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E.ON vs EDF
E.ON or EDF: Which is the best energy supplier for you?
E.ON and EDF Energy are large energy suppliers that make up part of what used to be called the “Big Six” group of suppliers dominating the energy market in Great Britain.
German-owned E.ON supplies around 3.8 million British homes and businesses, and in 2019 bought out rival “Big Six” supplier Npower. EDF Energy, which is largely owned by the French government, began supplying British households in 2002 and produces roughly one-fifth of the UK’s electricity. It supplies energy to over 4.8 million customers.
Both firms provide a broad range of energy tariffs, including those catering to electric vehicle users, and market some electricity tariffs as coming from carbon neutral sources. We’ll dig into these claims and explore how each supplier fares on customer satisfaction, tariffs on offer and value for money.
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E.ON vs EDF: Vital statistics
 |  | |
| Finder score | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ |
| Manage account via app | ||
| Can offer Warm Home Discount | ||
| Percentage renewables (electricity) | 17% | 20% |
| Compare More Info | Compare More Info |
Which is cheaper?
Large legacy suppliers tend to charge more for energy than smaller “challenger” brands. They also tend to change their pricing in very similar ways to one another, so it’s definitely worth considering alternative options when comparing.
Both firms’ customers are also likely to see higher bills once market regulator Ofgem raises the energy price cap, giving energy firms the green light to increase their prices from October 2021. This is likely to hit both “default” variable tariffs and fixes over the coming months.
The best way to find out which is better value for you is to run an energy comparison, using a postcode checker like the one onUswitch's comparison service.
- Winner: It depends
Which has better customer service?
| | |
| Finder score | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ |
| Manage online | ||
| Manage account via app | ||
| Manage account by telephone | ||
| Live chat support available | ||
| Email support available |
According to customer service data collected by the charity Citizens Advice, in 2020 EDF Energy customers saw a smaller proportion of their complaints needing to be escalated to a third party, including the Energy Ombudsman, compared to households supplied by E.ON. A total of 16.5 complaints per 10,000 EDF customers were taken to arbitration, compared to 29.2 complaints per 10,000 E.ON customers.
Reviews left on the website Trustpilot suggest EDF Energy customers are overwhelmingly positive about their experience with the supplier. Out of just over 21,600 customer reviews posted to the site, 72% of posts give the French-owned supplier a rating of “excellent”. Meanwhile, only 17% have given the firm a “bad” customer service rating. (Last updated: September 2021)
Meanwhile, reviews on the same site suggest E.ON customers are broadly satisfied, if not ecstatic, with the service they receive from their supplier. Out of just over 30,700 customer reviews posted to the site, 48% of posts give E.ON a rating of “excellent”, while 30% give the firm a “bad” customer service rating. (Last updated: September 2021).
- Winner: EDF Energy
Which offers more tariff options?
While some people like their provider to offer a range of tariffs, there are good suppliers that offer 1 type of tariff really well, so it’s worth considering a range of providers.
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| Green tariffs | ||
| Fixed tariffs | ||
| Variable tariffs | ||
| Dual fuel deals |
Both of these suppliers offer a broad range of tariff types designed to cater for a range of circumstances. They also both offer time-of-use tariffs designed for electric vehicle owners who wish to charge their cars at home at night, when there is typically less pressure on the grid.
Both firms also sell pre-payment tariffs, which can offer households better control over how much they spend on their energy usage. But it’s worth bearing in mind that pre-payment tariffs are typically a more expensive way to power your home when compared to energy supplied through a “standard” credit meter and paid for via direct debit.
It’s also worth noting that E.ON doesn’t currently charge any exit fees on its fixed tariff deals, while EDF Energy offers fixed tariffs that charge exit fees and those that don’t. If an EDF Energy customer wishes to leave a fixed tariff early and is subject to an exit fee, they will typically need to pay between £15 to £30 per fuel to be released from their deal.
These 2 giants offer similar ranges of energy tariff, but the flexibility offered by E.ON when leaving a fixed tariff before the contract end date nudges it ahead.
- Winner: E.ON
Which is greener: E.ON or EDF?
If you’re conscious of your carbon footprint, it’s worth investigating how forward-thinking a supplier is in regards to green energy.
As of March 2020, both EDF Energy’s and E.ON’s supply of electricity from renewable sources – 20% and 17% respectively – were way below the UK average of 37.9%. While both firms advertise tariffs with 100% carbon neutral electricity, it’s likely that much of this comes from offsetting activities.
If you sign up with some E.ON tariffs, the firm pledges to plant a small number of trees on your behalf.
- Winner: EDF Energy
Verdict: Is E.ON better than EDF?
While neither firm is likely to be the cheapest in your area, E.ON seems to offer greater flexibility to households interested in switching to a fixed tariff – particularly when trying to avoid exit fees.
However, online reviews suggest that EDF Energy can just about claim the crown as the better supplier in terms of customer satisfaction. While price is a vital factor in determining which supplier you use to power your home, customer service is also a key decider for many.
Frequently asked questions
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