- The regulator Ofgem has a list of approved energy price comparison websites (below).
- Use sites that can show all available tariffs, not just ones that earn them money if you switch.
- Energylinx, My Utility Genius and Uswitch performed best in my tests.
Unlike most competitive industries, the products from rival energy suppliers are not just similar but literally identical.
Whoever you choose as your supplier, you get the same gas and electricity through the pipes and cables.
This means that, aside from customer service, price is the only real difference, making it an ideal product for energy price comparison sites.
But, with more than 10 to choose from, which sites provide the most comprehensive and reliable energy comparisons?
What's In This Article...
What Are The Best Comparison Sites For Gas And Electricity Tariffs?
The introduction of a price cap in 2021 put traditional tariff competition and comparison on hold.
Although still high, the market has calmed, with some fixed and variable deals returning to comparison sites.
Despite the uncertainty, the best energy price comparison sites can still be identified by their impartial and transparent approach with most or all of the following features:
- Free to use
- Fast results with simple filter options
- Up-to-date prices from all UK energy suppliers
- Detailed tariff information with any discount opportunities
- Display supplier service ratings
- Don’t prioritise deals that pay them a fee
Ofgem, the UK energy regulator, maintains a list of accredited price comparison websites that meet many of the above standards.
Comparing the Comparison Sites
The table below shows the results of my review of Ofgem approved and big name comparison sites on 9th January 2024.
The top performing sites were Energylinx, My Utility Genius and Uswitch. All three are Ofgem approved and quoted the same lowest annual price from the widest selection of suppliers.
Quoted prices are based on Ofgem average usage figures of 11,500 kWh for gas and 2,700 kWh for electricity on 9th January 2024.
How To Get Comprehensive and Accurate Results?
All the comparison sites above work in the same way and require you to provide some basic details about your property, your meters and typical usage.
By making the following adjustments to your comparisons, you’ll cover more of the market and increase your chances of getting the cheapest deal.
Use More Than One Comparison Site
Not all comparison sites display the same suppliers or tariffs, and some could have access to exclusive deals.
So to maximise your choice of suppliers, tariffs and deals, use more than one comparison service.
Enter Actual Usage Data
Wherever possible, choose the option to input your usage data with the actual number of kWh units of electricity or gas you have used. This will make sure the comparison is as accurate as possible.
Try to avoid simply listing the amount you’ve spent, particularly if you pay a fixed direct debit amount.
It may be that this amount is much higher or lower than you should actually be paying and hasn’t been picked up on by your supplier yet.
Check the Results Page Filter
Price comparison sites only make money if you complete your switch through them.
That’s why, by default, most will only show the tariffs they can switch you to and hide the rest behind a filter option.
To see all tariffs, check that the filter on the results page is set to include all suppliers or tariffs, not just “deals we can switch you to” or “switchable tariffs”.
That will ensure you get the widest comparison and best chance of finding the cheapest supplier.
You might have to apply directly to the supplier via their website, but you’ll get the best price for just a few minutes of extra work.
Here’s how the process looks using Energylinx.
Energylinx Comparison Walkthrough
Do All Comparison Sites Show the Same Results?
Not necessarily. The information the sites work from is the same (though some update more frequently than others).
However, they may use different methods for interpreting and displaying that information.
When is the Best Time to Consider Switching?
It’s worth checking at least once a year, usually during the summer months when energy consumption is lower, and you’re less likely to owe money to your supplier.
It’s also particularly important to start shopping around if you are on a fixed tariff deal, which is about to end in the next couple of months.
Many people on such deals will automatically be put onto the current variable price from their supplier, which may be much higher when their tariff period ends.
How Do Energy Comparison Websites Make Money?
Price comparison websites receive a commission or fee on some of the tariffs that appear in their results.
When a user switches to one of these tariffs through their site, they can earn around £30.
Get Started with this Energy Comparison Checklist
Most energy comparison sites are simple to use and only take a few minutes to generate a page of results.
However, to ensure the best results, follow these simple steps:
- Get a recent energy bill or navigate to your account details online and confirm your actual annual usage for each fuel you want to switch in kilowatt-hours kWh. For example, the average annual consumption according to Ofgem is 11,500 kWh for gas and 2,700 kWh for electricity.
- Choose three comparison sites from the table above. The best performing sites for supplier choice and price in my tests were Energylinx, My Utility Genius and Uswitch.
- Visit each site, enter your property details and actual usage figures to see your results.
- Check the results filter and make sure the ‘switchable tariffs’ or ‘deals we can switch you to’ options are selected to reveal every supplier and tariff.
- If any of the suppliers and tariffs are of interest, click the ‘more details’ option to check the tariff details are right for your needs.
- Before proceeding with a switch, check the supplier’s reputation and customer service rating. You can do this by checking my Best Energy Suppliers For Customer Service article which combines ratings from Citizens Advice, Trustpilot and Which.
- Once you’re sure a supplier and tariff meets your needs, you can either start the switch process from the comparison results page where available, or go direct to your preferred supplier’s website.
