No-Deposit Light Companies in Texas: The Complete List (2026)

You’re looking for a light company that won’t make you pay a deposit. Maybe you’ve already been quoted $300+ and you’re trying to figure out who else is out there. This is the complete list: every no-deposit light company in Texas, what each one requires, and exactly how to qualify.

This isn’t just a list. Each light company has different rules, different thresholds, and different situations where they work best. Picking the wrong one costs you money every single month.

Got a narrower question? We go deep on three of them in their own guides: the cheapest no-deposit option and what you’ll pay, the prepaid companies that take you with no credit check at all, and the five ways to skip a deposit on a traditional plan. This page is the master list they all branch from.

Two Types of No-Deposit Light Companies

Texas has two completely different types of light companies that offer no-deposit service. Understanding the difference saves you hundreds of dollars.

Prepaid light companies never require a deposit. No credit check. Guaranteed approval. Higher monthly cost.

Traditional light companies may waive the deposit depending on your credit, your history, or your eligibility for waiver programs. Lower monthly cost when you qualify.

The smart move: check traditional first. Fall back to prepaid if needed. We check both types when you enter your ZIP.

Prepaid Light Companies (Guaranteed No Deposit)

Every prepaid light company listed below offers service with no deposit and no credit check. Under PUCT Rule 25.498, prepaid plans in Texas cannot require a security deposit.

Payless Power

Detail	Info
Startup cost	$40-75
Credit check	None
Same-day cutoff	6:00 PM weekdays (connection takes 4-6 hours)
In Texas since	2005
Best for	Lowest startup cost, established name

Payless Power is the most established prepaid light company in Texas. They’ve been around for over 20 years and have the lowest barrier to entry. Their same-day window runs weekdays only — no same-day on Sundays or holidays — so start early in the day.

How to qualify: Have $40-75 and a Texas address in a deregulated area. That’s it. No credit check, no ID verification beyond basic identity confirmation, no previous balance check.

Now Power

Detail	Info
Startup cost	$50-75
Credit check	None
Same-day cutoff	Sign up before 5:00 PM
Best for	Competitive daily rates

Now Power offers solid prepaid service with competitive per-unit rates. Their rates tend to be slightly more favorable than Payless on a per-unit basis, though startup costs run a bit higher.

How to qualify: Same as Payless. Cash and a Texas address. No credit barriers.

Pogo Energy

Detail	Info
Startup cost	$60 for same-day
Credit check	None
Same-day cutoff	6:00 PM CT, Mon-Sat (sign up + $60 load)
Best for	Lowest possible startup, transparent pricing

Pogo Energy focuses on straightforward pricing. They’ve built their brand on transparency and sometimes have the lowest startup requirement in the market.

How to qualify: Cash and a Texas address. They’re newer than Payless or Now Power but have built a clean track record.

What Prepaid Costs You

Prepaid runs about $145-180/month for a typical 1,000-unit Texas home. Traditional plans for the same usage run $80-120/month. That’s a $60-100/month premium for the convenience of no credit check.

Over 12 months, prepaid costs roughly $720-1,200 more than traditional. That’s real money. If there’s any path to traditional rates, it’s worth pursuing.

For a side-by-side comparison, see our guide on the real cost of prepaid in Texas.

Traditional Light Companies (May Waive Deposit)

Traditional light companies offer lower rates but require a credit check. The deposit depends on what that check reveals. Here’s who’s most likely to work with you.

One thing to know upfront: every company sets its own credit threshold and none of them publish it — treat any exact score you see online as a guess. Deposits, when required, commonly run $150-$400 and are capped by rule at the greater of 1/5 of your estimated annual bill or two months’ estimated bills (16 TAC §25.478(e)).

Tier 1: Most Likely to Waive (Lower Credit Thresholds)

4Change Energy

• Known for community involvement and more flexible approval policies
• Good option if your credit is in the 600-650 range where other companies still require deposits

Ambit Energy

• Large national company with a presence throughout Texas
• Slightly more lenient than the big legacy companies

Veteran Energy

• Veteran-owned company with preferential treatment for military and veterans
• If you have any military connection, check them first

Discount Power

• Budget-focused company that tends to work with marginal credit profiles

Tier 2: Moderate Thresholds

Green Mountain Energy

• Renewable energy plans
• Good reputation for customer service

Cirro Energy

• Consistent in their approval process
• Standard traditional plan offerings

Tier 3: Stricter Requirements

TXU Energy

• Largest company in Texas, but strictest on credit
• May offer deposit payment plans (ask specifically)

Reliant

• Higher deposits when required
• Also may offer payment plan options

Direct Energy

• Strict requirements
• May work with you if you have a letter of credit

Important: These thresholds are approximate and change regularly. A company in Tier 3 today might drop to Tier 2 next quarter if they need more customers. That’s exactly why we check multiple light companies at once.

How to Qualify for No Deposit With Each Light Company Type

Path A: You Have Good Credit (650+)

Most traditional light companies waive the deposit automatically. You sign up, they run a soft credit check (won’t hurt your score), and if you’re above their threshold, you start service with $0 down.

Best move: Compare rates across multiple light companies since you’ll likely qualify at several. Pick the one with the best rate for your usage level.

Path B: Your Credit Is 550-649

You’re in the zone where some companies waive and others don’t. This is where comparing light companies matters most.

Best move: Enter your ZIP at NoDepositLights.com and see who approves you. Focus on Tier 1 and Tier 2 traditional light companies first. If none approve you at $0, check for deposit waiver eligibility.

Path C: You Qualify for a Deposit Waiver

Under 16 TAC §25.478, traditional light companies must waive deposits for:

• Seniors 65+ (not currently delinquent on any electric account)
• Certified family-violence victims (certification from a family violence center, medical provider, law enforcement, prosecutor, or the Attorney General)
• Medically indigent households (income at or below 150% of federal poverty guidelines, plus a physician-certified inability to perform daily activities or medical expenses over 20% of household income, recertified annually)

Credit score doesn’t matter for these waivers. If you qualify, pick any traditional light company with the best rate. They must waive the deposit by law.

Full instructions in our deposit waiver guide.

Path D: You Have 12 Months of On-Time Payments

Call your previous Texas light company and request a letter of credit. This letter proves you paid on time for 12 consecutive months. Many light companies accept it and waive the deposit — and your old company’s affiliated retailer or the provider of last resort must.

This works even with rough credit. The letter overrides the credit check for deposit purposes.

Read the full process in our guide on letters of credit for lights.

Path E: None of the Above Works

Go prepaid. It costs more monthly, but it gets your lights on today. After 12 months of on-time prepaid payments, you can get a letter of credit from your prepaid light company and switch to traditional rates.

Think of it as the path to traditional service. Prepaid is the bridge. Traditional is the destination.

Side-by-Side: Prepaid vs. Traditional No-Deposit

Factor	Prepaid	Traditional (No Deposit)
Credit check	None	Soft check (no score impact)
Deposit	$0	$0 (when approved)
Startup cost	$40-75 (goes to usage)	$0
Monthly cost (1,000 units)	$145-180	$80-120
Annual cost difference	—	Saves $720-1,200/year
Contract	None (month-to-month)	Usually 6-24 months
Approval speed	Same day (2-4 hours)	1-2 business days
Cancellation	Walk away anytime	May have early termination fee

The monthly rate difference is the critical number. If you can get traditional with no deposit, you save roughly $80-100/month. That compounds fast.

Picking the Right Light Company for Your Situation

You need lights TODAY: Payless Power (lowest startup, weekend availability) or Now Power. Go prepaid now, switch to traditional later.

Your credit is above 650: Compare traditional light companies for the best rate. You’ll likely qualify at several with no deposit.

Your credit is 550-650: Focus on 4Change Energy, Ambit Energy, Discount Power. These have the lowest thresholds. Check them all at once through our comparison tool.

You’re 65+, a certified family-violence victim, or medically indigent: Request a deposit waiver from whichever traditional light company has the best rate. They must comply by law.

You have payment history but rough credit: Get a letter of credit from your previous Texas light company. It overrides credit concerns.

Nothing is working and you need a plan: Start with prepaid. Build 12 months of on-time payments. Get a letter of credit. Switch to traditional. This is how you work your way back to lower rates.

Want to go deeper on one piece? Pick the guide that matches your question:

• Cheapest option: What no-deposit lights cost in Texas — startup costs, monthly rates, and hidden fees compared.
• No credit check at all: Prepaid light companies with $0 down — guaranteed approval, same-day, no credit pull.
• Skip a deposit on a traditional plan: Five ways to find an electric company with no deposit — letters of credit, waivers, payment plans, and comparison.

Find out which light companies approve you with $0 deposit.

We check traditional and prepaid light companies at your address. Many people with credit challenges find at least one traditional option with no deposit. Can’t promise it, but it takes two minutes to check. Enter your ZIP code and see what’s available.