Scottish Power vs OVO Energy: Which Is Better?

Scottish Power vs OVO Energy comes down to a close call: the two suppliers sit almost level on standard variable prices, and both track Ofgem’s price cap on their variable tariffs. For a bill-conscious household on a standard variable tariff above the price cap floor, the bigger saving usually comes from moving to any competitive fixed deal, not from which of these two you pick. Both are mainstream domestic suppliers regulated by Ofgem, both fit smart meters, and both run app-based usage tracking.

The real differences show up in exit fees, tariff choice, green credentials and customer service reputation. Free Price Compare sources tariff data from live supplier feeds and regulatory publications, so the figures below reflect what our listings and public comparison pages showed as of August 2026. Prices change often, so always check a live quote for your own postcode before switching.

Last updated: August 2026

Written by the Free Price Compare editorial team | Reviewed August 2026

Which supplier is cheaper, Scottish Power or OVO?

Scottish Power and OVO Energy are close on price, and the cheaper supplier depends on the tariff, your usage and the date you check. Both suppliers’ standard variable tariffs track Ofgem’s price cap, so on a variable deal the two are priced almost identically, with no fixed term and no exit fee. On fixed deals the position is different: the two shuffle position in live comparison listings from week to week, and small differences in unit rate and standing charge decide which comes out ahead for your postcode. The practical takeaway for a household chasing savings is to compare live quotes for your own usage rather than assume one supplier always wins.

The bigger prize is usually the switch itself. Households sitting on a standard variable tariff above the price cap floor often save more by moving to any competitive fixed deal than by choosing between two near-identical suppliers. You can weigh both on the same screen through our home energy comparison and see the estimated annual bill for each.

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What are the exit fees on fixed tariffs?

Exit fees on fixed tariffs vary by deal, and both Scottish Power and OVO apply them to some fixed products but not to their variable tariffs. According to OVO’s own website, its fixed-tariff exit fees are £50 per fuel on its 12-month fix and £95 per fuel on its 24-month fix, while Scottish Power’s own website states it charges £50 per fuel on the fixed tariffs that carry a fee, with no exit fee on its standard variable and cap-tracker tariffs or when you move to another Scottish Power tariff. Exit fees typically apply per fuel, so a dual-fuel household leaving early could pay the charge twice. The standard variable tariffs from both suppliers carried a £0 exit fee and no fixed term in the August 2026 listings reviewed, meaning you can leave a variable deal without penalty.

Always check the tariff information label before you sign, because two fixed deals at a similar headline price can differ sharply on the cost of leaving. If you are weighing exit fees more broadly, our guide on exit fees and switching explains how they are applied and when it is worth paying one to reach a cheaper deal.

Which has better customer service and OVO Energy rating?

OVO Energy scores higher than Scottish Power on the most recent independent customer service data. In the Citizens Advice Star Rating for January to March 2026, published in June 2026, OVO sat among the stronger performers while Scottish Power scored lower, and the median score across all suppliers was 3.26 out of 5, according to Citizens Advice data. Both suppliers hold formal vulnerability commitments and both fall under the same complaint-handling rules set by Ofgem. Trustpilot scores shift continuously and should be treated as a snapshot rather than a fixed fact, so check the live rating before you decide.

What matters more for most households is the practical experience: how quickly billing issues are resolved, whether meter readings are handled correctly, and how easy the app is to use. Every Ofgem-regulated supplier must follow the same complaint-handling rules and can refer unresolved disputes to the Energy Ombudsman after eight weeks. For a wider view of how the larger suppliers stack up, our British Gas vs OVO Energy comparison covers service and pricing across the mainstream market.

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Which supplier is greener and uses renewable energy?

Scottish Power says its domestic electricity is backed by 100% renewable electricity generated from its own UK windfarms, which is a genuine point of difference from most large suppliers; check the tariff information label for the tariff you choose. OVO Energy takes a different approach: it offers renewable electricity as an add-on to some fixed tariffs rather than as standard across the board, so a customer wanting fully green power with OVO needs to choose a tariff that includes it. For a household where renewable electricity is a priority, Scottish Power’s blanket green supply removes the need to pick a specific product to get it.

Both models refer to the electricity side of the supply. Renewable electricity is backed by certificates that match your usage to green generation on the grid, and neither supplier can claim to make gas renewable in the same way. If green credentials sit alongside price on your list, weigh the tariff type carefully, because with OVO the greener option can carry a different price to its standard fixed deal. You can compare the renewable options from both suppliers together through our energy comparison tool.

Do both fit smart meters and offer app-based usage tracking?

Both Scottish Power and OVO fit smart meters and run app-based usage tracking, so on the practical basics of managing your account the two are broadly level. A smart meter sends automatic readings to your supplier, which removes estimated bills and lets you see gas and electricity use through the supplier’s app. Both apps show recent usage, let you submit readings if needed, and give access to your tariff details and statements. Neither supplier requires a smart meter to open an account, though some tariffs are designed around one.

If a specific tariff needs a smart meter, the supplier will say so before you sign. Older or first-generation smart meters sometimes lose their smart function when you switch supplier, then reconnect over time as the national network updates, so a period of manual readings after switching is normal. For app quality and day-to-day account management, read recent reviews for both, as this is where individual experience varies most.

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Is OVO Energy part of Scottish Power or being taken over?

OVO Energy is not part of Scottish Power, and the two are separate, competing companies that are not merging. OVO Energy is majority-owned by its founder and management team, while Scottish Power is part of the Spanish utility group Iberdrola and is based in Glasgow. There is no ownership link between the two suppliers, so switching from one to the other is a switch between independent providers with their own tariffs, apps and customer service teams.

Ownership does not change your rights as a customer. Whichever supplier you are with, your account is protected by Ofgem’s rules, including the switching guarantee and the requirement to pass unresolved complaints to the Energy Ombudsman after eight weeks. If you want to see how other mainstream suppliers compare on price and service, our E.ON Next vs Scottish Power guide looks at another common matchup.

Is Scottish Power a good energy supplier for switching?

Scottish Power is a mainstream, Ofgem-regulated supplier that suits a switcher who values 100% renewable electricity as standard and low or no exit fees. Based in Glasgow and part of Iberdrola, it is one of the UK’s oldest and largest domestic suppliers, and it also runs the local electricity network for parts of Scotland, Wales and England. Its main strengths for a bill-conscious household are competitive fixed deals, renewable electricity, and flexible exit terms: Scottish Power’s own website confirms fixed tariffs carry a £50 per fuel exit fee if you switch supplier more than seven weeks before your tariff end date, but there is no charge on its standard variable or cap-tracker tariffs, or when you switch to another Scottish Power tariff.

The trade-off is customer service reputation, where Scottish Power has tended to score below OVO in recent independent ratings. For a household that reads the tariff information label, sets up paperless billing and manages its account through the app, Scottish Power can be a sound choice. If you want to compare it against a similarly sized rival first, our So Energy vs Scottish Power comparison is a useful second view.

Scottish Power vs OVO Energy tariffs at a glance

Scottish Power and OVO Energy line up closely on the standard variable tariff because both track Ofgem’s price cap, and they differ most on exit fees, green supply and customer service scores. The table below summarises the key points for a household deciding between the two, based on Free Price Compare’s August 2026 review of live listings and public comparison pages.

Figures are indicative and may change.

How do I choose the cheapest option for my household?

Choose the cheapest option by comparing live quotes for your own postcode and annual usage, then weighing the estimated annual bill against exit fees, green supply and service scores. Start with your latest bill or an annual usage figure in kWh, because the Ofgem price cap limits unit rates and the standing charge for a typical direct debit user, not your total bill, so your actual cost depends on how much gas and electricity you use. A household that uses less than the typical amount will pay less than any headline annual figure, and a heavier user will pay more.

• Compare the estimated annual bill for each supplier using your own postcode and usage, not the national average.
• Check the exit fee per fuel on any fixed deal, and remember a dual-fuel household could pay it twice.
• Pick paperless billing to avoid any paper-bill charge, as OVO applies a fee for paper bills on some tariffs; check the current tariff terms for the exact amount.
• Decide how much renewable electricity matters, as Scottish Power supplies it on every tariff while OVO offers it as an add-on.
• Weigh the customer service score if past billing or service problems matter to you.

For a bill-conscious household on a standard variable tariff, the single most effective move is usually to fix. Our guide on how fixed tariff pricing is affected by the price cap explains when fixing tends to beat staying on the cap, and our guide on hidden costs on dual fuel deals covers the extra charges to watch.

Compare fixed and variable energy deals now

• British Gas vs E.ON Next – Who Is Better?
• British Gas Exit Fees & Switching Guide: Avoid Extra Charges
• British Gas vs Scottish Power Who Is Better?
• How Fixed Tariff Pricing is Affected by the Energy Price Cap
• British Gas vs OVO Energy Which Supplier Is Better?

Information correct as of 10 August 2026. Prices, tariffs, policy details and providers change frequently, so please check the latest details before making a decision. This article is for general information only and does not constitute financial advice. Free Price Compare is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA).