How to Buy Prepaid Electricity Online
If you have a Smart Pay As You Go (PAYG) meter, you can buy prepaid electricity online or through an app—a significant improvement over the hassle of topping up in person at a shop. Not all energy suppliers offer online PAYG electricity, however, so read below to find out who has prepaid Smart meters and how to buy prepaid electricity online through your account or even through an app on your phone. In some cases, you'll find that the smaller energy providers are more equipped to handle online payments, as they are younger and more nimble.
While the original 2020 deadline passed, the government set a revised target for 74.5% of homes to have a smart meter by the end of 2025. As of early 2026, approximately 40 million smart and advanced meters have been installed across Great Britain, meaning roughly 70% of all meters are now smart or advanced. This widespread adoption has made 'Smart PAYG' the standard for most households wanting to top up online.
Benefits to Buying Electricity Online with a Smart Meter
If you don't currently have a Smart PAYG meter, you may want to call your supplier to arrange one, in order to take advantage of the many payment benefits. Paying online or via an app eliminates the need to physically go to a shop (e.g., Paypoint, Payzone or Post Office) in person to top up, plus you can buy electricity any time of the day or night—even when the shops are closed. Another benefit of buying electricity online or via an app is that the credit should appear on your account immediately. Additionally, you can keep the electricity flowing to run appliances like your refrigerator if you're ever away from home, for instance visiting family or on a holiday. Finally, many smart meters share credit across gas and electricity meters, so you'll only need one device if you buy both services from one provider.
And prepayment is no longer the 'expensive' option it once was. Following the 'Levelisation' initiative introduced in April 2024, prepayment customers now pay the same standing charges as those on Direct Debit, removing the historical prepayment premium. As of the Q1 2026 price cap (January to March), prepayment rates are actually slightly cheaper than Direct Debit; the electricity unit rate is approximately 27.69p/kWh, with a standing charge leveled at 54.75p per day.
How to Top Up Online
In order to buy prepaid electricity online, you'll need a Smart meter that is compatible with online payments. Most major UK suppliers now offer Smart PAYG options that allow for seamless app-based and online top-ups. Octopus Energy, now the UK's largest energy supplier, provides an extensive Smart PAYG service through its app. Other major players like OVO Energy (which acquired SSE) and E.ON Next (which integrated Npower) also offer dedicated apps where customers can track live balances and top up without visiting a shop.
| Electricity Supplier | Online/App Top Up? | 2026 Status |
|---|---|---|
| Octopus Energy | Yes | Largest UK supplier; supports app and auto top-ups. |
| British Gas | Yes | Market leader in gas; full smart PAYG support. |
| E.ON Next | Yes | Acquired Npower; manages all PAYG via E.ON Next app. |
| OVO Energy | Yes | Acquired SSE; all smart PAYG customers use OVO's digital platform. |
| EDF Energy | Yes | Full smart PAYG functionality via EDF app. |
In the past, the only way to load credit onto your prepaid electricity account was by going to the shops in person—a major advantage of Smart PAYG meters is the ability to buy prepaid electricity online instead of going to a shop to top up. If you're still on a traditional, standard meter, ask your supplier if you can have a free smart meter installed. They aren't available everywhere yet but it can be worth calling your provider to see if you're eligible—it may depend on the type of meter you already have and how accessible your current meter is.