Compare Amber vs GloBird Energy for Australian homeowners in 2025

Sydney and wider Australian homeowners are asking the same question in 2025: who’s the better energy provider if you’ve invested in solar and a home battery?

Two names come up again and again: Amber Electric and GloBird Energy. Both offer innovative plans that appeal to households with rooftop solar, but they take very different approaches.

In this comprehensive guide, we’ll compare Amber and GloBird across:

• Electricity pricing & feed-in tariffs
• VPP & battery programs (SmartShift vs ZeroHero)
• Battery compatibility, including Fox ESS
• Apps & features
• Customer support & reputation
• Long-term value

We’ll explore how Amber and GloBird compare, highlighting the strengths of each so you can decide which provider best suits your home and energy goals.

Electricity Pricing & Solar Feed-in Tariffs

Amber Electric runs on a wholesale pricing model. For a flat subscription (~$22/month), you get access to real-time wholesale rates. Prices drop close to $0/kWh (sometimes even negative) when the grid is flooded with renewables, then spike in the evening peak.

To protect you, Amber has a Bill Guarantee: if your quarterly bill comes out higher than a standard market plan, Amber refunds the difference. Many customers see bills cut almost in half simply by shifting some usage to cheaper hours.

Amber’s solar feed-in tariff (FiT) is also wholesale. Exports might earn very little at midday, but in the evening peak, households can be paid $10–20/kWh for battery exports. That’s game-changing upside.

GloBird Energy, by contrast, keeps things simpler. Their ZeroHero plan sets fixed time-of-use rates, with one big perk: free grid power from 11am–2pm daily. Perfect for battery charging or running appliances.

GloBird’s FiTs are more traditional — typically around 8–10¢/kWh, or under ZeroHero: 0¢ midday, up to 15¢ in the evening peak. That rewards you for saving energy until night, but it’s less lucrative than Amber’s wholesale surges.

Bottom line: Amber rewards those who use storage and shift usage strategically. GloBird delivers predictable bills and the certainty of free midday power.

Amber SmartShift vs GloBird ZeroHero VPP

Amber SmartShift™ is a true automated VPP. Their platform monitors the market 24/7, charging your battery when electricity is cheap and discharging it when prices spike. Customers keep 100% of the profit.

Example: when wholesale prices hit $18/kWh, SmartShift pre-charged one customer’s battery, then exported at the peak — netting them “big money, fast.”

GloBird ZeroHero takes a different tack. It doesn’t automatically control your battery, instead, it gives you clear incentives to manage it smartly:

• ZeroCharge – free grid charging 11am–2pm daily
• $1/day credit if you use almost no grid power in the evening peak
• 15¢/kWh FiT for the first 10 kWh exported at night
• ZeroLimits (optional) – $1/kWh payout for exports in rare grid emergencies if you allow dispatch

The trade-off: Amber’s SmartShift can unlock bigger wins (sometimes $50+ in a single spike), while GloBird’s ZeroHero delivers smaller, predictable perks without handing over control.

Home Battery Compatibility (Fox ESS and Others)

Amber supports a broad list of batteries: Tesla, BYD, Sungrow, AlphaESS, and importantly for us — Fox ESS. In 2025, Fox ESS is officially compatible with Amber SmartShift, meaning full automation is possible.

GloBird also supports major brands, including Tesla, Sungrow, AlphaESS, SolaX — and yes, Fox ESS is supported on ZeroHero. That means if you own a Fox ESS battery, you can access GloBird’s VPP perks.

Key difference: Amber integrates directly to automate your battery. GloBird provides the incentives but expects you (or your installer’s settings) to schedule your system.

👉 If you’re considering a Fox ESS battery, check out our Fox ESS product page or try our Solar Battery Rebate Calculator to see how much you can save.

Apps & Features

Amber App

• Live wholesale pricing, forecasts, and alerts
• Real-time view of usage, solar generation, and battery status
• Manual override controls (“charge now,” “export now,” “hold reserve”)
• Automation via SmartShift

GloBird App

• Simple account and billing features
• Usage history and meter reads
• No live market pricing
• Battery scheduling handled through your inverter app

If you want transparency and control, Amber’s app is far more advanced. If you prefer simplicity, GloBird’s app does the basics well.

Customer Support & Reviews

Amber has grown fast (especially with battery rebates) and sometimes struggles with response times. Support is digital-first (email/chat). Reviews are mixed: some rave about savings and transparency, others want phone support.

GloBird shines here. With a 4.6★ rating from 2,700+ reviews, it’s praised for quick phone support and a customer-first approach. Being able to call and speak to someone is a big plus for many households.

Long-Term Value & Flexibility

Amber is perfectly aligned with the renewable future. As more solar floods the grid, midday power will only get cheaper, and evening peaks more valuable. That means more opportunities for SmartShift to save and earn. Add an EV, and Amber can even automate charging when prices go negative.

GloBird offers steady value, but perks like free midday power may not scale as dramatically with market changes. Rates may increase after 12 months, so you’ll need to keep an eye on your plan.

Both have no lock-in contracts, so you can switch if your needs change.

Amber vs GloBird: Quick Facts (2025)

So, Which Is Better in 2025?

Both Amber and GloBird bring something valuable to the table.

• Amber is the bigger, more effective provider — ideal if you want to squeeze every dollar from your solar + battery system. With wholesale pricing, SmartShift automation, and Fox ESS compatibility, Amber positions you to thrive in Australia’s renewable future.
• GloBird, our trusted partner, is excellent for those who want predictable perks, free midday power, and top-tier customer support. It’s a simpler, reliable choice for homeowners who prefer set-and-forget energy.

Our Recommendation: If you’re a proactive solar household, especially with a battery then Amber is the stronger long-term choice. But if you prefer straightforward savings and great service, GloBird is a safe, customer-friendly option we’re proud to partner with.



👉 Ready to see what a battery can do for your home? Try our Solar Battery Rebate Calculator, or explore our battery bundles including Fox ESS, now compatible with both Amber and GloBird.