TXU Energy or Reliant Energy, which one should you choose? Two of the largest and most reputable electricity providers in Texas, both offer a variety of energy plans for residential and business customers.
TXU Energy, a subsidiary of Vistra Corp, is best known for its customer service and has great brand recognition. In our February 2025 survey of 1,600 Texans, 23% of respondents reported that TXU Energy was their provider. Reliant, owned by NRG, claims the second-largest share of customers in our survey, with 19%. Both providers has a long-established history in the deregulated energy market, with 20-plus years of operation.
Both companies also offer a wide range of plans, including and flexible energy plans, such as bill credit plans and green energy plans. Both companies generally charge rates slightly above the statewide average, which is 14.89 cents per kilowatt-hour (kWh), according to February 2025 data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA).
Below, we compare these two powerhouses in the Texas deregulated energy market.
TXU Energy vs. Reliant Energy Comparison
Whichever light company you choose, it generally won’t affect how you turn on your lights or run your air conditioning unit. However, not all light companies are alike. TXU Energy and Reliant Energy both have pros and cones. Check out our comparison table below to see how each provider stacks up.
| Feature | TXU Energy | Reliant Energy |
|---|---|---|
| Plan Types | Fixed, variable and renewable | Fixed, variable and renewable |
| Term Lengths | 1, 12 and 24 months | 12 and 24 months |
| Renewable Energy Options | Yes | Yes |
| Our Rating | 4.9 out of 5 stars | 4.9 out of 5 stars |
| Same-day Service | Until 5 p.m. Mon–Sat | Until 6 p.m. Mon–Sat |
| Mobile App | Yes | Yes |
| Cancellation Fees | $150–$295 | $150–$295 |
| Sample EFL | Electricity facts label | Electricity facts label |
| Customer Service | 24/7 support | 24/7 support |
Which Is Better, TXU Energy or Reliant Energy?
Both Reliant Energy and TXU Energy have strong reputations in Texas, with each offering a range of plan types. Both providers also tend to charge slightly higher rates than competitors.
To rate these light companies, we performed a survey of 1,600 Texans living in deregulated areas of Texas, gaining insights of company performance across key categories, including customer satisfaction, customer service, online experience, and retention. We also consider features such as a variety of plan types, renewable energy options and fee transparency when considering providers.
Below, we compare how Reliant and TXU match up in each category. From there, you can determine which provider best meets your needs.
Customer Satisfaction Winner: Reliant Energy
Both providers score extremely high in customer satisfaction, but Reliant (4.8 out of 5 stars) slightly edges out TXU (4.7 out of 5 stars) in this category. Overall, customers are very satisfied with their contracts and experiences with each provider.
According to our February 2025 survey, the majority of Reliant Energy customers said they definitely won’t switch providers when their contract expires, showing that the provider retains customers once they sign up for a plan. Similarly, the majority of TXU Energy customer also say they will renew their energy plans.
Customer Service Winner: Tie
Reliant and TXU are neck and neck in terms of customer service. During our review, both providers scored a perfect 5 out of 5 stars for customer service, proving that both major retailers are committed to offering quality experiences.
In our 2025 survey, we asked customers how their issues were handled when they contacted TXU Energy. On average, customers rated their issue resolution a 4.7 out of 5 stars. For comparison, Reliant customers rated their issue resolution a 4.5 out of 5 stars.
Both energy companies also earned a 4 out of 5-star rating from the Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUCT).
ETFs and Hidden Fees: Reliant Energy
For this head-to-head comparison, we looked at the fees associated with energy plans from each provider. We examined EFLs and each provider’s websites to see the breakdown of costs associated with your energy plan.
| Fee | TXU Energy | Reliant Energy |
|---|---|---|
| Early Termination Fee (ETF) | $150–$295 | $150–$395 |
| Late Payment | 5% of the bill | 5% of the bill |
| Base Charges | $4.95–$9.95 | $5–$6.95 per month |
| Usage Charges | Not applied | $9.95 per month (on some plans) |
| Disconnection charges | $20 | $20–$30 |
| Agent Assist charges | $3.95 (call for exact rates) | $5 (call for exact rates) |
| Insufficient Funds | $30 | $25 |
| Document Processing | $2 (call for exact rates) | $5 (call for exact rates) |
| Serial Payment | Up to $4.95 (call for exact rates) | $5 (call for exact rates) |
Renewable Energy: Tie
Both electricity providers offer some 100% renewable energy plans, but most plans offered have a mix of clean and traditionally-sourced electricity. Meanwhile, other providers, such as Green Mountain Energy, Rhythm Energy and Gexa Energy, offer a wider range of clean energy options, often with more competitive energy rates.
TXU Energy provides several renewable energy plans, including its Free Nights & Solar Days plan and its Smart Deal plan, which offers bill credits based on energy usage thresholds.
However, these plans often involve complex rate structures, such as time-of-use pricing and base fees, which can be challenging for many consumers to navigate. Similarly, Reliant Energy offers three 100% renewable energy plans, each with unique terms, conditions and rate structures. Generally, plans that incorporate time-of-use rates or bill credits may not be the most straightforward or cost-effective choice for most customers. However, you should anaylze how your home consumes energy. Depending on your usage patterns, one of these plan options may meet your needs.
Online Experience Winner: Reliant Energy
Reliant scored a perfect 5 out of 5 stars for online experience. Comparatively, TXU scored 4.8 stars out of 5. While both providers have satisfactory ratings in this category, Reliant customers prefer the company’s easy-to-use website and mobile app, which make billing and viewing plan details easy and quick.
Does It Matter Which You Choose?
In Texas’ deregulated electricity market, regardless of whether you choose TXU Energy, Reliant Energy or another provider altogether, the electricity reaching your home is delivered through the same transmission and distribution utilities (TDUs). Utility companies, such as CenterPoint Energy in Houston and Oncor Electric Delivery in Dallas, own and maintain the power grid infrastructure, like poles and wires, that transport electricity.
The PUCT oversees and regulates these utilities to ensure consistent and reliable service. This means that the quality and reliability of your power supply remain unchanged, regardless of which retail electric provider (REP) you select.
While the electricity itself remains consistent, the terms, rates and conditions set by your chosen REP can greatly affect your monthly energy expenses. On the other hand, selecting a company with reliable and friendly customer service can help provide a smooth experience if you ever run into any issues.
It’s essential to review plan details, be mindful of contract durations thoroughly, and regularly compare available options to ensure you’re receiving the best value for your energy consumption.
Compare Plans with Home Energy Club
Home Energy Club simplifies the process of comparing electricity plans between providers, such as TXU Energy and Reliant Energy. By entering your ZIP code on the website, you can access a curated list of plans available in your area, complete with detailed information on rates, contract terms and unique features. This allows you to effortlessly compare options side by side, ensuring you find the plan that best aligns with your energy needs and preferences.
Frequently Asked Questions About TXU vs. Reliant
TXU Energy and Reliant Energy are both prominent electricity providers in Texas, each offering a variety of plans and services. TXU Energy may be recognized for its time-of-use plans, including its “Free Days & Solar Nights offering. Our survey data indicates that Reliant, on the other hand, is known for its useful digital app and usage alerts. However, Texans also now associate both providers with premium pricing. That said, many customers seem to prefer to pay more to receive service from a recognizable brand.
Based on our robust review using firsthand customer insights, TXU Energy is one of the top-rated light companies in Texas. While the provider charges a premium for its services, it provides excellent customer service, according to our February 2025 survey of 1,600 people. In fact, 57% of respondents said that they likely won’t or definitely won’t switch from TXU after their contract ends.
Yes, Reliant is a major and well-known energy provider in Texas, with satisfactory ratings for energy plans, customer service and pricing. According to our expert reviews, Reliant is one of the top-rated light companies in Texas. It’s important, though, that you do your research to determine if Reliant Energy will fit your energy needs.
Reliant Energy may charges slightly lower rates than TXU Energy, although neither provider offers the lowest rates in Texas. You can compare rates from both providers to see which one offers the best prices for your energy needs. However, other providers, such as TriEagle Energy and Rhythm Energy, may offer more competitive rates with straightforward pricing.
How We Rate and Review Texas Electricity Companies
With dozens of providers and hundreds of plans available in the deregulated Texas market, choosing the right one can feel overwhelming. We created a comprehensive rating methodology to help you cut through the complexity and find the best electricity plan for your needs, whether you’re moving to Texas or looking to switch providers.
We’ve researched dozens of Texas electricity providers and scored them out of 5 stars based on results from our 2025 energy survey of thousands of Texans, scoring providers on customer satisfaction, experience and retention. Here’s how these core factors weighed into our ratings:
- Customer satisfaction (30%)
- Customer retention (30%)
- Online experience (20%)
- Customer experience (20%)
