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Red Energy vs Origin

Red Energy may not be as large as Origin Energy, but which comes out ahead?

Cost comparison: Red Energy vs Origin Compare rates
What plans are available from Red Energy and Origin in each state? See plans per state

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.

Get a price estimate for Red Energy or Origin

1 - 1 of 1
Name Product Electricity availability Gas availability Apply
Red Energy Living Energy Saver
Red Energy Living Energy Saver
NSW,VIC,QLD,SA,ACT
NSW,VIC,QLD,SA,ACT
Earn Qantas rewards points every time you pay your bill.
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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 EnergyOrigin
incentives
Incentives
Qantas points, Red Energy RewardsOnline sign-up discount on some plans
greenpower options
GreenPower options
YesYes
Customer service
Customer service rating
4 stars4 stars
price
Price
Red Energy is cheaper in 0 out of 4 states that we reviewedOrigin is cheaper in 4 out of 4 states that we reviewed
Notes
Notes
No benefit period on discounts/ongoing discountsDiscounts may expire after 12 months on cheapest plans

Last checked March 2021

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.

1 - 9 of 9
Name Product Electricity price (annual estimate) Difference from Reference Price Gas price (annual estimate) Rate Apply Description
Origin Go Variable
Origin Go Variable
$1,350

Basic Plan Info

22% less
$810

Basic Plan Info

Variable rate
Red Energy Red EV Saver
Red Energy Red EV Saver
$1,428

Basic Plan Info

6% less
Plan not available in NSW
Variable rate
Red Energy Red BCNA Saver
Red Energy Red BCNA Saver
$1,428

Basic Plan Info

6% less
$880

Basic Plan Info

Variable rate
Red Energy Red Taronga Flex
Red Energy Red Taronga Flex
$1,428

Basic Plan Info

6% less
$880

Basic Plan Info

Variable rate
Red Energy Living Energy Saver
Red Energy Living Energy Saver
$1,428

Basic Plan Info

6% less
$880

Basic Plan Info

Variable rate
Red Energy Qantas Red Saver
Red Energy Qantas Red Saver
$1,428

Basic Plan Info

6% less
$880

Basic Plan Info

Variable rate
Origin Everyday Rewards Variable
Origin Everyday Rewards Variable
$1,482

Basic Plan Info

2% less
$844

Basic Plan Info

Variable rate
Red Energy Fixed Saver
Red Energy Fixed Saver
$1,499

Basic Plan Info

1% less
$963

Basic Plan Info

Fixed Rate
Origin Basic
Origin Basic
$1,512

Basic Plan Info

0%
$852

Basic Plan Info

Variable rate
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The annual estimated electricity prices are based on a residential customer who consumes 3900 kWh yearly on a single rate tariff. The annual estimated gas prices are based on a residential customer who consumes 18542 MJ per year. Your actual bill may vary depending on your consumption.
1 - 7 of 7
Name Product Electricity price (annual estimate) Difference from Default Offer Gas price (annual estimate) Rate Apply Description
Origin Go Variable
Origin Go Variable
$1,358

Energy Fact Sheet

21% less
$1,726

Energy Fact Sheet

Variable rate
Origin Everyday Rewards Variable
Origin Everyday Rewards Variable
$1,427

Energy Fact Sheet

17% less
$1,802

Energy Fact Sheet

Variable rate
Red Energy Red EV Saver
Red Energy Red EV Saver
$1,694

Energy Fact Sheet

1% less
Plan not available in VIC
Variable rate
Red Energy Red BCNA Saver
Red Energy Red BCNA Saver
$1,694

Energy Fact Sheet

1% less
$1,738

Energy Fact Sheet

Variable rate
Red Energy Living Energy Saver
Red Energy Living Energy Saver
$1,694

Energy Fact Sheet

1% less
$1,738

Energy Fact Sheet

Variable rate
Red Energy Qantas Red Saver
Red Energy Qantas Red Saver
$1,694

Energy Fact Sheet

1% less
$1,738

Energy Fact Sheet

Variable rate
Origin Basic
Origin Basic
$1,718

Energy Fact Sheet

0%
$1,957

Energy Fact Sheet

Variable rate
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The annual estimated electricity prices are based on a residential customer who consumes 4000 kWh yearly on a single rate tariff. The annual estimated gas prices are based on a residential customer who consumes 46000 MJ per year. Your actual bill may vary depending on your consumption.
1 - 7 of 7
Name Product Electricity price (annual estimate) Difference from Reference Price Gas price (annual estimate) Rate Apply Description
Origin Go Variable
Origin Go Variable
$1,610

Basic Plan Info

25% less
$737

Basic Plan Info

Variable rate
Origin Everyday Rewards Variable
Origin Everyday Rewards Variable
$1,803

Basic Plan Info

2% less
$767

Basic Plan Info

Variable rate
Red Energy Red EV Saver
Red Energy Red EV Saver
$1,826

Basic Plan Info

1% less
Plan not available in SA
Variable rate
Red Energy Red BCNA Saver
Red Energy Red BCNA Saver
$1,826

Basic Plan Info

1% less
$1,014

Basic Plan Info

Variable rate
Red Energy Living Energy Saver
Red Energy Living Energy Saver
$1,826

Basic Plan Info

1% less
$1,014

Basic Plan Info

Variable rate
Red Energy Qantas Red Saver
Red Energy Qantas Red Saver
$1,826

Basic Plan Info

1% less
$1,014

Basic Plan Info

Variable rate
Origin Basic
Origin Basic
$1,839

Basic Plan Info

0%
$767

Basic Plan Info

Variable rate
loading
The annual estimated electricity prices are based on a residential customer who consumes 4000 kWh yearly on a single rate tariff. The annual estimated gas prices are based on a residential customer who consumes 14000 MJ per year. Your actual bill may vary depending on your consumption.
1 - 7 of 7
Name Product Electricity price (annual estimate) Difference from Reference price Gas price (annual estimate) Rate Apply Description
Origin Go Variable
Origin Go Variable
$1,539

Basic Plan Info

5% less
$620

Basic Plan Info

Variable rate
Origin Everyday Rewards Variable
Origin Everyday Rewards Variable
$1,603

Basic Plan Info

1% less
$646

Basic Plan Info

Variable rate
Red Energy Red EV Saver
Red Energy Red EV Saver
$1,613

Basic Plan Info

0%
Plan not available in QLD
Variable rate
Red Energy Red BCNA Saver
Red Energy Red BCNA Saver
$1,613

Basic Plan Info

0%
$801

Basic Plan Info

Variable rate
Red Energy Living Energy Saver
Red Energy Living Energy Saver
$1,613

Basic Plan Info

0%
$801

Basic Plan Info

Variable rate
Red Energy Qantas Red Saver
Red Energy Qantas Red Saver
$1,613

Basic Plan Info

0%
$801

Basic Plan Info

Variable rate
Origin Basic
Origin Basic
$1,620

Basic Plan Info

0%
$646

Basic Plan Info

Variable rate
loading
The annual estimated electricity prices are based on a residential customer who consumes 4600 kWh yearly on a single rate tariff. The annual estimated gas prices are based on a residential customer who consumes 8000 MJ per year. Your actual bill may vary depending on your consumption.
1 - 7 of 7
Name Product Electricity price (annual estimate) Difference from Reference price Gas Price (annual estimate) Rate Apply Description
Origin Go Variable
Origin Go Variable
$1,600

Basic Plan Info

26% less
$759

Basic Plan Info

Variable rate
Origin Everyday Rewards Variable
Origin Everyday Rewards Variable
$1,690

Basic Plan Info

21% less
$803

Basic Plan Info

Variable rate
Red Energy Red BCNA Saver
Red Energy Red BCNA Saver
$1,770

Basic Plan Info

18% less
$915

Basic Plan Info

Variable rate
Red Energy Red EV Saver
Red Energy Red EV Saver
$1,985

Basic Plan Info

4% less
Plan not available in ACT
Variable rate
Red Energy Living Energy Saver
Red Energy Living Energy Saver
$1,985

Basic Plan Info

4% less
$915

Basic Plan Info

Variable rate
Red Energy Qantas Red Saver
Red Energy Qantas Red Saver
$1,985

Basic Plan Info

4% less
$915

Basic Plan Info

Variable rate
Origin Basic
Origin Basic
$2,209

Basic Plan Info

7% more
$1,083

Basic Plan Info

Variable rate
loading
The annual estimated electricity prices are based on a residential customer who consumes 6100 kWh yearly on a single rate tariff. The annual estimated gas prices are based on a residential customer who consumes 20000 MJ per year. Your actual bill may vary depending on your consumption.

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.

Red Energy logo
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 logo
Origin's cheapest fixed rates for a full year, 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.

Red Energy logo
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.
Origin logo
A good discount on the Victorian Default Offer, with fixed rates for a whole year. If you're also an Everyday Rewards customer, you'll get 25% GreenPower automatically, and 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.

Red Energy logo
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.
Origin logo
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.

Red Energy logo
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.
Origin logo
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.

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.

Compare energy plans


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. You can learn more here.

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