How to pick the best electric company in Texas
The deregulated Texas energy market gives you the power to choose the best energy provider for your home or business. Because you can pick your energy company, providers work hard to earn your business by offering cheap electricity rates and more plan choices.
When comparing your options, Choose Energy does the homework for you. We compile plans from all the best energy companies in Texas, such as 4Change Energy, Reliant Energy, TXU Energy, and TriEagle Energy. The free Choose Energy marketplace lets you quickly and easily compare plans from multiple energy companies all in one place.
We also provide filtering tools, allowing you to find options based on energy plan type, home size, renewable energy incentives, and more. Enter your ZIP code to explore plans from the best energy companies in Texas.
How Choose Energy picks Texas energy companies
At Choose Energy, we partner with trusted and reliable electric providers. We provide honest reviews of each provider based on customer service, accessibility, and energy plan options.
There are three pieces of information that are crucial for us when we decide whether to feature an electricity company on our marketplace:
- The provider must fill a product gap for our customers. We realize that Texas customers come to our site with various energy needs. Before we agree to partner with an energy provider, we consider whether it offers rates and plans that suit our customers.
- The provider should actively develop innovative energy solutions. The energy sector is constantly changing and modernizing. We strive to work with providers who prioritize their customers and are constantly developing plans and prices to meet their energy needs.
- The provider must have a proven track record. At Choose Energy, we prioritize reliability, trust, and customer satisfaction. One of our main concerns is ensuring the providers we partner with demonstrate that they put their customers first.
Best energy companies in Texas
Here are our leading Texas energy providers, listed in alphabetical order:
4Change Energy
This provider has offered electric service in Texas for over ten years. 4Change Energy provides several fixed-rate plans, contract lengths, and bill credit options.
Cirro Energy
Cirro Energy is part of the NRG family. It supplies Texans with fixed-rate and variable-rate energy plans ranging from one month to two years.
Constellation Energy
This provider operates across several states, including Texas, Ohio, and Pennsylvania. It has been in business for over two decades and offers several fixed-rate plans with incentives like bill credits and free usage periods.
Direct Energy
Direct Energy is another provider from the NRG family. Its headquarters are in Houston, and it has operated across Texas for over 35 years. Its fixed-rate and green energy plans target a diverse range of customer preferences.
Discount Power
This provider is a member of the NRG family and supplies fixed-rate and variable-rate options across Texas, focusing on straightforward, affordable plans and a range of contract options.
Express Energy
Headquartered in Houston, Express Energy offers several fixed-rate plans that provide security from sudden price fluctuations. This Texas provider also offers a satisfaction guarantee for new customers.
Flagship Power
Founded in 2022, Flagship Power is headquartered in Houston and serves residential and commercial customers in Texas. Flagship Power offers traditional and renewable fixed-rate energy plans. Some plans include bill credits for customers using a specific amount of electricity.
Frontier Utilities
Since 2008, Frontier Utilities has operated in Texas, New Jersey, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Illinois. This provider offers variable-rate plans, fixed-rate plans, prepaid plans, and 100% green energy options.
Gexa Energy
Gexa Energy is one of several renewable energy companies in Texas. Founded in 2002, it is a subsidiary of NextEra Energy Resources. This provider offers fixed-rate plans with various benefits, including free usage periods and green energy plans.
Green Mountain Energy
This Austin-based retail electricity provider offers 100% green energy plans. It is one of the oldest renewable energy providers in the state. Customers can choose from variable-rate or fixed-rate options.
Payless Power
Payless Power is an energy provider serving over 400 Texas communities for almost 20 years. This provider specializes in prepaid energy plans and no-deposit electricity options.
Pulse Power
Founded in 2018 and headquartered in The Woodlands, Pulse Power offers fixed-rate options. Plans range from 12 to 36 months, providing stability and protection from energy price spikes.
Reliant Energy
Reliant Energy is another NRG company with headquarters in Houston. This provider supplies fixed-rate and variable-rate plans across Texas with contracts lasting up to 24 months. It currently provides electricity to over 1 million Texas households and businesses.
Rhythm Energy
Rhythm Energy got its start in 2020 and holds its headquarters in Houston. It sells 100% renewable energy plans. While the company doesn’t offer business energy plans, it provides a range of residential plans with contracts ranging from 12 to 36 months.
TriEagle Energy
TriEagle Energy’s headquarters are in Irving, Texas, and it is owned by Vistra Energy. It offers many fixed-rate energy plans with contracts of up to 36 months. You can also find 100% renewable energy plans through TriEagle Energy.
TXU Energy
Founded in 1984, TXU Energy has enjoyed a prominent position in the deregulated market since 2002. This energy provider is the largest REP in Texas and provides various fixed- and variable-rate energy options. It is a subsidiary of Vistra Energy and offers new customers a 60-day satisfaction guarantee.
Difference between utilities and providers
When shopping for the best electric company in Texas, you’ll notice that you can choose between electricity providers but not utility companies. There are a few fundamental differences between the two in deregulated markets.
In traditional energy markets, customers are required to purchase their energy from their local utility company. In deregulated energy markets, you have the power to choose your electricity provider.
Energy providers sell plans, manage your account, and handle billing and meter readings. In contrast, your utility company delivers electricity to your home or business. Utilities are also responsible for making repairs and improvements to the electric grid and infrastructure, including repairing downed power lines. In the event of a power outage, you’ll contact your utility, not your energy provider, to restore service.
Switching light companies in Texas
If you’re currently enrolled in a plan with a Texas energy provider, you can switch to a new plan or provider at any time. You may be charged an early termination fee (ETF) if you switch before your contract expires. Customers enrolled in a variable-rate or month-to-month plan can switch to another provider without paying a fee. You also won’t incur an ETF if you switch providers because you’re moving outside your provider’s service area — just be sure to submit proof of your changing address to your current provider.
You can use Choose Energy to switch energy providers. Enter your ZIP code to explore options in your area.
Frequently asked questions
How does Choose Energy make money?
Choose Energy does not charge customers to use our marketplace. You can browse electricity rates offered by the best energy companies in Texas for free. We receive a commission from our electricity partners each time we refer a customer to them. The rates on our marketplace include all the charges you’ll pay — there will be no hidden costs once you sign up for an energy plan.
Why does Choose Energy run a credit check?
Many electric companies will run a credit check to determine if you will need to pay an initial deposit before beginning service. Choose Energy conducts a soft check on your credit history, which has no impact on your credit score. We only need to run this universal credit check once for you to know whether any of our providers and plans require a deposit.
How quickly can I start service?
If you sign up for a new electricity plan and have a smart meter installed at your house, you can begin service the same day you sign up. If you switch from another energy plan, transferring your service can take up to five days, so it’s best to plan ahead.
What should I do if my power goes out?
If you experience a power outage, contact your utility company, not your energy provider. Your utility company is responsible for responding to power outages or downed power lines. Learn how to protect yourself and your property from power outages in Texas.
How much will I be charged for electricity?
Two factors determine how much you will be charged for electricity each month: your electric rate and the amount of energy you use during a billing cycle. Be sure to check your electricity plan’s rate before signing up. If you’d like tips on reducing your energy bill, check out our guide to lowering your electric costs.