Payless Power vs Think Energy
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 Payless Power and Think Energy. Different brands, same billing system, same corporate parent.
Plot Twist: Same Company
Same corporate owner: Independent owns both Payless Power and Think Energy. Different brands, same billing system, same corporate parent.
Complaint Comparison
PUCT Data • Jul-Dec 2025
Payless Power
Think Energy
Think Energy has 2.7 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 a company that's survived 20 Texas summers (Think Energy has 5)
- Your credit is rough and you need to skip the credit check—Think Energy will run your credit
- You don't want to hand over $200-400 upfront—Payless Power skips the deposit
- You want green energy (it's mostly accounting, but Payless Power doesn't even offer that)
- You want a multi-state company with Texas presence
- You prioritize 100% renewable energy options
- You prefer online-first electricity shopping
Category Breakdown
20 years vs 5—15+ more grid crises survived
Only Think Energy sells green plans (it's mostly accounting, but it's something)
Payless Power skips the credit check. Think Energy might want $200-400 upfront.
Rates change constantly. Check ComparePower with your actual usage.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Feature | Payless Power | Think Energy |
|---|---|---|
| Parent Company | Independent | Independent |
| Years in Texas | 20+ | 5+ |
| Headquarters | Fort Worth, Texas | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania |
| Fixed-Rate Plans | ||
| Variable Plans | ||
| Prepaid Options | ||
| Green Energy | ||
| Free Nights/Weekends | ||
| Deposit Required | No | Conditional |
| Credit Check |
What Actually Differs
Payless Power and Think Energy 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
Payless Power: Owned by Independent. 20 years in Texas—they've survived enough grid crises to prove they won't fold mid-contract. Based in Fort Worth, Texas.
Think Energy: Owned by Independent. 5 years in Texas—that track record matters when you're signing a multi-year contract. Based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
What They Actually Sell
Payless Power offers prepaid, fixed-rate. They have prepaid—no credit check, no deposit, just pay as you go.
Think Energy offers fixed-rate, variable-rate, green. They sell "green" plans (mostly accounting—same electrons, but they buy renewable credits).
The Money Part
Payless Power: No deposit. Period. No credit check needed.
Think Energy: Deposit depends on credit—expect $200-400 if your score is below 600.
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
Payless Power
- Parent Company
- Independent
- Years in Texas
- 20+
- Headquarters
- Fort Worth, Texas
- Deposit Required
- no
Think Energy
- Parent Company
- Independent
- Years in Texas
- 5+
- Headquarters
- Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Deposit Required
- conditional
More Head-to-Head Matchups
See who wins when Payless Power and Think Energy face other competitors.
Featured In Best-Of Lists
See where Payless Power and Think Energy are featured in our category guides.
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"I like that it searched multiple companies for me. So I don't have to search one by one. Saves time."
— Lacy L., Texas
See Current Rates
Compare current plans from both companies.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: When should I choose Payless Power over Think Energy? ▼
You want a company that's survived 20 Texas summers (Think Energy has 5). Your credit is rough and you need to skip the credit check—Think Energy will run your credit. You don't want to hand over $200-400 upfront—Payless Power skips the deposit.
Q: When should I choose Think Energy over Payless Power? ▼
You want green energy (it's mostly accounting, but Payless Power doesn't even offer that). You want a multi-state company with Texas presence. You prioritize 100% renewable energy options. You prefer online-first electricity shopping.
Q: What is the main difference between Payless Power and Think Energy? ▼
Payless Power wins on track record, credit flexibility. Think Energy wins on green energy. Both deliver identical electricity through the same wires—the difference is pricing structure, customer service, and plan options.
Q: Are Payless Power and Think Energy the same company? ▼
Plot twist: yes. Payless Power and Think Energy 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 Payless Power or Think Energy 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, Payless Power or Think Energy? ▼
Payless Power: 20 years. Think Energy: 5 years. That 15-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 Payless Power or Think Energy offer no-deposit electricity? ▼
Payless Power has prepaid—no credit check, period. Think 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, Payless Power or Think Energy? ▼
Think Energy sells "green" plans. Payless Power doesn't. But here's the catch: "green" electricity in Texas is mostly accounting. They buy renewable energy credits—the actual electrons are the same mix as everyone else. If the green marketing matters to you, Think Energy is your option. For real environmental impact, check if they have actual renewable generation backing.
Q: What types of plans do Payless Power and Think Energy offer? ▼
Payless Power: prepaid, fixed-rate. Think Energy: fixed-rate, variable-rate, green. Think 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.