Octopus smart tariffs explained

Agile, Tracker, Go, Flux, Cosy · Updated April 2026

Octopus Energy wind turbine

Octopus offers more smart tariffs than any other UK supplier. The right one depends on your household — whether you have solar, an EV, a heat pump, a battery, or just want cheaper electricity without changing anything except your tariff.

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Octopus Agile

What it is: Half-hourly electricity pricing that tracks day-ahead wholesale rates. Prices published at 4pm for the following day. Can go negative (you get paid to use electricity) or spike to 35p+ during winter evening peaks.

Average rate: Typically 10–15% below the standard tariff over a full year.

Best for: Flexible households, solar + battery owners, Home Assistant automators.

Needs: Smart meter (free from Octopus).

Potential saving: £200–£400/year versus standard tariff.

Full Agile deep-dive →

Octopus Tracker

What it is: One daily rate that tracks the previous day's wholesale price plus Octopus's margin. More predictable than Agile — rate announced by 11pm for the following day.

Best for: Households who want wholesale exposure without half-hourly complexity.

Potential saving: £100–£250/year versus standard tariff.

Full Tracker deep-dive →

Octopus Go

Electric vehicle charging port

What it is: Two-rate tariff. Cheap overnight (typically 7.5p/kWh, 12:30am–5:30am) and standard daytime.

Best for: EV owners, battery owners, anyone who can shift big loads to overnight.

Potential saving: £150–£300/year on EV charging costs.

See our EV charging cost breakdown →

Intelligent Octopus Go

What it is: Go with smart charging integration. Your charger optimises automatically for cheapest slots. Also accesses additional cheap windows that standard Go doesn't.

Best for: EV owners with compatible smart chargers who want full automation.

Octopus Flux

What it is: Three-rate tariff. Higher export rates during peak demand (4–7pm), cheap import overnight, standard daytime. Designed for solar + battery systems that export strategically.

Best for: Rooftop solar + battery owners who want premium export value.

Potential saving: £200–£500/year with optimised charge/discharge.

Cosy Octopus

What it is: Cheaper rates during heat pump operating hours — early morning and late afternoon.

Best for: Heat pump owners.

Potential saving: 15–25% reduction in heat pump running costs.

Quick comparison

TariffPricingBest forAnnual saving
AgileHalf-hourlyFlexible/solar/battery£200–£400
TrackerDailySimple wholesale exposure£100–£250
GoTwo-rateEV owners£150–£300
FluxThree-rateSolar + battery exporters£200–£500
CosyTime-of-useHeat pump owners15–25% HP cost reduction

All tariffs, one switch

Switch to Octopus via our referral link and get £50 credit. You choose your tariff during or after the quote — the credit applies regardless of which tariff you select.

Switch to Octopus — Get £50 →

Octopus Energy wind turbine

Ready to cut your bill?

Switch to Octopus and get £50 credit. Then explore their smart tariffs to save hundreds more per year.

Switch to Octopus — Get £50 →