How does Payless Power score?
As of October 14, 2026, Payless Power earns 60 out of 100, a Fair rating. It gets full marks from the BBB, and its contract has no forced arbitration. It loses the most points on complaints, where the PUCT puts it in the bottom group.
- October 14, 2026: 60 at launch.
- May 16, 2034 (scheduled): up 8 points as the 2024 penalty leaves our 10-year window, if nothing else changes.
Prices get a fresh look every month. The score changes when the PUCT posts new complaint data or a penalty order, or when the BBB grade moves.
90–100 Excellent80–89 Very good70–79 Good60–69 FairUnder 60 Poor
Payless Power sits on top so it’s easy to find; the other 24 run from highest to lowest. It ranks 17th of the 25. All scores are out of 100, from public records, with one formula for every company.
The 10 older scores are as of October 13, 2026. APG&E, Discount Power and 4Change Energy are as of October 14, and the 7 we added October 16 are as of October 15. See every company we’ve scored, ranked side by side.
See the evidence behind every point
| Category | Points | Evidence |
|---|---|---|
| Complaints to the state | 5 / 25 | 1 of 5 on the PUCT complaint scorecard for March 1 to August 31, 2026 (the September 2026 release), the group with the highest complaint rate |
| BBB rating | 5 / 5 | A+ on the BBB profile for Payless Power in Fort Worth, which also lists the name Young Energy, LLC. Checked October 13, 2026. |
| Fines and penalties | 12 / 20 | One PUCT penalty in 10 years: $100,000, in an order filed May 16, 2024 (Docket 56246, −8). The $100,000 donation that came with it isn’t a penalty, so it doesn’t count. |
| Contract fairness | 12 / 20 | $199 cancel fee on its 12-month postpaid plan, per its fact label (3 of 5); no arbitration clause and no class-action waiver (4 of 4); three extra fees: $4.95 on payments under $75, $30 to reconnect and a $30 collection fee (1 of 4); a 12-month plan with one fixed energy rate and no credits (4 of 4); no free-cancel window past the 3 business days the law allows (0 of 3). From its October 4, 2026 fact labels and its Version 15 terms of service, the terms every Payless plan links on Power to Choose. |
| Price | 18 / 20 | Its simplest 12-month fixed plan, PTC 12 Month - Postpaid (the green row in the plans table), averages 15.0¢ in Dallas and 14.7¢ in Houston at 1,000 kWh. That’s 94% of EIA’s 15.88¢ Texas average for July 2026. |
| Time in business | 8 / 10 | Licensed April 25, 2005, more than 20 years ago (6); its terms let customers give to a bill payment help program (2); we found no published audited financials (0) |
Our “simple fixed” test asks for one flat energy rate, with no credits, tiers or time-of-day pricing. A flat daily or monthly fee is allowed. We score its 12-month postpaid plan, the same kind of plan we score for every company. Scored on its 12-month prepaid plan instead, price would earn 10 of 20, not 18. Full method: how we score.
Payless Power quick facts
Can Payless Power turn on my power the same day?
Yes: as of October 14, 2026, Payless Power offers same-day power Monday to Saturday if you pay before 6 p.m. That’s per its website. Pay later, on a Sunday or on a holiday, and your power comes on the next morning.
What can slow it down
To start, its website asks for $40, and all of it goes toward your power. Its Power to Choose listings ask for $75 instead. Texas caps this first payment, called a connection balance, at $75 for a home. After that, card payments must be at least $20. Its terms add a $4.95 fee to any payment under $75, unless you use autopay.
Comparing cut-off times? Our same-day electricity guide lines up several companies side by side. Moving soon? Here’s how to set up power at a new home, step by step.
Payless Power’s phone number
That’s the number on its website and its BBB file. Its terms of service and fact labels list another number, 1-888-963-9363, Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Payless Power sells you the power, but your utility owns the wires. So if the lights go out, call your utility:
Outage numbers as listed on Payless Power’s own outage page. More help: what to do when the power goes out.
How many complaints does Payless Power get?
The PUCT’s September 2026 scorecard rates Payless Power 1 of 5 on complaints, the group with the highest complaint rate. It covers March to August 2026 and adjusts for company size. From April 1 to September 30, 2026, the PUCT logged 45 complaints about Young Energy, Payless Power’s license holder.
45 complaints in six months. Shutoffs made up 42% of them, versus 18% of the 2,253 complaints about all Texas providers. Bars start at zero. The count covers every brand on Young Energy’s license and doesn’t adjust for size. From the PUCT’s Customer Complaint Statistics, read October 14, 2026.
The state counts complaints per 1,000 customers over six months. Then it sorts providers into five groups of about the same size. Five means the fewest complaints, and Payless Power is in group 1. This rating drives 25 of our 100 points.
The BBB grades Payless Power A+ and lists it as accredited since May 10, 2013. Its 11 customer reviews average 1.09 out of 5. the BBB says reviews aren’t used in its letter grade.
What does Payless Power charge in 2026?
Payless Power’s Dallas and Houston plans cost 11.1¢ to 17.5¢ per kWh at 1,000 kWh, as of October 14, 2026. Power to Choose lists five in each city. Its prepaid plans cost the most. Its postpaid plans send a monthly bill instead. All five have one fixed energy rate and no bill credits.
Fact-label averages from Power to Choose, October 14, 2026: Oncor prices for Dallas, CenterPoint for Houston. Delivery is in, and taxes are out. Tap a 1,000 kWh price to open that plan’s fact label. The green row is the plan behind our score.
The 3-month postpaid plan looks cheapest, but its price lasts only 3 months. After that, its terms move you to a month-to-month variable rate that can change at any time. Here’s how variable rates work. None of these plans uses a bill credit, so the 1,000 kWh price isn’t a trap. See why bill-credit plans can cost more.
Want to know if these prices are good? See what a fair rate per kWh is right now, or compare every company on Power to Choose. This week’s lowest prices are on our cheapest plans list.
What will Payless Power really cost at my usage?
As of October 14, 2026, Payless Power’s 12-month prepaid plan costs about $175 a month at 1,000 kWh in Dallas. Its 12-month postpaid plan costs $150. Pick your city, your usage and how you add money to see your own numbers.
Payless’s PTC 12 Month - Postpaid plan would charge about $150.00 for the same power. Prepaid adds about $25.00 a month.
Paying $75 or more at a time, or using autopay, skips the $4.95 fee its terms charge on smaller payments.
Every Payless plan at your usage, before payment feesAt 1,000 kWh, each plan costs what the 1,000 kWh column in the plans table shows.
At 1,000 kWh, PTC 12 Month - Prepaid costs about $194 more a year than the Texas average price of 15.88¢. Payless’s own PTC 12 Month - Postpaid plan would cost about $300 less a year. It may need a credit check or a deposit.
How it works: the tool reads each plan’s fact-label prices at 500, 1,000 and 2,000 kWh from the table above. It draws straight lines between them. Delivery is in, and taxes are out. Payment fees use the $4.95 fee its terms charge on each payment under $75. The Texas average is EIA’s 15.88¢ per kWh for July 2026. Nothing you pick is saved or sent anywhere.
Not sure of your usage? See what a normal Texas bill looks like.
Partner toolWe may earn a fee if you sign up. It never changes our scores.
Who is Payless Power best for?
- You can’t pay a deposit or pass a credit check
- You need power today and can pay before 6 p.m.
- You can pay $75 or more at a time, or use autopay
- You want a low $49 cancel fee on a 12-month plan
- You can pass a credit check, so postpaid is open to you
- You’d add $20 or $40 at a time and pay $4.95 each time
- You can’t check your balance every few days
- Money often runs short late in the month
What fees does Payless Power charge, and how do I cancel?
As of October 14, 2026, Payless Power’s terms charge $4.95 on any payment under $75. Reconnecting after a shutoff costs $30. Its cancel fees run from $49 on prepaid plans to $199 on its 12-month postpaid plan. You can cancel online in your account.
What happens when your balance runs low
- About 5 days of power leftPayless Power sends a low-balance notice each day until your balance runs out.
- Balance at $0Its terms say your balance must stay above $0. Below that, it can ask your utility to cut your service.
- Days it can’t cut you offState rules bar prepaid shutoffs on weekends and in extreme weather in your county. They also bar them when payment options are down. Your balance can dip below zero meanwhile.
- Getting power backPay enough to bring your balance above zero, up to $75. Its terms add a $30 reconnection fee, taken in small daily amounts. Payless must ask your utility to reconnect within 1 hour. Its FAQ says power is usually back within 2 hours.
- No arbitration clause or class-action waiver; Texas law governs
- Leftover money over $5 refunded within 10 business days of the final bill
- Free usage and payment summaries, by email or mail
- After the term, a month-to-month plan with no cancel fee
- Free cancellation only in the 3 business days the law allows, and not for move-ins
- After the term, a variable rate that can change at any time
- A $4.95 fee on each payment under $75, unless you use autopay
- Unclaimed balances of $5 or less may go to bill help after 90 days
How to cancel Payless Power
- Line up your next planPick a new company first. A switch moves your meter over with no gap in service. See how switching works.
- End service onlineUse the “End Service” page in your Payless Power account portal.
- Get your leftover moneyA balance over $5 goes back to your card or comes by check. Its terms say that happens within 10 business days of the final bill and meter reading.
Moving? Texas rules bar a cancel fee when you move out and give a forwarding address. Contract nearly up? Read what to do before it ends, and learn how a variable rate works.
Behind on your balance? Ask Payless Power about the bill payment help program in its terms. You can also call 211, or see where to get help paying your bill.
Keep readingSkip the deposit without paying prepaid pricesHas Payless Power been fined?
Yes: a May 16, 2024 PUCT order set a $100,000 penalty for Young Energy, LLC, which runs Payless Power. It’s the only state penalty we found in the last 10 years. Young Energy also agreed to give $100,000 to the City of Fort Worth’s Community Action Partners. That group helps people pay utility bills.
The order (Docket 56246) covers November 1, 2020, to September 1, 2022. In that time, it says, Young Energy authorized shutoffs for nonpayment for 1,819 customers in counties under extreme weather emergencies. The utilities didn’t carry out any of them.
The order also says Young Energy hadn’t filed a required readiness affidavit before authorizing shutoffs. It filed one on October 6, 2023. Young Energy neither admitted nor denied the violations.
The order lists fixes Young Energy made or promised. They include system upgrades to block shutoff requests during weather emergencies, with a company officer overseeing the process.
The same order mentions an earlier review. PUCT records from December 2020 show Young Energy authorized shutoffs for 3,134 customers in extreme-weather counties in 2018 and 2019. The order doesn’t say if any were carried out. That review ended with a warning letter, not a penalty.
- Payless Power’s business starts, according to its BBB file.
- Young Energy, LLC is licensed as a retail electric provider, certificate No. 10110.
- The BBB accredits Payless Power.
- Young Energy authorizes shutoffs for 1,819 customers in extreme-weather counties. The utilities carry out none of them.
- The PUCT’s order sets a $100,000 penalty, plus a $100,000 donation for utility bill help.
- The PUCT’s complaint scorecard rates it 1 of 5 for March to August 2026.
How we checked: we searched PUCT filings from the last 10 years under six names. They’re Young Energy, Payless Power, Uno Energy, Cost Plus Power, Mio Electric and SmarTricity, all on its license. We found one penalty order. We found no Texas Attorney General case naming Young Energy or Payless Power.
Our formula takes 8 points off for a penalty from $100,000 to $499,999. The donation isn’t a penalty, so it doesn’t count.
Coming up: the 2024 penalty leaves our 10-year window on May 16, 2034. That adds 8 points back if nothing else changes.
Payless Power questions, answered
Is Payless Power a good electricity company?
It scores 60 out of 100 on our public-records scorecard, a Fair rating, as of October 14, 2026. Its prepaid plans need no deposit or credit check, and its terms have no forced arbitration. The BBB grades it A+. Against that are a 1 of 5 PUCT complaint rating, pricier prepaid plans and a $100,000 penalty in 2024.
What is Payless Power’s phone number?
Call 1-866-963-9353, Monday to Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. That’s the number on its website and BBB file. Its terms and fact labels also list 1-888-963-9363 for weekdays. For an outage, call your utility instead, such as Oncor at 1-888-313-4747 or CenterPoint at 1-800-332-7143.
Is Payless Power legit?
Yes, it’s a licensed Texas retail electric provider. Young Energy, LLC, a family-founded company in Fort Worth, runs it under PUCT certificate No. 10110, licensed April 25, 2005. The same license also covers the brands Cost Plus Power, Mio Electric, SmarTricity and Uno Energy.
Does Payless Power charge a daily fee?
Not on its 12-month prepaid plan right now. That plan’s October 4, 2026 fact label lists a daily charge of $0.00. Its terms still allow a Daily Customer Fee, so check the fact label for your plan before you sign up.
How much does it cost to start Payless Power?
$40, according to its website, and all of it goes toward your power. Its Power to Choose listings ask for a $75 first payment instead. Texas caps this first payment at $75 for a home. After that, card payments must be at least $20.
Does Payless Power offer same-day service?
Yes, Monday to Saturday, if you fund your account before 6 p.m. Money sent later, on a Sunday or on a holiday, means a next-morning start. Your home also needs a smart meter that can be turned on remotely. Compare cut-off times in our same-day electricity guide.
What happens if my Payless Power balance runs out?
Daily notices start when you have about five days of power left. Once your balance hits $0, Payless can have service cut. It can’t do that on a weekend or during an extreme weather emergency. To reconnect, bring the balance positive, up to $75, and expect a $30 reconnection fee. More on how prepaid works in Texas.
How much does Payless Power charge to cancel?
It depends on the plan. Its October 2026 fact labels list $49 on prepaid plans. Its 3-, 6- and 12-month postpaid plans charge $99, $149 or $199. Its FAQ says the fee applies when 15 or more days are left. Texas rules bar the fee if you move and give a forwarding address.
Has Payless Power been fined?
Yes, once. A PUCT order filed May 16, 2024 (Docket 56246) set a $100,000 penalty for Young Energy, which runs Payless Power. It also agreed to donate $100,000 for utility bill help. The order says it authorized shutoffs for 1,819 customers in extreme weather from 2020 to 2022. The utilities carried out none of them.
Does Payless Power have forced arbitration?
No. Its terms of service have no arbitration clause and no class-action waiver, and they say Texas law governs. An arbitration clause would send disputes to a private arbitrator instead of a court.
Does Payless Power refund my leftover balance?
Yes, if it’s more than $5. Its terms say the money goes back to your card or comes by check. That happens within 10 business days of the final bill. A balance of $5 or less left unclaimed for more than 90 days may go to a bill assistance program.
Does Payless Power have postpaid plans?
Yes. Power to Choose lists 3-, 6- and 12-month postpaid plans with a monthly bill. They need no deposit if your credit is approved. In Dallas, the 12-month postpaid plan costs 15.0¢ per kWh at 1,000 kWh, versus 17.5¢ for 12-month prepaid.
What do you want to do next?
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Sources and updates
Sources (21)
- Payless Power, Terms of Service Agreement, Version 15, linked from each of its plans on Power to Choose, read October 14, 2026: no arbitration clause, Texas law, the $4.95 payment-processing fee on payments under $75, the $30 reconnection and collection fees, the $29 returned-payment fee, the 5% late charge, free usage summaries, the $0 disconnection balance, five-day notices, reconnection up to $75, refunds within 10 business days, the 90-day rule for small balances, the 3-business-day right to cancel, month-to-month service after the term, the bill-help program and contact details.
- Payless Power, older prepaid terms of service, still linked from its pay-as-you-go page, read October 13 and 14, 2026: lists up to $25 to disconnect or reconnect and other fees not in Version 15. Not used for the score.
- Payless Power, fact labels dated October 4, 2026, read October 14, 2026: PTC 12 Month - Postpaid, Oncor (7.7¢ energy charge, $0.00 monthly charge, $199 cancel fee), PTC 12 Month - Postpaid, CenterPoint and PTC 12 Month - Prepaid, Oncor (10.2¢ energy charge, $0.00 daily charge, $49 cancel fee).
- Power to Choose (PUCT), plan listings, captured October 14, 2026: every Payless Power plan for Oncor (Dallas) and CenterPoint (Houston), with prices at 500, 1,000 and 2,000 kWh, terms, cancel fees, the $75 first payment for prepaid, “no deposit with approved credit” for postpaid, and the areas it serves.
- Power to Choose (PUCT), Retail Electric Provider Complaint Scorecard, September 2026 release for March 1 to August 31, 2026, read October 14, 2026: the 1 of 5 rating for Young Energy (Payless Power) and its April 25, 2005 license date.
- Public Utility Commission of Texas, Customer Complaint Statistics, read October 14, 2026: 45 complaints about Young Energy LLC from April 1 to September 30, 2026, by type, its brand names, and 2,253 complaints about all retail providers.
- Public Utility Commission of Texas, Order in Docket 56246, filed May 16, 2024, read October 14, 2026: the $100,000 penalty, the $100,000 donation to the City of Fort Worth’s Community Action Partners, the 1,819 authorized shutoffs that the utilities never carried out, the late affidavit, the 2018–2019 warning letter, the fixes and the neither-admit-nor-deny finding.
- Public Utility Commission of Texas, Young Energy performance report, Project 51761 (filed August 13, 2021): retail certificate No. 10110 and its Fort Worth office.
- Public Utility Commission of Texas, complaint process page, checked October 14, 2026: how to file, 1-888-782-8477 and consumer@puc.texas.gov.
- Payless Power, home page, read October 13, 2026: legal name and PUCT number, phone and hours, and the utility areas it serves.
- Payless Power, pay-as-you-go page, read October 14, 2026: the $40 first payment and the 6 p.m. same-day cut-off, Monday to Saturday.
- Payless Power, FAQs, read October 13, 2026: the $20 minimum payment, 1-to-6-hour hookups, the 5 p.m. order note, switch-holds, 2-hour reconnections and the 15-day cancel-fee rule.
- Payless Power, same-day electricity page, read October 13, 2026: no same-day service on Sundays or holidays, the smart-meter need and causes of delay.
- Payless Power, contact page, read October 13, 2026: phone, hours and the “End Service” portal page.
- Payless Power, power outage page, read October 13, 2026: utility outage numbers for Oncor, CenterPoint, AEP Texas and TNMP.
- Young Energy, LLC, company website, read October 13, 2026: parent of Payless Power, family-founded, Fort Worth.
- Better Business Bureau, Payless Power profile and its reviews page, checked October 13, 2026: A+ grade, accredited since May 10, 2013, business started March 7, 2005, and 11 reviews averaging 1.09 out of 5.
- Texas Administrative Code, 16 TAC §25.498, prepaid service, read October 13, 2026: the $75 cap on the first payment, no deposits, low-balance warnings, no weekend or extreme-weather shutoffs, the 1-hour reconnection request and the price cap.
- Texas Administrative Code, 16 TAC §25.475, read October 13, 2026: the 3-business-day right to cancel and no cancel fee when you move.
- Texas Administrative Code, 16 TAC §25.483, read October 13, 2026: what counts as an extreme weather emergency.
- U.S. Energy Information Administration, Electric Power Monthly, Table 5.6.A: the Texas average home price of 15.88¢ per kWh for July 2026, released September 24, 2026.
Changelog · last updated October 16, 2026 · 2 updates
- October 16, 2026: The chart now shows all 25 companies we score, including the 11 reviews we added today, and Payless Power ranks 17th of 25. Payless Power’s score and figures are unchanged. We also added our new city guides, four new company reviews and the Smart Meter Texas guide to the guide map.
- October 14, 2026: Published.
How to cite this page: The Day Company, "Is Payless Power any good? Our 2026 review", updated October 16, 2026, https://theday.company/tx/payless-power-reviews.
Every score here comes from public records, scored the same way for every company; see how we score. Prices are Payless Power’s own fact-label averages for the ZIP codes shown, and they change often, so your price depends on your address and plan. The Day Company is not affiliated with Payless Power or Young Energy, LLC. Ads and any partner referral fees help fund the site, but neither has any say in our scores or picks.