Chariot Energy vs Payless Power
Quick Verdict
Plot twist: same corporate parent. Different marketing, same billing system. You're picking which brand name gets your check.
Since they're the same company, check ComparePower to see which brand is offering better rates right now.
Same corporate owner: Independent owns both Chariot Energy and Payless Power. Different brands, same billing system, same corporate parent.
Plot Twist: Same Company
Same corporate owner: Independent owns both Chariot Energy and Payless Power. Different brands, same billing system, same corporate parent.
Complaint Comparison
PUCT Data • Jul-Dec 2025
Chariot Energy
Payless Power
Chariot Energy has 5.2 fewer complaints per 10k customers
Trust & Reputation
External ratings comparison
Trust Score is a weighted average: Google (40%), BBB (35%), Trustpilot (25%)
The Verdict
- You want green energy (it's mostly accounting, but Payless Power doesn't even offer that)
- You have solar panels and want competitive buyback rates
- You want genuinely green energy, not just credits
- Community solar programs interest you
- You want a company that's survived 20 Texas summers (Chariot Energy has 10)
- Your credit is rough and you need to skip the credit check—Chariot Energy will run your credit
- You don't want to hand over $200-400 upfront—Payless Power skips the deposit
Category Breakdown
20 years vs 10—10+ more grid crises survived
Only Chariot Energy sells green plans (it's mostly accounting, but it's something)
Payless Power skips the credit check. Chariot Energy might want $200-400 upfront.
Rates change constantly. Check ComparePower with your actual usage.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Feature | Chariot Energy | Payless Power |
|---|---|---|
| Parent Company | Independent | Independent |
| Years in Texas | 10+ | 20+ |
| Headquarters | Houston, Texas | Fort Worth, Texas |
| Fixed-Rate Plans | ||
| Variable Plans | ||
| Prepaid Options | ||
| Green Energy | ||
| Free Nights/Weekends | ||
| Deposit Required | Conditional | No |
| Credit Check |
What Actually Differs
Chariot Energy and Payless Power deliver the exact same electricity through the exact same wires. The electrons don't care whose logo is on your bill. What differs: the price, the service when something goes wrong, and the fine print in contracts.
Who's Behind These Companies
Chariot Energy: Owned by Independent. 10 years in Texas—they've survived enough grid crises to prove they won't fold mid-contract. Based in Houston, Texas.
Payless Power: Owned by Independent. 20 years in Texas—that track record matters when you're signing a multi-year contract. Based in Fort Worth, Texas.
What They Actually Sell
Chariot Energy offers fixed-rate, green, solar-buyback. They sell "green" plans (mostly accounting—same electrons, but they buy renewable credits).
Payless Power offers prepaid, fixed-rate. They have prepaid—no credit check, no deposit, just pay as you go.
The Money Part
Chariot Energy: Deposit depends on credit—expect $200-400 if your score is below 600.
Payless Power: No deposit. Period. No credit check needed.
The Honest Answer
Both are legitimate. Neither is a scam. The electricity is identical. What matters is: (1) who's cheaper for your actual usage, (2) whether you need to skip a credit check, and (3) if you care about green marketing. Scroll up to the "Choose if..." sections—they'll tell you which one fits your situation. For actual rates, check ComparePower. Takes 2 minutes.
Company Snapshots
Chariot Energy
- Parent Company
- Independent
- Years in Texas
- 10+
- Headquarters
- Houston, Texas
- Deposit Required
- conditional
Payless Power
- Parent Company
- Independent
- Years in Texas
- 20+
- Headquarters
- Fort Worth, Texas
- Deposit Required
- no
More Head-to-Head Matchups
See who wins when Chariot Energy and Payless Power face other competitors.
Featured In Best-Of Lists
See where Chariot Energy and Payless Power are featured in our category guides.
Related Guides
Apartment Electricity in Texas: The Complete Renter's Guide
Everything Texas renters need to know about apartment electricity: when you need your own plan, short-term vs contract options, low-usage plans, deposits, and what happens when you move out.
explainersPrepaid vs Traditional Electricity: Pros, Cons, and Real Costs
Prepaid electricity costs 2-4 cents more per kWh but requires no credit check. Here's the real math on when prepaid saves money and when it doesn't.
guidesTexas Solar Buyback Plans: Getting Paid for Your Solar Power
Texas has no net metering law, but solar buyback plans let you earn credit for excess power. Here's how they work, which providers offer the best rates, and whether it's worth it for your home.
"I like that it searched multiple companies for me. So I don't have to search one by one. Saves time."
— Lacy L., Texas
View Company Profiles
Read full profiles to decide which fits your needs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: When should I choose Chariot Energy over Payless Power? ▼
You want green energy (it's mostly accounting, but Payless Power doesn't even offer that). You have solar panels and want competitive buyback rates. You want genuinely green energy, not just credits. Community solar programs interest you.
Q: When should I choose Payless Power over Chariot Energy? ▼
You want a company that's survived 20 Texas summers (Chariot Energy has 10). Your credit is rough and you need to skip the credit check—Chariot Energy will run your credit. You don't want to hand over $200-400 upfront—Payless Power skips the deposit.
Q: What is the main difference between Chariot Energy and Payless Power? ▼
Chariot Energy wins on green energy. Payless Power wins on track record, credit flexibility. Both deliver identical electricity through the same wires—the difference is pricing structure, customer service, and plan options.
Q: Are Chariot Energy and Payless Power the same company? ▼
Plot twist: yes. Chariot Energy and Payless Power are both owned by Independent. Same corporate parent, same billing system, different marketing. You're not comparing competitors—you're picking which brand name Independent uses to take your money. The only real question: which brand gets better rates right now. Check ComparePower.
Q: Is Chariot Energy or Payless Power cheaper? ▼
Anyone who answers this without knowing your zip code and usage is lying. The "advertised rate" is calculated at exactly 1,000 kWh—use 800 or 1,200 and the math changes completely. Both companies exploit this. Check ComparePower with your actual usage. Takes 2 minutes, and you'll see real numbers instead of marketing.
Q: Which company has been in Texas longer, Chariot Energy or Payless Power? ▼
Payless Power: 20 years. Chariot Energy: 10 years. That 10-year gap matters—Payless Power survived the 2011 freeze, the 2021 disaster, and every summer in between. Track records like that don't happen by accident.
Q: Do Chariot Energy or Payless Power offer no-deposit electricity? ▼
Payless Power has prepaid—no credit check, period. Chariot Energy runs your credit and might want $200-400 upfront. If you've got credit issues, this isn't even a choice: Payless Power.
Q: Which is better for green energy, Chariot Energy or Payless Power? ▼
Chariot Energy sells "green" plans. Payless Power doesn't. But here's what they don't tell you: "green" electricity in Texas is mostly accounting. They buy renewable energy credits to match your usage—the actual electrons flowing to your house are the same mix as everyone else. If the green marketing matters to you, Chariot Energy is your only option here. If you want actual environmental impact, check if they have renewable generation backing or just paper credits.
Q: What types of plans do Chariot Energy and Payless Power offer? ▼
Chariot Energy: fixed-rate, green, solar-buyback. Payless Power: prepaid, fixed-rate. Chariot Energy has more options (3 plan types vs 2). More options = more ways to optimize, but also more ways to pick wrong. If you just want simple fixed-rate power, ignore the complexity. If you have specific needs (EV charging at night, pool pump, work-from-home AC), the right specialty plan can save you $50/month.