Supplier comparison
Octopus Energy vs British Gas: prices, EV tariffs and switching
Edited by Rob Gibbs. Published: . Guidance reviewed: .
Quick answer
On a standard variable tariff the two sit close together, because both are held to the same regional Ofgem cap. The live table below shows how far below the cap Octopus Flexible has priced in your region.
The bigger difference is the range of smart tariffs. British Gas now has EV, heat-pump and battery tariffs. Octopus offers more structures to choose from, including half-hourly Agile, daily Tracker and supplier-managed EV charging on Intelligent Go.
British Gas still makes sense if you want boiler cover and energy from one company, though you can keep HomeCare after moving your energy elsewhere.
Standard variable prices in London
British Gas's standard variable tariff cannot charge more than the Ofgem price cap for your region. Below, Octopus Flexible is measured against that cap month by month. If Flexible is under the cap, it is under the most British Gas can charge on its standard variable tariff.
Over 12 complete months, this tariff came in under the Ofgem cap in 12 of them.
| Month | This tariff | Cap | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| October 2025 | £68.40 | £68.70 | −£0.30 |
| November 2025 | £66.20 | £66.49 | −£0.29 |
| December 2025 | £68.40 | £68.70 | −£0.30 |
| January 2026 | £71.52 | £71.93 | −£0.41 |
| February 2026 | £64.60 | £64.97 | −£0.37 |
| March 2026 | £71.52 | £71.93 | −£0.41 |
| April 2026 | £64.44 | £64.61 | −£0.16 |
| May 2026 | £66.59 | £66.76 | −£0.17 |
| June 2026 | £64.44 | £64.61 | −£0.16 |
| July 2026 | £68.81 | £69.83 | −£1.02 |
| August 2026 | £68.81 | £69.83 | −£1.02 |
| September 2026 | £66.59 | £67.57 | −£0.99 |
Both columns cost the same 2,500 kWh a year on the typical household consumption pattern, on a direct-debit basis — the basis the cap itself is set on. A negative difference means this tariff was cheaper. The cap is a cap on what you can be charged, not a price anyone is billed, so this compares this tariff against the maximum a capped tariff could have charged the same household.
British Gas smart and EV tariffs
| British Gas product | What it offers | Nearest Octopus option |
|---|---|---|
| EV PowerEV | A whole-home overnight rate from midnight to 5am, published at 9.5p/kWh. The cheap window applies to all household use, not just the car. Source, checked 2026-10-30. | Octopus Go in London |
| Heat PowerHeat pump | Half-price electricity from midnight to 7am and from 1pm to 4pm, aimed at homes with a heat pump or electric heating. Source, checked 2026-10-30. | Cosy Octopus in London |
| Home battery tariffBattery | Cheaper overnight electricity for homes with a battery, with or without solar, so the battery can be charged off-peak and used at peak times. Source, checked 2026-10-30. | Octopus Flux in London |
| PeakSaveTime of use | Half-price electricity during set periods for smart-meter customers who can move some use into them. Source, checked 2026-10-30. | No direct equivalent |
Octopus is likely the better fit if…
You can move a lot of use around the day
Agile changes price every half hour and is often far cheaper overnight and on windy afternoons. British Gas has no half-hourly equivalent.
You have a compatible EV or charger and want charging handled for you
Intelligent Go schedules the car itself and gives the home a six-hour window from 23:30, an hour more than EV Power.
You want to track wholesale prices without half-hourly effort
Tracker sets one rate a day from wholesale prices. British Gas has no direct equivalent.
British Gas is likely the better fit if…
You want boiler cover and energy on one account
HomeCare and the British Gas engineer network are a real convenience for some households. You can keep HomeCare even if your energy moves elsewhere.
You have an EV and any home charger
EV Power is open to any EV and charger, while Intelligent Go needs a supported car or charger.
You have been offered a British Gas fix below the cap
A good fix is judged on its own unit rate, standing charge and exit fee. Compare it with Octopus Fixed on the same basis.
Before you switch
- Compare the full annual cost (unit rates plus 365 days of standing charge), not the headline off-peak rate.
- Check exit fees on your current fixed tariff. Switching in the last 49 days of a fix is fee-free under Ofgem rules.
- Take a meter reading on the switch date so the closing and opening bills agree.
- If you have HomeCare, decide separately whether to keep it. Switching energy supplier does not cancel it.
- If you heat with storage heaters on Economy 7, check the meter and heating setup before moving to any EV tariff.
The full timeline is in how to switch to Octopus.
Questions people ask
Is Octopus cheaper than British Gas?
On standard variable tariffs the gap is usually small, because both are held to the same cap. The live table on this page shows the Octopus Flexible rate against the cap for your region, month by month. The gap can be much bigger if a smart tariff suits your home.
Can I keep British Gas HomeCare if I switch to Octopus?
Yes. HomeCare is a separate agreement and carries on unless you cancel it. Check its renewal date and terms on their own.
Will my supply be cut off when I switch?
No. The same wires, pipes and meter carry on supplying you; only the company billing you changes. Most switches complete within five working days.
Why does this page compare Octopus with the price cap rather than with the other supplier’s rates?
Ofgem sets a regional ceiling on the unit rate and standing charge of every standard variable tariff, and the large suppliers price their default tariffs at or close to it. The cap is published for every region, so it gives a like-for-like benchmark we can measure each month. Rival fixed and smart tariffs are quoted individually and change often, so we list their published rates with the date we checked them instead.
Other supplier comparisons
Primary sources
- Energy price cap and standing charges explained — Ofgem; checked 2026-08-24. What the cap covers, how it is calculated, and why it is not a household bill limit.
- Domestic energy supply terms and conditions — Octopus Energy; checked 2026-08-24. General domestic tariff, meter, pricing, switching and referral terms.