Octopus Energy vs E.ON Next referral: which gives you more?

Both Octopus Energy and E.ON Next offer a £50 referral reward when you switch, though they don't pay it in the same form. So which supplier should you actually choose?

This comparison breaks down the referral schemes, pricing, customer service, and features of both to help you decide.

Referral reward comparison

The headline value is the same £50 to both parties, but the schemes are not identical. Octopus pays it as bill credit, knocked straight off your energy account. E.ON Next pays a £50 retail voucher you can spend at shops like M&S, Sainsbury's and Argos, arriving about four weeks after your first direct debit. Octopus also has no referral cap, while E.ON Next limits you to 5 a day and 25 a year. So the value matches; the reward form and the timing are where they differ.

Customer satisfaction

This is where the gap opens up:

Octopus Energy holds one of the highest Trustpilot ratings among UK energy suppliers at 4.8 (joint with EDF), and has been a Which? Recommended Provider for nine consecutive years. E.ON Next is well above average at 4.5, but doesn't match Octopus for customer satisfaction.

Tariff innovation

Octopus Energy stands out here with several unique tariff options:

• Octopus Tracker: your rate follows the wholesale energy price daily
• Octopus Go: cheap overnight electricity for EV charging (typically 4 hours)
• Octopus Agile: prices change every 30 minutes based on demand
• Octopus Outgoing: pays you for excess solar energy exported to the grid

E.ON Next takes a simpler approach:

• Standard variable tariff (subject to the price cap)
• Fixed-rate tariffs when available
• No dynamic or smart tariffs

If you have an electric vehicle, solar panels, or a home battery, Octopus Energy's smart tariffs can save you hundreds of pounds per year. If you just want a straightforward energy supply, both are similar.

Renewable energy

Both suppliers offer 100% renewable electricity on all tariffs:

• Octopus Energy: backed by renewable generation and REGO certificates
• E.ON Next: backed by REGO certificates

Octopus also invests heavily in renewable energy generation through its Octopus Energy Generation arm, which owns and operates wind farms, solar farms, and other green infrastructure.

Company size and stability

Both are large, stable companies. E.ON Next has the backing of one of Europe's biggest utilities. Octopus Energy Group has expanded rapidly and now operates the technology platform used by multiple energy suppliers worldwide.

The switching process

Both suppliers make switching easy:

1. Sign up using the referral link
2. Your new supplier contacts your old one
3. The switch completes in 2-3 weeks
4. Your energy supply is never interrupted
5. You receive your £50 reward after your first direct debit: bill credit with Octopus, a retail voucher with E.ON Next

You do not need to contact your old supplier. The process is the same regardless of which one you choose.

The verdict

If you want the best overall experience, choose Octopus Energy. Higher customer satisfaction, innovative tariffs (especially if you have an EV or solar), and a slightly more modern platform. The full scheme, with the live link and current terms, is on the Octopus Energy referral code page.

If you want a large, reliable supplier with a simpler approach, E.ON Next is a solid choice. The customer experience is good, the price is competitive, and the backing of the E.ON group provides stability. The full scheme is on the E.ON Next referral page.

You might also like

• Octopus Energy review: 6 years as a customer
• EV charger installation: guide to home EV charging in the UK

Useful links (official resources)

• Ofgem energy supplier comparison: https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/information-for-household-consumers/energy-company-and-tariff-comparison (opens in new tab)
• Citizens Advice energy guidance: https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/consumer/energy/ (opens in new tab)

Both pay £50, Octopus as bill credit and E.ON Next as a retail voucher, so the decision comes down to which supplier better fits your needs.

Get your Octopus Energy £50 referral here (opens in new tab) | Get your E.ON Next £50 referral here (opens in new tab)