A total of 614,000 customers changed their energy supply last month – double the number who switched in October 2013. This is also the highest level since 2010.
The independent suppliers benefited from the increased number of switches that were made, with 125,000 of consumers switching to a company outside of the six major energy suppliers.
The data did not include the number of switches made by customers who remained with the same supplier but changed their tariff.
Angela Knight, chief executive at Energy UK, said the figures proved that the energy retail market is “working well”.
She added: “The sharp increase in the number of people switching between companies and the number of fast growing smaller suppliers shows this is the case.
“It is an example of the energy market working, putting the needs of the customers first, providing a competitive and transparent market.
“The energy sector is a competitive market with a number of options available to consumers but, as with any purchase, it always pays to shops around for the deal which suits you best.
“Customers can get the information they need from the companies themselves or can trust any comparison site displaying the Ofgem Confidence Code to be impartial.”