Amigo Energy

Amigo Energy has been in Texas since 2006, built specifically for Spanish-speaking families who want to handle their lights in their own language. That’s a real differentiator. Most Texas light companies treat Spanish as a checkbox - a second menu in the phone tree that connects you to a third-party translator. Amigo Energy runs its entire operation in both English and Spanish, from the website to billing to customer service.

They offer both traditional monthly plans and pay-as-you-go (prepaid) options. Which path you take depends on your credit.

Credit Check and Deposits

Amigo Energy runs a credit check for traditional plans. If your credit meets their threshold, you get a monthly plan at a locked rate with no deposit required. If it doesn’t, they’ll ask for one. The deposit amount depends on how your credit lands, and every light company draws that line in a different place.

That’s actually useful information. If Amigo Energy quotes you a deposit, that doesn’t mean every light company will. We check multiple companies at once to find who will take you at $0 deposit. Many people who get quoted $150 or $200 somewhere find a company that says $0 for the same credit profile. How deposits work and why they vary explains the system.

Their prepaid plan skips the credit check entirely. You put $50 to start, and that goes toward your balance - not a fee, not a deposit. It’s your first power payment that gets used as you consume it. See how prepaid billing works day-to-day before you decide.

What You’ll Actually Pay

Amigo Energy’s rates run in the mid-to-upper range for Texas. Expect around 16 to 17 cents per unit on traditional plans, which puts a typical 1,000-unit home at $140 to $180 per month. The cheapest traditional options in Texas can run $90 to $130 for the same usage. Over a year, that’s a real difference.

Prepaid rates run higher still. The no-credit-check premium is real, and comparing prepaid to traditional before you commit is worth the 10 minutes.

Some Amigo Energy plans include bill credits - $75 or $150 back when you hit certain usage thresholds. Those work well for high-usage homes. Smaller apartments that don’t hit the threshold won’t see the benefit. Always look at total cost at your actual usage, not just the advertised rate.

Same-Day Lights: Know the Cutoff

Amigo Energy offers same-day connections, but their cutoff is noon (12 PM Central Time), Monday through Saturday. No Sunday service. If your lights went out and you don’t find them until the afternoon, you’re waiting until tomorrow. Other light companies cut off at 2 PM, 4 PM, or later. If you’re in a true emergency after noon, check other options.

Who Amigo Energy Is Right For

Amigo Energy makes the most sense for Spanish-speaking households who want to handle their lights in Spanish from signup to billing, and for customers who can pass the credit check and want a mid-range traditional plan. Their complaint numbers are low, and they’ve been licensed in Texas for nearly 20 years.

They’re also a reasonable prepaid fallback for customers who need guaranteed approval and bilingual support together.

Who Should Look Elsewhere First

If price is your top priority, cheaper traditional options exist. If you need same-day lights and it’s already past noon, look for a company with a later cutoff. If you receive SNAP, Medicaid, SSI, or TANF, you may qualify for a full deposit waiver on traditional plans at other light companies under Texas law - that’s worth checking before paying prepaid rates.

Before you decide on any single light company, it’s worth running a quick check. We look at multiple companies at once to find who approves you without a deposit. Many people who expect to need prepaid find a traditional option. It’s free, it takes a few minutes, and it could save you $500 to $900 this year.

See our list of the best no-deposit light companies, how the path to traditional plans works, or read our full Amigo Energy review for rates, complaints, and a detailed breakdown.