Octopus Energy vs British Gas (2026)
British Gas is the safe, familiar name and a sensible pick if you value a nationwide engineer network and bundled boiler cover under one roof. But on the things most households actually feel day to day — customer service, app quality, smart tariff choice and value — Octopus consistently comes out ahead, which is exactly why it has overtaken British Gas to become the UK's largest supplier. For most people switching today, Octopus is the stronger all-round choice, and you can pick up £50 of welcome credit on the way in.
Switching from British Gas takes ~5 working days with no break in supply — and my link gets you £50.
Get my £50The verdict
British Gas is the safe, familiar name and a sensible pick if you value a nationwide engineer network and bundled boiler cover under one roof. But on the things most households actually feel day to day — customer service, app quality, smart tariff choice and value — Octopus consistently comes out ahead, which is exactly why it has overtaken British Gas to become the UK's largest supplier. For most people switching today, Octopus is the stronger all-round choice, and you can pick up £50 of welcome credit on the way in.
British Gas traces its roots to the Gas Light and Coke Company of 1812, making it Britain's oldest energy brand, and today it's owned by Centrica plc, headquartered in Windsor. It remains the UK's largest gas supplier — but having been overtaken by Octopus overall, it's now number two by total customers.
Where Octopus tends to win
- Independent service ratings: Octopus tops the Citizens Advice and Which? customer-satisfaction rankings, while British Gas has repeatedly sat at or near the bottom of the big suppliers for service.
- Smart and time-of-use tariffs: Octopus Agile and Tracker follow wholesale prices, Intelligent Octopus Go offers cheap overnight EV charging and Cosy suits heat pumps — a depth of choice British Gas's standard tariffs don't match.
- App and support people genuinely rate: a well-built app, fast human replies and Octoplus rewards including free monthly Wheel of Fortune spins and Saving Sessions that pay you back.
- 100% renewable electricity as standard, putting Octopus among the greenest mainstream suppliers in the country.
- £50 of welcome credit through a referral link — British Gas has no equivalent welcome bonus for new joiners.
Where British Gas still has a case
- British Gas runs one of the largest engineer and field-service networks in the country, so booking an in-person visit or repair can be quicker and more reassuring than with a leaner, app-first supplier.
- Its HomeCare boiler and heating cover plans bundle energy supply with breakdown protection in one place, which suits households who want everything under a single trusted, long-established brand.
- As Britain's oldest and most recognised energy name, British Gas offers the comfort of familiarity and a high-street presence that some customers still value.
At a glance
| Feature | Octopus Energy | British Gas |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
Tariff prices change with the Ofgem price cap and your region, so always confirm live rates on Octopus’s own website before switching.
How to switch from British Gas to Octopus
Switching from British Gas to Octopus is simple and there's no break in supply — the same gas and electricity flow through the same pipes, wires and meter, so it's purely a billing change with no engineer visit. Tap the referral link, enter your address and a recent meter reading (about five minutes), and Octopus arranges everything with British Gas for you — you don't need to cancel anything yourself. Most switches complete within roughly five working days and the whole process is protected by Ofgem and the Energy Switch Guarantee. Once your switch completes and your first monthly Direct Debit is taken, your £50 credit lands on your account automatically — usually within about two to four weeks, with nothing to claim or chase.
FAQs
How much is the Octopus Energy referral bonus?+
£50 for you and £50 for the referrer — £50 each. Business and charity referrals are £75 each. Octopus sometimes frames it as “splitting £100 with a mate”, which is the same thing: £50 into each 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 — refer-a-friend is Octopus’s own scheme. 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 we both get £50 — it costs you nothing.
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