Octopus Energy vs So Energy (2026)
So Energy is a genuinely solid, well-liked supplier with strong customer service and 100% renewable electricity, so if you're happy on a fixed deal there's no urgent reason to flee. That said, for most households Octopus pulls ahead on the breadth of its smart and time-of-use tariffs, its larger independent satisfaction record and its rewards — and you can pick up £50 of welcome credit on the way in.
Switching from So Energy takes ~5 working days with no break in supply — and my link gets you £50.
Switch to the UK’s most awarded energy supplier! Switch to Octopus Energy and you’ll get £50 credit once your switch is complete. T&Cs apply (only one switching offer per household).
The verdict
So Energy is a genuinely solid, well-liked supplier with strong customer service and 100% renewable electricity, so if you're happy on a fixed deal there's no urgent reason to flee. That said, for most households Octopus pulls ahead on the breadth of its smart and time-of-use tariffs, its larger independent satisfaction record and its rewards — and you can pick up £50 of welcome credit on the way in.
So Energy was founded in 2015 by Simon Oscroft and Charlie Davies and is now majority-owned by ESB, the Irish state-backed energy group, having absorbed ESB Energy's UK retail customers a few years ago. That gives it a bigger parent company than its boutique branding suggests, while keeping its founder-led, service-first feel.
Where Octopus tends to win
- Far wider smart and time-of-use range: where So Energy offers roughly a fixed, a variable, an EV and a Tracker tariff, Octopus adds Agile half-hourly pricing, daily-rate Tracker, Intelligent Octopus Go for EVs, Cosy Octopus for heat pumps and Outgoing for solar export.
- Octopus is the UK's largest electricity supplier, used by around one in four households, and a Which? Recommended Provider many years running with an 'Excellent' ~4.8/5 Trustpilot rating — edging ahead of So Energy's well-regarded but smaller ~4.4 score.
- Octoplus rewards add free monthly Wheel of Fortune spins and paid Saving Sessions, which So Energy has no direct equivalent to.
- Both are 100% renewable on electricity, but Octopus's scale lets it invest heavily in its own generation, grid tech and the Kraken platform that powers its slick app and fast support.
- A £50 welcome credit lands automatically when you join Octopus via a referral link — So Energy has no comparable joining bonus for switchers.
Where So Energy still has a case
- So Energy has a strong reputation for friendly, responsive UK-based customer service, with many reviewers praising how easy it is to reach a real person — a genuine highlight.
- All So Energy tariffs come with 100% renewable electricity as standard, so on the green basics it matches Octopus.
- So Energy tends to push competitive fixed deals, which suits anyone who values locking in a unit rate for price certainty over chasing smart-tariff savings.
At a glance
| Feature | Octopus Energy | So Energy |
|---|---|---|
| Trustpilot | 4.8/5 “Excellent” | Lower |
| Which? Recommended | 9 yrs running | No |
| Smart / EV tariffs | Agile, Tracker, Intelligent Go, Cosy | Limited |
| 100% renewable electricity | Yes | Varies |
| £50 welcome credit | Yes — via referral link | No equivalent |
These are general, evergreen comparisons — Octopus’s Trustpilot and Which? standing are Octopus’s own ratings, not ours. Tariff prices change with the energy price cap and your region, so always confirm live rates on octopus.energy before switching.
Is So Energy cheaper than Octopus Energy?
So Energy leans on fixed deals that can be competitive, so on a fixed-vs-fixed comparison it's sometimes close to or below Octopus — but Octopus's smart tariffs give more ways to actively cut a bill, and only Octopus comes with the £50 welcome credit. Compare current rates for your postcode on octopus.energy.
How to switch from So Energy to Octopus
Switching from So Energy to Octopus is straightforward and fully protected by the Energy Switch Guarantee, so your supply is never interrupted — it's the same meter, pipes and wires, just a different name on the bill. Open my referral link (it looks like share.octopus.energy/word-word-number and applies the £50 code automatically), pop in your address and a meter reading, and Octopus handles the handover with So Energy for you. There's no need to cancel anything yourself, and most switches complete in about five working days. Around two to four weeks after your switch finishes and your first monthly Direct Debit is taken, the £50 credit appears in your account automatically — no claim form needed. Just make sure you use the link directly, as signing up via a comparison site or by typing the Octopus address yourself usually means the bonus won't apply.
FAQs
Is So Energy cheaper than Octopus Energy?+
So Energy leans on fixed deals that can be competitive, so on a fixed-vs-fixed comparison it's sometimes close to or below Octopus — but Octopus's smart tariffs give more ways to actively cut a bill, and only Octopus comes with the £50 welcome credit. Compare current rates for your postcode on octopus.energy.
How much is the Octopus Energy referral credit?+
£50 of credit when you switch to Octopus through a referral link. Business and charity switches get £75. It’s added straight to your Octopus energy account.
Is the Octopus referral code still working in 2026?+
Yes. The scheme is active and we re-verify our code on the 1st of every month. We last confirmed it works on 1 June 2026.
How long does it take to get the £50 credit?+
It’s paid automatically once your switch completes and your first monthly Direct Debit has been taken — usually around 4 weeks after you join. No claim needed.
Is this an official Octopus Energy offer?+
Yes — the £50 referral credit is Octopus’s own scheme. Octopus Energy Referral is an independent guide, not affiliated with Octopus, but the link takes you straight to Octopus’s website where you sign up directly with them.
Ready to switch? Use my link and get £50 — it costs you nothing.
Switch to the UK’s most awarded energy supplier! Switch to Octopus Energy and you’ll get £50 credit once your switch is complete. T&Cs apply (only one switching offer per household).