Prioritises simplicity
Prefer the structure needing less repeated intervention.
Agile rewards repeated scheduling; Tracker needs less within-day attention.
Tariff comparison
Octopus Agile vs Tracker: costs and suitability
Choose between active half-hourly shifting and a rate that changes once a day.
Edited by Rob Gibbs. Guidance reviewed: .
Overall verdict
Choose between active half-hourly shifting and a rate that changes once a day. There is no universal winner: use the measured evidence window, then test the result against your own consumption, equipment and current eligibility.
Historic profile evidence
Region: London. Profile: Typical household. Evidence window: 2026-08-01 to 2026-08-31.
Historic profile-weighted evidence, not a bill, forecast or switching quote. Standing charges remain separate.
Agile Octopus
27.16 p/kWh profile-weighted unit rate
39.54 p/day standing charge
2,700 kWh annual scenario: £877.58
Octopus Tracker
27.71 p/kWh profile-weighted unit rate
42.42 p/day standing charge
2,700 kWh annual scenario: £903.01
The annual scenario applies each historic weighted unit rate to 2,700 kWh and adds 365 daily standing charges. It is illustrative, not a forecast or personal bill.
On this evidence window and profile, agile had the lower weighted import unit rate. That is not a forecast or universal winner.
Which household does each structure fit?
Can shift or automate
Give more weight to the option that rewards controllable timing.
Both vary. Agile exposes every half hour; Tracker exposes day-to-day wholesale movement.
Has specialist equipment
Check the equipment-led option only after exact compatibility is confirmed.
Both need suitable smart-meter data; automation is optional but can make Agile easier to use.
Full feature comparison
| Feature | What differs |
|---|---|
| Equipment | Both need suitable smart-meter data; automation is optional but can make Agile easier to use. |
| Eligibility | Confirm both current products are offered for the selected region and meter. |
| Effort and automation | Agile rewards repeated scheduling; Tracker needs less within-day attention. |
| Price variability | Both vary. Agile exposes every half hour; Tracker exposes day-to-day wholesale movement. |
| Import/export pairing | Verify any export pairing separately under current Octopus terms. |
Equipment
Both need suitable smart-meter data; automation is optional but can make Agile easier to use.
Eligibility
Confirm both current products are offered for the selected region and meter.
Household effort
Agile rewards repeated scheduling; Tracker needs less within-day attention.
Price risk
Both vary. Agile exposes every half hour; Tracker exposes day-to-day wholesale movement.
Import and export pairing
Verify any export pairing separately under current Octopus terms.
Standing-charge treatment
The historic evidence displays standing charges separately. A lower profile-weighted unit rate is not a lower annual bill unless daily charges and annual kWh are also included.
Seasonality
One complete month can differ from a trailing year. Heating, solar generation, EV mileage and wholesale conditions can all move with the season, so the evidence is not a forecast.
Break-even limits
A meaningful break-even needs comparable unit rates, standing charges and one explicit annual-use profile over the same evidence window. Half-hourly or daily rates and household timing vary; one static unit-rate crossing would imply precision the evidence does not have.
When the answer could change
- Your annual kWh or half-hourly usage shape changes.
- Current product versions, prices or standing charges change.
- Equipment compatibility or supplier eligibility changes.
- A different season changes heating, driving, generation or export.
Questions people ask
Does Octopus Agile vs Tracker: costs and suitability have one winner?
No. The page separates measured historic evidence from household-specific constraints and does not predict future prices.
Does the ranking include a full bill?
No. The unit-rate evidence and standing charge are shown separately; other bill adjustments and future rates are excluded.
Can the result change after I switch?
Yes. Rates, seasons, usage, product terms, device support and meter performance can all change.
Related equipment guides
Primary sources
- Smart Tariffs terms and conditions — Octopus Energy; checked 2026-08-24. Smart-tariff eligibility, rate windows, compatibility and publication caveats.