Electricity
Origin vs Simply Energy: Which brand offers better electricity rates in your state?
Red Energy vs Origin
Red Energy may not be as large as Origin Energy, but which comes out ahead?
We've put together this guide to help you figure out whether Red Energy or Origin has the better deals. We've examined the four states they both operate in for convenience. Retailers can alter their plans and rates at any moment, so the numbers and plans we've summarised below may change in the future.
Key takeaways
- Origin Energy is consistently cheaper than Red Energy across all four states reviewed (NSW, VIC, QLD and SA).
- Red Energy offers incentives like Qantas points and a unique Electric Vehicle(EV) plan. While Origin Energy provides online sign-up discounts and benefits for Everyday Rewards customers on certain plans.
- Both Red Energy and Origin Energy received an equal customer service rating of 4 out of 5 stars.
- Red Energy's plans often feature ongoing discounts, whereas Origin's cheapest plans may have discounts that expire after 12 months. Origin also offers more flexible GreenPower options and a dedicated app for plan management.
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Red Energy vs Origin: How do they compare?
Here's how the two providers compared to each other at the time of writing:
| Red Energy | Origin | |
|---|---|---|
 Incentives | Qantas points, Red Energy Rewards | Online sign-up discount on some plans |
 GreenPower options | Yes | Yes |
 Customer service rating | 4 stars | 4 stars |
 Price | Red Energy is cheaper in 0 out of 4 states that we reviewed | Origin is cheaper in 4 out of 4 states that we reviewed |
 Notes | No benefit period on discounts/ongoing discounts | Discounts may expire after 12 months on cheapest plans |
Cost comparison: Red Energy vs Origin
The tables below show the cheapest plans for each provider in each state. We don't include plans that have special eligibility requirements.
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"I was with Red Energy for a few years and switched when I found a cheaper deal. Earning Qantas points was great, but rewards points are not worth paying more than you need to. Some of Red Energy plans allow you to earn more points, but they're much more expensive. That's not worth it in my opinion. It's important to treat points as the bonus that they are, while paying the least amount possible for your household bills."
What plans are available from Red Energy and Origin in each state?
Note: Discounts and incentives change often. Be sure to check with the provider before signing up or applying.
New South Wales
Residents of New South Wales have access to the most plans combined between the two retailers.
Get variable rate electricity and access to Red Energy Reward discounts on hotels, restaurants and more.
You can earn up to 10,000 bonus Qantas points by purchasing power.
A deal tying in with Taronga Zoo. Get a 1 adult, 2 children membership to Taronga Zoo, plus some associated discounts.
Origin's variable rates may change during the plan period, plus flexible payment methods. Everyday Rewards customers get extra points when they sign up, pay their bills, and enjoy 25% GreenPower for free.
Not as big a guaranteed discount as the Max Saver, but you don't have to meet any special conditions.
Provides a smaller discount than the Flexi plan, but is ongoing rather than expiring at the end of a 12-month period.
Victoria
Origin's cheapest plan has a few conditions attached to its use in Victoria, while Red Energy gives you access to some rewards for its plans.
Variable rate electricity with access to the Red Energy Rewards program, granting access to over 4,500 discounts.
Get up to 10,000 bonus Qantas points for purchasing electricity.
A good discount on the Victorian Default Offer, with fixed rates for a whole year. If you're also an Everyday Rewards customer, you can earn bonus points when signing up and paying your bill.
Similar to the Max Saver with slightly higher rates but no special requirements.Queensland
The gap between Red Energy and Origin is a little bigger in Queensland than it is in other states, with Origin's best plan giving solid benefits.
Simple variable rate electricity with no contract term. Get a boosted feed-in tariff on your solar for the first 5kWh per day.
Earn up to 10,000 bonus Qantas points when spending money on your power bill.
This plan gives a fixed rate for the plan's first year and flexible payments. Those with an Everyday Rewards account can receive bonus points upon sign up, when they pay bills, and even enjoy 25% GreenPower for free.
Higher variable usage rates than the Max Saver. No special requirements to access the 12-month guaranteed discount.
Smaller discount than either of Origin's other Queensland offerings, but the discount is ongoing and doesn't expire after 12 months.South Australia
Origin wins out in South Australia, where Red Energy's plans are equivalent to a standing offer.
Basic variable rate electricity with no set contract term.
Identical to the Living Energy Saver, but you earn Qantas points for every dollar you spend on your energy bill.
Fixed rates for 12 months on your electricity. Everyday Rewards customer? Tap into 25% GreenPower for free, earn bonus points per dollar spent on your bill, and even bonus points when you sign up.
Removes the extra requirements of the Max Saver, offering standard variable rate electricity with a smaller guaranteed discount.
No expiry period on the guaranteed discount, meaning that you'll get a smaller discount than other plans, but it won't run out after 12 months.
Customer service score: Red Energy vs Origin
The Finder customer service score is distinct from customer reviews, and is based on a range of accessibility and responsiveness measures. These include when support is available, support and application processes, payment plans and more.
Red Energy and Origin Energy stand on equal footing with both scoring 4 stars out of a possible 5.
Verdict
When examining incentives for signing up, Red Energy comes out ahead, especially if you value Qantas frequent flyer points. Origin has good incentives for Everyday Rewards customers on the Go plan, but not much beyond that.
You can get GreenPower with either provider. With Red Energy it's 100% or nothing, while Origin has increments of 25%, 50% and 100% for a bit more flexibility.
Origin Energy has a dedicated app for plan management, but Red Energy just has the usual online account management portals.
If you choose the the Red EV Saver plan, you'll get access to a zero-cost usage window from 12pm–2pm on both Saturdays and Sundays.
When it comes to customer service, both Origin Energy and Red Energy outshine most of their competitors, with extensive service available throughout the week.
Origin has cheaper plans with a few more attractive features, but the best plan to go with depends on where you live and the prices you have available to you.
Important notes: The estimated price we show by default is based on a single rate tariff. On your bill this might be known as a "peak tariff", "peak only" or an "anytime tariff". There are other tariff types available to customers and you may need to contact your provider if you are on these tariffs:
- Single rate with a controlled load
- Time of use
- Time of use with a controlled load
The price estimate should not be used as an official quote, but an indication of what your costs may be on the plan. It varies based on whether you provide us with your bill details.
How do the big energy brands stack up against each other?
Electricity
AGL and EnergyAustralia are closely matched on price but AGL fares slightly better for additional perks such as bundling offers.
Energy
EnergyAustralia's cheaper in some states, while Origin Energy comes out ahead in others.
Sources
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