Stream Energy

Company Overview

Here’s the truth about Stream Energy: Your electricity bill pays your neighbor’s commission—and their upline’s commission, and their upline’s commission.

Stream Energy is the electricity company your friend from high school might try to recruit you into. Founded in Dallas in 2005, they’re a multi-level marketing company that happens to sell electricity. Same model as Amway or Herbalife, different product.

Your rates include built-in commissions at multiple levels. That money comes from somewhere—your monthly bill. Stream isn’t illegal, and your lights work fine. But you’re paying extra for a business model designed to recruit salespeople, not deliver cheap electricity.

The pitch never stops. If you sign up through a Stream associate, expect ongoing invitations to join the opportunity yourself. If that sounds exhausting, companies like Gexa or Frontier let you compare rates online and never talk to anyone.

The MLM Model Explained

Stream works like this:

1. Associates (salespeople) sign up customers
2. Associates earn ongoing commissions from those customers
3. Associates recruit more associates and earn from their sales too
4. The business opportunity is often pitched alongside the electricity service

This isn’t illegal—it’s the same model as Amway or Mary Kay. But it does affect how you experience Stream as a customer.

What This Means for Your Bill

The commission question: Stream’s rates need to cover associate commissions at multiple levels. Whether this makes them more expensive than competitors depends on current market conditions, but it’s a built-in cost.

The relationship factor: Your “account” often belongs to an associate. Customer service may route through them first.

The pitch never stops: Expect ongoing invitations to become an associate yourself.

Where Stream Operates

Stream serves deregulated areas across Texas including Dallas–Fort Worth, Houston, and AEP Texas territories. They also operate in several other deregulated states.

Service Quality

Stream is a legitimate PUCT-licensed electricity provider. Your lights work the same as any other company. The differences are in:

• How you’re sold to (direct sales vs. online comparison)
• Ongoing associate contact
• Whether you care about supporting the MLM model

The Bottom Line

Stream Energy isn’t a scam—they deliver electricity like any other REP. But the MLM model isn’t for everyone.

Consider Stream if: You have an associate you trust and want to support, or you’re interested in the business opportunity yourself.

Look elsewhere if: You just want to find the best rate and never hear from anyone again. Traditional providers like Reliant or TXU give you electricity without the direct sales experience.