox Energy records a slightly higher one-star share of 9% against Octopus Energy's 3%. Reviewers frequently note that Octopus Energy staff are friendly and efficient, despite some reports of occasional communication issues. Outfox Energy customers highlight helpful staff and fast response times, though some mention delays when calling. When addressing negative feedback, Outfox Energy typically replies within 48 hours, while Octopus Energy usually takes up to a week.
In the annual Which? survey, Octopus Energy achieves 74 out of 100, placing it slightly ahead of Outfox Energy's 71 out of 100. Octopus Energy receives 4 out of 5 for customer service, 10 out of 10 for help for those who need it, and 4 out of 5 for both ease of contacting and clarity of statements. Conversely, Outfox Energy performs better regarding smart meters, scoring 8 out of 10 compared to Octopus Energy's 5 out of 10. It also scores higher for complaints handling, earning 11 out of 15 against Octopus Energy's 8 out of 15.
App experience and features
Octopus Energy receives higher scores across both major app platforms. Its iOS app holds 4.8 out of 5 from 254,000 ratings, and its Android app achieves 4.3 out of 5 from 47,238 ratings, alongside over one million installs on the Google Play Store. Recent Apple reviews for Octopus Energy are mixed; a small sample averages 1.6 stars, with some users praising the ability to track cheap charging rates while others report occasional technical faults. The software has been updated very recently, recording three updates in the last 90 days.
Outfox Energy's applications score lower, though these figures stem from a smaller sample size. Its iOS app scores 2.1 out of 5 from 106 ratings, and the Android version scores 2.0 out of 5 from 231 ratings. The Outfox Energy iOS app has also seen very recent updates, introducing a new tariff renewal journey that allows eligible customers to compare and securely renew their tariffs.
| Metric | Octopus Energy | Outfox Energy |
|---|---|---|
| Google Play rating | 4.3 / 5 | 2 / 5 |
Service and support
Average wait: 1.3 min
Hours: Mon–Thu 9am–5pm, Fri 9am–4pm, closed Saturday, closed Sunday
Average wait: 1.3 min
Hours: Weekdays 8:30am–5pm, open Saturday 9am–2pm, closed Sunday
Replies: 86% within 2 days
Hours: 24/7
Replies: 100% within 2 days
Hours: 24/7
Outfox Energy performs better in the latest Citizens Advice rankings, scoring 4.25 out of 5 overall to place 2nd in the table. In contrast, Octopus Energy scores 3.67 out of 5 and ranks 4th. Both suppliers share an average call centre wait time of 1 minute 17 seconds. Outfox Energy leads on email support, responding to 100% of emails within two days, compared to 86.1% for Octopus Energy.
Both suppliers maintain formal vulnerability commitments registered with Citizens Advice. For customer contact, Octopus Energy operates Monday to Thursday from 9am to 5pm, and Friday from 9am to 4pm, remaining closed on weekends. Outfox Energy is available weekdays from 8:30am to 5pm, and on Saturdays from 9am to 2pm. Regarding payment methods, Octopus Energy accepts Direct Debit, cash, cheque, and prepayment, whereas Outfox Energy only accepts Direct Debit.
Complaints and performance
Octopus Energy has published its complaints data for the first quarter of 2026. Outfox Energy does not have any complaints data available to show. Because of this, we cannot compare the two suppliers directly on how they handle complaints.
Green Energy Comparison
Octopus Energy
Octopus Energy provides a 100% zero-carbon electricity mix. Its fuel mix is mostly renewable, with some nuclear power. The company invests heavily in building its own renewable energy sources, such as wind and solar farms, rather than just buying certificates to match customer use. It also helps customers move away from fossil fuels by installing heat pumps, solar panels, and home batteries.
Outfox Energy
Outfox Energy supplies an electricity mix of fossil fuels and renewables, with some nuclear power. The company buys Renewable Energy Guarantee of Origin (REGO) certificates to match the renewable part of its fuel mix. It does not generate its own renewable power, offer green gas, or list any specific carbon offsetting schemes or wider sustainability investments.
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 | Octopus Energy |
| A greener fuel mix | Octopus Energy |
There is no clear overall winner: Octopus Energy is stronger for app quality and Trustpilot review strength, while Outfox Energy offers lower-priced tariffs and higher Citizens Advice scores.
Octopus Energy and Outfox Energy both demonstrate strong customer service metrics, though they lead in different areas. Octopus Energy performs better across digital platforms, featuring higher-rated apps and a substantial volume of five-star Trustpilot reviews. It also scores well in the Which? survey, particularly for helping customers who need it.
Conversely, Outfox Energy leads on price and formal service metrics. It currently provides cheaper variable and fixed tariffs, and ranks higher with Citizens Advice, supported by a 100% email response rate within two days. Octopus Energy may suit households prioritising highly rated apps and flexible terms. However, Outfox Energy could be the preferred option for those focused on lower energy bills who do not require advanced digital features.
- Higher iOS and Android app ratings
- Scores 10 out of 10 in Which? for helping those who need it
- 90% of Trustpilot reviews are five-star
- No exit fees on its cheapest variable tariff
- More expensive across both fixed and variable tariffs
- Slower email response times than Outfox Energy
- Lower overall Citizens Advice score
- Cheaper overall and fixed tariffs
- Ranks 2nd overall with Citizens Advice
- Responds to 100% of emails within two days
- Higher Which? score for handling complaints
- Lower ratings for both iOS and Android apps
- Exit fees apply to its variable tariff
- Only accepts Direct Debit payments
Frequently asked questions
Which supplier is better overall, Octopus Energy or Outfox Energy?
Octopus Energy edges ahead thanks to its highly rated apps and strong Trustpilot reviews. Even so, Outfox Energy currently offers cheaper tariffs and scores higher with Citizens Advice, making it a strong alternative.
Does Octopus Energy or Outfox Energy offer cheaper tariffs?
Outfox Energy currently offers the cheaper overall deal. Its cheapest variable tariff is £117 a year less than Octopus Energy's cheapest variable option, though the Outfox Energy deal comes with a £150 exit fee.
Which supplier has better customer reviews?
Both suppliers have a 4.8 out of 5 Trustpilot rating. Octopus Energy has a much larger volume of reviews and a higher Which? overall score, but Outfox Energy performs better on specific Which? metrics like handling complaints.
Are the Octopus Energy and Outfox Energy apps any good?
Octopus Energy offers highly rated apps on both Apple and Android devices, with scores of 4.8 and 4.3 out of 5. Outfox Energy's apps score much lower, around 2.1 and 2.0 out of 5, though they have far fewer reviews.
Which supplier answers the phone faster?
Both Octopus Energy and Outfox Energy have an average call centre wait time of 1 minute 17 seconds, according to Citizens Advice data.
Should I choose Octopus Energy or Outfox Energy?
If you want a highly rated app and no exit fees on a variable deal, Octopus Energy may suit you. If you prefer cheaper tariffs and a higher proportion of emails answered within two days, Outfox Energy may be a better fit.
Do these suppliers charge exit fees?
Octopus Energy does not charge exit fees on its cheapest variable tariff, but does charge £100 on its cheapest fixed deal. Outfox Energy charges exit fees on both its cheapest variable and fixed tariffs, ranging from £150 to £200.
Do Octopus Energy and Outfox Energy update their apps regularly?
Yes, both suppliers update their apps frequently. The Octopus Energy app has had three updates in the last 90 days, while the Outfox Energy app has also been updated very recently to include a new tariff renewal feature.
Do Octopus Energy and Outfox Energy offer green energy?
Octopus Energy provides a 100% zero-carbon electricity mix and invests in its own renewable generation. Outfox Energy supplies a mix of fossil fuels and renewables, buying certificates to match the renewable portion of its energy.
What are the opening hours for Octopus Energy and Outfox Energy?
Octopus Energy is open Monday to Thursday from 9am to 5pm, and Friday from 9am to 4pm. Outfox Energy is open weekdays from 8:30am to 5pm, and on Saturdays from 9am to 2pm.
What changed this month
This month, Outfox Energy's iOS app updates in last 90 days rose from 0 to 2, Outfox Energy's iOS sampled negative reviews fell from 2 to 0, and Outfox Energy's iOS sampled neutral reviews fell from 1 to 0. There were 31 other data changes this month — see the full changelog below for details.
Data changes this month (41)
Octopus Energy
- Trustpilot reviews837,814 → 857,633
- iOS app ratings count249,000 → 254,000
- iOS app days since last update6 → 1
- iOS sampled reviews avg stars2 → 1.67
- Play Store rating4.3956046 → 4.3669577
- Play Store ratings count47,091 → 47,238
- Play Store days since last update2 → 1
- Play Store positive ratings %85.5 → 84.5
- Play Store negative ratings %11 → 11.7
- Play Store neutral ratings %3.5 → 3.7
- Play Store net-positive %74.5 → 72.8
- Cheapest variable tariff£1,792.32 → £1,598.38
- Cheapest fixed tariff£1,841.19 → £1,641.76
- Cheapest tariff£1,792.32 → £1,598.38
- Tariff count3 → 2
- Fixed tariffs available2 → 1
Outfox Energy
- Trustpilot reviews54,758 → 55,424
- Trustpilot negative reviews replied %100 → 99
- iOS app rating2 → 2.1
- iOS app ratings count102 → 106
- iOS app days since last update160 → 8
- iOS app updates in last 90 days0 → 2
- iOS sampled reviews avg stars2.33 → no longer available
- iOS sampled negative reviews2 → 0
- iOS sampled neutral reviews1 → 0
- Play Store rating2.31 → 2.04999995231628
- Play Store ratings count189 → 231
- Play Store days since last update163 → no longer available
- Play Store positive ratings %28.8 → 0
- Play Store negative ratings %63.6 → 0
- Play Store neutral ratings %7.6 → 0
- Play Store net-positive %-34.8 → 0
- Avg social media response time49 → no longer available
- Cheapest variable tariff£1,804.79 → £1,481.49
- Cheapest fixed tariff£1,699.69 → £1,515.57
- Cheapest tariff£1,699.69 → £1,481.49
- Cheapest tariff exit fee£200 → £150
- Cheapest tariff term24 months → 12 months
- Tariff count5 → 8
- Fixed tariffs available4 → 6
- Variable tariffs available1 → 2
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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.