Payless Power vs TXU Energy: Prepaid vs Fixed Rate Plans

The next comparison is between two plans that look similar on paper, but are structured very differently. Both plans are fixed rate. However, one is prepaid and the other is not.
Payless Power offers something unique in the market. It gives customers the opportunity to lock in a fixed-rate prepaid plan for 6 or 12 months. With Payless Power, there is no credit check and no traditional deposit. You do need to make an initial prepaid payment to start service, but this amount is usually much lower than the large deposits often required from customers with poor credit. This gives people the opportunity to get electricity service regardless of their past credit history or credit score.

These plans are usually more expensive than the best traditional fixed-rate plans, and that is the tradeoff. However, many people would be surprised to see that they can still be similar in price, or even cheaper, than some of the most popular plans from large legacy providers such as TXU.

 This is a prepaid plan with a fixed-rate structure. It includes a daily charge, but it also offers a monthly credit if you consume 500 kWh or less. That can make it a very good option for certain situations, such as small apartments, vacant homes on the market, realtor-managed units, or low-usage households. The energy rate is slightly above average, but it is still better than many popular plans from larger providers. The cancellation fee is also relatively small, usually under $50.

This is one of the few true fixed-rate plans that TXU offers. However, it comes with high base pricing, which makes it more expensive for smaller apartments or lower-usage homes. The energy charge is also usually above market average. Its cancellation fee is more typical for the market, usually around $150.

The next table presents an estimate of the monthly bill based on your consumption. The green value in each column represents the lower rate at that usage level. Both plans are displayed one below the other so you can clearly see the difference between them. You can switch between service areas (TDUs) to compare results. This information is based on the Electricity Facts Label (EFL) for each plan in every TDU.





Note on Payless Power:
With prepaid electricity, you pay in advance for the power you use. A small initial payment is required to start your account, and as you consume electricity, the cost is deducted from your balance. Clear Energy Facts recommends setting up automatic payments or alerts to avoid letting your balance drop too low. If your account reaches zero, your service can be disconnected, and reconnection fees may apply. Staying above your threshold ensures uninterrupted service and full control over your usage.

Because Texas electricity rates fluctuate frequently, the "cheapest" plan between Payless Power and TXU can change from week to week. As the live data above demonstrates, the clear winner depends heavily on current market conditions and your exact monthly usage.