Octopus vs Crown: Business Energy Comparison

This business energy comparison looks at tariffs, contract length, pricing structure, renewable credentials, customer service, smart tech and fees, so you can weigh up Octopus vs Crown for your energy contract.

Octopus vs Crown at a Glance

Which Supplier Offers Better Business Energy Tariffs?

Neither Octopus nor Crown publishes a single standard business rate, because pricing depends on:

• Business location

• Annual consumption

• Industry type

• Meter type

• Contract length

• Credit profile

• Regional distribution charges

It's worth noting that the two suppliers approach their tariff ranges quite differently. Octopus has built a wide set of time-of-use and export tariffs around its smart meter data, while Crown keeps its range simpler: mainly fixed contracts, with biogas as its standout point of difference.

Octopus Tariffs

Fixed Contracts

Rates are locked in for the length of the agreement, with no hidden fees added to the unit rate or standing charge.

Best for:

• Budget certainty

• Small offices, shops and sole traders

• Businesses that want a simple, all-in quote

Shape Shifters: Trio and Agile

Half-hourly, time-of-use tariffs that reward businesses for shifting consumption away from the 4 pm to 7 pm peak. Agile follows wholesale prices directly, while Trio splits the day into three simpler bands.

Best for:

• Businesses with EV charging, batteries or solar on-site

• Manufacturers with flexible plant or shift patterns

• Sites that can move refrigeration, HVAC or back-office loads outside peak hours

Summer Saver

A seasonal tariff aimed at businesses whose energy use varies significantly across the year, such as hospitality and tourism operators.

No Standing Charge Tariff

Available to qualifying meters. The daily standing charge is reduced to zero, with that fixed cost built into the unit rate instead, which can suit low-usage sites.

Multi-Site and Export Tariffs

Multi-site portfolios can be managed under one account for switching, renewals and billing. Businesses with solar or battery storage can also access Panel Power and Shape Shifters: Export, which pays for electricity sent back to the grid.

Crown Tariffs

YouFix

A fixed price tariff available for both half-hourly and non-half-hourly meters, with the unit rate agreed upfront and held for the contract term.

Best for:

• Businesses that want a straightforward, single quoted rate

• SMEs and larger businesses with contracts of up to 500,000kWh (higher usage is quoted bespoke)

Best for:

• Businesses that want a single, predictable quote and no surprises mid-contract

Renewable Tariff

REGO-backed (Renewable Energy Guarantees of Origin) electricity, aimed at businesses that want a straightforward way to evidence renewable sourcing on a fixed contract.

Biogas Tariffs

A tiered range of biomethane blends: Bio10, Bio25, Bio50 and Bio100, letting businesses choose how much of their gas supply comes from renewable sources depending on budget.

Best for:

• Businesses wanting to reduce Scope 1 emissions without switching electricity supplier

• Organisations under sustainability reporting pressure from customers or investors

Multi-Site and Multi-Meter Agreements

Single contract solutions for organisations managing several premises or meters under one account, supported by a dedicated account manager.

Tariff Comparison Table

Winner: Octopus, for businesses that can shift load and want to be paid for solar or battery export. Crown is the stronger choice for businesses that want one simple fixed rate, a dedicated account manager and the option to buy biogas.

How Do Contract Lengths Compare?

Octopus Contract Terms

Crown Contract Terms

Contract Length Scorecard

Crown's contracts run for a minimum supply period, usually one, two or three years, during which you can't switch supplier, and businesses can enter a switching window up to six months before the contract ends. Renewing around six months ahead of the end date can save up to 20% compared with leaving it later.

Octopus vs Crown Pricing Structure

Business energy quotes typically include:

Unit Rate

Price charged for each kWh consumed. One comparison site's data put Crown's gas prices starting from around 6.2p per kWh as of September 2024, though your own quote will depend on location, usage and credit profile, and gas prices have moved since. Always ask for a current, dated quote from either supplier before comparing.

Standing Charge

Daily fee covering infrastructure and administration. Crown's business gas standing charge, which includes an administrative charge, is site-specific and reviewed quarterly in January, April, July and December. Octopus offers a No Standing Charge option on qualifying meters, while Crown's standing charge applies across its core range.

Pass-Through Charges

May include:

• Network costs, as explained in our guide to pass-through and fully fixed energy contracts

• Balancing charges

• Government levies

Capacity Charges

Applicable to some larger business connections with both suppliers.

Pricing Transparency Comparison

Which Supplier Has Better Renewable Energy Credentials?

Sustainability is becoming increasingly valuable to UK businesses.

Octopus Sustainability Initiatives

Offers:

• Renewable and half-hourly matched electricity through the Electric Match product

• Time-of-use tariffs that reward businesses for using power when it's greener

• Funded on-site generation through Wind Works

• Export tariffs for businesses generating their own solar or battery power

Pros

• Strong reputation for renewable energy investment

• Half-hourly renewable matching, not just annual offsetting

• Rewards for exporting on-site generation

Cons

• Some products, such as Agile pricing, need active management to get the full benefit

Crown Sustainability Initiatives

Offers:

• A REGO-backed renewable electricity contract

• A tiered range of biogas tariffs: Bio100 (100% biogas, with marginal Scope 1 emissions carbon offset), Bio50, Bio25 and Bio10 blends

• Carbon offsetting built into its lower-percentage biogas blends

• Free smart (AMR) meter installation on new contracts, supporting more accurate usage reporting

Pros

• One of the few UK business suppliers offering a graduated biogas range rather than an all-or-nothing switch

• Straightforward, clearly named renewable and biogas products

• Free meter upgrades support better emissions data for reporting

Cons

• No half-hourly renewable electricity matching or export tariffs to match Octopus

• Biogas options apply to gas only, not electricity

Sustainability Comparison

Winner: Octopus, for businesses that want half-hourly electricity matching and export tariffs. Crown is the stronger pick for gas-heavy businesses that want a flexible, graduated route to lower-carbon gas without committing to 100% biogas straight away.

Customer Service Comparison

Customer support can have a major impact on small businesses when problems arise.

Octopus Business Support

Channels include:

• Online account management via the Kraken platform

• Telephone and email support

• Billing support

• Dedicated support for multi-site and half-hourly accounts

Strengths

• Consistently high customer review scores

• Fast self-service billing and switching tools

• Transparent, jargon-light communication

Weaknesses

• Newer to large, complex corporate accounts than some legacy suppliers

• Less extensive high-street brand recognition among older or less digitally confident owners

Crown Business Support

Channels include:

• Manchester-based customer service with no call centre

• Online account management via the myCrown portal

• A dedicated account manager for every client, from onboarding through to contract renewal

• An in-house siteworks team handling meter installations, service alterations and disconnections

Strengths

• Strong independent review scores, including a 4.6 Trustpilot rating

• Named account manager rather than a call queue

• In-house engineering support for meter and connection work

Weaknesses

• Review volume is comparatively small (127 Trustpilot reviews as of 2025), so scores may shift more with each new review than for a larger supplier

• Fewer digital self-service tools than Octopus's app-first model

Customer Service Scorecard

How Do Smart Meters and Tech Compare?

Octopus Technology Solutions

• Smart meters are standard on most business tariffs

• Half-hourly consumption data and analytics

• Time-of-use and demand-response tariffs (Shape Shifters, Agile)

• EV fleet charging through the Electric Juice Network

• Solar and battery export tracking

Ideal For

• Businesses with EV fleets, solar or battery storage

• Manufacturers and multi-site operators wanting granular usage data

• Owners who prefer managing energy through an app or online account

Crown Technology Solutions

• Automated Meter Reading (AMR) systems installed for accurate billing, offered free on switching

• The myCrown customer portal for managing bills and checking usage

• Site assessments to help improve energy use

• Free standard smart (AMR) meter installation for businesses signing a new gas or electricity contract

Ideal For

• Businesses that want accurate, meter-driven billing without managing their own usage dashboard

• Multi-site or multi-meter operators who want one point of contact for installations

• Owners who'd rather speak to a named adviser than use an app

Technology Comparison

Business Energy Charges

Additional fees may apply with either supplier.

Common Charges

Key Consideration

Businesses should avoid rolling onto out-of-contract rates, which are typically far more expensive than contracted tariffs, whichever supplier you choose.

Pros and Cons of Octopus

Advantages

Transparent, All-In Pricing

Octopus positions itself around upfront pricing with few hidden fees.

Strong Renewable and Tech Credentials

Half-hourly matching, export tariffs and time-of-use pricing suit businesses with solar, batteries or EVs.

High Customer Review Scores

Consistently strong independent review ratings compared with the wider market.

Flexible, Digital-First Account Management

A self-service portal built on Octopus's own billing platform, aimed at fast fixes and clear data.

Disadvantages

Less Established for Large Corporate Accounts

Octopus is a newer entrant to complex, large-scale business energy management than some legacy suppliers.

Time-of-Use Tariffs Need Managing

Getting the most from Shape Shifters or Agile means actively shifting consumption, which may not suit every business.

Newer Exit Fee Terms

Some newer fixed products include exit fees, so it's worth checking the terms before signing.

Pros and Cons of Crown Gas & Power

Advantages

Named Account Manager, No Call Centre

Manchester-based customer service without a call centre means fewer queues and one point of contact throughout your contract.

Graduated Biogas Range

A choice of Bio10 through to Bio100 lets gas-heavy businesses take a step-by-step route to lower-carbon supply rather than an all-or-nothing switch.

In-House Siteworks Team

Its own engineering team handles meter installations and service alterations, which can mean faster turnaround on connection work.

Strong, Consistent Reviews

A 4.6 Trustpilot score and a top ranking in Citizens Advice's Non-Domestic Supplier Rankings for late 2024 point to a supplier that performs well on service, even with a smaller customer base.

Disadvantages

Limited Online Quoting

Getting a firm price typically means speaking to an adviser rather than pulling a quote straight from a website.

Fewer Time-of-Use and Export Options

Crown offers fewer products for businesses wanting to be paid for shifting load or exporting solar and battery power.

Contracts Are Legally Binding

Like most fixed-term commercial energy deals, leaving before the end of the term usually means paying the remaining value of the contract, so it's worth being confident in your usage estimate before signing.

Which Supplier is Better for Which Business Types?

Octopus vs Crown: Side-by-Side Summary

Key Questions to Ask Before Deciding

Before signing a business energy contract, compare:

1. What is the standing charge, and how often is it reviewed?

2. What is the unit rate, and is it dated?

3. Is the tariff fixed, flexible or time-of-use?

4. Are there exit fees, and how are they calculated?

5. What happens at contract renewal, and is there a discount for renewing early?

6. Are renewable, REGO-backed or biogas tariffs available?

7. Can smart meters be installed, and is installation free?

8. How are out-of-contract rates handled?

9. Is a dedicated account manager provided, or is support call-centre based?

10. Can multiple sites or meters be managed under one agreement?

Verdict: Octopus or Crown for Business Energy?

The right supplier depends largely on your business priorities.

Choose Octopus if you want:

• Transparent, all-in online pricing with few hidden fees

• Time-of-use tariffs that reward shifting consumption

• Strong support for EV charging, solar or battery storage

• A digital-first account with fast self-service tools

Choose Crown Gas & Power if you want:

• A single fixed rate with a named account manager rather than a call centre

• A graduated biogas range to lower gas-related emissions in steps

• In-house support for meter installations and connections

• A supplier with strong, independently verified review scores

For most small businesses, day-to-day supply quality differs little between suppliers, because all providers use the same national infrastructure. However, when comparing digital tools, time-of-use flexibility and renewable electricity, Octopus often edges ahead for businesses that want to actively manage their energy use. Crown remains a strong choice for businesses that value a dedicated point of contact, in-house installation support and a step-by-step route to greener gas. Either way, it's worth using our business energy comparison tool to check current quotes against other suppliers before you sign.