Guides
Agile vs Tracker
Agile changes every half hour; Tracker is simpler because the unit rate changes daily.
Short answer
Agile is more timing-sensitive because prices change every half hour. It can reward households that move usage into cheap periods, but it can be expensive if demand lands during peak slots. Tracker is usually simpler to live with because the rate changes daily rather than every half hour, but it is still variable and not a fixed-price tariff.
If you want live context while reading, check the dashboard, test a real run in the appliance timer, set a trigger in alerts, or compare the same day across regions.
The practical difference
Agile asks whether you can move usage away from expensive half-hours and into cheaper ones. Tracker is simpler because the rate usually applies for the whole day. That makes Tracker easier for normal routines, while Agile gives more upside to households that can shift or automate demand.
When Agile may have the edge
Agile can look stronger when there are useful cheap windows and you have real demand to move into them. EV charging, battery charging, immersion heating, dishwashers, and washing machines are common examples. The benefit comes from moving enough energy into cheap periods to outweigh expensive ones.
When Tracker may feel easier
Tracker may feel easier if you want variable pricing without planning around a half-hourly chart. You still take price risk, but you do not need to react to every day’s peak and cheap slots in the same way. For some households, that simplicity is the main appeal.
Example
If two homes use 10kWh in a day, Agile can treat them very differently. One might use more overnight and avoid the peak. Another might use most electricity around tea time. Tracker would usually not split those homes apart in the same half-hourly way.
What to watch out for
Tracker changes daily, so a recent comparison is only a snapshot. It can help you understand the difference between Agile and Tracker, but it should not be treated as a prediction of future prices.
Related tool
Use the practical view next
Related guides
Is Agile Octopus worth it?
Agile can suit homes that can move larger loads away from expensive periods.
Best time to run a washing machine on Agile
The best washing-machine slot is a cheap usable window, not the single cheapest half-hour.
Best time to charge an EV
EV charging on Agile works best when you can use a long low-cost block away from peak periods.
Reminder
These guides are practical and estimate-focused. They are not personalised tariff advice, and they do not replace a full bill comparison.