Octopus Energy vs OVO Energy (2026)
OVO is a capable, app-led supplier and one of Britain's biggest, so the two are closer on paper than the gap suggests in practice. But Octopus pulls ahead on independent satisfaction scores, the breadth of its smart tariffs, and rewards — and unlike OVO it offers a referral route worth £50. For most households weighing the two up today, Octopus is the stronger all-round choice.
Switching from OVO Energy takes ~5 working days with no break in supply — and my link gets you £50.
Get my £50The verdict
OVO is a capable, app-led supplier and one of Britain's biggest, so the two are closer on paper than the gap suggests in practice. But Octopus pulls ahead on independent satisfaction scores, the breadth of its smart tariffs, and rewards — and unlike OVO it offers a referral route worth £50. For most households weighing the two up today, Octopus is the stronger all-round choice.
OVO was founded in Bristol in 2009 and leapt to scale in 2020 when it bought SSE's retail customer base — and in May 2026 E.ON announced plans to acquire OVO itself, a deal still subject to regulatory approval expected later in 2026. If it completes, OVO customers would become part of the UK's largest supplier by accounts, so it's worth keeping an eye on how that shakes out.
Where Octopus tends to win
- Far wider smart and time-of-use tariff range: Octopus offers Agile (half-hourly wholesale pricing), Tracker (a daily wholesale rate), Intelligent Octopus Go for cheap overnight EV charging, Cosy Octopus for heat pumps and Outgoing Octopus for solar export — OVO's line-up is much narrower, built around a default variable plan plus fixes.
- Stronger independent service record: Octopus is a Which? Recommended Provider many years running with an 'Excellent' Trustpilot rating around 4.8/5, whereas OVO sits mid-table on Citizens Advice's supplier scores and was made to pay £2.37m by Ofgem in 2024 over complaint-handling failures.
- Better rewards: Octoplus gives free monthly Wheel of Fortune spins and access to Saving Sessions that pay you to shift usage off-peak — generally easier to benefit from than OVO's Power Move, which can require hitting specific conditions to unlock the saving.
- 100% renewable electricity as standard across Octopus tariffs, with no reliance on the kind of offsetting arrangements OVO has historically leaned on for parts of its green claims.
- A genuine £50 welcome credit when you join through a referral link — OVO has no comparable sign-up bonus for switching to them.
Where OVO Energy still has a case
- OVO has a polished, mature app and a long-running rewards scheme in Power Move, so the day-to-day digital experience is solid and broadly comparable to Octopus.
- It is one of the UK's largest and most established suppliers — roughly the fourth biggest — with the scale and stability that brings, plus straightforward fixed-rate tariffs for people who value price certainty.
- OVO has invested heavily in tools for smart-meter households and clear in-app usage tracking, which many customers genuinely like.
At a glance
| Feature | Octopus Energy | OVO Energy |
|---|---|---|
| Trustpilot | 4.8/5 “Excellent” | Lower |
| Which? Recommended | 9 yrs running | No |
| Smart / EV tariffs | Agile, Tracker, Intelligent Go, Cosy | Limited |
| 100% renewable electricity | Yes | Varies |
| £50 welcome credit | Yes — via referral link | No equivalent |
Tariff prices change with the Ofgem price cap and your region, so always confirm live rates on Octopus’s own website before switching.
How to switch from OVO Energy to Octopus
Switching from OVO to Octopus is simple and low-risk: tap the referral link, pop in your address and a recent meter reading, and Octopus arranges the whole handover with OVO for you — no need to call anyone. Because you keep the same pipes, wires and meter, your supply is never interrupted, and the switch is protected by Ofgem and the Energy Switch Guarantee. Most switches complete in about five working days. There's nothing to claim afterwards: the £50 credit lands on your account automatically, roughly two to four weeks after your switch completes and your first monthly Direct Debit is taken. Just make sure you go in through the referral link directly — signing up via a comparison site or by typing the Octopus address yourself usually means the £50 won't apply.
FAQs
How much is the Octopus Energy referral bonus?+
£50 for you and £50 for the referrer — £50 each. Business and charity referrals are £75 each. Octopus sometimes frames it as “splitting £100 with a mate”, which is the same thing: £50 into each account.
Is the Octopus referral code still working in 2026?+
Yes. The scheme is active and we re-verify our code on the 1st of every month. We last confirmed it works on 1 June 2026.
How long does it take to get the £50 credit?+
It’s paid automatically once your switch completes and your first monthly Direct Debit has been taken — usually around 4 weeks after you join. No claim needed.
Is this an official Octopus Energy offer?+
Yes — refer-a-friend is Octopus’s own scheme. Energy Referral is an independent guide, not affiliated with Octopus, but the link takes you straight to Octopus’s website where you sign up directly with them.
Ready to switch? Use my link and we both get £50 — it costs you nothing.
Get my £50