TXU vs Reliant Energy: Which Is Better in Texas? (2026 Comparison)

Consumer Advocate · 7+ years in energy markets

Published January 15, 2025 Updated January 3, 2026

Energy market veteran focused on making electricity shopping simple and transparent.

The Verdict

Neither TXU nor Reliant offers the cheapest electricity rates in Texas. Both charge 15-25% more than budget providers. You're paying for brand recognition and customer service—not savings. If price is your priority, smaller providers like Gexa Energy regularly beat both. If customer service matters more, TXU edges out Reliant with 24/7 support. For rewards, Reliant's program is stronger. But here's the truth: your electricity comes from the same wires regardless of provider. The only real difference is price and service.

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TXU vs Reliant: Head-to-Head

Factor	TXU Energy	Reliant Energy
Founded	1882	1999
Parent Company	Vistra Corp	NRG Energy
Customers	~1.7 million	~1.5 million
Avg. Rate (All-in)	12-15¢/kWh	12-15¢/kWh
vs. Budget Providers	15-25% higher	15-25% higher
Customer Support	24/7 phone	24/7 phone
Free Nights/Weekends	Free 8pm-5am	Free Sat-Sun
Rewards Program	TXU Rewards	Reliant Rewards (stronger)
Early Termination Fee	$150-$400	$150-$400
Best For	24/7 support needs	Rewards lovers

The Truth About TXU and Reliant

Let's be honest: TXU and Reliant are the Coca-Cola and Pepsi of Texas electricity. Big marketing budgets. Familiar names. Premium prices.

But here's what they won't tell you: Your electricity comes through the same wires regardless of which provider you choose. Oncor, CenterPoint, or your local TDU handles delivery, outages, and maintenance. Your retail electricity provider (REP) just handles billing and customer service.

That means the ONLY real differences between providers are:

Price: How much you pay per kWh
Customer service: Who answers when you call
Plan options: Fixed, variable, green, time-of-use, etc.
Perks: Rewards programs, bill credits, etc.

TXU and Reliant score well on customer service and plan variety. But they consistently lose on price. Smaller providers like Gexa Energy, 4Change Energy, and Frontier Utilities regularly undercut both by 15-25%.

Bottom line: If you're choosing between TXU and Reliant specifically, TXU wins for 24/7 support, Reliant wins for rewards. But if you want the cheapest rate, neither is your answer.

TXU Energy: The Full Picture

Founded: 1882

Parent: Vistra Corp

PUCT#: 10004

Customers: ~1.7 million

TXU Energy has the longest track record in Texas—founded in 1882 as Dallas Power & Light, it's survived over 140 years of industry changes. Today, it's owned by Vistra Corp and serves about 1.7 million customers, making it the largest residential electricity provider in Texas.

TXU's Strengths

24/7 customer support — Rare in the industry. Most providers limit hours.
Physical payment locations — Pay in cash at 7-Eleven, CVS, etc.
Plan variety — Fixed, variable, time-of-use, solar buyback, and more
TXU Energy Rewards — Earn points for gift cards and bill credits
Brand stability — Unlikely to go bankrupt or exit the market

TXU's Weaknesses

Premium pricing — Rates typically 15-20% above budget providers
Aggressive renewal tactics — Renewal rates often much higher than new customer rates
Complex plan structures — Tiered pricing can be confusing
High early termination fees — $150-$400 to exit a contract early

Reliant Energy: The Full Picture

Founded: 1999

Parent: NRG Energy

PUCT#: 10007

Customers: ~1.5 million

Reliant Energy was born from Texas electricity deregulation in 1999. Originally part of the Houston-based HL&P utility, it's now owned by NRG Energy and serves about 1.5 million customers. Reliant has a strong Houston presence but serves customers statewide.

Reliant's Strengths

Reliant Rewards program — One of the best in the industry. Real savings on dining, shopping, entertainment
Excellent mobile app — Highly rated for bill pay and usage tracking
Truly Free Weekends — Free electricity all day Saturday and Sunday
NRG backing — Strong parent company financial stability
Houston Texans sponsorship — Naming rights to NRG Stadium (if that matters to you)

Reliant's Weaknesses

Premium pricing — Similar to TXU, rates run 15-20% above budget providers
App-focused support — Excellent mobile app, though some prefer TXU's phone-first approach
Usage-based bill credits — Some plans have credits only at certain usage levels (the "2,000 kWh trap")
Houston-centric — Physical locations mostly in Houston area

Who Should Choose Which?

Choose TXU Energy If...

✓ You need 24/7 customer support
✓ You want extensive physical payment locations
✓ You value brand longevity (140+ years)
✓ You're a night owl (Free Nights 8pm-5am)
✓ You prefer dealing with the "established name"

Choose Reliant Energy If...

✓ You love rewards programs
✓ You want a great mobile app experience
✓ You're home on weekends (Truly Free Weekends)
✓ You're in Houston and want local presence
✓ You prefer NRG Stadium perks

Choose Neither If...

✓ Your top priority is the lowest rate
✓ You're comfortable with smaller provider customer service
✓ You don't need physical payment locations (autopay works)
✓ You want to save 15-25% on your electricity bill

→ Compare all Texas providers to find cheaper alternatives with the same reliability.

Cheaper Than TXU & Reliant

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Cheaper Alternatives to TXU and Reliant

If price is your priority, these providers regularly beat both TXU and Reliant on rates—sometimes by 2-3¢/kWh, which adds up to $200-$300/year for an average Texas home:

Gexa Energy

Consistently competitive rates with 100% renewable options. Owned by NextEra Energy (largest renewable energy company in the world).

4Change Energy

Budget-focused provider that donates portion of bills to charity. Simple plans with transparent pricing.

Frontier Utilities

Flexible terms including month-to-month options. Good for renters and people who move frequently.

Cirro Energy

Budget-friendly with straightforward fixed-rate plans. Part of NRG Energy (same parent as Reliant, but cheaper).

Remember: Your electricity delivery comes from your local TDU (Oncor, CenterPoint, etc.) regardless of which provider you choose. The lights stay on the same whether you're with TXU, Reliant, or a budget provider. The only difference is price and customer service quality.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is TXU or Reliant cheaper?

Neither TXU nor Reliant offers the cheapest electricity rates in Texas. Both are premium brands that charge 15-25% more than budget providers like Gexa Energy or 4Change Energy. You're paying for brand recognition, customer service, and plan variety—not the lowest price. For the cheapest rates, compare smaller providers on ElectricRates.org.

Is TXU the same company as Reliant?

No, TXU Energy and Reliant Energy are separate companies owned by different parent corporations. TXU is owned by Vistra Corp (formerly Luminant), while Reliant is owned by NRG Energy. They compete in the same Texas deregulated electricity market and often have similar pricing strategies, but they are distinct companies with different plans, rewards programs, and customer service operations.

Who has better customer service, TXU or Reliant?

Both TXU Energy and Reliant Energy consistently rank in the top tier for Texas electricity customer service based on J.D. Power surveys. TXU has a slight edge in overall satisfaction scores and offers 24/7 phone support. Reliant excels in their rewards program (Reliant Rewards) and mobile app experience. Both have physical payment locations throughout Texas, which smaller providers lack.

Is TXU Energy a good company?

TXU Energy is a legitimate, established Texas electricity company founded in 1882 (originally Dallas Power & Light). They have solid customer service, 24/7 support, and extensive plan options. However, they're not the cheapest option—their rates typically run 15-20% higher than budget providers. TXU is a good choice if you value customer service and brand reliability over finding the absolute lowest price.

Is Reliant a good electricity company?

Reliant Energy is a reputable Texas electricity provider owned by NRG Energy with over 1.5 million customers. They offer strong customer service, a good rewards program, and extensive plan options. However, like TXU, their rates run higher than budget providers—you're paying for the brand name. Reliant is a solid choice for customers who prioritize service over savings.

Which is better for Free Nights and Weekends: TXU or Reliant?

Both offer Free Nights and Weekends plans, but with different structures. TXU's "Free Nights" runs 8pm-5am with higher daytime rates (often 18-22¢/kWh). Reliant's "Truly Free Weekends" offers free electricity Saturday-Sunday with competitive weekday rates. The better choice depends on your usage patterns—night owls may prefer TXU, while weekend users should choose Reliant. Check your SmartMeterTexas.com data to see which matches your actual usage.

Are there cheaper alternatives to TXU and Reliant?

Yes. Multiple Texas electricity providers offer rates 15-25% lower than TXU and Reliant. Gexa Energy, 4Change Energy, Cirro Energy, and Frontier Utilities regularly undercut the big brands. Your electricity delivery comes from your local TDU (Oncor, CenterPoint, etc.) regardless of provider, so reliability is the same. The main trade-off is customer service—smaller providers often have limited support hours.

Can I switch from TXU to Reliant without penalty?

You can switch from TXU to Reliant (or any provider) at any time without penalty IF your contract has ended or you're on a month-to-month plan. If you're still under contract, TXU may charge an early termination fee of $150-$400. Check your current contract terms before switching. Many providers allow penalty-free switching near contract end—check your EFL for exact terms. Per PUCT §25.474, you also have 3 business days to cancel any new enrollment.

What is TXU Energy's average electricity rate?

TXU Energy's average all-in rates typically range from 12-15¢/kWh for fixed plans—above the Texas competitive average of 10-12¢/kWh. Their advertised rates often exclude delivery fees, so always check the Electricity Facts Label (EFL) for the true all-in cost. Promotional rates may be lower initially but increase after the first year.

What is Reliant Energy's average electricity rate?

Reliant Energy's average all-in rates typically range from 12-15¢/kWh for fixed plans—similar to TXU and above the competitive Texas average. Reliant's "really low" advertised rates often have usage minimums or bill credits that only apply at certain consumption levels. Read the EFL carefully to understand your actual cost at your usage level.

Related Texas Electricity Guides

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How We Ensure Accuracy

Since 2009, the team at ElectricRates.org has helped over 5 million energy consumers find better electricity rates. Supplier information comes from state regulators, company filings, and documented customer feedback. Read the editorial standards & see our methodology.

Comparison verified: January 3, 2026

TXU vs Reliant: The Honest Comparison