Fixed, Variable or Hourly Price – Which Electricity Plan Suits You?

Should you choose a fixed, variable or hourly electricity plan? We compare the options to help you understand the differences and find the cheapest alternative for your home.

Key concepts: understand your electricity bill before you compare

Comparing electricity plans can feel confusing when the terminology gets mixed up. Whether you are considering a fixed or variable electricity price, it is essential to understand exactly what you are paying for – otherwise it is hard to know whether an offer is actually good. Here are the five terms that shape your electricity price per kWh.

Spot price

The purchase price on the electricity exchange Nord Pool, set hour by hour, which forms the basis for all variable electricity plans – the price fluctuates based on supply and demand.

Mark-up

The fee the electricity company adds on top of the spot price per kWh to cover its own costs and profit margin – a low mark-up is an important benchmark when choosing a new electricity plan. According to the Swedish Energy Markets Inspectorate, mark-ups typically range between 2–5 öre per kWh.

Standing price (tillsvidare)

The default contract you end up on if you have never made an active choice. Standing price contracts are significantly more expensive because they lack the competitive pricing that active choices offer – switching away from a standing price contract is one of the single most effective ways to cut your electricity costs.

Electricity zone

Sweden is divided into four geographical zones (SE1–SE4) where price levels differ – your zone is determined by your address and directly affects your base price. Read more in our guide on Sweden's electricity zones.

Monthly fee

A fixed administrative charge levied regardless of consumption – often overlooked in price comparisons but can make a significant difference to total costs, especially at lower consumption levels.

In practice it is the combination of spot price, mark-up and monthly fee that determines what you actually pay. Missing any one of these is a common mistake when comparing prices.

Before choosing a plan – always check all three cost components, not just the electricity price per kWh. For more information on different electricity plans, visit Wipick.

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Comparison: which contract type suits your finances?

Now that the basic concepts are clear, it is time to compare the three most common contract types on the Swedish electricity market. The difference can be significant – the gap between the most expensive and cheapest electricity plan can exceed 5,000 SEK per year for a standard house. Which plan pays off depends on your consumption, your appetite for risk and how active you are willing to be.

A variable plan is the starting point for most people – simple and without lock-in. A fixed plan offers peace of mind but typically costs more in the long run. An hourly electricity plan is an active strategy: running the dishwasher in the middle of the night or charging an electric car overnight can save a house with high consumption significant sums. Want to understand more about how the different contract types compare? Our guide on choosing the right electricity plan is a good next step.

In practice, apartment dwellers with low consumption most often choose variable pricing, while homeowners with heat pumps or electric cars benefit most from exploring the hourly price option. But before you decide, it is worth knowing the pitfalls that can await when switching contracts.

Choose your contract type based on your actual consumption and lifestyle – not based on what sounds simplest in the marketing.

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What to think about before switching electricity plan

Before you compare electricity plans and commit to switching, there are a few practical pitfalls worth knowing about. Choosing the right contract type is only half the job – it is equally about reading the fine print.

• Check the lock-in period and notice period. Many fixed-price contracts have 1–3 months' notice and sometimes an exit fee if you leave early. Retrieve your current contract and read the terms before signing anything new.

• Be sceptical of teaser prices. It is common for electricity companies to offer a low introductory price valid for 3–6 months, after which the price rises sharply. Always check what the price will be after the campaign period, not just what it is in the first month.

• Compare the total price – not just öre per kWh. An annual fee of 600–900 SEK can wipe out the entire saving you thought you were making. Always calculate the actual total cost based on your annual consumption. On sites that compare current electricity plans you can easily filter by total price.

• Choose the right environmental certification if sustainability matters. Electricity labelled with Bra Miljöval (Good Environmental Choice) is a quality-assured option, but check how large the mark-up is – it varies considerably between providers. Read more in our guide on what green electricity is.

Keep this in mind: the cheapest electricity plan is rarely the one you are currently on if you have not reviewed it in the past 12 months.

According to the Swedish Energy Markets Inspectorate, around 12% of Swedish households are still on expensive standing price contracts – despite the fact that switching can deliver immediate savings with no real downsides.

One last thing to keep track of: if you are considering a specific provider, it may be worth reading our guide on switching electricity provider before you make up your mind. You can also check Wipick's best right now for our current top picks.

Always do a full cost calculation – not just a quick look at the kilowatt-hour price – before signing a new electricity plan.

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Summary: how to find the cheapest electricity today

Finding the cheapest electricity plan for your home comes down to one thing: matching the contract type to your situation. The reviews above all point in the same direction.

Key takeaways:

• Avoid standing price contracts – the Swedish Energy Markets Inspectorate confirms that switching away from a standing price contract is the single most effective way to reduce your electricity costs without cutting consumption.

• Apartment dwellers are best served by a variable price plan – low consumption means price swings do not hit as hard, but the average almost always lands lower than a standing price contract.

• Houses with electric cars benefit most from hourly price plans and overnight charging, where the electricity price is regularly at its lowest between 02:00 and 06:00. Read more in our guide on electricity plans for electric car owners.

• Where you live matters – your electricity zone in Sweden significantly affects the price level and should always be factored into the comparison. You can filter by zone directly: SE1, SE2, SE3 and SE4.

• Act now, not later – the electricity plan market changes quickly and the plan that was best last month is not necessarily best today. Check our electricity price forecast for autumn and winter 2026 for the latest outlook.

The simplest next step is to use an independent comparison service. On Wipick you can see up-to-date prices for your electricity zone in under ten seconds – without making a single phone call or reading through lengthy contract terms.

Switch away from your standing price contract today – it is the fastest way to start paying less for electricity.

Last updated: June 9, 2026