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Reliant Energy and Direct Energy are two well-known electricity providers serving energy customers in Texas. Based on the Choose Texas Power rating methodology, Reliant scores 4.1 out of 5, while Direct Energy’s overall score is slightly lower, at 3.7 out of 5. Keep reading to compare Direct Energy vs. Reliant Energy reviews.
Our electricity provider reviews are based on customer service, online accessibility, and plan option variety. While Reliant scored higher for customer service, Direct Energy has more plan options. Both companies score a 5 out of 5 for online accessibility. The following sections break down each category.
When you have trouble with your energy bill or questions about your service, steadfast customer service eases the process. When evaluating customer service, we compare each company’s Power to Choose complaint score, Google reviews, satisfaction guarantee, service options, and years in business. Reliant’s score was higher overall for customer service, with a 4.9 out of 5 rating, while Direct Energy scored a 3 out of 5.
The factor that impacted Direct Energy’s score the most was the lack of a satisfaction guarantee or the option to change your plan after enrollment. However, Reliant Energy has a 90-day satisfaction guarantee, which means you can switch to another Reliant plan without paying a fee if you are unsatisfied with your choice within 90 days of enrollment.
A simple online platform has everything you need to understand your usage and pay your energy bills online. We rank providers higher if they have online bill payment options, access to energy alerts or trends, and transparent pricing. Reliant Energy and Direct Energy scored a 5 out of 5 for this category.
Direct Energy has a mobile app and online account manager to check your energy usage, pay bills, and renew your plan. Instead of keeping up with paper documents, you can search for information about your plan online or on your phone.
Similarly, Reliant Energy has a mobile app and online payment portal. On Reliant’s mobile app, you can compare usage trends and get notifications if your usage spikes, pay your bill, or reload your balance for a prepaid plan in the app. Reliant’s app also allows customers to schedule their EV charging, track solar panel production, and get an energy efficiency score for their homes. Reliant’s features may provide more benefits and help with energy management if you have an EV or solar panels.
When reviewing plan options, we consider contract lengths, renewable plan availability, service areas, and plan type variety. Overall, Direct Energy and Reliant Energy do not offer the best plan selections. In our review of plan options, Direct Energy scored a 3, while Reliant scored a 2.3 out of 5.
Most of the available options are fixed-rate plans for 12 or 24 months with varying benefits. For example, Reliant Energy’s Power Savings 24 plan is a two-year plan with a $50 bill credit each month you use at least 1,000 kilowatt-hours (kWh) of power. While all energy plans in Texas include a percentage of green energy sources, Direct Energy offers a 100% renewable plan. In contrast, many Reliant Energy plans are 24% renewable, which is below the state average.
Electricity prices in Texas vary by location and plan type. The best way to compare the cost of Reliant vs. Direct Energy plans is by entering your ZIP code on this page and filtering the results to display options from Direct Energy and Reliant. When you sort the results from low to high, the least expensive provider and plan are at the top of the page. At the time of writing, Reliant Energy has the cheapest electricity rate in Texas for both 12- and 24-month plans.
Knowing your usage can help determine the best plan for you. For example, Reliant Energy’s Conservation Plan 24 offers a discounted energy charge for usage below 1,000 kWh. If you use less than 1,000 on average, you may save money with this plan instead of the lowest rate plan. The following table compares the average monthly bill estimate for 1,000 kWh usage and additional plan details for each provider. Monthly bill estimates are subject to change based on fluctuations in market rates.
Plan |
Contract length |
Monthly bill estimate |
Additional details |
| Reliant Energy Power Savings 12 | 12 months | $148 | Receive a $50 bill credit each month usage is at least 1,000 kWh. |
| Direct Energy Live Brighter 12 | 12 months | $214 | Discounted energy charge for usage below 1,000 kWh. |
| Reliant Energy Power Savings 24 | 24 months | $138 | Receive a $50 bill credit each month usage is at least 1,000 kWh. |
| Direct Energy Live Brighter Lite 24 | 24 months | $154 | Discounted energy charge for usage below 1,000 kWh. |
*Based on 77494 ZIP code at the time of writing.
Choose Texas Power makes picking your Texas energy provider simple. With our free marketplace, you can compare and sign up for an energy plan all in one place. Use the following steps to narrow energy options based on your preferences for provider, contract length, and price.
Based on our review, Reliant Energy scores higher than Direct Energy overall, especially for customer service and lower rates. While Direct Energy provides more plan options, like its 100% renewable plan, Reliant’s high-quality customer service may make it a better choice for some customers.
The best energy company for you depends on your preferences and what’s available in your area. If customer service is the most important aspect to you, choose Reliant. If you prefer a 100% renewable energy plan, sign up with Direct Energy. However, you may want to consider other providers, like TXU Energy, if you prefer a no-deposit plan, lower rates, or longer contract lengths.
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