Energy suppliers: how many are there, and who’s the best?
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The UK energy market is complicated. If it wasn’t, we would be out of business. So, between the dozens of energy suppliers in the UK market, you probably ask yourself: Which supplier is the right one for me? As there are many fish in the sea, it is possible that there will be many that are suitable to your needs; and at Switch Plan we aim to narrow that decision down for you. So, in this article, we will explain what to look out for, who the UK energy suppliers are, and how you can make the best informed decision when switching energy suppliers.
Last update: December 2021
As you may have heard on the news, the UK energy market crisis is driving up energy costs and putting several energy suppliers out of business. As a result, we have currently paused our supplier switching services, however, we hope to return as soon as possible. To learn more about this and stay updated you can read our page on the UK energy crisis.
Sticking with the same energy supplier for years may sound like a good idea, but the reality is that you could be missing out on massive savings every year. On average, energy consumers that switch regularly can save around £300 a year. In this article we not only list all of the notable active suppliers in the UK energy market, but we also give you some hints as to which are the best in a number of different categories.
How many energy suppliers are in the UK?
At the moment there are around 30 active energy suppliers currently trading in the UK, each of them with unique specialities and offerings. When considering which one to sign with next, to find the best option for you it is crucial to take every supplier into consideration, and while that may seem like overkill it is actually how we can find the best energy plan for you!
One simple call with our energy experts is all it takes to start your transition to an energy plan that could save you time, frustration and even money going forward.
Here you can find a list of all active suppliers listed below:
| Supplier Logo | Supplier Name | Trustpilot Rating | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
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British Gas | 3.8/5 with 65,100 customer reviews | The UK’s biggest energy company, British Gas was the state energy supplier until the industry was privatised in 1990. |
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EDF | 4.2/5 with 21,905 customer reviews | Majority-owned by the French government, EDF mostly uses nuclear power, although it also has some renewables. |
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E.ON & E.ON Next | 3.4/5 with 30,849 customer reviews | German company E.On (formerly Powergen), is a good all-rounder that currently supplies energy to over 5 million UK homes. E.On Next is their new subsidiary that focuses on delivery clean, renewable energy to customers. |
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Scottish Power | 3.6/5 with 31,629 customer reviews | Scottish Power provides energy to roughly 1 in 10 UK homes and generates its own clean wind energy. |
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OVO Energy | 4.3/5 with 49,287 customer reviews | Upon acquiring SSE in 2020, OVO became one of the biggest suppliers in the UK. It also owns Boost Energy and Spark Energy. |
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Octopus Energy | 4.8/5 with 66,510 customer reviews | Octopus Energy exploded onto the scene in 2015 and have since won multiple “supplier of the year” awards, with 100% renewable energy, carbon-offset gas, great value and excellent customer service. |
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Bulb | 4.5/5 with 74,318 customer reviews | Bulb has only one variable rate tariff that’s one of the best value on the market, as well as 100% renewable electricity and carbon-neutral gas. |
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Utility Warehouse | 3.8/5 with 17,084 customer reviews | Part energy company, part MLM company Utility Warehouse offers energy, phone, TV and broadband packages. |
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Shell Energy | 4.0/5 with 52,576 customer reviews | Shell may be known as an oil giant, but they offer surprisingly renewable (and affordable) energy after buying First Utility in 2019. |
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Utilita | 4.3/5 with 39,126 customer reviews | Another company dedicated to providing affordable tariffs for customers with Pay As You Go meters. |
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So Energy | 4.3/5 with 6,557 customer reviews | In 5 short years, So Energy has made a huge impression on customers, with impeccable customer service and affordable renewable tariffs. |
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Outfox The Market | 4.5/5 with 30,121 customer reviews | As the name suggests, Outfox the market constantly reviews wholesale energy prices and adjusts their prices accordingly to offer the best value for money. |
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Together Energy | 3.0/5 with 11,485 customer reviews | Scotland’s fastest-growing supplier currently has some of the cheapest fixed-rate energy deals in the UK. |
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Ecotricity | 3.9/5 with 2,947 customer reviews | Arguably the UK’s greenest supplier, and its only vegan energy supplier, Ecotricity provides 100% renewable electricity and biomethane as well as supporting anti-fracking campaigns. |
| COOP Energy | 4.7/5 with 4,281 customer reviews | COOP Energy among the UK’s most environmentally conscious energy suppliers. As the result of a new partnership with Octopus Energy, all the energy that COOP Energy customers receive is actually supplied by Octopus Energy. However, COOP Energy is still responsible for bringing in and managing their own customers. | |
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Boost Energy | 4.2/5 with 13,086 customer reviews | Part of the OVO Energy Group, Boost Energy specialises in affordable tariffs for customers who have prepayment meters. |
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ESB Energy | 4.4/5 with 3,917 customer reviews | Ireland’s state energy supplier has made its way to the UK, offering affordable renewable energy. |
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Good Energy | 4.4/5 with 5,128 customer reviews | The UK’s first renewable supplier, Good Energy have been delivering clean energy to UK households since 1999. |
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Click Energy | 1.8/5 with 17 customer reviews | “Northern Ireland’s top energy supplier”, Click Energy combines affordable green energy with support in conserving energy. |
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Orbit Energy | 3.4/5 with 6,484 customer reviews | A partner of Shell Energy, Orbit offers 100% renewable tariffs as well as the ability to “track the cap” and stay below the Ofgem energy price cap. |
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E Energy | 4.2/5 with 679 customer reviews | A prepayment meter specialist, E Energy offers hassle-free customer service and competitive prices. |
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Zog Energy | 4.7/5 with 249 customer reviews | A gas-only supplier with a commendable record for customer service. |
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Zebra Power | 4.5/5 with 320 customer reviews | Determined to eliminate “grey areas” in the energy sector, Zebra Power offer a customer-focused approach that’s proven a big hit with energy consumers. |
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Bristol Energy | 3.0/5 with 2,521 customer reviews | 100% municipally owned, Bristol Energy has a strong focus on renewability, ethics and supporting local communities. |
| Entice Energy | 4.1/5 with 135 customer reviews | Driven by the desire to make energy tariffs more straightforward and transparent, Entice Energy offers a few simple tariff options that has been satisfying their customers since 2015. | |
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M & S Energy | 4.9/5 with 3,467 customer reviews | The beloved supermarket chain has paired with Octopus Energy to deliver renewable energy. |
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Green Energy UK | 4.4/5 with 986 customer reviews | Green Energy UK offers 100% renewable electricity as well as renewable biomethane gas. Not the cheapest supplier, but outstanding green credentials! |
Energy Suppliers That Have Gone Bust or Ceased Trading
There are a number of factors that could cause an energy supplier to go bust, and it is actually a fairly common occurrence, so there is a streamlined process and protocols to ensure that your home never loses power. That being said, the following list is of notable suppliers that have gone bust recently, either as a result of the UK energy crisis or unrelated difficulties that they experienced in the market.
You can find this list below:
| Supplier That Went Bust | When They Ceased Trading | Supplier Their Customers Were Transferred To |
|---|---|---|
| GOTO Energy | October 2021 | Shell Energy |
| Daligas | October 2021 | Shell Energy |
| Pure Planet | October 2021 | Shell Energy |
| Colorado Energy | October 2021 | Shell Energy |
| Symbio | October 2021 | E.on Next |
| Enstroga Energy | September 2021 | E.on Next |
| Igloo Energy | September 2021 | E.on Next |
| Avro Energy | September 2021 | Octopus Energy |
| Green | September 2021 | Shell Energy |
| Utility Point | September 2021 | EDF |
| Peoples Energy | September 2021 | British Gas |
| MoneyPlus Energy | September 2021 | British Gas |
| PFP Energy | September 2021 | British Gas |
| HUB Energy | August 2021 | E.ON Next |
| Nabuh Energy | April 2021 | British Gas |
| Green Network Energy | January 2021 | EDF |
| Simplicity | January 2021 | British Gas |
| Lumo Energy | 2020 | OVO Energy |
| Yorkshire Energy | December 2020 | Scottish Power |
| Tonik Energy | October 2020 | Scottish Power |
| GnERGY | September 2020 | Bulb |
| EBICO (Robin Hood Energy) | September 2020 | British Gas |
| Avid Energy | July 2020 | Nabuh Energy |
| Better Energy | March 2020 | PFP Energy |
| Breeze Energy | March 2020 | British Gas |
| SSE | January 2020 | OVO Energy |
| NPOWER | September 2019 | E.ON |
Who are the best energy suppliers in the UK?
Truthfully, there is no singular energy supplier that is far and away better than the others. As we mentioned, each energy supplier has its unique specialities or offerings. However, in the interest of supplying you with actionable information, we have broken down and evaluated several notable suppliers and placed them in the following categories that most energy consumers consider when choosing their nest supplier.
- Cheapest suppliers in the UK.
- Greenest suppliers in the UK.
- Most stable suppliers in the UK.
- Best small suppliers in the UK.
What are the cheapest energy suppliers?
A simple fact about energy is that not every home consumes it the same way and as a result, it’s important that every home finds the best energy plan to fit it. For instance, a family of five in a stand-alone country home will have very different energy consumption than someone living alone in a London flat.
Below we’ve listed some of the cheapest available energy plans available in the UK, but it is important to consider that as the UK energy crisis continues pricing has been quite volatile. For the most accurate pricing information, please contact our energy experts that can tell you more about tariff rates in your area.
The following list is made up of the cheapest variable-rate tariff options available in the UK at the moment:
| Energy Supplier | Energy Tariff | Electricity Annual Cost (£) | Gas Annual Cost (£) | Total Annual Cost (£) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Outfox the Market | One Green Flex | £ 640.21* | £ 456.97* | £ 1,097.18** |
| Igloo Energy | Flexible 5 Direct Debit ebill | £ 595.58* | £ 478.76* | £ 1,074.33** |
| Orbit Energy | 5% OFF 4 LIFE | £ 645.532* | £ 485.984* | £ 1131.515** |
| Together Energy | Green Together Smart Sum ExcVar | £ 548.30* | £ 502.91* | £ 1,051.21** |
* Please note that these prices are for indicative purposes only and can shift on a regular basis. Indeed, prices are post-code based and can vary significantly from one region to another. However, we attempt to maintain as up to date pricing information as possible for your convenience. To get the most accurate information possible, you can call our experts today to get current prices for your location.
** Based on the Typical Domestic Consumption Values (TDCV) defined by Ofgem. On average: 2,900 kWh of electricity and 12,000 kWh of gas per year.
Rates are inclusive of VAT at 5%.
No exit fees.
And here you can see the cheapest 12 month fixed rate tariffs available in the UK:
| Energy Supplier | Energy Tariff | Electricity Annual Cost (£) | Gas Annual Cost (£) | Total Annual Cost (£) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| E.ON Next | Next Online | £ 633.727* | £ 493.150* | £ 1126.877** |
| EDF Energy | Easy Online | £ 607.917* | £ 443.496* | £ 1051.413** |
| So Energy | So Cherry | £ 992.95* | £ 1,204.17* | £ 2,197.12** |
* Please note that these prices are for indicative purposes only and can shift on a regular basis. Indeed, prices are post-code based and can vary significantly from one region to another. However, we attempt to maintain as up to date pricing information as possible for your convenience. To get the most accurate information possible, you can call our experts today to get current prices for your location.
** Based on the Typical Domestic Consumption Values (TDCV) defined by Ofgem. On average: 2,900 kWh of electricity and 12,000 kWh of gas per year.
Rates are inclusive of VAT at 5%.
Exit fees may vary.
Who are the greenest energy suppliers?
The UK has made great strides in terms of progressing towards a green future, but this is an effort that requires cooperation from all sides. As consumers, it falls on all UK residents to do their due diligence and identify where the energy they are using comes from because there are still a number of suppliers that use harmful fossil fuels as a core part of their energy supply. However, with every supplier claiming to be green it can be difficult to see past the greenwashing and find suppliers that are genuinely green.
The first thing to consider is if the supplier is producing genuinely renewable energy or if they have purchased the ability to claim they have 100% renewable energy by paying for a REGO certificate. Suppliers are able to purchase a REGO certificate, which stands for Renewable Energy Guarantees of Origin, which is a document that proves the energy being provided is from a renewable source. As a result, many energy companies have been noted to advertise 100% renewable energy in their tariffs even though they don’t produce any renewable energy themselves.
This is what we refer to as greenwashing, which is when a company falsely claims to be more environmentally friendly than they are to gain more customers. Companies can supply their customers with energy from fossil fuels while claiming to be green and it is completely legal because they’ve purchased enough REGO certificates. One such example would be Shell Energy, when they purchased First Unity in 2019, their energy went from being considered 3% renewable to 100% renewable overnight as a result of taking advantage of this scheme.
In order to avoid greenwashing suppliers and save you the amount of time that it would take to research all of this, we’ve compiled a shortlist of some of the most sustainable energy suppliers in the UK below. Each of these suppliers offers 100% renewable electricity and either 100% green gas or carbon offset gas.
- Green Energy UK – 100% renewable electricity + 100% green gas
- Ecotricity – 100% renewable electricity + carbon-offset gas
- E.ON/E.ON Next – 100% renewable electricity + 100% carbon-offset gas
- Octopus Energy – 100% renewable electricity + partial carbon-offset gas
- Good Energy – 100% renewable electricity + 90% carbon-offset gas
Below you can find an example of one tariff option from each of the suppliers mentioned above with all of its pricing information included.
| Energy Supplier | Energy Tariff | Tariff Type | Electricity Annual Cost (£) | Gas Annual Cost (£) | Total Annual Cost (£) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Green Energy UK | Sparkling | 24 Month Fixed-Rate | £ 868.027* | £ 924.360* | £ 1792.387** |
| E.ON Next | Next Online | 12 Month Fixed Rate | £ 633.727* | £ 493.150* | £ 1126.877** |
| Ecotricity | Fully Charged Bundle (only for electric vehicle owners) | Variable Rate | £ 965.21* | £ 1,011.47* | £ 1,976.68** |
| Octopus Energy | flexibleOctopus | Variable Rate | £ 649.882* | £ 479.512* | £ 1129.394** |
| Good Energy | SVT Standard | Variable Rate | £ 671.966* | £ 573.906* | £ 1245.872** |
* Please note that these prices are for indicative purposes only and can shift on a regular basis. Indeed, prices are post-code based and can vary significantly from one region to another. However, we attempt to maintain as up to date pricing information as possible for your convenience. To get the most accurate information possible, you can call our experts today to get current prices for your location.
** Based on the Typical Domestic Consumption Values (TDCV) defined by Ofgem. On average: 2,900 kWh of electricity and 12,000 kWh of gas per year.
Rates are inclusive of VAT at 5%.
Who are the most stable energy suppliers?
In the UK’s energy market, the “Big Six” are the six most powerful and largest energy suppliers in the business. Each of the “Big Six” is unique in some regards, however, what they all have in common is a massive presence across the entire UK. These suppliers are handling the energy needs of millions of UK energy homes and businesses, so while they are going to be stable in a sense that they are not going out of business any time soon, they may not be able to offer the same personalized experience you could find at a smaller supplier.
The “Big Six” is currently made up of the following suppliers:
- British Gas – 12 million customers
- ScottishPower – 5 million customers
- EDF – 5 million customers
- E.ON/E.ON Next – 3.8 million customers
- Octopus Energy – 2.4 million customers
- OVO Energy – 5 million customers
Below you can find examples of what their standard variable tariffs look like when directly compared:
| Energy Supplier | Energy Tariff | Electricity Annual Cost (£) | Gas Annual Cost (£) | Total Annual Cost (£) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| British Gas | Standard Variable | £ 1,034.09* | £ 576.61* | £ 1,610.71** |
| E.ON / E.ON Next | Next Flex | £ 754.666* | £ 640.424* | £ 1395.090** |
| Octopus Energy | flexibleOctopus | £ 649.882* | £ 479.512* | £ 1129.394** |
| EDF Energy | Standard Variable | £ 699.763* | £ 576.603* | £ 1276.367** |
| OVO Energy | Simpler Energy | £ 633.240* | £ 511.157* | £ 1,144.40** |
| Scottish Power | Standard Variable | £ 704.228* | £ 576.567* | £ 1280.795** |
* Please note that these prices are for indicative purposes only and can shift on a regular basis. Indeed, prices are post-code based and can vary significantly from one region to another. However, we attempt to maintain as up to date pricing information as possible for your convenience. To get the most accurate information possible, you can call our experts today to get current prices for your location.
** Based on the Typical Domestic Consumption Values (TDCV) defined by Ofgem. On average: 2,900 kWh of electricity and 12,000 kWh of gas per year.
Rates are inclusive of VAT at 5%.
What are some of the best smaller suppliers?
If you’re looking for smaller suppliers, you may run the risk of choosing a supplier that can eventually go bust, which is unfortunately quite common in the UK energy industry. Despite this, there are a large number of energy suppliers that have found success without sacrificing their customer-first philosophy.
We’ve selected the following notable “smaller” suppliers from the UK market based on reliability, costs, tariff options, sustainability, and of course customer satisfaction.
Below we can see some of the pricing information for one of each supplier’s popular tariff options. However, is important to note that the tariffs listed on this table are all variable-rate tariffs, which means that their costs will change to reflect the ongoing cost of energy in the UK market.
| Energy Supplier | Energy Tariff | Electricity Annual Cost (£) | Gas Annual Cost (£) | Total Annual Cost (£) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Together Energy | Green Together Smart Sum ExcVar | £ 548.30* | £ 502.91* | £ 1,051.21** |
| Entice Energy | Flexible Saver | £ 700.71* | £ 572.76* | £ 1,273.47** |
| Bulb Energy | Vari-Fair | £ 692.626* | £ 581.974* | £ 1058.161388** |
| M & S Energy | M&S Everyday Energy | £ 649.88* | £ 489.52* | £ 1,139.40** |
| Outfox the Market | One Green Flex | £ 640.21* | £ 456.97* | £ 1,097.18** |
* Please note that these prices are for indicative purposes only and can shift on a regular basis. Indeed, prices are post-code based and can vary significantly from one region to another. However, we attempt to maintain as up to date pricing information as possible for your convenience. To get the most accurate information possible, you can call our experts today to get current prices for your location.
** Based on the Typical Domestic Consumption Values (TDCV) defined by Ofgem. On average: 2,900 kWh of electricity and 12,000 kWh of gas per year.
Rates are inclusive of VAT at 5%.
Business energy: who is the best business electricity supplier?
Most energy suppliers offer not only domestic tariffs but special commercial tariffs for businesses. While the “Big 6” tend to dominate in the world of commercial electricity, there are still a number of smaller energy suppliers in the UK with commercial electricity tariffs.
Bulb, Corona Energy, So Energy and Ecotricity all have competitively priced tariffs targeted at business users. On balance, Bulb is probably the best business electricity supplier with a good combination of affordability, renewability and customer service.
How can Switch Plan help you find your next energy supplier?
Do you think your energy supplier could be working harder for you? Let us help you with every aspect of your switch. Not only can we help you to find a new supplier and a new tariff, but we also manage every stage of your move end-to-end so that you can relax and focus on your great savings!
Call us today on 0330 818 6223. We’re available from 8.30 am – 5.30 pm.
To read more on this topic, check out these guides:
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FAQ
Who are the best Energy Suppliers in the UK?
It really depends what you’re looking for in a supplier. After looking at wide range of suppliers for all shapes and sizes we recommend:
- Outfox The Market for affordability
- Octopus for customer service
- Bulb for Green Energy
Who decides what Energy Suppliers in the UK can charge?
Like most private enterprises, Energy Suppliers have a regulatory body. Ofgem ensures that energy companies act ethically and charge reasonably. They place a cap on how much energy companies can charge per year. This is currently set at £1,127 for both fuels.
How many UK Energy Suppliers are there?
There are currently 35 active Energy Suppliers across the UK. If you thought that the “Big 6” were your only option, you may well find a better deal among the many smaller providers out there.
Is it easy to change Energy Suppliers?
Absolutely! Especially since we can manage every aspect of your switch from end-to-end, as well as helping you find the perfect supplier for your needs.
Updated on 27 Oct, 2021
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Alex
Consumer Energy Expert
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