Reliant vs Gexa Energy: Which Texas Provider is Better?
The Verdict
- You'll actually use Reliant Rewards for discounts and perks
- You want free nights or free weekends plan options
- The app experience matters more than saving $10/month
- You're bundling with smart home services
- You want real green energy from a company that generates it
- You prefer simple fixed-rate plans without promotional games
- You'd rather save money than earn rewards points
- Marketing noise annoys you
Category Breakdown
NextEra actually generates renewable power—not just credits
Reliant's app and rewards program are genuinely better
Gexa typically runs 5-10% cheaper on comparable plans
Reliant has free nights, free weekends, time-of-use
Overview
Does it even matter?
Same wires. Same grid. Same electrons flowing through your walls. When you flip the switch, Oncor or CenterPoint delivers the power—not Reliant, not Gexa. They’re just billing companies fighting for your monthly payment.
Here’s what Reliant doesn’t want you to know: They sponsor the Texans, run TV commercials during every Cowboys game, and operate a rewards program that most people forget exists. Guess who pays for all that marketing? You do. Gexa’s parent company (NextEra, worth $150 billion) could outspend Reliant tomorrow—they just don’t bother.
The result? Reliant charges 5-10% more for identical electricity. That’s $100-200/year you’re spending on someone’s ad agency.
Key Differences
Marketing vs. Savings
Reliant sponsors Houston sports teams, runs TV ads, and operates a rewards program. That costs money. You’re funding it.
Gexa skips the noise and competes on price. Their parent company (NextEra) is a $150 billion energy giant—they don’t need to advertise during Texans games.
Green Energy
This is where Gexa actually wins. NextEra generates more wind and solar power than any company on Earth. When Gexa sells you green electricity, it’s from actual renewable generation—not just credits bought on a market.
Reliant offers green plans, but NRG’s core business is fossil fuels. The green option is a checkbox, not a mission.
Plan Variety
Reliant has more options: free nights, free weekends, time-of-use, tiered pricing. If you want to optimize for specific usage patterns, Reliant gives you tools.
Gexa keeps it simple: fixed-rate, variable, green. Pick one, done.
The Verdict
Gexa wins for most people. Lower prices, real green credentials, less marketing nonsense.
Choose Reliant if:
- You’ll actually use the rewards program (check movie times, redeem discounts)
- You need free nights or time-of-use plans
- The app experience is worth $5-10/month to you
- You’re bundling with smart home services
Choose Gexa if:
- You want a simple fixed-rate plan at a competitive price
- Green energy from actual renewable generation matters to you
- You’d rather save money than earn rewards points
- You prefer straightforward pricing over promotional complexity
Bottom line: Reliant sells features. Gexa sells electricity. Pick based on which you actually want.
Related Pages
Company Profiles
Best-For Categories
- Best Customer Service — Reliant ranked #2 with 24/7 support
- Best Green Energy Companies — Gexa ranked #3 with NextEra renewable backing, Reliant ranked #5
- Best for High Usage — Gexa ranked #1, Reliant ranked #3 for 2,000+ kWh homes
- Best for Low Usage — Gexa ranked #1 with 500 kWh bill credits
- Best Month-to-Month Plans — Both offer no-contract variable plans
- Best for Renters — Reliant ranked #3, Gexa ranked #5 for apartment flexibility
- Best for Apartments — Gexa ranked #4 for lease-length contracts
- Best for Small Homes — Gexa ranked #5 for efficient pricing
- Best for Large Homes — Both featured: Gexa ranked #1, Reliant ranked #2
- Best for Large Families — Reliant ranked #1 for family-sized plans
- Best for Seniors — Both featured: Gexa ranked #2, Reliant ranked #3
- Best Solar Buyback — Reliant ranked #5 with buyback options
Related Comparisons
Company Snapshots
Reliant Energy
- Parent Company
- NRG Energy (NYSE: NRG)
- Years in Texas
- 24+
- Headquarters
- Houston, Texas
- Deposit Required
- conditional
Gexa Energy
- Parent Company
- NextEra Energy (NYSE: NEE)
- Years in Texas
- 22+
- Headquarters
- Houston, Texas
- Deposit Required
- conditional
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Why This Page Exists
This page helps you decide between Reliant Energy and Gexa Energy based on who they are — not just today's prices. Prices change. Company quality doesn't.