Octopus Energy vs ScottishPower: Which Supplier is Better?

April 8th, 2025
Octopus Energy vs ScottishPower: Which Supplier is Better?

Switching energy suppliers can lower your energy bills. This change might also make your customer service experience better. You could get more choices for green energy. Octopus Energy and ScottishPower are two big energy suppliers in the UK. They provide fixed and variable plans, renewable energy options, and they can help install smart meters.

Who is Octopus Energy?

Octopus Energy is a leading green energy supplier in the UK. It is well-known for its flexible tariffs and excellent customer service. The company uses a digital-first approach to serve its customers better.

Key Facts About Octopus Energy

  • Customer Base: Over 7 million homes
  • Headquarters: London, UK
  • Services: Gas, electricity, solar panels, EV charging, and heat pumps
  • Green Energy Commitment: 100% renewable electricity
  • Flexible Tariffs: Tracker and Agile Octopus that change according to the energy market prices

Octopus Energy is famous for its digital services. They offer a simple online account that is easy to use. Their app is user-friendly as well. Plus, their customer service is fantastic.

Who is ScottishPower?

ScottishPower is an important energy company in the UK. It is owned by Iberdrola, a global leader in producing wind energy.

Key Facts About ScottishPower

  • Parent Company: Iberdrola
  • Customer Base: Over 5 million homes in the UK
  • Headquarters: Glasgow, UK
  • Main Services: Gas, electricity, energy for businesses, solar panels, and EV charging
  • Renewable Energy Commitment: Fully dependent on wind energy

ScottishPower gives you green electricity. But, it is different from Octopus Energy. ScottishPower makes its own renewable energy from wind farms.

Tariffs & Pricing Comparison

Standard Variable Tariffs (SVT) & Standing Charges

Tariff Type Octopus Energy ScottishPower
Standard Variable Tariff (SVT) 24.50p/kWh electricity, 6.24p/kWh gas 24.78p/kWh electricity, 6.30p/kWh gas
Standing Charge (per day) Electricity: 60.99p, Gas: 31.66p Electricity: 62.00p, Gas: 32.00p

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Fixed & Flexible Tariffs

Tariff Type Octopus Energy ScottishPower
Fixed Tariff Available, varies by region Available, varies by contract
Variable Tariff Yes (Flexible Octopus) Yes (SVT)
Green Energy Tariff 100% renewable electricity 100% wind energy
Exit Fees No exit fees £75 per fuel (fixed tariffs)

Key Differences in Tariffs

  • Octopus Energy provides flexible options with its Tracker Tariff. This tariff varies based on wholesale energy prices.
  • ScottishPower relies on wind energy, making it a perfect option for customers looking for green energy from the source.
  • You can switch from Octopus Energy without any exit fees, but ScottishPower does charge exit fees for fixed tariffs.

Smart Meter Options and Benefits

Smart meters let people check how much energy they use in kWh. This will help lower energy costs and stops them from getting guesswork bills.

Smart Meter Features Comparison

Feature Octopus Energy ScottishPower
Smart Meter Installations Yes Yes
Mobile App for Tracking Yes (Octopus App) Yes (ScottishPower App)
Prepayment Meter Support Yes Yes
Integration with Solar Panels Yes Yes
  • Both suppliers can install smart meters.
  • ScottishPower has an app that helps you keep track of your energy use.
  • Octopus Energy’s smart meters are compatible with their Agile tariff. This helps customers save money when energy demand is low.

How to Submit Meter Readings to Octopus Energy & ScottishPower

Submitting a Meter Reading to Octopus Energy

  • Via Website: Log in to your online account. Click on “Submit a Meter Reading” and enter your information.
  • Via App: Open the Octopus Energy app. Find “Meter Readings” and send your reading.
  • Via Email: Email your readings to [email protected].

Submitting a Meter Reading to ScottishPower

  • Via Website: Log in to your ScottishPower account. Click on “Submit a Meter Reading.” Enter your information next.
  • Via App: Use the ScottishPower app. It makes submitting readings quick and easy.

How to Pay Your Energy Bills: Octopus Energy vs ScottishPower

Both Octopus Energy and ScottishPower give you different options to pay. This makes it easy for customers to see their energy bills. You can pay through direct debit, use prepayment meters, or pay online on their websites and mobile apps.

Payment Methods Comparison

Payment Method Octopus Energy ScottishPower
Direct Debit Yes (Monthly & Variable) Yes (Monthly & Fixed Amounts)
Prepayment Meter Yes (Smart & Traditional) Yes (Smart & Traditional)
Credit/Debit Card Yes (Online & App Payments) Yes (Online & App Payments)
Pay As You Go (PAYG) Yes (Smart PAYG Available) Yes (Smart PAYG Available)
Post Office / PayPoint No Yes (Cash Payments Accepted)
Flexible Payment Plans Yes (Custom Plans Available) Yes (Debt Repayment Plans)
Warm Home Discount Yes Yes

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

Octopus Energy allows you to pay your bills using flexible direct debit. This means your bill will change based on the amount of energy you use. So, if you use less energy, you won’t pay more than you need to.

ScottishPower offers fixed direct debit payments. This means you will pay the same amount every month. Your energy use may change, but your payment will remain the same.

2. Paying via Prepayment Meter

  • Both suppliers allow customers to put money on their prepayment meters. You can do this online, using their apps, or at PayPoint locations.
  • ScottishPower still lets you add cash at Post Offices and PayPoints. In contrast, Octopus Energy mainly focuses on digital top-ups.

3. Paying by Credit or Debit Card

You can use a debit or credit card to make one-time payments with Octopus Energy or ScottishPower. You can do this on their website or through their mobile apps.

Octopus Energy lets you pay with PayPal. This gives you more options and freedom.

4. Flexible Payment Plans for Energy Debt

ScottishPower helps customers who struggle to pay their energy bills. They offer simple plans for these customers to pay back their debts.

Octopus Energy offers repayment plans that fit your real energy use and financial situation better.

5. Support for Warm Home Discount & Winter Fuel Payments

  • Both suppliers offer the Warm Home Discount for customers that are eligible.
  • Winter Fuel Payments are available for people who meet the government rules to qualify.

Customer Reviews & Trustpilot Ratings

Customer feedback highlights key differences in customer service, the accuracy of billing, and how clients feel during the switching process.

Trustpilot Ratings Breakdown

Supplier TrustScore 5★ 4★ 3★ 2★ 1★ Total Reviews
Octopus Energy 4.8/5 90% 5% 1% 1% 3% 527,436
ScottishPower 4.3/5 61% 14% 5% 3% 17% 105,026

Trustpilot Ratings Breakdown Octopus Energy vs ScottishPower

Correct as og 03/03/2025

  • Octopus Energy has higher customer satisfaction and a better Trustpilot score compared to ScottishPower.
  • ScottishPower receives more complaints regarding billing issues and exit fees.

Complaints Per 100,000 Customers

Quarter Octopus Energy ScottishPower
Q1 2024 1,155 1,472
Q2 2024 1,598 1,303
Q3 2024 1,841 1,227
  • ScottishPower has fewer complaints about energy prices. However, it receives more issues related to billing accuracy.
  • Octopus Energy receives more complaints about smart meter delays. Still, people are mostly more satisfied with Octopus.

Complaints Per 100000 Customers Octopus Energy vs Scottishpower

Switch & Save on Your Energy Bills

If you want to change suppliers, Free Price Compare can help. They will find the best choices for you. This includes tariffs, energy price cap rates, and options for renewable electricity.

How to Switch & Save

  • Compare energy prices – Get a free quote for your energy deal.
  • Check exit fees – Octopus Energy has no exit fees, but ScottishPower does.
  • Choose a green energy supplier – Both companies provide renewable energy, but ScottishPower mainly relies on wind energy.
  • Use an energy switch service – Switching is easy and quick because of the energy switch guarantee.

Correct as of 25 February 2025

FAQs About Octopus Energy vs ScottishPower

Is Octopus Energy cheaper than ScottishPower?

Octopus Energy’s Tracker Tariff might be cheaper than the fixed tariffs from ScottishPower. This depends on the prices in the wholesale market.

Does ScottishPower charge exit fees?

ScottishPower charges £75 for each fuel when you use their fixed tariffs. On the other hand, Octopus Energy does not charge any exit fees.

Which supplier has better customer service?

Octopus Energy has a Trustpilot score of 4.8 out of 5. This is higher than ScottishPower, which has a score of 4.3 out of 5.

How have energy prices changed in the last year?

The cost of energy around the world has changed due to market conditions. The energy price cap updates have influenced unit rates. In October, Ofgem made changes to the price cap. This change impacted the prices for both Octopus Energy and ScottishPower.

Does the energy regulator affect Octopus Energy and ScottishPower prices?

Ofgem is the energy regulator for the UK. They create the energy price cap. This cap restricts how much suppliers like Octopus Energy and ScottishPower can charge for each kWh of standard variable tariffs.

Are unit rates different between Octopus Energy and ScottishPower?

Yes, both suppliers stick to the energy price cap. But their unit rates vary based on the type of tariff. Octopus Energy offers flexible tariffs. In contrast, ScottishPower has more traditional fixed and variable options.

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