Octopus Switch GuideThe quick answer
If you want the most modern energy supplier with the best app, smart tariffs, and a £50 referral credit, Octopus is the stronger choice. If you want a familiar brand and are content with a standard tariff, British Gas works fine — but you'll pay more over 12 months in most scenarios and miss the referral bonus.
Tariff comparison
| Factor | Octopus Energy | British Gas |
|---|---|---|
| Standard variable tariff | Competitive — typically at or below the Ofgem cap | Usually at the Ofgem cap |
| Smart tariffs | Agile (half-hourly), Go (EV), Flux (solar), Cosy (heat pump) | Limited smart tariff options |
| Fixed tariffs | Available but less prominent — Octopus promotes flexible tariffs | Core offering — British Gas leads with fixed-rate deals |
| Exit fees | None on variable tariffs | May apply on fixed tariffs |
| Referral credit | £50 for qualifying switches via referral link | No equivalent always-on referral programme |
Customer service
Octopus has won the Which? recommended energy supplier award repeatedly. Their customer service ratings consistently outperform the big six suppliers. British Gas has improved in recent years but customer satisfaction scores remain lower than Octopus in independent surveys.
App experience
The Octopus app is widely regarded as the best energy supplier app in the UK. Real-time usage data, tariff comparison tools, smart meter integration, and account management are all clean and functional. The British Gas app exists and works, but it's not in the same league for usability or features.
Smart home and renewable energy
This is where the gap is widest. Octopus offers EV charger installation, solar and battery quotes, heat pump installation, and tariffs specifically designed for each of these technologies. British Gas offers some of these services but without the same level of integration or the tariff structures that make them financially compelling.
If you have or plan to get solar panels, an EV, or a heat pump, Octopus is the clearly better supplier. Their Agile tariff alone — with half-hourly pricing that can go negative on windy days — is worth hundreds of pounds per year for households with batteries or flexible consumption.
When British Gas might be the right choice
If you want a long fixed-rate tariff to lock in current rates ahead of anticipated price rises, British Gas typically has more prominent fixed-rate options. If you already have British Gas HomeCare (boiler insurance) and value having one supplier for everything, the convenience of staying may outweigh the switching benefit. For most other scenarios, Octopus is the stronger choice.
The referral advantage
Only Octopus has a live, always-on referral programme that gives new customers £50 credit. This doesn't exist at British Gas in an equivalent form. Over the first year, the combination of competitive tariff rates plus £50 credit makes Octopus the better financial deal in the majority of cases.
Use the Octopus referral link to get £50 credit when you switch →