How Octopus Tracker pricing works
Tracker prices are set once a day, every day, and published by Octopus before midnight for the following day.
Three things drive the daily price. Wholesale gas and electricity costs are the biggest factor. When wholesale markets fall, Tracker tends to fall with them within a day or two. Network charges and policy costs make up most of the rest, and VAT at 5% is added on top.
There is also a daily cap built into the tariff. Electricity is capped at 100p per kWh and gas at 30p per kWh, so even during a major wholesale spike you will not pay more than that unit rate. In practice, the cap has only been hit on a small number of days since Tracker launched.
The cap is only one part of the tariff, though. If you are deciding whether to join, it's worth reading our full Octopus Tracker tariff explained guide before switching.
Today’s Octopus Tracker rates
The table above shows today’s Octopus Tracker gas and electricity rates by region. Your price depends on your electricity distribution region, which is why someone in the Midlands, London or the North West may see a different unit rate on the same day.
If you are already on Tracker, today’s rate is the unit price you pay for each kWh of energy you use. Your bill will also include your daily standing charge, so the Tracker unit rate is not the only part of your total energy cost.
For most households, the electricity rate has the biggest impact because electricity is more expensive per kWh than gas. However, high gas usage in winter can still make the gas Tracker rate important, especially for homes with gas central heating.
Tomorrow’s Octopus Tracker prices
Octopus publishes tomorrow’s Tracker prices before midnight, so you can usually check the next day’s rates in advance. This is useful if you want to move flexible electricity use into a cheaper day, such as washing, tumble drying, dishwasher cycles or EV charging if you do not have a dedicated EV tariff.
Tracker is not a half-hourly tariff like Octopus Agile. The rate changes daily rather than every 30 minutes, so you do not need to plan your usage around specific time slots. Once tomorrow’s price is published, that rate applies for the full day.
If tomorrow’s price is higher than today’s, it may be worth doing some flexible usage today. If tomorrow’s price is lower, waiting could save a little money on high-use appliances.
Octopus Tracker price history
The price history chart helps show whether Tracker is currently cheap, expensive or sitting around its normal range. A single day’s price can be useful, but the trend over several weeks or months gives a better idea of how the tariff is performing.
Tracker tends to be cheapest when wholesale energy prices are low and stable. Prices can rise during cold weather, periods of high demand or wider wholesale market disruption. Looking at the price history can help you decide whether today’s rate is a temporary spike or part of a longer trend.
Price history is especially useful before switching to Tracker. If Tracker has been consistently below standard variable prices for several months, that may be a positive sign. If prices have been rising quickly, you may want to compare it more carefully against Flexible Octopus or a fixed tariff.
Is Octopus Tracker cheaper than the price cap?
Most of the time, Octopus Tracker has been cheaper than the Ofgem price cap, but it is not guaranteed.
The price cap is not a fixed bill. It limits the unit rates and standing charges used by standard variable tariffs, based on typical usage. Tracker is different because the unit rate changes daily with wholesale prices. That means it can sit below the price cap for long periods, but it can also rise above standard variable rates during wholesale spikes.
Tracker is usually best suited to households that can tolerate some price movement in exchange for the chance of cheaper rates. It’s a worse fit if you’re on a tight fixed budget, hate checking prices, or you’ve recently switched onto a competitive fixed deal that’s already beating the cap. For the pros, risks and eligibility rules, see our full guide to whether Octopus Tracker is right for your household.
Why do Tracker rates vary by region?
Octopus Tracker rates vary by region because energy network costs are different across the country. The UK is split into 14 electricity distribution regions, and each region has its own local network charges.
This is why two households on the same Octopus Tracker tariff can pay slightly different rates on the same day. The wholesale part of the price may be similar, but regional network charges can change the final unit rate.
When using the dashboard above, choose the region that matches your electricity supply area rather than simply choosing the nearest large city. This will give you the most accurate Tracker price for your home.
Tracker electricity rates vs gas rates
Octopus Tracker has separate prices for electricity and gas.
For dual-fuel households, it is worth checking both rates. In summer, electricity may make up a bigger share of your bill because gas usage is often low. In winter, the gas rate becomes much more important if you use gas central heating.
The cheapest option depends on your home. A low electricity Tracker rate is useful, but if you use a lot of gas, the gas Tracker price can make just as much difference to your overall bill.
Should you switch to Octopus Tracker?
Octopus Tracker can be a good option if you are comfortable with prices changing daily and want a tariff that follows wholesale energy costs more closely than a standard variable tariff.
It may suit households that want the chance of cheaper prices without managing half-hourly rates. Unlike Octopus Agile, you do not need to shift usage into specific cheap time slots. You simply pay the daily rate for that day.
However, Tracker is not right for everyone. If you want certainty, a fixed tariff may be easier to manage. If you have an EV, battery or very flexible electricity usage, a smart tariff such as Intelligent Octopus Go, Octopus Go, Agile or Flux may be a better fit depending on your setup.
Octopus Tracker rates FAQs
What time are Octopus Tracker prices updated?
Octopus usually publishes the next day’s Tracker prices before midnight. Once tomorrow’s prices are available, the dashboard above will show them alongside today’s rates.
Are Octopus Tracker prices the same everywhere?
No. Tracker rates vary by region because network charges differ across the UK. Use the region selector above to find the correct gas and electricity prices for your area.
Does Octopus Tracker change every day?
Yes. Octopus Tracker unit rates change daily. This is different from Octopus Agile, where electricity prices change every 30 minutes.
Can Octopus Tracker be more expensive than Flexible Octopus?
Yes. Tracker can be cheaper than Flexible Octopus for long periods, but it can also become more expensive during wholesale price spikes. That is why it is worth checking both today’s rate and the price history before switching.
Does Octopus Tracker have a price cap?
Yes. Tracker has a daily unit rate cap. Electricity is capped at 100p per kWh and gas is capped at 30p per kWh.
Is Octopus Tracker good for EV charging?
It can work for some EV owners, but it is not usually the first tariff to check. If you have a compatible EV or charger, Intelligent Octopus Go or Octopus Go may be better because they offer dedicated overnight charging rates. Tracker may still suit some households if their overall usage pattern works better with daily wholesale-linked pricing.
Is Octopus Tracker better than Octopus Agile?
They suit different types of household. Tracker changes once per day and is simpler to follow. Agile changes every 30 minutes and can be cheaper if you can shift usage away from expensive peak periods or take advantage of very cheap plunge pricing.
Can I leave Octopus Tracker if prices rise?
Yes, but Octopus may apply tariff-specific rules around switching away and rejoining later. Always check the current Tracker terms before switching, especially if you think you may want to move in and out of the tariff regularly.