Octopus Energy vs EDF

EDF is an interesting supplier. Unlike some of the old big six who feel like legacy institutions, EDF has a genuine energy story. They're wholly owned by the French state (renationalised in 2023), they operate the UK's nuclear power stations and their generation is genuinely low-carbon. That gives them a certain credibility.

The question is whether credibility in generation translates to a better deal for customers. For most households, the answer is no.

Pricing

EDF's standard variable tariff sits at or near the Ofgem price cap, which puts it in the same bracket as most large suppliers. They do occasionally offer fixed deals that undercut the cap slightly, which can be worth looking at if you value price certainty.

Octopus's standard Flexible tariff typically comes in below the cap. The saving on a standard tariff might be modest, perhaps £50-80 a year. Where Octopus really pulls ahead is with smart tariffs. If you can shift electricity usage to off-peak hours, tariffs like Agile, Go or Cosy can save you significantly more. EDF has expanded its smart tariff range, though Octopus still offers more variety.

Smart tariffs

EDF has expanded its smart tariff range considerably. GoElectric gives EV owners cheaper overnight electricity at 9p/kWh between midnight and 5am, with a smart charging bolt-on available. GoElectric 35 drops the off-peak rate to 4.5p/kWh. They also offer a Heat Pump Tracker tariff with six hours of low-cost electricity daily and solar export tariffs for households with panels. It's a broader lineup than it used to be.

Octopus still has the edge on variety, though. Agile follows half-hourly wholesale prices. Go and Intelligent Go are built for EV owners (Intelligent Go includes smart charge scheduling). Tracker follows daily wholesale rates. Cosy is designed for heat pump households. Flux is for solar and battery setups. Whatever home energy tech you've got, Octopus probably has a tariff that's been specifically designed around it.

EDF is catching up on smart tariffs, though Octopus still offers more options and deeper integration with home energy devices.

Customer service

Both suppliers score well on Trustpilot. Octopus has a 4.8/5 rating from over 757,000+ reviews. EDF has a 4.8/5 rating from over 202,000 reviews, which is a strong result for a big six supplier. Credit where it's due: EDF has clearly invested in improving their customer experience.

The numbers are similar on paper, though the nature of the feedback differs. Octopus is consistently praised for quick, personal responses where agents actually read the question and give a useful answer. EDF reviews are more mixed in tone; many customers report good experiences, while others mention longer resolution times for billing queries. Both are well above the industry average.

Green credentials

This is where EDF has a genuine story to tell. They operate the UK's nuclear fleet (currently five sites with nine reactors, though Hunterston B and Hinkley Point B are transferring to decommissioning in 2026). Nuclear energy produces very low carbon emissions per unit of electricity. EDF claims to be Britain's biggest generator of zero carbon electricity, supplying around 17% of the UK's total power. All their tariffs are now backed by 100% zero carbon electricity from nuclear and renewable sources.

Octopus takes a different approach. All their electricity is backed by renewable sources, and they own a growing portfolio of wind and solar through Octopus Generation. Both companies have strong low-carbon credentials; they just get there by different routes.

If you care about nuclear power's role in the energy mix, EDF has the edge. If you prefer renewables, Octopus fits better. Either way, both are genuinely low-carbon suppliers.

Where EDF has strengths

Fixed deals. EDF regularly offers fixed-rate tariffs that lock in your unit rates for 12 or 24 months. If you want absolute price certainty and energy bills you can predict to the penny, a fixed deal provides that. Some fixed deals carry exit fees of up to £50 per fuel, though certain tariffs (like Simply Fixed Direct) have none. Octopus also offers a fixed tariff with zero exit fees, which remains an advantage.

Nuclear backing. EDF's nuclear fleet is a genuine asset. Nuclear provides consistent, low-carbon power regardless of weather conditions. It's an important part of the UK's energy mix, and EDF is the main company behind it. The fleet is ageing, with two stations moving to decommissioning in 2026, though EDF has invested heavily in extending the life of its remaining reactors.

Competitive EV tariffs. GoElectric offers 9p/kWh overnight electricity, while GoElectric 35 drops to 4.5p/kWh for a 5-hour off-peak window. EDF now offers a smart charging bolt-on too. These rates are competitive with Octopus Go's 8.5p/kWh, though Intelligent Octopus Go's smart scheduling and broader off-peak window still give it an edge for most EV owners.

The verdict

EDF is a strong supplier with genuine green credentials. Their nuclear fleet is a real asset, their fixed deals provide price certainty, their EV tariffs are competitive and they've expanded into heat pump and solar tariffs too. Their Trustpilot score shows they've improved on customer service as well.

For most households, Octopus still has the edge. Lower standard pricing, a wider range of smart tariffs with deeper device integration and zero exit fees across all tariffs. Both suppliers now offer open APIs for tariff data, which is a positive sign for transparency. The gap has narrowed compared to a couple of years ago, though. If you specifically value EDF's nuclear backing or have found a fixed deal that undercuts Octopus, staying with EDF is a perfectly reasonable choice.

If you want to see what Octopus would actually cost you, the tariff comparison tool pulls live rates for your postcode.