Prioritises simplicity
Prefer the structure needing less repeated intervention.
Cosy rewards heating around fixed bands; Tracker does not require within-day response.
Tariff comparison
Cosy Octopus vs Tracker
Choose repeatable heating windows or a simpler daily wholesale-linked price.
Edited by Rob Gibbs. Guidance reviewed: .
Overall verdict
Choose repeatable heating windows or a simpler daily wholesale-linked price. 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.
Cosy Octopus
25.49 p/kWh profile-weighted unit rate
42.42 p/day standing charge
2,700 kWh annual scenario: £842.96
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, cosy 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.
Cosy has a costly peak period. Tracker applies one changing daily rate, so cold-day wholesale prices can matter.
Has specialist equipment
Check the equipment-led option only after exact compatibility is confirmed.
Cosy needs eligible electric heating; Tracker has no heat-pump requirement but still relies on suitable smart-meter data.
Full feature comparison
| Feature | What differs |
|---|---|
| Equipment | Cosy needs eligible electric heating; Tracker has no heat-pump requirement but still relies on suitable smart-meter data. |
| Eligibility | Confirm the heating system, meter, current product versions and regional availability. |
| Effort and automation | Cosy rewards heating around fixed bands; Tracker does not require within-day response. |
| Price variability | Cosy has a costly peak period. Tracker applies one changing daily rate, so cold-day wholesale prices can matter. |
| Import/export pairing | Other equipment and any export tariff can change the whole-home choice. |
Equipment
Cosy needs eligible electric heating; Tracker has no heat-pump requirement but still relies on suitable smart-meter data.
Eligibility
Confirm the heating system, meter, current product versions and regional availability.
Household effort
Cosy rewards heating around fixed bands; Tracker does not require within-day response.
Price risk
Cosy has a costly peak period. Tracker applies one changing daily rate, so cold-day wholesale prices can matter.
Import and export pairing
Other equipment and any export tariff can change the whole-home choice.
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 Cosy Octopus vs Tracker 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
- Cosy Octopus — Octopus Energy; checked 2026-08-27. Heat-pump eligibility, current time bands and tariff operation.
- Smart Tariffs terms and conditions — Octopus Energy; checked 2026-08-24. Smart-tariff eligibility, rate windows, compatibility and publication caveats.