Small energy companies A-Z

There are currently around 20 firms you can buy your gas and electricity from in England, Scotland and Wales. 

That’s many more than in the 1990s when the market was privatised, although far fewer than in 2021 when many small suppliers went bust at the beginning of the energy crisis.

A handful of big suppliers - British Gas, EDF Energy, E.ON Next, Octopus Energy, Ovo and Scottish Power - dominate the market. 

But there are smaller energy companies trying to set themselves apart. Some are too small to be included in our annual investigation so we've rounded them up here to give you the full picture.

If you live in Northern Ireland, learn more about the Northern Ireland energy market.

For our annual energy supplier customer ratings, see the best and worst energy companies. 

Should I switch to a small energy company?

Just because an energy firm is big and established doesn't mean it's the best for you. Some of the largest and oldest companies - British Gas, EDF Energy, E.ON Next and Scottish Power - were in the lower half of the table in our latest rankings. 

Ovo Energy is also a giant, since its acquisition of SSE's domestic customers, and also didn't score too well in our latest assessment. In contrast, one of the largest energy providers, Octopus Energy, is one of our Which? Recommended Providers for 2025

Smaller firms including 100Green and Utility Warehouse topped our table. Plus we've previously seen small firms that are among the best of the bunch when we've had enough customers in our survey to rate them for the first time. So you might pick the small firm that's a future Which? Recommended Provider. 

A question of stability?

The ultimate risk of choosing a small energy provider is that it goes bust. Many smaller firms stopped trading amid high wholesale prices in 2021 and 2022. 

If stability is the most important thing to you, you may feel more comfortable with a larger company. But it's still possible for a bigger firm to go out of business or be taken over. 

Bulb, which had 1.7 million customers, went into special administration in November 2021. Shell Energy was bought by Octopus Energy in December 2023.

If your supplier does go under or is bought by another firm, your gas and electricity won't be cut off. 

There are processes in place, set by energy regulator Ofgem, to find a new supplier and transfer your account. 

What to check before you switch to a small supplier

• What do customers think of it? Check our energy supplier rankings first. If the firm is too small to be included, look for what customers say about it elsewhere online.
• Will you save money? Use our free independent energy comparison tool to see how its rates compare with other suppliers. Check against your current prices too. 
• Does it pay the Warm Home Discount? Energy firms only have to make this £150 payment (to those who qualify for certain benefits) if they have more than 150,000 customers. But some smaller ones choose to pay.
• Does it have the customer service support you need? Some firms have a wide range of ways to get in touch, with long opening hours. Some have phone lines open only between 9am and 5pm or provide few options to get in touch online.
• How will you pay? Some firms require in-advance monthly direct debit payments. Others give more choice of ways, and how often, you pay.

Making your home more energy efficient will save money on your bills in the long term and lower your carbon footprint. Get started with our guides to home energy efficiency.

Ebico Living

Ebico Living is a not-for-profit supplier, which is partnered with Rebel Energy to supply its customers' with gas and electricity. 

Previously it partnered with Octopus Energy.

Ebico says that its Signature tariff has the lowest standing charge for a fixed deal.

It currently supplies customers who pay by direct debit but says that Ebico Prepay is 'coming soon'. It also sells smart radiator valves.

Fuse Energy

Electricity-only Fuse Energy, launched in July 2023, claims to have the cheapest variable tariff in the UK. 

It's an app-only supplier (you'll need to download it to sign up) and its customer service is mainly digital.

Customers must pay by variable direct debit. That means your payments change each month depending on the amount of electricity you used the month before. 

Sustainability credentials are important when choosing an energy supplier for two thirds of those responsible for choosing their provider. That’s according to our online survey of 3,000 UK adults in August 2024. 

So we factor in a range of sustainability criteria in our annual Eco Provider assessment. 

Here's how Fuse Energy fared:

• Proportion of renewable electricity sold to customers: 0.2%. 
• Generates renewable electricity from the 18MW of wind and solar sites in the UK. 
• Reinvests its profits into renewable projects around the world. 
• Offers Economy 7 time-of-use tariffs
• Installs solar pv and EV chargers for customers.

Find out more about the differences between energy companies’ renewable electricity, and find out how we assessed energy suppliers for sustainability. 

Based on information supplied by companies in August 2024 and their most recent published fuel mixes, where available. 

Making your home more energy efficient will save money on your bills in the long term and lower your carbon footprint. Get started with our guides to home energy efficiency.

Home Energy

Based in the midlands, Home Energy says it's one of the most modern energy retailers in the UK. 

It provides gas and electricity to homes and businesses. 

Huddle

Huddle promises to sort out bills for shared households, so you don't have to.

It combines energy bills with water, broadband and TV into one payment, then charges each housemate for their share. 

Each person pays their portion of the bills and Huddle says it will never ask you to cover for your housemates.

London Power

London Power, launched in January 2020, is an energy company exclusively for London residents. It’s a partnership between City Hall and Octopus Energy. 

London Power says prices will always be fair and affordable. At the end of your contract, you will be moved onto the cheapest similar plan.

Any profits go into projects to help London become a zero-carbon city.

London Power, as a partner of Octopus Energy, sells 100% renewable electricity. Find out how sustainable is Octopus Energy and read about the differences between energy companies’ renewable electricity.

National Gas

Previously known as British Natural Gas, this small supplier is not to be confused with Britain’s biggest supplier, British Gas, nor with the transmission network of the same name. 

It sells only gas and says its priority is to save people money.

Qwest Energy

Qwest Energy is part of Octopus Energy and says it reinvests some of its profits in local community projects.

Qwest Energy, as part of Octopus Energy, sells 100% renewable electricity. Find out how sustainable is Octopus Energy and read about the differences between energy companies’ renewable electricity.

Rebel Energy

Rebel Energy announced that it had ceased trading on 1 April 2025. According to energy regulator Ofgem, current Rebel Energy customers will be contacted by their new supplier once it has been allocated. 

If you are a Rebel Energy customer, your gas and electricity won't be cut off, and your credit will be protected. While you wait to hear from your new supplier, take a meter reading so your account is up to date, make a note or take a screenshot of any credit you've built up and don't try to switch suppliers yourself - this can make it trickier to transfer you and pay back any money you're owed. 

Customers can ask to be put on the cheapest tariff offered by their new supplier or switch to a different provider if they prefer. If they choose to switch away from their new supplier, they will not be required to pay any exit fees.  

Rebel Energy says it sells some of the most affordable tariffs and has accessible customer service. 

It also says it helps customers with their credit scores and backs projects that remove carbon. 

Sustainability credentials are important when choosing an energy supplier for two thirds of those responsible for choosing their provider. That’s according to our online survey of 3,000 UK adults in August 2024. 

So we factor in a range of sustainability criteria in our annual Eco Provider assessment. 

Here's how Rebel Energy fared:

• Proportion of renewable electricity sold to customers: 50%. 
• Doesn't generate renewable electricity but buys power from renewable generators that don't get government subsidies (and therefore might otherwise struggle).
• Doesn't offer time-of-use tariffs.

Find out more about the differences between energy companies’ renewable electricity, and find out how we assessed energy suppliers for sustainability. 

Based on information supplied by companies in August 2024 and their most recent published fuel mixes, where available. 

Making your home more energy efficient will save money on your bills in the long term and lower your carbon footprint. Get started with our guides to home energy efficiency.

Roar Power

Roar Power provides gas and electricity to homes in Norwich and the east of England and is part of Octopus Energy.

It reinvests some of its profits in local community projects. As part of Octopus Energy, it sells 100% renewable electricity. Find out how sustainable is Octopus Energy and read about the differences between energy companies’ renewable electricity.

Tomato Energy

Tomato Energy installs solar panels, batteries to store electricity and EV chargers. You must live in certain areas to get these, including Derby, Leicester, Nottingham and Reading). If you don't you can still buy electricity from it.

One of its tariffs has lower prices for three periods each day so that EV owners can charge at lower rates. 

Tulo Energy

Tulo Energy says it aims to be as straightforward as possible and have transparent pricing.

Customers can manage their accounts online or via Tulo's app.