TXU Energy vs Payless Power

Overview

Does it even matter?

Same wires. Same grid. Same electrons. But here’s where the comparison gets interesting: these companies serve completely different situations.

Here’s what TXU doesn’t tell you upfront: They run a credit check. Fail it and they want $200-400 deposit before turning on your lights. That’s not a feature—it’s a barrier.

Payless Power takes $40 and connects you today. No credit check. No deposit. No questions about your FICO score.

The real comparison: TXU is cheaper per kWh if your credit is good (15-25% cheaper). Payless is cheaper to start if your credit isn’t. The prepaid premium exists because Payless takes customers TXU won’t touch.

The Core Question: Credit

This comparison depends entirely on your credit situation.

If your credit is good: TXU will approve you, likely without a deposit. Their fixed rates will be 15-25% cheaper than prepaid. Choose TXU.

If your credit isn’t good: TXU will require a $200-$400 deposit. Payless requires $40 to start, no questions asked. Choose Payless.

If you hate credit checks on principle: Payless doesn’t run one. Ever. Some people prefer that regardless of their credit score.

The Price Gap

Let’s be direct about prepaid pricing.

Payless prepaid rates run 15-25% higher per kWh than TXU’s standard fixed-rate plans.

On a typical 1,000 kWh/month home:

• TXU fixed-rate: ~$120/month
• Payless prepaid: ~$145/month

That’s roughly $300/year more for prepaid. You’re paying for the no-credit-check convenience.

But here’s the math that matters: If TXU wants a $300 deposit and you’d only use them for a year, prepaid breaks even. If you’d stay longer, TXU saves money.

Plan Variety

TXU offers everything. Payless offers simplicity.

TXU’s lineup:

• Fixed-rate (12-36 months)
• Variable (month-to-month)
• Indexed (tied to wholesale prices)
• Free nights
• Free weekends
• Time-of-use
• Prepaid (TXU Energy Express)
• Green energy / wind

Payless’s lineup:

• Prepaid
• Fixed-rate (6-12 months, still no credit check)

If you want specialty plans—free nights, time-of-use, green energy—TXU is your only option here.

Customer Service

Both are actually good, in different ways.

TXU:

• 24/7 phone support
• Average hold times 5-10 minutes
• Functional app for bill pay and usage
• Live chat that connects to real humans

Payless:

• 4.8-star customer rating—one of the highest in Texas
• Bilingual support (English/Spanish)
• Texas-based team
• Business hours only
• Daily balance alerts keep you informed

TXU has the infrastructure and hours. Payless has the satisfaction ratings. Different strengths.

Same-Day Service

Payless wins here.

Sign up by 4pm, $40 payment, power connected the same day. No credit check delays, no deposit negotiations.

TXU can do same-day, but you need to pass the credit check first. If you don’t, deposit discussions slow things down.

If you need power today with zero friction, Payless is faster.

The Pay-As-You-Go Lifestyle

Some people genuinely prefer prepaid budgeting.

How Payless works:

• Load money onto your account like a prepaid phone
• Daily text/email alerts show your balance
• Add funds anytime through app, phone, or retail locations
• When balance hits zero, power disconnects

Who this appeals to:

• People rebuilding credit
• Budget-conscious customers who like pay-as-you-go
• Renters who move frequently
• Anyone who hates surprise bills

Who should avoid it:

• High-usage households (the math doesn’t work)
• People who travel and might forget to add funds
• Anyone who’d rather just autopay and forget it

Company Stability

TXU is owned by Vistra Corp, a Fortune 500 company worth billions. They own power plants, they’re publicly traded, they’re not going anywhere.

Payless is independent. No corporate backing. They’ve survived 20 years in a competitive market, but they’re a smaller operation.

If company size and stability matter, TXU has the edge.

Green Energy

TXU offers 100% renewable plans and wind energy options. If environmental impact matters, TXU has choices.

Payless has no green energy options. They focus on accessibility and affordability, not sustainability.

This is a clear differentiator if you care about renewable energy.

The Verdict

TXU for options and experience. Payless for access and simplicity.

Choose TXU if:

• Your credit qualifies for traditional service
• You want plan variety (free nights, green energy, time-of-use)
• 24/7 support and a good app matter
• You prefer a Fortune 500-backed company
• You’ll stay long enough for the rate savings to matter

Choose Payless Power if:

• Your credit won’t pass a check (or you won’t pay a deposit)
• You prefer pay-as-you-go budgeting
• You need same-day service with zero friction
• Their 4.8-star ratings appeal to you
• Simplicity beats variety

The honest take: If your credit qualifies you for TXU without a deposit, TXU is probably the better deal—lower rates, more options. But if credit is an obstacle, Payless is genuinely good at what they do. Their customer ratings are excellent, their prepaid model works, and they’ve been doing this for two decades.

Related Pages

Company Profiles

• TXU Energy
• Payless Power

Best-For Categories

• Best Prepaid Electricity — Payless ranks among top prepaid options
• Best No-Deposit Electricity — Payless for no-deposit service
• Best for Bad Credit — Prepaid options for credit-challenged customers
• Best Customer Service — TXU ranks high for 24/7 support
• Best Same-Day Service — Both offer same-day connections

Related Comparisons

• TXU vs Reliant
• TXU vs Frontier
• TXU vs 4Change
• Frontier vs Payless Power
• Payless Power vs Pulse Power