Octopus Agile explained
Agile is a time-of-use tariff: the pence-per-kWh price can move every half-hour through the day (and day to day). If you can run the washing machine, dishwasher, or car charge when the grid is quiet, your average price can fall. If your usage is stuck at expensive times, a simple flat rate might be kinder to your wallet — and easier to think about.
Octopus publishes current product rules on their site; names and eligibility change like any supplier. This page is a mental model, not the contract wording.
What still matters on Agile
- Standing charge is still a fixed daily cost. Even if your unit rates are low, the standing charge adds up.
- Your total kWh is still the biggest driver of cost. Cutting usage helps on any tariff.
- Regional pricing still applies. Your postcode affects which tariff code (and charges) you’ll see.
How to compare Agile to a flat tariff
Without half-hourly data, you can't price Agile perfectly on the back of an envelope. What you cando is plug monthly kWh into a flat-rate style sum to see how Agile's published numbers sit against other tariffs — useful for orientation, not a final Agile bill.
Our calculator does exactly that: one average usage figure, real published rates from Octopus, quick table — then you decide whether Agile is worth exploring properly on their app or with half-hourly data from a smart meter.
Switching to Octopus
If you pick Octopus, complete the switch on their site. Referral credit, when offered, is between you and them.