Find Better Deals for Energy, Water & Payments in the UK
In today’s fast-paced business world, saving time and money is essential—especially when it comes to utilities like gas, electricity, water, and card payment solutions. That’s where price comparison websites come in.
But are they all they claim to be? At Scalex Technology, we often get asked: “Should I use a price comparison website for my business utilities?” In this guide, we’ll break down how they work, when to use them, and what to watch out for.
💡 What Are Price Comparison Websites?
Price comparison websites (PCWs) are online platforms that show quotes from different suppliers so you can compare prices, tariffs, or features side by side. Popular examples include:
- Uswitch
- Compare the Market
- MoneySuperMarket
- Love Energy Savings
- GoCompare
They cover services such as:
- Business gas and electricity
- Water and broadband
- Merchant services (card machines & payment solutions)
- Insurance & mobile tariffs
✅ Pros of Using Comparison Sites
1. Quick Price Checks
In minutes, you can see a range of tariffs across multiple suppliers.
2. Easy to Use
Just enter your postcode, energy usage or meter details, and see results.
3. Helpful Filters
Sort by unit rate, contract length, payment method, or green tariffs.
4. No Upfront Fees
Most PCWs are free to use. They earn commission from suppliers.
⚠️ What to Watch Out For
Despite the convenience, PCWs don’t always show the full picture. Here’s why:
1. Not All Suppliers Are Listed
Some major or boutique suppliers don’t pay commission, so they’re not shown—meaning you could miss better deals.
2. Quotes Can Be Estimated
Unless you enter accurate usage or meter details, quotes can be off.
3. Hidden Broker Fees
Some comparison sites are linked to brokers who include fees in your unit rate—which isn’t always transparent.
4. Limited Business Support
If you have complex needs (multi-site, Half-Hourly meters, bespoke quotes), you’ll likely need a specialist broker like Scalex Technology.
🔍 Are Business Comparison Sites Regulated?
Most domestic energy sites follow Ofgem’s Confidence Code. However, business price comparison is largely unregulated, meaning:
- No requirement to show the best available deals
- No need to explain commission or supplier exclusion
- Inconsistent quality of advice
🧠 When to Use a Comparison Website (And When Not To)
| Use When… | Avoid When… |
|---|---|
| You’re a sole trader or micro-business | You have multiple sites or meters |
| You want a quick estimate | You want bespoke or fixed long-term deals |
| You’re comparing domestic rates | You need help with VAT, CCL or metering |
| You’re familiar with contract terms | You want full supplier visibility |
👨💼 How Scalex Technology Compares
At Scalex Technology, we do more than show prices—we offer expert-led, personalised support for UK businesses.
| Feature | Scalex Technology | Most PCWs |
|---|---|---|
| Full-market comparison | ✅ Yes | ❌ No |
| Tailored quotes | ✅ Yes | ❌ No |
| Dedicated account manager | ✅ Yes | ❌ No |
| Help with metering, VAT, CCL | ✅ Yes | ❌ Rare |
| Water, card machines, energy | ✅ Yes | ❌ Not all services |
🧾 Get Your Free Business Utility Quote
Instead of guessing from comparison sites, why not get a bespoke quote tailored to your business?
✔️ Business electricity & gas
✔️ Corporate water rates
✔️ Card machine and merchant account solutions
✔️ Free bill audits & contract reviews
✔️ Net Zero and green energy advice
