Power to Choose is the official electricity comparison website run by the Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUCT). It was created to help Texans in deregulated areas shop for electricity plans by listing options from different providers in one place.
Electricity is deregulated in many areas of Texas, meaning you can choose your electricity provider instead of being locked into a single utility. Retail electric providers (REPs) compete for your business by offering different plans with varying rates, contract terms, and features. Power to Choose was created to help you compare these plans side by side. You can filter by things like contract length, renewable energy content, or price per kilowatt-hour.
But here’s the catch: not all plans are as straightforward as they look. Many include teaser rates that only apply to specific usage levels or hide extra fees in the fine print. Without knowing what to look for, it’s easy to choose a plan that ends up costing more than you expected.
Businesses also have the Power to Choose when shopping for electricity, but the platform wasn’t built with commercial needs in mind. It lists non-residential providers, how to contact them, and the business sizes they serve, but it doesn’t provide any plan details or allow businesses to enroll directly through the website.
If you’ve used Power to Choose, you know it can be overwhelming. Long lists of plans, confusing rate structures, and limited support can make it hard to feel confident about your decision. Power Wizard was built to make that process easier. Here’s what makes Power Wizard a better way to shop:
Texans don’t all use electricity the same way. A family in humid, coastal Corpus Christi might blast the A/C year-round, while a household in landlocked Fort Worth could see big usage spikes in the summer and winter. That’s why electricity providers offer different plans to match various needs. Here’s a quick comparison to help you understand what’s out there and which type might work best for you.
| Plan Type | How it Works | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Fixed-Rate | You lock in a set rate per kilowatt-hour for the duration of your contract. | Budget-conscious residents who want price stability. |
| Variable-Rate | Rates can change based on a method determined by the REP, for example market conditions like peak summer temperatures. | Residents who are unsure of their long-term energy needs and need flexibility. |
| Time-of-Use | Rates vary depending on when you use electricity, with higher rates during peak hours. | Residents who can shift energy usage to off-peak times. |
| Prepaid | Pay in advance for electricity and have your usage deducted from your account balance daily. | Residents who want to avoid credit checks and upfront deposits, prefer more control over their energy spending, or live in short-term housing. |
| Green Energy | Plans offering various percentages of renewable energy including sources like wind, solar, natural gas, and others. | Residents who want to support clean energy initiatives without changing how they use power. |
| Company | What they offer: |
|---|---|
| Chariot Energy | Chariot supports solar power plants and is known for their 100% renewable energy plans at great rates. |
| 4Change Energy | 4Change Energy offers a great referral program and is known for charitable giving in Texas. |
| Veteran Energy | Veteran Energy is known for competitive rates and aiding Veteran Support organizations. |
| Express Energy | Express Energy offers competitive, transparent pricing with no hidden fees or long-term contracts. |
| Rhythm | Rhythm provides exceptional service and user-friendly technology with 100% renewable energy plans. |
| Payless Power | Payless Power offers affordable power and is known for prepaid electricity plans with no deposit. |
| APG&E | APG&E carries a wide range of energy plans with award-winning customer service. |
| TXU Energy | A leading REP known for their commitment to customer satisfaction and innovative energy solutions. |
| Frontier Utilities | Frontier is known for simple, low-rate plans and a 60-day happiness guarantee! |
| TriEagle Energy | Competitive electricity rates and straightforward, easy-to-understand plans. |
| Reliant | Tailored electricity plans with a strong emphasis on customer service and active involvement in community initiatives. |
| Direct Energy | One of the largest REPs in North America, offering more than just electricity plans, like home services such as HVAC, plumbing, and more. |
| Discount Power | Discount Power focuses on offering no-frills energy with transparency in pricing and easy switching. |
| Cirro Energy | Customer-centric approach, providing reliable energy service with a focus on simplicity and convenience. |
| Green Mountain Energy | Providing electricity sourced from renewable resources such as wind, solar, and hydroelectric power to promote environmental conservation. |
| CleanSky Energy | CleanSky offers both 100% renewable electricity from wind and solar or 100% carbon-neutral electricity. |
| Gexa Energy | Gexa offers competitive, sustainable energy plans and exceptional customer service. |
| BKV Energy | BKV Energy offers simple fixed-rate plans along with loyalty rewards and annual customer payouts tied to their profits. |
Finding the right electricity plan for your home starts with knowing how much energy you use. You can check your past electric bills to get a clear idea of your typical usage. From there, use Power Wizard to compare key details side by side: price per kWh, term length, contract type, and provider reviews to find the best rates and plan. Here’s how it works:
Power to Choose is a website run by the Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUCT) that lists electricity plans from various retail electric providers in Texas. It’s designed to help Texans compare their options in deregulated areas, but it can be tricky to use because it offers limited filtering and little guidance. It’s a useful tool, but it’s not always the easiest or fastest way to shop for electricity.
No. Power Wizard is an independent company and isn’t affiliated with Power to Choose or the Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUCT). Our goal is to simplify electricity shopping and give customers a one-stop shop to compare and select a plan.
Absolutely! If you’re nearing the end of your contract or just want to see if there’s a better deal, Power Wizard can show you available plans and help you make the switch, even if you got your current plan from Power to Choose. Some plans may have early termination fees (ETFs), but at the right time, paying an ETF on your current plan to get a lower rate may be worth it.
No, you can’t switch electricity providers directly through Power to Choose. Once you find a plan you like, you’ll need to leave the site and go to the provider’s website to complete your enrollment. This can add a few extra steps.
Some plans on Power to Choose may look cheaper upfront, but include hidden fees, tiered pricing, or usage-based rate changes that can raise your bill. Always review the Electricity Facts Label (EFL) carefully for rates at different kWh usages, base charges, and usage thresholds that could impact your total cost.
Power to Choose lists hundreds of electricity plans, and many providers design their pricing to look competitive at the standard usage levels shown on the site. That’s why you’ll often see multiple plans with nearly identical average rates. The key differences—like fees, rate structures, and contract terms—are usually buried in the fine print, which means it’s up to you to compare Electricity Facts Labels (EFLs) closely.
