TXU Energy vs Frontier Utilities
The Verdict
- You need free nights or time-of-use plans specifically
- 24/7 phone support is non-negotiable for you
- You want 10+ plan options to choose from
- You'll pay $200-400/year extra for premium service
- You want the cheapest electricity, period
- A basic fixed-rate plan covers everything you need
- You need prepaid to skip the credit check and deposit
- You don't call customer service anyway
Category Breakdown
Frontier runs 15-25% cheaper on similar plans
TXU has 24/7 support and Texas locations
TXU has free nights, indexed, time-of-use—Frontier doesn't
Frontier's prepaid is easier to access
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Feature | TXU Energy | Frontier Utilities |
|---|---|---|
| Parent Company | Vistra Corp | Centrica plc |
| Typical Rates | Premium | Budget |
| Fixed-Rate Plans | ||
| Free Nights/Weekends | ||
| Prepaid Options | ||
| 24/7 Support | Limited |
Overview
Does it even matter?
Same wires. Same grid. Same electrons. When your AC kicks on, Oncor delivers the power—not TXU, not Frontier. They’re billing companies with very different marketing budgets.
Here’s what TXU won’t tell you: You’re paying 15-25% more for their brand. At 1,000 kWh/month, that’s $20-30 extra—funding Cowboys commercials, billboards, and that jingle stuck in your head. Over a year, $240-360 for identical electricity.
Frontier is owned by Centrica, a $30 billion British company. They could outspend TXU on advertising if they wanted. Instead, they skip the marketing circus and pass savings to you. Same electrons. Different overhead.
The Core Tradeoff
TXU charges more because they offer more: free nights plans, 24/7 support, indexed pricing, time-of-use options. If you need those specific features, the premium makes sense.
Frontier strips out the extras and competes on rate. Basic fixed plans, prepaid options, done. Same electricity, less overhead.
Who Should Choose TXU
People who will actually use the premium features. Free nights plans can save heavy AC users hundreds per year. 24/7 phone support matters to some. If you’re picking from 15 plan options and optimizing, TXU’s variety helps.
Who Should Choose Frontier
Everyone else. If you want a 12-month fixed rate and don’t need to call customer service at 2am, Frontier saves you real money. Most Texans fall into this category.
Related Pages
Company Profiles
Best-For Categories
- Best for Customer Service — TXU ranks #1 with 24/7 support
- Best for Cheap Electricity — Frontier offers budget-friendly fixed rates
- Best for No Deposit — Frontier ranks #1 with prepaid and same-day activation
- Best for Prepaid — Frontier ranks #2 with flexible prepaid plans
- Best for Low Usage — Frontier ranks #2 with Saver Value plans
- Best for Same-Day Connection — Both providers offer same-day activation
Related Comparisons
Company Snapshots
TXU Energy
- Parent Company
- Vistra Corp (NYSE: VST)
- Years in Texas
- 24+
- Headquarters
- Irving, Texas
- Deposit Required
- conditional
Frontier Utilities
- Parent Company
- Centrica plc
- Years in Texas
- 15+
- Headquarters
- Houston, Texas
- Deposit Required
- conditional
More Comparisons
See how TXU Energy and Frontier Utilities compare to other providers.
Category Rankings
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Compare current plans from both companies on ComparePower.
Why This Page Exists
This page helps you decide between TXU Energy and Frontier Utilities based on who they are — not just today's prices. Prices change. Company quality doesn't.