So Energy vs Octopus Energy – Who Is the Better Supplier?

April 25th, 2025
So Energy vs Octopus Energy – Who Is the Better Supplier?

Who Are So Energy and Octopus Energy?

So Energy

  • Parent Company: So Energy
  • Customer Base: More than 250,000 homes
  • Headquarters: London, UK
  • Main Services: Gas, electricity, renewable energy, smart meters
  • Renewable Electricity Commitment: 100% renewable electricity

So Energy is a small energy supplier in the UK. They provide renewable electricity at good prices. Their strong focus on green energy attracts customers who want to lower their carbon footprint. So Energy customers enjoy fixed and variable tariffs. They can also use smart meters to track their energy use.

Octopus Energy

  • Parent Company: Octopus Group
  • Customer Base: More than 5.5 million homes
  • Headquarters: London, UK
  • Main Services: Gas, electricity, EV tariffs, solar panel support, battery storage
  • Renewable Electricity Commitment: They provide 100% renewable electricity

Octopus Energy is a fast-growing energy supplier in the UK. They are known for their smart energy tariffs, which include options that support electric vehicles. Their customer service is rated very high. Octopus Energy offers smart meters and plans for green energy, and they do not have any exit fees.

Energy Prices and Tariffs Comparison

Fixed and Variable Tariffs

Supplier Tariff Type Electricity (p/kWh) Gas (p/kWh) Standing Charge (Electricity – p/day) Standing Charge (Gas – p/day) Exit Fee
So Energy Fixed Tariff 23.50p 6.20p 61.50p 31.50p £30 per fuel
Octopus Energy Flexible Tariff 24.00p 6.30p 60.99p 31.66p £0 (No exit fees)
  • So Energy has slightly lower fixed unit rates than Octopus Energy.
  • Octopus Energy gives a more flexible tariff. There are no exit fees. This makes it a better choice for customers who might want to switch.

Energy Market Crisis and Price Cap Impact

Supplier Energy Price Cap Impact Level of Risk
So Energy Tariffs change based on Ofgem’s price cap Low risk (fixed tariffs available)
Octopus Energy Prices follow the price cap with flexible tariffs Low risk (no exit fees)
  • Octopus Energy’s flexible tariff changes with the energy price cap. This makes it less predictable, but it could be cheaper at times.
  • So Energy provides fixed tariffs. This helps customers lock in prices and avoid rises in costs.

Compare Energy Prices

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Renewable Energy and Sustainability

Feature So Energy Octopus Energy
100% Renewable Electricity Yes Yes
Solar Panel Support Yes Yes
Heat Pump Tariffs No Yes
Smart Meter Availability Yes Yes
Energy Efficiency Products Limited Yes
  • Both suppliers provide 100% renewable electricity. This helps lower the UK’s carbon footprint.
  • Octopus Energy gives extra green benefits like heat pump tariffs, battery storage, and plans for electric vehicles.

Customer Service and Reviews

Trustpilot Ratings

Supplier TrustScore 5★ 4★ 3★ 2★ 1★ Total Reviews
So Energy 4.2/5 72% 9% 3% 2% 14% 20,995
Octopus Energy 4.8/5 90% 5% 1% 1% 3% 527,436

Trustpilot reviews: So Energy vs Octopus Energy

Correct as of 03/03/2025

  • Octopus Energy has one of the best Trustpilot scores among energy suppliers.
  • So Energy customers like its commitment to green energy, but Octopus Energy is ahead in overall customer satisfaction.

Complaints Per 100,000 Customers

Quarter So Energy Octopus Energy
Q1 2024 2,371 565
Q2 2024 2,119 613
Q3 2024 2,009 823

Source: Ofgem

  • Octopus Energy receives much fewer complaints for every 100,000 customers compared to So Energy.
  • Most of So Energy’s complaints are related to billing problems and misunderstandings about tariffs.

Complaints per 100K: So Energy vs Octopus Energy

How to Submit Meter Readings

Submitting Meter Readings to So Energy

  1. Log in to your So Energy account using their website or app.
  2. Go to the Submit a Meter Reading section.
  3. Type in your most recent electricity and gas meter readings.
  4. Confirm and submit to make sure your billing is correct.

Submitting Meter Readings to Octopus Energy

  1. Sign in to your Octopus Energy online account or use the Octopus app.
  2. Find the Submit a Meter Reading section.
  3. Type in your most recent electricity and gas readings.
  4. Send your readings to get an updated bill.

How to Pay Your Energy Bills

Payment Method So Energy Octopus Energy
Direct Debit Yes Yes
Prepayment Meter Yes Yes
Credit/Debit Card Yes Yes
Bank Transfer Yes Yes
Cheque Payments No No
Mobile App Payments Yes Yes
  • Direct Debit is the cheapest way to pay for both suppliers.
  • Neither supplier takes checks. However, both accept online payments through bank transfers or mobile apps.

Smart Meter Availability and Benefits: So Energy vs Octopus Energy

So Energy and Octopus Energy both support smart meters. These meters give customers an easier way to watch and control their energy use. Smart meters track energy use in real time. This helps with accurate bills and keeps you from getting estimated charges.

Smart Meter Features Comparison

Feature So Energy Octopus Energy
Smart Meter Installation Yes Yes
In-Home Display (IHD) Yes Yes
Remote Meter Readings Yes Yes
Time-of-Use Tariffs No Yes
EV Tariffs Integration No Yes
Smart Meter Targets (Government-Backed) Yes Yes
  • Both suppliers provide smart meter installations as part of the UK government’s smart meter goals.
  • Octopus Energy gives time-of-use plans, helping customers enjoy lower electricity costs during off-peak times.
  • So Energy has smart meters but does not support advanced EV rates like Octopus Energy does.

Why Get a Smart Meter?

  1. More Accurate Billing – You can avoid estimated bills. This way, unit rates and tariff options will show your actual usage.
  2. Better Energy Management – You can track your energy usage in real-time with an in-home display (IHD).
  3. Potential Savings – If you are an Octopus Energy customer, you can enjoy smart time-of-use tariffs that may help you save money.
  4. Seamless Readings – Smart meters send readings straight to your energy supplier. This means you won’t need to do manual meter readings anymore.

Both So Energy and Octopus Energy invite new customers to install smart meters. This is part of their promise to support renewable energy and efficiency.

Switching Energy Suppliers

  1. Compare tariffs – Use tools to compare fixed and variable energy prices.
  2. Check exit fees – So Energy charges £30 for each fuel, but Octopus Energy has no exit fees.
  3. Look for green energy benefits – Octopus Energy has incentives for heat pumps and solar panels.
  4. Pick the best energy supplier based on how good their customer service is and how accurate their billing is.

FAQs About So Energy vs Octopus Energy

Which supplier has better customer service?

Octopus Energy often scores better in overall customer satisfaction and Trustpilot ratings.

Does Octopus Energy offer a fixed tariff?

No, Octopus Energy mainly provides flexible tariffs. These tariffs change according to Ofgem’s price cap.

Which supplier is better for renewable energy?

Both suppliers provide 100% renewable electricity. However, Octopus Energy has extra green energy benefits. These include heat pump rates and support for solar panels.

Is So Energy or Octopus Energy the best supplier for customer service?

Both So Energy and Octopus Energy are rated well for customer service. However, Octopus Energy has a higher score on Trustpilot and in surveys. So Energy does have a good customer score for a smaller company. Still, Octopus Energy has many more customers. This gives them a stronger customer service setup. If you want to easily contact a supplier, Octopus Energy offers quicker replies through email and live chat.

How do So Energy and Octopus Energy compare to British Gas, Scottish Power, and EDF Energy?

Compared to bigger energy companies like British Gas, Scottish Power, and EDF Energy, both So Energy and Octopus Energy stand out. They offer renewable electricity and better tariff options. Octopus Energy has more creative time-of-use tariffs. So Energy, on the other hand, keeps things simple with affordable green energy plans. In customer surveys and assessments of companies, both So Energy and Octopus Energy did better than Utility Warehouse and Sainsbury’s Energy in customer satisfaction.

Does the energy switch guarantee apply when moving to So Energy or Octopus Energy?

Yes, both suppliers stick to the energy switch guarantee. This means that customers switching from EDF Energy, British Gas, or E.ON Next won’t have any supply interruptions. The level of the energy price cap affects every supplier. So, it’s important to compare the tariff options when you switch. If you choose a renewable energy guarantee of origin supplier like Octopus Energy, you might find better pricing for green energy than with traditional energy companies.

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