Fuse Energy vs Octopus Energy: Which Is Cheaper?

Fuse Energy vs Octopus Energy comes down to a straightforward trade-off for a bill-conscious household: Fuse tends to be cheaper on its fixed electricity tariff, while Octopus offers more tariff choice, dual fuel, and no exit fees. If you are sitting on a standard variable tariff above the price cap floor and want to cut your gas and electricity costs, the right pick depends on how much you value a rock-bottom fixed price versus flexibility and the option to leave penalty-free.

Free Price Compare is FCA-authorised and compares tariffs across the whole UK energy market. We source market context from Ofgem publications and cross-check supplier positioning against multiple independent reviews. Below we weigh price, exit fees, gas availability, service and the type of household each supplier suits, so you can shortlist with confidence.

Last updated: July 2026

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

Which is cheaper, Fuse or Octopus?

Fuse Energy is generally the cheaper of the two on a like-for-like fixed tariff, while Octopus offers more tariff choice, dual fuel and no exit fees. On standard variable rates the difference narrows to a matter of pounds a month. Fuse competes almost entirely on headline price, keeping its tariff range simple and its running costs low as an app-first challenger. Octopus prices its fixed deals slightly higher but bundles in more flexibility and no exit fees. For a household focused purely on the lowest fixed unit rate, Fuse usually edges it, but the gap is modest and can move as both suppliers refresh their tariffs.

These price points come from independent comparison and review coverage rather than live supplier feeds, so treat them as indicative. Energy prices change frequently, and the only way to know which is cheaper for your postcode and usage is to run a live comparison. The Ofgem price cap sets the ceiling on standard variable unit rates and standing charges for a typical household, but both suppliers price their fixed deals independently of that cap.

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Fuse energy or octopus: how the fixed tariffs compare

Choosing Fuse energy or Octopus on a fixed tariff means weighing a lower unit rate against a penalty-free exit. A fixed tariff is a plan that locks your unit rate and standing charge for a set period, typically 12 months, protecting you from price rises but usually charging a fee if you leave early. Fuse fixed electricity rates have been reported as lower than Octopus’s standard rates in recent comparisons. The catch is that Fuse fixed plans may charge an exit fee, whereas Octopus fixed plans have no exit fee.

Figures are indicative and may change.

The exit fee is the pivotal detail. A £68 annual saving from Fuse can be wiped out if you switch away mid-term and pay a £100 penalty. Octopus’s zero exit fee gives you the freedom to move if a cheaper deal appears or if you want to jump onto one of its smart tariffs. If you are confident you will stay put for the full 12 months, Fuse’s lower rate usually wins; if you value the option to leave, Octopus’s flexibility has real value. It is worth reading our Fuse Energy vs So Energy comparison if you want to widen your shortlist beyond these two.

Does Fuse Energy do gas and electricity?

Fuse Energy started as an electricity-only supplier, while Octopus has always supplied both gas and electricity as standard. This is a decisive difference for a dual-fuel household. Recent review coverage indicates Fuse has announced a domestic gas expansion with a rollout under way, but gas availability from Fuse is not yet universal and depends on your postcode. If you heat your home with mains gas and want a single supplier for both fuels today, Octopus is the safer bet for guaranteed dual fuel.

For gas-heated homes, the standing charge and unit rate on the gas side matter as much as electricity. Octopus lets you take both fuels on one account and one direct debit, which simplifies billing. If you are electric-only, or happy to run gas and electricity with different suppliers, Fuse’s electricity-focused pricing becomes more attractive. Before you commit, check whether Fuse can supply gas at your address, because a cheap electricity rate is less useful if you still need a second supplier for heating. You can also compare how the wider market stacks up in our guide to EDF Energy versus other UK suppliers.

Not sure which fuel setup is cheapest?

Run a whole-of-market comparison and see gas and electricity prices for your postcode.

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What are the exit fees if I switch?

Fuse fixed tariffs currently carry an exit fee, while Octopus fixed tariffs have no exit fee, according to the suppliers’ tariff terms. An exit fee is a charge your supplier applies if you leave a fixed contract before it ends, usually per fuel. Standard variable tariffs from both suppliers have no exit fees, because Ofgem rules prevent penalties on default tariffs. So the exit-fee question only applies if you are choosing a fixed deal.

This matters for a bill-conscious household deciding whether to lock in a rate. If you fix with Fuse and the market falls sharply, leaving early could cost you the £100 penalty, eroding much of the price advantage. Octopus’s fixed plans let you switch away without charge, which is useful if you want to fix now for certainty but keep the door open. Under Ofgem’s rules, you also cannot be charged an exit fee if you switch in the final 49 days of your fixed term, giving you a penalty-free window near the end of any contract regardless of supplier.

Fixed vs variable tariff: which suits a bill-conscious household?

A fixed tariff locks your unit rates for the term and shields you from price rises, while a variable tariff moves up and down with the market and the Ofgem price cap. For a household currently on a standard variable tariff sitting above the price cap floor, switching to a competitively priced fixed deal from either Fuse or Octopus can lock in savings and remove the uncertainty of future cap changes. The trade-off is that if wholesale prices fall, a fixed deal can end up costing more than a variable one.

The Ofgem price cap is reviewed quarterly and limits the unit rates and standing charge a supplier can charge a typical household on a standard variable tariff, not your total bill. Because the cap changes on a known schedule, a fixed price below the current cap is only a guaranteed saving for as long as the cap stays at or above that level. Fuse leans towards fixed, low-cost simplicity; Octopus offers both fixed certainty and market-tracking options such as its Tracker and Agile tariffs for households happy to ride price movements. If you want to compare service reputations too, our Fuse Energy vs OVO Energy guide looks at another popular challenger pairing.

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Which is better for EV drivers and solar owners?

Octopus is the stronger choice for EV drivers and solar owners because it offers dedicated smart tariffs that Fuse does not match. EV-specific tariffs such as Octopus Go and Intelligent Go provide cheap off-peak electricity windows for overnight car charging, which can cut charging costs substantially for households doing significant mileage. Solar owners also benefit from Octopus’s export options under the Smart Export Guarantee, which pays you for surplus electricity you send back to the grid. Fuse, by contrast, focuses on a simple low-cost electricity rate rather than specialist smart or export plans.

If you own an electric car or solar panels, the value of a tariff is about more than the standard day rate. A low overnight EV rate can save a high-mileage driver far more than a slightly cheaper flat rate would. The Smart Export Guarantee, introduced by the government and regulated by Ofgem, requires larger suppliers to offer solar households a payment for exported energy, and Octopus’s export tariffs are among the more developed. For a straightforward, low-usage household with no EV or panels, Fuse’s simplicity and lower headline price remain appealing. Households comparing challengers against the incumbents can also read our Fuse Energy vs British Gas comparison.

Is my supply and credit safe if Fuse or Octopus fails?

Your energy supply and any credit balance are protected if either Fuse or Octopus fails, thanks to Ofgem’s Supplier of Last Resort process. Under this scheme, if a licensed supplier ceases trading, Ofgem appoints a replacement supplier to take on affected customers, honour credit balances and keep the gas and electricity flowing without interruption. No UK household is left without power because a supplier goes under. This protection applies equally to established suppliers and newer challengers like Fuse.

This safety net removes much of the risk of choosing a smaller, newer supplier on price alone. A common concern with challenger brands is whether your money is safe, and the answer is that the regulatory protections are the same regardless of supplier size. It is still sensible to keep your account in a modest credit position rather than a large one, and to take regular meter readings so any balance transfer is accurate. Both Fuse and Octopus are fully licensed suppliers subject to Ofgem’s rules, including the licence conditions that fund the Supplier of Last Resort mechanism.

Fuse energy or octopus for customer service and support

Octopus generally scores higher for customer service and offers both app and web account management plus phone support, while Fuse operates as an app-first supplier with more limited direct contact channels. For a household that prefers managing everything online, Fuse’s streamlined digital approach works well and helps keep its costs, and therefore prices, low. Households who want a phone line, a wider range of contact options, or a supplier with a longer track record of independent service ratings tend to prefer Octopus.

Service preferences are personal. Some households value a low price above all and are happy to self-serve through an app; others want reassurance that they can call someone if a bill looks wrong. Both suppliers give you access to the Energy Ombudsman if a complaint is not resolved within eight weeks, or if you receive a deadlock letter. If service reputation weighs heavily in your decision, factor in that Octopus has a longer public record on this front, while Fuse is newer and still building its history. You can compare service angles further in our Fuse Energy vs E.ON Next guide.

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So which should you choose, Fuse or Octopus?

Choose Fuse Energy if your priority is the lowest fixed electricity price, you are electric-only or can source gas elsewhere, you are happy managing your account through an app, and you are confident you will stay for the full fixed term rather than paying the reported £100 exit fee. Fuse suits a cost-focused household that wants simplicity and does not need EV, solar or smart tariffs.

Choose Octopus Energy if you want dual fuel on one account, value zero exit fees on fixed plans, drive an electric car, own solar panels, or want a wider choice of tariffs and established service ratings. Octopus costs slightly more on a like-for-like fixed rate but offers more flexibility and options. For most bill-conscious households on an expensive standard variable tariff, the biggest single win is switching away from that default tariff to any competitively priced fixed deal, so the more important decision is to compare and switch rather than to stay put. Run a live comparison for your postcode and usage before committing to either.

• Fuse Energy vs British Gas – Which One Should You Choose?
• Fuse Energy vs E.ON Next – Which Energy Supplier Is Better?
• Fuse Energy vs Scottish Power – Compare Tariffs & Service
• Fuse Energy vs EDF Energy – Which Energy Supplier Is Better?
• British Gas vs Scottish Power Who Is Better?

Information correct as of 27 July 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).