Are you paying more than you should?
Quick check: If any of these apply to you, switching likely saves money.
If you checked any box: You're likely paying more than you need to. Ohio has 50+ licensed suppliers competing for your business — and the cheapest fixed-rate plan is currently 7.19¢/kWh the average Price to Compare.
Check your rate now
Why our comparison is different
Most comparison sites show you the lowest advertised rate without context. We filter out the tricks and show you what actually matters.
"Switching suppliers is complicated."
It takes 5 minutes online. You need your utility account number and service address. The switch happens automatically within 1-2 billing cycles. No one visits your home.
"I'll lose power during the switch."
Your AEP Ohio, Duke Energy, or Ohio Edison continues delivering electricity through the same wires. Only the supply portion of your bill changes. Zero service interruption.
"The lowest rate is always the best deal."
Some low rates are 1-month teasers that reset higher. Others have monthly fees that inflate your actual cost. A 6.5¢ rate with a $9.95/mo fee costs more than a 7.2¢ rate with no fee at typical usage.
"I should always switch to save money."
Not always. If your utility's Price to Compare is already competitive (sometimes it is), switching may not save much. And if you're moving soon, early termination fees can erase savings.
See plans without the tricks
What are Ohio shoppers actually paying?
Ohio average residential rate
18.78¢/kWh
As of March 2026
Cheapest fixed-rate plan available
7.19¢/kWh
3-month from American Power & Gas of Ohio
Current rates by utility territory
| Utility | Price to Compare | Cheapest Plan |
|---|---|---|
| AEP Ohio | 10.12¢ | 7.45¢ |
| AES Ohio | 10.86¢ | 7.49¢ |
| Duke Energy Ohio | 10.70¢ | 7.19¢ |
| Ohio Edison Company | 10.83¢ | 7.39¢ |
| The Illuminating Company | 11.11¢ | 7.39¢ |
| Toledo Edison Company | 11.00¢ | 7.39¢ |
Cheapest plan = lowest 3+ month fixed-rate plan. Updated weekly.
See plans for your utility
Is Apples to Apples the best tool for shoppers?
Apples to Apples (energychoice.ohio.gov) is Ohio's official shopping tool, maintained by the PUCO. It lists every licensed CRES provider offer — which is both its strength and its limitation.
What Apples to Apples does well: Comprehensive coverage. Every licensed Competitive Retail Electric Service provider must post their offers there. It's the official source of truth for what's available.
What Apples to Apples doesn't do: Calculate effective rates (including monthly fees), filter out teaser plans, or provide customer service pattern analysis. It shows you everything — but doesn't help you evaluate what's worth your attention.
Our comparison layer adds what Apples to Apples doesn't provide: effective rate calculations, 3+ month fixed-rate filtering, and supplier verdict tiers based on complaint patterns and billing practices.
Skip the confusion
Which Ohio suppliers are worth shopping?
Volt Butler has reviewed Ohio-licensed suppliers across our verdict tier system. Green tier suppliers have clean complaint records and transparent billing. Red tier suppliers have documented patterns of misleading practices.
Compare these suppliers
What's the actual process?
Once you've decided switching makes sense, the actual process takes about 5 minutes online.
Find your current Price to Compare
Check your bill for your Price to Compare (default supply rate) or enter your ZIP above. This is your benchmark — and Ohio's larger utilities update it monthly.
Compare offers
Look at rate, term length, and fees—not just the lowest number. We filter for 3+ month fixed rates.
Read the contract
Check what happens at term end (auto-renewal?), early termination fees, and whether the rate is truly fixed.
Enroll online
You'll need your utility account number and service address. The supplier handles notifying your utility.
Wait 1-2 billing cycles
The switch processes automatically. Your service continues uninterrupted. The new rate appears on your bill once complete.
Ohio law gives you 7 calendar days to cancel any new supplier contract without penalty. Use this if you realize you made a mistake.
Start your switch
Common questions about switching in Ohio
How long does it take to switch electricity suppliers in Ohio?
Switching typically takes 1-2 billing cycles (30-60 days) to complete. During this time, your service continues uninterrupted — there's no gap or outage. Your new supplier rate will appear on your bill after the switch is processed by your utility.
Can I switch back to my utility's default rate?
Yes. You can return to your utility's default service at any time. However, if you're under contract with a supplier, you may owe an early termination fee. Once you switch back, you'll pay your utility's current Price to Compare (the default supply rate).
What is the Price to Compare (and how does it relate to the SSO)?
The Price to Compare is your utility's default supply rate — the benchmark you shop competitive suppliers against if you haven't chosen one. It's set through PUCO-supervised Standard Service Offer (SSO) auctions of wholesale electricity: the SSO auction sets the underlying generation price, and the Price to Compare is the all-in supply figure that shows up on your bill. Ohio's larger utilities (AEP Ohio and the FirstEnergy companies) update the Price to Compare monthly, so check your bill or PUCO Apples to Apples for your current number, then compare supplier rates against it.
How does Apples to Apples work?
Apples to Apples (energychoice.ohio.gov) is Ohio's official shopping website for comparing electricity and natural gas offers. It's maintained by the PUCO and provides standardized offer comparisons from all licensed CRES providers.
Is Ohio a deregulated electricity state?
Yes. Ohio deregulated its electricity market in 1999 under Senate Bill 3. Residential and business customers can choose their electricity supplier while their local utility continues to handle delivery.
What's the difference between distribution and supply charges?
Your electricity bill has two main components. The distribution rate covers delivery — the poles, wires, meters, and utility service. This stays with your utility and doesn't change when you switch suppliers. The supply rate covers electricity generation — this is the part you can shop for with competitive suppliers.
Ready to see what's available?
Enter your ZIP code to compare supplier rates against your utility's Price to Compare. We show effective rates (including fees), not just advertised rates.