Does Octopus Energy Have A No Standing Charge Tariff? (2026)

Ross Preen
4 days ago
3 min read

One of the most common questions people ask when comparing energy suppliers is whether they can avoid paying a daily standing charge.

Standing charges can add hundreds of pounds to annual energy bills, especially for low energy users, second homes and customers who spend long periods away from home.

So does Octopus Energy offer a no standing charge tariff in 2026?

What Is A Standing Charge?

A standing charge is the fixed daily amount you pay for your energy supply, regardless of how much gas or electricity you use.

It helps cover costs such as:

Maintaining the energy network
Metering services
Infrastructure costs
Government schemes and industry charges

This charge applies even if you use no energy at all.

Does Octopus Energy Offer A No Standing Charge Tariff?

At the time of writing, Octopus Energy has trialled and offered certain tariffs with alternative standing charge arrangements.

However, tariff availability can vary depending on:

Your postcode
Whether you have gas, electricity or both
Meter type
Regional network costs
Current Octopus tariff offerings

Because tariffs change regularly, it is always best to check directly with Octopus Energy for the latest availability.

Why Do People Want A No Standing Charge Tariff?

Many customers dislike standing charges because they pay them every day regardless of usage.

A no standing charge tariff can be attractive for:

Low energy users
Holiday homes
Empty properties
People who spend long periods away from home
Highly energy efficient households

For some customers, removing the standing charge can reduce overall costs.

Are No Standing Charge Tariffs Always Cheaper?

Not necessarily.

Many no standing charge tariffs recover costs through higher unit rates instead.

This means:

Low users may benefit
Average users may see little difference
High users could pay more overall

The only way to know for certain is to compare your annual usage against the available tariff options.

Octopus Smart Tariffs May Offer Better Savings

For many households, the biggest savings come from smart tariffs rather than removing the standing charge.

Octopus offers tariffs such as:

Intelligent Octopus Go
Octopus Go
Agile Octopus
Tracker

These tariffs can help some customers reduce costs by shifting usage into cheaper periods.

This is particularly useful for electric vehicle owners and households with flexible energy usage.

What About EV Owners?

If you own an electric vehicle, a no standing charge tariff is not always the most important factor.

The cost of charging often has a bigger impact on your overall bill.

Many EV owners focus on:

Overnight charging rates
Smart tariffs
Intelligent charging
App based energy tracking

In many cases, a suitable EV tariff may provide greater savings than simply avoiding a standing charge.

How Can I Check If A No Standing Charge Tariff Is Available?

The easiest option is to:

Visit the Octopus Energy website.
Enter your postcode.
Review current tariff options.
Compare unit rates and standing charges.
Calculate costs using your annual usage.

Always compare the full annual cost rather than focusing on the standing charge alone.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Octopus Energy charge a standing charge?

Most Octopus tariffs include a standing charge, although tariff structures and trial products can change over time.

Can I avoid paying a standing charge?

Some suppliers occasionally offer tariffs with alternative pricing structures, but availability varies and higher unit rates may apply.

Is a no standing charge tariff worth it?

It depends on how much energy you use. Low usage households may benefit more than high usage households.

Is Octopus Energy still worth considering if it has a standing charge?

For many customers, yes. Smart tariffs, EV charging options, renewable electricity and referral rewards may provide value that outweighs the standing charge.

Final Thoughts

A no standing charge tariff sounds attractive, but it is not always the cheapest option.

The best tariff depends on your usage patterns, property type and whether you can benefit from smart tariffs.

Before switching, compare the full annual cost of each tariff and look beyond the standing charge alone.

You may also find these guides useful:

How Much Can You Really Save With Octopus Energy? (2026)
Octopus Energy vs British Gas, EDF, E.ON & OVO (2026)
Octopus Energy's Smart Tariffs Explained
What Is An Octopus Energy Referral Code And How Does It Work?

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