TL;DR: Key Takeaways
Bionic’s Model: A large UK energy broker with 200,000+ customers that combines online tools with phone-based sales advisors. Commission is added to your energy rate (not charged separately).
The Concern: BBC Watchdog investigated Bionic in 2024 over their “Do It For You” auto-renewal service, where some customers reported contracts being renewed without their clear consent.
The Trade-Off: Bionic offers human guidance (helpful for some), but requires sales calls and gives you less direct control over the switching process.
The Alternative: Self-service platforms like Meet George let you compare suppliers, see transparent pricing, and switch entirely online - without mandatory phone calls or auto-renewal clauses.
The Bottom Line: If you value control, transparency, and prefer to avoid sales interactions, there are alternatives worth considering.
Why People Search for Alternatives to Bionic
Bionic is one of the UK’s largest business energy brokers. With over 200,000 customers and a 4.5-star Trustpilot rating from 19,000+ reviews, they’re clearly doing something right for many businesses.
So why do people look for alternatives?
Based on customer reviews, forum discussions, and media coverage, the most common reasons include:
- Preference for self-service - Some business owners don’t want phone calls; they want to compare and switch online
- Concerns about auto-renewals - Bionic’s “Do It For You” service has attracted controversy
- Commission transparency - While Bionic discloses fees, they’re built into the rate rather than shown separately
- Sales pressure - The broker-assisted model means speaking with salespeople, which not everyone wants
This guide explains how Bionic works, what concerns have been raised, and what alternatives exist - so you can make an informed choice for your business.
How Bionic Works: The Broker-Assisted Model
Understanding Bionic’s model helps clarify whether it’s right for you.
The Process
- Enter your details on Bionic’s website (business name, postcode, contact info)
- Bionic pulls your meter data using industry databases
- An advisor calls you to discuss options (this is not optional)
- They present quotes from their panel of 20+ suppliers
- You choose a deal and Bionic handles the paperwork
- Bionic manages renewals through their “Do It For You” service
How They Make Money
Bionic’s service is free to use - they earn commission from suppliers when you switch. This commission is typically added to your unit rate as an “uplift.”
For example:
- Supplier base rate: 22p/kWh
- Bionic commission: 3p/kWh (varies by deal)
- You pay: 25p/kWh
Bionic states they disclose this commission (opens in new tab) before you sign, which complies with Ofgem’s transparency rules (opens in new tab) introduced in October 2024.
What Bionic Does Well
To be fair, Bionic has genuine strengths:
- Convenience - They handle supplier negotiations and paperwork
- Guidance - Advisors explain complex contracts in plain English
- Market access - Panel of 20+ suppliers in one place
- Track record - Established since 2007 with thousands of successful switches
- Proactive renewals - They aim to prevent you falling onto expensive out-of-contract rates
For business owners who want a guided, “speak to an expert” experience, this model works well.
The Concerns: What Some Customers Report
Despite overall positive ratings, a significant minority of Bionic customers (around 12% of Trustpilot reviews are 1-star) have raised concerns. These have been documented in customer reviews, forum discussions, and media investigations.
The Auto-Renewal Controversy
In 2024, BBC Watchdog investigated Bionic (opens in new tab) over their “Do It For You” (DIFY) renewal service.
How it works: When you sign up, Bionic’s terms include a clause allowing them to renew your contract on your behalf. They send notification emails/texts before doing so, giving you a window to opt out.
The complaints: Multiple customers reported:
- Contracts renewed without them seeing the notification
- Being switched to new suppliers (some mentioned a supplier called Yu Energy) at higher rates
- Discovering the renewal only after it happened
- Difficulty exiting the new contract due to supplier exit fees
According to Business Energy Claims (opens in new tab), approximately two-thirds of their enquiries in early 2024 related to Bionic’s renewal practices.
Bionic’s position: They state that notifications are sent and customers agreed to the service. Whether emails reached customers (or were filtered as spam) is disputed.
Important context: This practice is legal if the customer agreed to the terms, and Bionic frames it as a convenience to prevent worse outcomes (like rolling onto deemed rates). However, the “opt-out” nature means customers who miss communications can be locked into contracts they didn’t actively choose.
Commission in the Rate
While Bionic discloses commission, it’s built into your unit rate rather than shown as a separate line item. This makes it harder to compare their “all-in” price against:
- Direct supplier quotes (which wouldn’t include broker margin)
- Platforms that show the base rate and fee separately
The commission amount varies by deal and isn’t published as a standard rate. You only see it when reviewing your specific quote.
Sales-Driven Experience
Bionic’s model requires phone interaction. Some customers appreciate the guidance; others report:
- Feeling pressure to make quick decisions
- Being encouraged toward longer contracts (which may benefit commission structures)
- Persistent follow-up calls
This is inherent to the broker-assisted model, not necessarily a Bionic-specific issue.
The Alternative: Self-Service Switching
If the concerns above resonate with you, self-service platforms offer a different approach.
What Self-Service Means
| Broker-Assisted (Bionic) | Self-Service (Meet George) |
|---|---|
| Must speak with advisor | Switch entirely online |
| Commission in unit rate | Fee shown separately |
| Advisor recommends options | You see all quotes directly |
| ”Do It For You” renewals | You control every decision |
| Phone calls required | No calls unless you want them |
How Meet George Works
We built Meet George specifically for SMEs who want transparency and control:
- Upload your bill - We extract your meter details and usage
- See all quotes - From 20+ suppliers, with the base rate and our fee shown separately
- Ask George anything - Our AI assistant explains contracts, flags concerns, answers questions
- Sign digitally - Complete the switch online with e-signature
- You control renewals - We remind you, but never sign on your behalf
Why We Can Charge 75% Less
Traditional brokers charge 2-4p/kWh because their model is expensive: salespeople, phone calls, manual quote gathering, relationship management. That cost gets passed to you.
The numbers are stark: Bionic employs approximately 300 salespeople at an estimated £22.5 million annual cost to serve their 200,000+ customers through 22-minute phone calls, screen-share sessions, and manual supplier coordination. That’s over £100 per customer annually in labour costs alone - before any other overheads.
Meet George is different because of George - our AI assistant:
- Reads every contract clause and explains terms in plain English
- Flags risks like auto-renewal clauses, unusual exit fees, or unfavourable volume tolerances
- Answers unlimited questions - ask “Is this rate competitive?” or “What does this clause mean?” as many times as you need
- Never gets tired, never pushes - no commission incentive to steer you toward a particular supplier
This AI-first approach means our cost-to-serve is a fraction of traditional brokers. We pass those savings directly to you: 1p/kWh instead of 2-4p/kWh.
On a typical 25,000 kWh contract over 3 years, that’s £750 with us vs £1,500-£3,000 with a traditional broker - a saving of up to £2,250 just on fees.
The Pricing Difference
Meet George charges a flat, transparent 1p/kWh fee. Here’s how that compares:
| Factor | Typical Broker | Meet George |
|---|---|---|
| Commission structure | 2-4p/kWh (hidden in rate) | 1p/kWh (shown separately) |
| Example: 25,000 kWh/year, 3-year contract | £1,500 - £3,000 | £750 |
| Visibility | See total rate only | See base rate + fee |
You’ll always know exactly what you’re paying us - and more importantly, what you’re paying the supplier.
When Bionic Might Still Be Right for You
Self-service isn’t for everyone. Consider staying with a broker-assisted model if:
- You want phone guidance - Speaking to someone who explains options verbally
- Complex multi-site needs - Multiple meters, different contract end dates
- Limited time - You genuinely want someone else to handle everything
- You trust their recommendations - And are comfortable with the auto-renewal model
The key is making an informed choice about which trade-offs work for your business.
How to Switch Away from Bionic
If you’re currently with Bionic and want to switch, here’s what to check:
1. Find Your Contract End Date
Check your energy contract (not Bionic’s terms - your actual supplier agreement) for the end date. This determines when you can switch without exit fees.
2. Check the Notice Period
Most business energy contracts require 30-90 days notice before the end date. Miss this window and you may be auto-renewed.
3. Review Your Bionic Terms
If you signed up for “Do It For You,” check whether a renewal is already in progress. Contact Bionic directly to confirm your status.
4. Dispute if Necessary
If you believe a contract was renewed without proper consent:
- Complain to Bionic in writing, documenting your concerns
- Escalate to your energy supplier
- Contact the Energy Ombudsman (opens in new tab) (available to businesses under 50 employees since December 2024)
- Seek legal advice for significant financial impact
For more on exiting contracts, see our guide: Can I Cancel My Business Energy Contract?
The Regulatory Landscape
The energy broker market is changing. Understanding the regulatory context helps you evaluate your options.
October 2024: Mandatory Commission Disclosure
Ofgem now requires (opens in new tab) suppliers to disclose broker commissions in all non-domestic contracts. This means you have the right to see what any broker (including Bionic) is being paid.
Upcoming: Broker Regulation
The UK government has confirmed plans to directly regulate Third Party Intermediaries (opens in new tab). Ofgem will gain powers to:
- Require broker registration
- Set conduct standards
- Investigate complaints
- Remove bad actors
This should improve standards across the industry. Read more on our regulation page.
December 2024: Extended Ombudsman Access
Small businesses (under 50 employees or £6.5m turnover) can now take complaints about brokers to the Energy Ombudsman - previously only available to microbusinesses.
Making Your Decision
Choosing between Bionic and alternatives comes down to your priorities:
Choose Bionic If:
- You want phone-based guidance from an advisor
- You’re comfortable with auto-renewal (if you monitor communications)
- You prefer someone else handling the process
Choose Self-Service If:
- You want to switch entirely online, no calls
- You want to see supplier rates and fees separated
- You want complete control over renewal decisions
- You prefer making decisions without sales pressure
Questions to Ask Any Provider:
- “How much commission do you earn on this deal?”
- “Is your fee included in the rate or shown separately?”
- “Will you ever sign contracts on my behalf?”
- “Can I complete the switch without phone calls?”
- “What happens at renewal time?”
The answers will tell you what kind of experience to expect.
Ready to switch on your terms? See how Meet George’s transparent pricing works or learn more about how hidden broker commissions work so you can evaluate any quote you receive.
Ready to switch the transparent way? Learn the complete 5-step switching process or join the Meet George platform waitlist to see exactly what you’re paying - no hidden margins, no surprises.