How We Rate Suppliers
Since 2009, the team at ElectricRates.org has helped over 5 million energy consumers find better electricity rates. Here's how suppliers are evaluated to help you make informed decisions.
The Rating Scale
Electricity suppliers are rated on a 1-5 scale. Here's what each rating means:
Excellent
Exceptional customer service, competitive rates, transparent terms, strong regulatory standing. Highly recommended.
Very Good
Above average in most categories with minor shortfalls. A solid choice for most consumers.
Average
Meets basic expectations. Some areas for improvement but no major concerns.
Below Average
Notable issues in customer service, billing practices, or regulatory compliance. Proceed with caution.
Poor
Significant complaints, regulatory actions, or deceptive practices documented. Not recommended.
What Gets Evaluated
Ratings are based on five key factors, weighted by their impact on your experience:
Customer Satisfaction
Aggregated from verified customer reviews across multiple platforms, BBB ratings, and state regulatory complaint data. Recent reviews are weighted more heavily than older ones.
Pricing & Value
Real-time rate competitiveness from licensed suppliers, fee transparency, and total cost of ownership including early termination fees and hidden charges.
Regulatory Standing
License status, complaint history with PUCO (Ohio), PA PUC (Pennsylvania), or MA DPU (Massachusetts), and any regulatory actions or warnings.
Plan Flexibility
Variety of plan options, contract term flexibility, renewable energy options, and ease of switching or cancellation.
Company Stability
Years in business, parent company backing, market presence, and financial stability indicators.
How We Rate Electricity Plans
Looking for a fair electricity plan in Texas shouldn't feel like solving a puzzle.
We built a 100-point rating system that cuts through complexity and rewards plans with transparent pricing. Plans that hide costs in the fine print get penalized. Plans that play it straight get rewarded.
Plan Rating Score Overview
| Category | Maximum Points |
|---|---|
| Value | 50 |
| Rate Structure | 35 |
| Rate Consistency | 15 |
| Flexibility | 30 |
| Early Termination Fee | 15 |
| Satisfaction Guarantee | 10 |
| Contract Length | 5 |
| Features | 20 |
| Renewable Energy | 15 |
| Sign-up Incentives | 5 |
| Total Possible | 100 |
50 Value – Peace of Mind Pricing
Rate Structure (35 Points)
How straightforward and honest is the pricing? Complex pricing often hides costs.
One simple price. Your rate stays steady regardless of usage. Know your cost before hitting the switch.
Under 1,000 kWh target = 20 pts. Over 1,000 kWh = 15 pts. Tricky: miss the target by 1 kWh and you lose the entire credit.
Free electricity during set hours, but daytime rates are higher to compensate.
Lower rates during specific months. Unpredictable savings based on weather.
Rate Consistency (15 Points)
How much does your price per kWh change at different usage levels?
30 Flexibility – Your Freedom to Change
Early Termination Fee (15 Points)
What you pay to end your contract early. Note: Texas law protects you from ETF if you move.
Switch anytime
Standard fee
Expensive to leave
Satisfaction Guarantee (10 Points)
Your trial period to make sure the plan works for you.
Contract Length (5 Points)
Sweet spot
Long commitment
Usually higher rates
20 Features – Extra Benefits
Renewable Energy Content (15 Points)
Texas average renewable content is ~33%. Here's how plans compare:
Sign-up Incentives (5 Points)
Remember: "Free" gifts are usually built into your rate.
What Our Star Ratings Mean
Outstanding Value
75-100 points
- • Clear, straightforward pricing
- • Consistent rates for budgeting
- • Reasonable fees and flexibility
- • Strong consumer protections
Smart Choice
60-74 points
- • Good, competitive rates
- • Standard protections
- • Reasonable terms
- • Some useful features
Solid Option
Below 60 points
- • Standard market rates
- • Basic protections
- • May have trade-offs
- • Situational fit
The highest-rated plan isn't always the best for your situation. Focus on what matters: will this plan deliver reliable power at a price you can predict?
Category-Specific Methodology
Different "Best" lists use modified weighting to match what matters most for each scenario:
Best Low-Rate Plans
For low-rate lists, pricing is weighted more heavily:
- • Pricing & Value (40%) - Rate competitiveness is paramount
- • Customer Satisfaction (25%) - Service quality still matters
- • Contract Terms (20%) - Hidden fees and early termination penalties
- • Regulatory Standing (15%) - License and complaint history
Best Customer Service
For customer service lists, satisfaction metrics take priority:
- • Customer Satisfaction (45%) - Reviews, BBB ratings, complaint resolution
- • Support Accessibility (20%) - Hours, channels, response times
- • Pricing & Value (20%) - Competitive rates still considered
- • Regulatory Standing (15%) - PUC complaint ratios
Best Green Energy Plans
For renewable energy lists, environmental factors are emphasized:
- • Renewable Content (35%) - Percentage of actual renewable sources
- • Pricing & Value (25%) - Green premium competitiveness
- • Customer Satisfaction (20%) - Service quality
- • Certifications (20%) - Green-e, RECs, third-party verification
Best No-Deposit Plans
For no-deposit lists, accessibility and fairness are key:
- • Accessibility (35%) - Credit requirements, deposit policies
- • Pricing & Value (30%) - Rate competitiveness for all credit levels
- • Customer Satisfaction (20%) - Service experience
- • Contract Terms (15%) - Flexibility and penalties
Data Sources
Authoritative, verifiable sources are used for every data point:
Rate Data
- • Licensed electricity suppliers - Real-time competitive rates
- • State PUC filings - Utility base rates (Price to Compare)
- • EIA.gov - State and national average electricity prices
Customer Reviews
- • Better Business Bureau - Accreditation status and complaint history
- • Google Reviews - Verified customer experiences
- • State PUC complaints - Official complaint records
Regulatory Data
- • PUCO - Ohio supplier license verification
- • PA PUC - Pennsylvania supplier license verification
- • MA DPU - Massachusetts supplier license verification
Company Information
- • SEC filings - For publicly traded companies
- • Company websites - Official company information
- • News sources - Industry developments and acquisitions
The Review Process
Every supplier profile undergoes a rigorous review process:
Data Collection
Rate data, customer reviews, regulatory records, and company information are gathered from multiple authoritative sources.
Cross-Verification
Key facts are verified against at least two independent sources. Suppliers are contacted directly when information is unclear or conflicting.
Expert Analysis
The team of energy market experts with 19+ years combined experience analyzes the data and applies the rating methodology.
Editorial Review
Every profile is reviewed for accuracy, clarity, and compliance with editorial standards before publication.
Ongoing Monitoring
Continuous monitoring for regulatory actions, significant customer complaints, and market changes ensures ratings stay current.
Ethics & Independence
Affiliate Disclosure: When you enroll in an electricity plan through this site, ElectricRates.org may receive compensation from electricity suppliers. This does not affect ratings, which plans are shown, or the order in which they appear. Plans are always displayed based on rate and terms, not commission.
Editorial Independence
The editorial team operates independently from business partnerships. Ratings, reviews, and recommendations are based solely on methodology and research, not commercial considerations. A rating has never been altered due to business pressure and never will be.
No Pay-for-Play
Suppliers cannot pay for better ratings or more favorable reviews. Payment for editorial coverage is not accepted. Reviews reflect genuine analysis based on publicly available data and verified customer experiences.
Corrections Policy
Errors are corrected promptly and transparently. Material corrections are noted at the top of affected content. If you believe an error has been made, please contact our corrections team.
Editorial Team
Meet the team responsible for supplier ratings and content accuracy:
Enri Zhulati
Consumer Advocate
Energy market veteran focused on making electricity shopping simple and transparent.
LinkedIn
Han Hwang
Consumer Advocate
Energy market specialist focused on helping consumers navigate deregulated electricity markets.
LinkedInThe editorial team has 19+ years combined experience in energy markets and consumer advocacy. Learn more about the team.
Questions About This Methodology?
Transparency is a core value. If you have questions about how suppliers are rated or want to report an issue with the data, please reach out.