Prepaid Electricity

Prepaid electricity, also know as pay-as-you-go electricity, is a type of electric plan where customers pay for the electricity they need before they use it.

Prepaid electric plans allow residents to have more control over what they are paying, since they only pay for as much electricity as they need. Think of it as similar to a pay-as-you-go cell phone plan. There are no contracts, no credit checks, and no deposits needed.

If you think prepaid energy is the right choice for you, enter your ZIP code above to shop prepaid plans from top retail electric providers. Otherwise, let’s talk about the advantages and disadvantages of a prepaid plan to find out if it’s best for you.

There are a few different factors to think about when considering pay-as-you-go electricity plans. These plans are great if you don’t want to pay a deposit or have bad credit. They allow you to know in advance what you’re paying and manage your usage as the month progresses.

But there are also some downsides. First, you have to pay upfront. If you’re already worried about paying a deposit, this may not be much better. You also have to maintain a minimum account balance. If you frequently find yourself needing more electricity than you paid for, this could become a problem. Additionally, prepaid electricity plans don’t have the security of a contract term to keep you from switching, rates are often slightly higher than traditional plans.

Many retail electric providers (REPs) in Texas offer prepaid options alongside their contract plans, including Amigo Energy, Payless Power, and First Choice Power. To see prepaid options in your area, enter your ZIP code above. We’ll show you today’s cheapest rates to help you find the prepaid plan that works for you.

It’s challenging to review providers based solely on their prepaid plans, as many REPs offer both prepaid and postpaid options. However, we’ve evaluated some of the top REPs in Texas so you can be sure you’re getting reliable service, regardless of which option you choose.

To find reviews for a specific provider, we recommend checking the Better Business Bureau, who has recent ratings and reviews on a majority of top electricity providers.

If you’re still not sure if prepaid electricity is right for you, take a look at our energy buying guide to compare it to other plan options. If you’d like to talk to a human instead, give one of our energy experts a call and they’ll be able to steer you in the right direction.

Updated: 11-15-19