about $163/mo
Payless Power
See plan →Prepaid Electricity in Texas
Prepaid electricity in Texas lets you pay before you use power, with no security deposit and no monthly bill. Under PUCT rules, the starting balance for a home is capped at $75, plus any utility fees. You need a smart meter, and you top up your balance as you go.
Today's top picks
Monthly estimate = the plan's average price at 1,000 kWh × 1,000 kWh, a typical month for a Texas home. Your bill depends on your usage. All picks are plans with a 12-month or longer term, without usage bill credits or time-of-use pricing; shorter plans are in the full tables.
Compare prepaid electricity plans
Enter your ZIP code to see the prepaid plans in your utility area. Each plan links to its Electricity Facts Label (EFL) and Prepaid Disclosure Statement (PDS), the two documents that show the real price and fees.
Disclosure: Texas Power Picks may earn a commission if you sign up through some links on this site, at no extra cost to you. It does not change how plans are listed: tables are sorted by price from the Power to Choose data. How we make money.
How to read this table:
- ¢/kWh
- average price per kilowatt-hour, including delivery charges, at 500, 1,000 or 2,000 kWh of monthly use.
- Term
- contract length.
- EFL
- Electricity Facts Label, the official price sheet.
- PDS
- Prepaid Disclosure Statement (prepaid plans only).
| Provider / Plan | Utility area | ¢/kWh @500 | ¢/kWh @1000 | ¢/kWh @2000 | Term | Type | Facts label | Enroll | Last updated | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pronto Power Power To Choose | CenterPoint (Houston area) | 17.6 | 15.9 | 15.1 | Month-to-month | Prepaid, Variable | EFL · PDS | Provider site | Power to Choose export, fetched 2026-10-15 | |
| Payless Power PTC 6 Month - Prepaid | AEP Texas Central (Corpus Christi, RGV) | 16.3 | 16.0 | 15.9 | 6 mo | Prepaid, Fixed | EFL · PDS | Provider site | Power to Choose export, fetched 2026-10-15 | |
| Payless Power PTC 12 Month - Prepaid | AEP Texas Central (Corpus Christi, RGV) | 16.6 | 16.3 | 16.2 | 12 mo | Prepaid, Fixed | EFL · PDS | Provider site | Power to Choose export, fetched 2026-10-15 | |
| Payless Power PTC 6 Month - Prepaid | AEP Texas North (Abilene, San Angelo) | 16.6 | 16.3 | 16.1 | 6 mo | Prepaid, Fixed | EFL · PDS | Provider site | Power to Choose export, fetched 2026-10-15 | |
| Pronto Power Power To Choose | AEP Texas Central (Corpus Christi, RGV) | 17.9 | 16.4 | 15.7 | 10 mo | Prepaid, Variable | EFL · PDS | Provider site | Power to Choose export, fetched 2026-10-15 | |
| Pronto Power Power To Choose | AEP Texas Central (Corpus Christi, RGV) | 17.9 | 16.4 | 15.7 | Month-to-month | Prepaid, Variable | EFL · PDS | Provider site | Power to Choose export, fetched 2026-10-15 | |
| Pronto Power Power To Choose | AEP Texas North (Abilene, San Angelo) | 17.9 | 16.4 | 15.7 | Month-to-month | Prepaid, Variable | EFL · PDS | Provider site | Power to Choose export, fetched 2026-10-15 | |
| Payless Power PTC 12 Month - Prepaid | AEP Texas North (Abilene, San Angelo) | 16.8 | 16.5 | 16.3 | 12 mo | Prepaid, Fixed | EFL · PDS | Provider site | Power to Choose export, fetched 2026-10-15 | |
| Payless Power PTC 6 Month - Prepaid | CenterPoint (Houston area) | 17.4 | 16.9 | 16.7 | 6 mo | Prepaid, Fixed | EFL · PDS | Provider site | Power to Choose export, fetched 2026-10-15 | |
| Pronto Power Power To Choose | Oncor (Dallas–Fort Worth) | 18.5 | 16.9 | 16.1 | Month-to-month | Prepaid, Variable | EFL · PDS | Provider site | Power to Choose export, fetched 2026-10-15 | |
| Payless Power PTC 6 Month - Prepaid | Oncor (Dallas–Fort Worth) | 17.6 | 17.2 | 17.0 | 6 mo | Prepaid, Fixed | EFL · PDS | Provider site | Power to Choose export, fetched 2026-10-15 | |
| Payless Power PTC 12 Month - Prepaid | CenterPoint (Houston area) | 17.8 | 17.3 | 17.1 | 12 mo | Prepaid, Fixed | EFL · PDS | Provider site | Power to Choose export, fetched 2026-10-15 | |
| Pronto Power Power To Choose | TNMP | 19.4 | 17.4 | 16.4 | Month-to-month | Prepaid, Variable | EFL · PDS | Provider site | Power to Choose export, fetched 2026-10-15 | |
| Pronto Power Power to Choose | TNMP | 19.4 | 17.4 | 16.4 | Month-to-month | Prepaid, Variable | EFL · PDS | Provider site | Power to Choose export, fetched 2026-10-15 | |
| Payless Power PTC 12 Month - Prepaid | Oncor (Dallas–Fort Worth) | 17.9 | 17.5 | 17.3 | 12 mo | Prepaid, Fixed | EFL · PDS | Provider site | Power to Choose export, fetched 2026-10-15 | |
| Pronto Power Pronto Saver One | AEP Texas North (Abilene, San Angelo) | 18.7 | 17.5 | 16.9 | Month-to-month | Prepaid, Variable | EFL · PDS | Provider site | Power to Choose export, fetched 2026-10-15 | |
| Pronto Power Pronto Saver One | AEP Texas Central (Corpus Christi, RGV) | 18.8 | 17.6 | 17.0 | Month-to-month | Prepaid, Variable | EFL · PDS | Provider site | Power to Choose export, fetched 2026-10-15 | |
| Pronto Power Pronto Saver One | AEP Texas Central (Corpus Christi, RGV) | 18.8 | 17.6 | 17.0 | 3 mo | Prepaid, Variable | EFL · PDS | Provider site | Power to Choose export, fetched 2026-10-15 | |
| Pronto Power Pronto Saver One | Oncor (Dallas–Fort Worth) | 19.1 | 17.9 | 17.3 | Month-to-month | Prepaid, Variable | EFL · PDS | Provider site | Power to Choose export, fetched 2026-10-15 | |
| Pronto Power Pronto Flex 30 | Oncor NTU | 18.7 | 18.4 | 18.2 | Month-to-month | Prepaid, Variable | EFL · PDS | Provider site | Power to Choose export, fetched 2026-10-15 | |
| Pronto Power Pronto Flex 30 | AEP Texas Central (Corpus Christi, RGV) | 18.9 | 18.6 | 18.4 | Month-to-month | Prepaid, Variable | EFL · PDS | Provider site | Power to Choose export, fetched 2026-10-15 | |
| Pronto Power Pronto Flex 30 | AEP Texas North (Abilene, San Angelo) | 18.9 | 18.6 | 18.4 | Month-to-month | Prepaid, Variable | EFL · PDS | Provider site | Power to Choose export, fetched 2026-10-15 | |
| Pronto Power Pronto Saver One | CenterPoint (Houston area) | 19.9 | 18.7 | 18.1 | Month-to-month | Prepaid, Variable | EFL · PDS | Provider site | Power to Choose export, fetched 2026-10-15 | |
| Payless Power PTC 6 Month - Prepaid | TNMP | 19.7 | 18.9 | 18.5 | 6 mo | Prepaid, Fixed | EFL · PDS | Provider site | Power to Choose export, fetched 2026-10-15 | |
| Pronto Power Pronto Flex 30 | CenterPoint (Houston area) | 19.2 | 18.9 | 18.7 | Month-to-month | Prepaid, Variable | EFL · PDS | Provider site | Power to Choose export, fetched 2026-10-15 | |
| Payless Power PTC 12 Month - Prepaid | TNMP | 20.0 | 19.2 | 18.8 | 12 mo | Prepaid, Fixed | EFL · PDS | Provider site | Power to Choose export, fetched 2026-10-15 | |
| Pronto Power Pronto Saver One | TNMP | 20.6 | 19.4 | 18.8 | Month-to-month | Prepaid, Variable | EFL · PDS | Provider site | Power to Choose export, fetched 2026-10-15 | |
| Pronto Power Pronto Flex 30 | TNMP | 20.5 | 20.2 | 20.0 | Month-to-month | Prepaid, Variable | EFL · PDS | Provider site | Power to Choose export, fetched 2026-10-15 |
How prepaid electricity works
You add money to your account, and the provider subtracts the cost of the electricity you use. Instead of a monthly bill, you get balance and usage updates by text, email, app or phone. When your balance gets low, you top up. If it falls below the plan's disconnection balance (no more than $10 for a home), service can be disconnected after a warning. R498
What you pay to start
- Connection balance: no more than $75 for a home. This is prepaid electricity, not a deposit. R498
- Utility (TDU) fees: the provider may collect these before connecting you, so your first payment can be higher than $75. R498
- No security deposit: Texas rules prohibit security deposits on prepaid service. R498
Is prepaid more expensive?
It can be. For a home, a prepaid plan's price cannot be higher than the Provider of Last Resort (POLR) price in your utility area at 500, 1,000 and 2,000 kWh. That is a ceiling, not a promise of a good deal. R498 Compare the price at your own monthly usage in the table above, and check every fee on the PDS.
How to sign up for prepaid electricity
- Check that your address has retail choice and a smart meter. Prepaid service needs an advanced meter. R498
- Compare plans above and open the EFL and PDS.
- Enroll with the provider and give a phone number or email for balance alerts.
- Fund your account with the connection balance plus any utility fees.
- Get connected. Some providers offer same-day service Monday through Saturday if you enroll and pay before their evening cutoff. Timing depends on your utility. DEPP
Your rights on prepaid service
- A low-balance warning at least 1 day and no more than 7 days before you are expected to hit the disconnection balance. R498
- No disconnection for low balance on weekend days, or during an extreme weather emergency in your county. R498
- Balance notices in English or Spanish, your choice. R498
- Your current balance is available anytime online, by phone or in-home device, or within two hours of asking. R498
- Unused money is refunded within 10 business days after your final bill and meter read. R498
- No fee to switch to a postpaid plan or another provider (an early termination fee may still apply). R498
- Prepaid is not available to critical care or chronic condition residential customers. R498
- Some energy assistance agencies may not help with prepaid accounts. R498
Prepaid vs. a no-deposit postpaid plan
If you qualify for a deposit waiver on a regular monthly-bill plan, for example because you are 65 or older and current on electric bills, a postpaid plan may give you more plan choices. R478 See No deposit electricity in Texas.
Frequently asked questions
What is prepaid electricity?
It is a payment option where you pay for electricity before you use it. You keep a balance on your account, receive balance alerts instead of a monthly bill, and add money when you need to. Texas rules prohibit a security deposit on prepaid service.
How much does it cost to start prepaid electricity in Texas?
The connection balance for a home is capped at $75 by PUCT rule. The provider may also collect utility fees before service starts. The exact amount is listed on the plan's Prepaid Disclosure Statement.
What happens if my balance runs out?
You must get a warning 1 to 7 days before your balance is expected to reach the disconnection balance, which cannot exceed $10 for a home. Providers cannot start a low-balance disconnection on a weekend day or during an extreme weather emergency.
Can I switch away from prepaid?
Yes. Providers cannot charge a fee for switching you to postpaid or to another provider, although an early termination fee in your contract may still apply. Any unused balance must be refunded.
Do I need a smart meter?
Yes. Prepaid service relies on an advanced (smart) meter, which most homes in deregulated Texas already have. The provider checks this when you enroll.
Sources (accessed )
- [R498] 16 TAC §25.498 Prepaid Service (PUCT), Cornell LII, last amended eff. 1/6/2022: https://www.law.cornell.edu/regulations/texas/16-Tex-Admin-Code-SS-25-498
- [R478] 16 TAC §25.478 Credit Requirements and Deposits (PUCT), Cornell LII, last amended eff. 5/13/2018: https://www.law.cornell.edu/regulations/texas/16-Tex-Admin-Code-SS-25-478
- [DE] Direct Energy TX prepaid page (same-day Mon–Sat with smart meter; 6 p.m. CT move-in cutoff): https://www.directenergy.com/en/residential/energy/electricity-plans/prepaid
- [PP] Payless Power (same-day Mon–Sat if funded before 6 p.m.): https://paylesspower.com/es/como-obtener-electricidad-sin-numero-de-seguro-social-en-texas/