Octopus Energy price changes in 2026
Have Octopus prices risen in 2026?
Octopus prices have gone up once this year in line with the energy price cap.
When we talk about energy prices going up and down, we usually mean the prices of standard variable tariffs, which aren’t fixed and can change depending on wholesale market conditions. The amount suppliers can charge per unit of energy used on a standard variable tariff is limited by the Ofgem energy price cap.
The price cap is set four times each year, and the current cap has been set at £1,758 for the period from 1 January to 31 March 2026.
Octopus promises to keep its own standard variable rate tariff – Octopus Flexible – below the price cap, typically around £15 cheaper. The following table reveals how Octopus’s standard variable rate has compared to the price cap over the past 12 months:
| Time period | Price cap level | Octopus standard variable price |
|---|---|---|
| October 2023 - January 2024 | £1,834 | £1,819 |
| January 2024 - April 2024 | £1,928 | £1,913 |
| April 2024 - July 2024 | £1,690 | £1,675 |
| July 2024 - October 2024 | £1,568 | £1,552 |
| October 2024 - January 2025 | £1,717 | £1,702 |
| January 2025 - April 2025 | £1,738 | £1,723 |
| April 2025 - July 2025 | £1,849 | £1,838 |
| July 2025 - October 2025 | £1,720 | £1,713 |
| October 2025 - January 2026 | £1,755 | £1,748 |
| January 2026 - April 2026 | £1,758 | £1,748 |
Remember, the cap doesn’t guarantee the maximum price you’ll pay – it’s based on an average household’s usage. Find out more with our guide to average gas and electricity bills in the UK.
What can I do about Octopus price increases?
Octopus offers a wide range of tariffs, including fixed-price tariffs that lock in your rates to avoid future price rises for 12 months. Unlike some other providers, if you subsequently find the price of energy has fallen below what you’re currently paying, you can switch without incurring an exit penalty.
The easiest way to compare Octopus’s tariffs with those of other major suppliers is to perform an energy price comparison. Find out more with our guide to switching energy supplier or click below to run a comparison.
Run an energy comparison
Click here to compare energy prices and get started on your energy switch.
Which energy suppliers have changed their prices in 2026?
You can read about previous price changes from other suppliers below:
Will Octopus's prices rise again in 2026?
It's likely that bills will drop with the next price cap because the government has pledged in its Autumn budget that customers will no longer have to pay green levies.
However, long-term (and even short-term) predictions aren’t set in stone due to ongoing uncertainty in the energy wholesale market.