UPDATED: 9 OCTOBER 2026
Considering switching from Scottish Power to Octopus Energy? Here’s a straightforward comparison — covering pricing, customer satisfaction, smart tariffs, and the £50 referral credit available when you switch.
Switch from Scottish Power – Get £50 Free →Scottish Power is one of the original big-six UK energy suppliers, now owned by Spanish utility giant Iberdrola. On the key metrics that most customers care about — customer service, smart tariffs, and transparency — Octopus Energy is clearly the better choice.
Scottish Power’s Trustpilot score has historically sat in the 1.5–2★ range, reflecting persistent frustration with billing issues, complaint handling, and long wait times. Octopus’s 4.8★ from 800,000+ reviews is in a different category entirely.
For EV owners and heat pump households, the case for switching is even stronger: Octopus offers Intelligent Octopus Go (8p/kWh overnight) and Cosy Octopus (saving up to £389/yr) — neither of which has a Scottish Power equivalent.
| Factor | Octopus Energy | Scottish Power |
|---|---|---|
| Trustpilot rating | 4.8★ Excellent (800,000+ reviews) | ~1.5–2★ (consistently low) |
| Which? Best Buy | 7 times (2018–2025) | Not awarded |
| Pricing vs Ofgem cap | Always at or below cap since launch | Typically at or near cap |
| Renewable electricity | 100% as standard, all tariffs | Some renewable tariffs available |
| EV tariff | Intelligent Octopus Go: 8p/kWh overnight | No comparable EV smart tariff |
| Heat pump tariff | Cosy Octopus — save up to £389/yr | No equivalent |
| Solar + battery tariff | Octopus Flux / Agile Octopus | Limited smart tariff options |
| Referral scheme | £50 each (£100 split) — permanent | No referral scheme |
| Exit fees (variable tariff) | No exit fees | No exit fees on variable tariffs |
| Customer service model | Team-based, account continuity | Traditional call-centre model |
| Ownership | UK-founded, independent | Iberdrola (Spanish utility group) |
Scottish Power’s customer service has been a persistent weak point. Its Trustpilot rating has historically sat around 1.5–2★, with common complaints including billing errors, long hold times, and difficulty resolving disputes. The company has faced regulatory scrutiny from Ofgem over complaint handling in past years.
Octopus Energy’s Trustpilot Excellent 4.8★ from 800,000+ reviews represents a fundamentally different customer experience. Seven consecutive Which? Best Buy awards confirm this is not just marketing — it reflects sustained, measurable outperformance on billing accuracy, response times, and satisfaction scores.
Octopus’s team model (where a small, dedicated group handles your account) means you deal with people who know your history — a stark contrast to being passed between different agents in a large call centre.
Scottish Power has no equivalent to Octopus’s smart tariff suite. For households with low-carbon technology:
Under the October 2026 price cap (£1,723/yr), the financial advantage of a smart tariff that undercuts the standard rate is significant — particularly for EV and heat pump homes.
You must click the link — not type it — for the £50 credit to register automatically.
Enter your address, meter details, and Direct Debit. Octopus contacts Scottish Power on your behalf.
No supply interruption. Only the billing company changes.
Automatic — no code or form needed. Credit appears around two to four weeks after joining.
Yes, clearly. Octopus holds Trustpilot 4.8★ vs Scottish Power’s ~1.5–2★, has won Which? Best Buy seven times (Scottish Power has not), and offers smart tariffs for EVs and heat pumps that Scottish Power cannot match. On every major customer-facing metric, Octopus outperforms Scottish Power by a wide margin.
Click share.octopus.energy/brave-kiwi-22 and complete the switch in around five minutes. Octopus contacts Scottish Power on your behalf. No interruption to supply. Check for exit fees if on a fixed-rate tariff.
No. Scottish Power does not have a refer-a-friend scheme. Switching to Octopus via a referral link earns both you and the referrer £50 credit each — automatically, year-round.
On standard variable tariffs, both track the Ofgem cap so headline rates are similar. Octopus is cheaper if you have an EV (IOG at 8p/kWh) or heat pump (Cosy Octopus, save £389/yr). Scottish Power has no equivalent smart tariffs.