The best electricity providers bring more than the lowest rates. They offer a customer-first experience, combining a proven track record of delivering the best energy products with stellar customer service. On top of this, the best provider for you may have a mission that aligns with your values or supports causes you care about.
In today’s crowded market, finding the provider that checks these boxes can be difficult. That’s why ElectricityRates.com created this list of the Best Electricity Providers of January 2022. Our Provider Score rating system brings you comprehensive scores you can use to identify the perfect electricity provider for you.
Provider Score™ Summary
| Provider | Provider Score | Energy Options | Service Areas |
|---|---|---|---|
| Constellation | CT, GA, IL, OH, MA, MD, NJ, PA, TX | ||
| TriEagle Energy | TX | ||
| Direct Energy | CT, IL, MA, MD, NH, NJ, NY, OH, PA, TX, DC | ||
| TXU Energy | TX | ||
| Reliant Energy | TX | ||
| Tomorrow Energy | PA, NJ, MD, OH, TX | ||
| Green Mountain Energy | IL, MA, MD, NJ, NY, OR, PA & TX | ||
| 4Change Energy | TX | ||
| Cirro Energy | TX | ||
| Spark Energy | CT, IL, MA, NJ, NY, PA & TX | ||
| Rhythm | TX | ||
| Octopus Energy | TX | ||
| Verde Energy | CT, MA, NJ, NY, OH, PA, DC | ||
| Payless Power | TX | ||
| Energy Harbor | IL, MD, OH, PA | ||
| Frontier Utilities | TX, NJ, PA & OH | ||
| Public Power | CT, IL, MD, MA, NY, OH, PA, RI, DC | ||
| Major Energy | NY, NJ, PA, CT, MA, IL, OH, MD | ||
| Pulse Power | TX | ||
| Discount Power | TX | ||
| New Power Texas | TX | ||
| Varsity Energy | TX |
- Electricity Plans
- Natural Gas Plans
- 100% Renewable Plans
- Business Electricity
- Smart Home Bundles
Provider Score™ Rating System Overview
ElectricityRates.com’s Provider Score rating system takes dozens of important data points to bring you comprehensive ratings of leading electricity providers in the US. Rating categories include the following:
Product Offering & Innovation
This category is all about the plans that a provider offers and how those plans fit your needs. It considers whether the provider has renewable energy plans, unique product bundles or other innovative offerings. It also looks at the cost and leniency of the provider’s early termination fees.
Accessibility & Support
When you have a problem, you want it solved quickly and easily. The accessibility and support category examines the provider’s customer support options, including whether the provider has online bill pay, online chat and a 24/7 customer service phone number.
Business History & Community Outreach
This category analyzes the provider’s business reputation and values. It looks at how long the company has been in business, its accreditation by the Better Business Bureau (BBB) and the work it does to positively impact the communities it serves.
Customer Reviews
The customer reviews category allows us to get a full overview of the customer reviews a provider receives. It does this by analyzing reviews from multiple sources including Google, Yelp, BBB and more.
Best Electricity Providers of January 2022
Best Electricity Provider: Constellation
Constellation
Constellation
Provider Score
Service Areas
CT, GA, IL, OH, MA, MD, NJ, PA, TXProvider Bio
Constellation is a leading competitive energy company serving 2 million residential and business customers across the United States. They specialize in integrated energy solutions from electricity, natural gas and renewable energy supply to energy efficiency and distributed energy solutions.
For the second year in a row, Constellation has earned the highest Provider Score and takes the top spot as the Best Electricity Provider.
Why Constellation?
- Flexible plans that fit practically any need, including 100% renewable, smart-home and A/C protection plans
- Excellent customer service and accessibility via online chat
- 20+ years of experience serving millions of residential and business customers
- Outstanding community work through Habitat for Humanity, E2 Energy grants and more
Best Renewable Electricity Provider: Tomorrow Energy
Tomorrow Energy
Tomorrow Energy
Provider Score
Service Areas
PA, NJ, MD, OH, TXProvider Bio
Tomorrow Energy is a retail electricity and natural gas supplier with a mission of creating a positive impact in the world by giving customers more clean Energy Choices. Their electricity plans are backed by 100% National Wind Renewable Energy Certificates. All natural gas plans are backed by 100% carbon offsets.
The Best Renewable Electricity Provider is Tomorrow Energy.
Why Tomorrow Energy?
- Affordable renewable energy plans for those that want to go green on a budget
- Partnership with the Arbor Day Foundation, helping plant 200,000+ trees in the US
- Low early termination fees and great customer service
Most Charitable Electricity Provider: 4Change Energy
4Change Energy
4Change Energy
Provider Score
Service Areas
TXProvider Bio
Founded in 2012, 4Change Energy is a steward in their local Texas community and offers simple, affordable electricity plans. Their mission supports several charities including American Red Cross, the American Cancer Society, Feeding Texas, and Heroes for Children.
With charitable donations ingrained in its core mission, 4Change Energy took the top spot for the Most Charitable Electricity Provider:
Why 4Change?
- 4Change donates 4% of its profits to charitable organizations
- Charities 4Change supports include the American Cancer Society, Heroes For Children, the American Red Cross and Feeding Texas.
- A solid selection of plans, including plans with renewable energy.
Electricity Provider with the Best Customer Reviews: Direct Energy
Direct Energy
Direct Energy
Provider Score
Service Areas
CT, IL, MA, MD, NH, NJ, NY, OH, PA, TX, DCProvider Bio
Serving nearly 4 million residential customers, Direct Energy is one of the largest electricity, natural gas and home services providers in North America. They are also one of the largest commercial and industrial electricity with over 240,000 business electricity customers.
Serving millions over its 2 decades in business, Direct Energy is the provider with the Best Customer Reviews.
Why Direct Energy?
- Over 1,500 reviews across multiple sites including Google, Consumer Affairs and more
- Glowing customer reviews attest to Direct Energy’s superb customer service.
- A dedication to addressing negative customer feedback to help them solve their problem
- 5/5 PUCT Complaint Score, indicating a low rate of complaints
Most Innovative Electricity Provider: Octopus Energy
Octopus Energy
Octopus Energy
Provider Score
Service Areas
TXProvider Bio
Ranked as the Most Innovative Electricity Provider, Octopus Energy is a renewable electric provider looking to revolutionize retail energy. Its technologies are already bringing more affordable electricity to 17 million homes throughout the world, with plans to do the same in Texas.
Founded in 2015, Octopus Energy has earned its reputation as a disrupter and takes the spot as the Most Innovative Electricity Provider.
Why Octopus?
- Groundbreaking energy products, including the Powerloop, Octopus Go and Agile Octopus
- A recent entrant into the Texas electricity market that’s bringing innovative products to the US.
2022 Featured Electricity Providers
Even though a provider didn’t win a category doesn’t mean it is not worth checking out. Many of the following providers are industry leaders that provide competitive rates, great customer service and more.
TriEagle Energy
TriEagle Energy
Provider Score
Service Areas
TXProvider Bio
TriEagle Energy has been a well-respected leader in the Texas retail energy industry for close to 20 years. Their focus is delivering value through energy cost savings, instilling trust by understanding the energy needs of its customers and providing customized solutions and products.
TXU Energy
TXU Energy
Provider Score
Service Areas
TXProvider Bio
TXU Energy, a Vistra Energy company, is a leading Texas electricity company serving more than two million residents and businesses across the Lone Star State. Their history can be traced back to 1882 when Dallas Electric Lighting Company first brought electricity to North Texas.
Reliant Energy
Reliant Energy
Provider Score
Service Areas
TXProvider Bio
Reliant Energy is one of the largest electricity providers in the state of Texas. Its plan selection includes a plethora of fixed-rate plans, including some options for renewable energy. Supporting the communities it serves, Reliant has also donated millions of dollars to over 150 community programs across Texas.
Green Mountain Energy
Green Mountain Energy
Provider Score
Service Areas
IL, MA, MD, NJ, NY, OR, PA & TXProvider Bio
Green Mountain Energy is the oldest renewable retail electricity provider. Since its founding in 1997, Green Mountain Energy has expanded into seven electricity markets, with its customers avoiding nearly 100 billion pounds of carbon emissions through its renewable energy plans and services.
Cirro Energy
Cirro Energy
Provider Score
Service Areas
TXProvider Bio
Founded in 2001, Cirro Energy is an electricity provider in Texas that offers a wide variety of fixed-rate plans, including some with unique bundles and incentives. Cirro is known for these plans and its excellent customer service.
Spark Energy
Spark Energy
Provider Score
Service Areas
CT, IL, MA, NJ, NY, PA & TXProvider Bio
Spark Energy was found in 1999 in Houston, Texas and was an early pioneer in the retail energy market. Spark Energy prides itself on 3 specialties that set them apart from the rest: energy savings knowledge, customer service and community support.
Rhythm
Rhythm
Provider Score
Service Areas
TXProvider Bio
Rhythm is a Texas electricity provider that provides renewable energy plans sourced from Texas wind farms. The company prides itself on its selection of plans with straightforward pricing and no hidden fees or gimmicks.
Verde Energy
Verde Energy
Provider Score
Service Areas
CT, MA, NJ, NY, OH, PA, DCProvider Bio
Verde Energy USA was founded to help residents and businesses take advantage of the savings associated with state energy deregulation and the choice it provides. They are also committed to helping Americans move toward a more environmentally sound and economically sustainable renewable energy infrastructure.
Payless Power
Payless Power
Provider Score
Service Areas
TXProvider Bio
Founded in 2005, Payless Power is a Texas electricity provider that sells prepaid electricity plans. Payless Power plans don’t require a security deposit for enrollment, making them a solid option for those that want to avoid them.
Energy Harbor
Energy Harbor
Provider Score
Service Areas
IL, MD, OH, PAProvider Bio
Energy Harbor is a retail energy provider specializing in providing clean, carbon-free energy for residents and businesses. They’re headquartered in Akron, Ohio and serve nearly one-million customers across Ohio, West Virginia and Pennsylvania. Safety, reliability and sustainability are outlined as Energy Harbor’s core values.
Frontier Utilities
Frontier Utilities
Provider Score
Service Areas
TX, NJ, PA & OHProvider Bio
Headquartered in Houston, Texas, Frontier Utilities has been providing affordable energy plans to its customers for over a decade. Frontier’s mission is to create superior value and service for its customers, employees, communities and investors through the sale and supply of energy and related services.
Public Power
Public Power
Provider Score
Service Areas
CT, IL, MD, MA, NY, OH, PA, RI, DCProvider Bio
Public Power is a retail energy provider that serves states throughout the Northeast and Midwest. Since 2008, they have served over one million homes and businesses. They pride themselves on offering competitive, and straight-forward energy plans with hassle-free customer service.
Major Energy
Major Energy
Provider Score
Service Areas
NY, NJ, PA, CT, MA, IL, OH, MDProvider Bio
Major Energy is an electricity company based out of Houston that serves deregulated electricity and natural gas markets throughout the Northeast and Midwest. Major Energy offers multiple fixed-rate electricity plans, and also provides the ability to manage your account online.
Pulse Power
Pulse Power
Provider Score
Service Areas
TXProvider Bio
Pulse Power is a company powered by Texans, for Texans. Their commitment is to provide convenient, affordable, and hassle-free electricity plans that fit you and your lifestyle. Pulse Power offers the following types of rates in terms ranging from 12-36 months.
Discount Power
Discount Power
Provider Score
Service Areas
TXProvider Bio
Discount Power is an electricity provider based in Houston, TX with a solid selection of fixed-rate plans and great customer reviews.
New Power Texas
New Power Texas
Provider Score
Service Areas
TXProvider Bio
New Power Texas is an electricity provider that entered the Texas electricity market in 2018. Its plan selection includes multiple fixed-rate plans, with each featuring advanced customization options.
Varsity Energy
Varsity Energy
Provider Score
Service Areas
TXProvider Bio
Varsity Energy is an electricity provider in Texas that offers straightforward fixed rate-electricity plans and fantastic customer service.
How Do You Find the Best Electricity Provider?
For many, the provider that offers the lowest cost plan is the best. But while this is undoubtedly important, there are other factors you should consider.
- Plan Length – How long a provider will let you lock in a fixed-rate electricity plan to protect you from market fluctuations and rate hikes.
- Electricity Supply Rate – How much you pay for electricity supply from your provider. You can find your current electricity supply rate on your bill.
- Renewable Energy – Consider whether you want a renewable energy plan that allows you to directly support clean energy.
- Special Offers – Take a look to see if there are any special offers that fit your needs.
- Terms & Conditions – It’s important to consider any other fees or terms that you should know about.
- Provider Score – As we stated earlier, a company’s Provider Score will give you a solid overall rating you can use when comparing providers.
Lastly, you don’t want to forget about provider reputation. While most providers are reputable, others will hide behind hidden fees and gimmicks that can cost you more down the road. That’s why we vet providers on ElectricityRates.com prior to featuring them. This means when you enter your ZIP Code above you’ll only see the best of the best.
How do Retail Electricity Providers Work?
To understand how retail electricity providers work, it’s important to distinguish between electricity providers and utility providers.
- Utility Providers – These companies are in charge of delivering electricity to your home. You cannot switch utilities, as each utility has a designated service area. The utility provider you have will depend on what utility serves your location.
- Retail Electricity Providers (aka Electricity Suppliers) – Electricity providers supply the electricity you use. In states with Energy Choice, you have the option to switch electricity providers.
In almost every state, your utility provider is also your electricity provider by default. You have the option to switch electricity providers if you live in a state with Energy Choice.
Texas is the only state where this is not the case. In Texas, you must choose your electricity provider because most utilities don’t supply electricity.
On your electric bill, any charges under “distribution” or “delivery” go to your utility provider. Charges under “supply” or “generation” go to your electricity provider. Distribution/delivery charges are set by your state Public Utilities Commission (PUC), and they will not change after switching electricity providers.
Best Electricity Companies By State
FAQs About Electricity Suppliers
- What is the best electricity provider?
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Constellation earned the highest Provider Score, and therefore, is ElectricityRates.com’s Best Electricity Provider. It earned this high score thanks to its wide selection of plans, fantastic customer service and generous community initiatives. However, it’s important to note that the best electricity provider for you could vary based on your needs.
- How do I compare electricity providers?
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The best way to compare electricity providers is by using an electricity shopping platform like ElectricityRates.com. This allows you to compare multiple providers and plans in your area. Plus, ElectricityRates.com only works with the best providers in the industry, so you can feel confident when you switch.
- How do I choose an electricity provider?
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First, look at the provider’s plan selection to determine whether it offers the rate and plan type you want. After that, you can consider the provider’s reputation, mission and community involvement. You can also use the provider’s Provider Score rating—which considers all these important factors—to find the best provider for you.
- Which provider offers the cheapest electricity rates?
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The provider that offers the cheapest electricity rates will differ based on your area and the time you sign up for a plan.