Octopus Energy vs EDF Energy: Who is Better?

Switching energy suppliers can lower energy costs and give you better value for your home. Octopus Energy and EDF Energy are two top suppliers in the UK. They both offer variable tariffs, fixed deals, smart meters, and plans for renewable energy.

Who is EDF Energy?

EDF Energy is among the biggest electricity suppliers in the UK. It is owned by Électricité de France (EDF), which is a state-owned energy company. EDF Energy mainly focuses on nuclear power and renewable energy. They provide electricity to millions of homes in the UK.

Key Facts About EDF Energy

• Parent Company: Électricité de France (EDF)
• Customer Base: More than 3 million households
• Headquarters: London, England
• Main Services: Gas, electricity, smart meters, dual fuel, solar panels
• Renewable Energy Commitment: Some renewable energy, which includes nuclear energy

EDF Energy offers fixed and variable tariffs. This helps customers pick between steady prices and prices that change with the market.

Who is Octopus Energy?

Founded in 2015, Octopus Energy is now one of the top green energy suppliers in the UK. It is known for putting customers first, offering good prices, and creating smart tariffs.

Key Facts About Octopus Energy

• Number of Customers: More than 7 million homes
• Main Office: London, England
• Key Services: Gas, electricity, solar panels, EV charging, and heat pumps
• Commitment to Renewable Energy: 100% of electricity comes from renewable sources
• Smart Tariffs: Tracker and Agile Octopus, which change according to wholesale market prices

Octopus Energy is different from EDF Energy. They offer pricing plans that change with the market conditions. These plans can be cheaper than regular tariffs.

Tariffs & Pricing Comparison

Key Differences in Tariffs

• Octopus Energy has flexible choices. They offer tracker tariffs that change with wholesale market prices.
• EDF Energy provides long-term fixed deals. These deals can help shield you from increases in price cap levels.
• Both energy providers have electric vehicle tariffs. This makes them a good option for EV owners.

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Smart Meter Options and Benefits

Both Octopus Energy and EDF Energy offer smart meter installations. These smart meters help customers monitor energy use. They also assist in managing electricity supply more effectively.

Smart Meter Features

How to Submit Meter Readings to Octopus Energy & EDF Energy

How to Submit a Meter Reading to Octopus Energy

Submit via the Octopus Energy Website

1. Sign in to your Octopus Energy account.
2. Click on “Submit a Meter Reading” in your energy account.
3. Type in your meter readings and send them.

Submit via the Octopus Energy App

1. Open the Octopus Energy App on your iOS or Android device.
2. Go to “Meter Readings” and enter your information.

Submit via Email

• Email your meter readings to [email protected].

How to Submit a Meter Reading to EDF Energy

Submit via the EDF Energy Website

1. Sign in to your EDF Energy account.
2. Click on “Submit a Meter Reading” and fill in your information.

Submit via the EDF Energy App

1. Open the EDF Energy App on your iOS or Android device.
2. Type in your meter readings in the “Meter Readings” section.

Submit via Phone

• Call 0333 200 5100 to submit your readings.

How to Pay Your Energy Bills: EDF Energy vs Octopus Energy

Both EDF Energy and Octopus Energy have several payment options to meet various customer needs. You can choose to pay by direct debit, use prepayment meters, or make one-time payments. Each provider allows you to handle your electricity and gas bills easily.

Payment Methods Comparison

1. Paying by Direct Debit (Best for Lower Rates)

• Octopus Energy and EDF Energy both have direct debit as the best way to save money.
• EDF Energy lets you choose between monthly or quarterly direct debit payments.
• Octopus Energy provides a variable direct debit option. This means your payments change based on energy usage.

2. Paying via Prepayment Meter

• Both suppliers allow you to use prepayment meters. However, Octopus Energy lets you track your usage better through the Octopus App.
• EDF Energy lets customers add money online, at PayPoints, or using the EDF app.

3. Paying by Credit/Debit Card

• Both suppliers let you make one-time card payments on their websites or apps.
• Octopus Energy customers can pay using PayPal, giving them more options.

4. Flexible Payment Plans for Energy Debt

• EDF Energy has flexible credit plans. They help customers who are having a tough time paying their bills.
• Octopus Energy gives personalised payment plans. These plans depend on how much energy you use and your financial situation.

5. Support for Warm Home Discount & Winter Fuel Payments

• Both suppliers offer the Warm Home Discount for households that qualify.
• Winter Fuel Payments are available for people who fit the government’s rules.

Customer Reviews & Trustpilot Ratings

When you pick an energy supplier, good customer service and reliability matter just as much as energy rates and tariffs. Octopus Energy and EDF Energy both serve many customers. However, their Trustpilot reviews show important differences in service, billing, and how happy customers are overall.

Trustpilot Ratings Breakdown

Correct as of 030/03/2025

What Customers Are Saying About Octopus Energy

Octopus Energy is getting a lot of appreciation for:

• Best customer service – 90% of customers gave it a 5-star rating for fast replies and clear billing.
• Simple switching process – A lot of customers say changing from their current supplier to Octopus was easy and smooth.
• Fair energy rates – Customers like its Tracker Tariff, which matches the energy market prices.
• Strong green energy focus – Users who care about renewable energy note Octopus’ promise of 100% green electricity supply.

Common Complaints About Octopus Energy:

• A few customers have difficulty with smart meter updates. This is especially true when they need to send in manual meter readings.
• There are billing problems, but customer service usually takes care of them quickly.

What Customers Are Saying About EDF Energy

EDF Energy is known for several reasons:

• Stable fixed deals – Customers appreciate its fixed tariffs because they protect against changes in the energy price cap.
• Reliable energy supply – As a large energy supplier, EDF provides a steady electricity supply.
• EV-friendly tariffs – Electric vehicle owners like the GoElectric tariff, which helps lower their charging costs.

Common Complaints About EDF Energy:

• Higher billing complaints – Some people see charges on their energy bills they didn’t expect.
• Longer customer service wait times – EDF customers say it takes more time to fix problems compared to Octopus Energy.
• Exit fees on fixed tariffs – If you cancel your EDF contract early, you might get a final bill with extra exit fees.

If you want the best customer service and flexible prices, Octopus Energy could be the right option for you. But if you like stable pricing and fixed deals, EDF Energy may be a better choice.

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Complaints Per 100,000 Customers

Customer complaints help us understand the common problems with each current energy supplier. The numbers below show how many complaints were made for every 100,000 customers in the last three quarters.

Complaints Breakdown

Key Insights:

• EDF Energy got more complaints about billing problems. Many customers were charged the wrong amounts or had issues understanding unit rate calculations.
• Octopus Energy faced more complaints about smart meters. Customers had delays in getting updated readings, which caused unexpected energy costs.

EDF Energy has seen fewer complaints over time, but they still have more complaints than Octopus Energy, especially about billing and pricing problems. If you think about trying a new supplier, looking at customer complaints can help you steer clear of any problems.

Switch & Save on Your Energy Bills

It’s crucial to find the cheapest energy deals and lower electricity bills. This is especially true now, as the wholesale energy market crisis is driving up the cost of energy.

At Free Price Compare, we help people find better energy rates. We make it easy for them to switch.

How to Switch & Save

• Compare energy prices – Get a free quote. This helps you find the best value on your electricity supply and energy tariffs.
• Check for referral code offers – Octopus Energy gives £50 referral credit to new customers.
• Watch for exit fees – EDF Energy charges exit fees on fixed tariffs. Octopus Energy, on the other hand, does not.
• Look for green energy deals – If you like renewable energy, Octopus Energy offers 100% green electricity.
• Take advantage of the Warm Home Discount – Both suppliers have this scheme for eligible households to help lower electricity bills.

Switching suppliers can be easy because of the energy switch guarantee. This means your energy supply will keep running without any breaks. If you want the lowest variable rate tariff or a fixed deal to escape price cap hikes, comparing different offers can help you save much energy costs over time.

If you are thinking about switching your current supplier, look at the energy price guarantee levels. Then compare different suppliers to discover the best electricity prices today!

Correct as of 25 February 2025

FAQs About Octopus Energy vs EDF Energy

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