What is a no-deposit light plan?
Many electricity providers require customers to pay a deposit to begin service if they do not meet a credit threshold. To offer an opposite route, some providers specialize in no-deposit light plans that allow customers to skip the upfront fee. Unlike standard fixed-rate and variable-rate plans, no-deposit options don’t require passing a credit check. Keep reading to learn about no-deposit light plans on our marketplace.
How does a no-deposit prepaid plan work?
Prepaid energy plans allow you to prepay for your monthly electricity. Under this type of plan, you preload your account with funds to begin service. Once your light plan starts, you can reload your account whenever you need to. Your energy provider will update you regularly about your account usage to help you manage your energy costs.
No-deposit electricity plans on Choose Energy
Choose Energy is a free marketplace that can help you find no-deposit, no-credit-check light plans. In Texas, the top no-deposit plans on our marketplace are Payless Power’s prepaid plans. Review the details of these plans and call our experts to sign up today.
| Plan Name | Plan Length | Rate* |
|---|---|---|
| Payless Power - SmarTricity Easy Choice | 0 months | $0.151/ kWh |
| Payless Power - Premier 12 - Prepaid Plan | 12 months | $0.178/ kWh |
| Payless Power - Rate Lock 6 | 6 months | $0.185/ kWh |
| Payless Power - Rate Lock 12 | 12 months | $0.186/ kWh |
| Payless Power - 12 Month - prepaid | 12 months | $0.198/ kWh |
| Payless Power - 6 Month - prepaid | 6 months | $0.198/ kWh |
Please note: All rates above are accurate as of 6/08/2025, 10:09:09 PM CDT for ZIP Code 75001. Rates may have changed since this date/time. For the most up to date rates in your area, please enter your zip code above.
*All pricing shown in cents per kWh
How to get no-deposit electricity
The simplest way to avoid paying a deposit is to seek out a prepaid energy plan. However, there are a few other qualifications that may help you avoid the upfront cost:
- You are a former customer with a solid two-year payment history
- You pay your energy bills on time
- You are not delinquent on your electric account
- You can provide proof of reliability from another energy provider, utility company, or landlord
- You have a high credit score
The Choose Energy marketplace is a one-stop shop to explore your options and sign up for no-deposit electricity plans. We’ll run a soft credit check, which won’t affect your credit score, to help you find cheap energy companies offering prepaid plans.
No-deposit light providers
Top no-deposit, no-credit-check providers in Texas include Payless Power, Acacia, BKV, and more. Our energy experts recommend exploring plans from Payless Power due to its flexible, low-cost options.
No-deposit electricity from Payless Power
Payless Power is popular across Texas and offers multiple solutions for residents seeking cheap light plans. Here are some perks for this provider:
- No credit requirements
- No deposits
- 25.5% renewable-sourced energy
- Six- and 12-month options
- 30-day satisfaction guarantee
Payless Power will also set up your electricity the same day you sign up for a plan. All you need to do is make sure you have a smart meter and sign up before 5 p.m. CST. This service is not offered on Sundays.
Frequently asked questions about no-deposit light plans
Are there any cons to no-deposit plans?
The main downside to no-deposit plans is that they typically charge a higher rate for electricity than fixed-rate options. If you value finding the cheapest plan for your home or business, it may be worth paying the deposit for a fixed-rate plan to secure a lower rate. Enter your ZIP code on our free marketplace to explore today’s cheapest options.
Are there no-deposit plans for low-income households?
Some light companies offer no-deposit plans to households within a certain income threshold. You may need to provide documentation proving you meet this requirement before enrolling. Other common deposit exemptions include customers over the age of 65, members of the military, and customers with extenuating medical conditions.
What is the difference between a no-deposit plan and a prepaid electricity plan?
No-deposit electricity is a category of energy plans similar to fixed-rate and variable-rate plans. There are a few ways an energy plan can be considered “no-deposit,” including if your credit score exempts you from paying a deposit. Prepaid electricity plans are a common type of no-deposit option where you pay for a portion of your energy upfront instead of paying a deposit.
Will I need to sign a contract for a no-deposit plan?
You must sign a contract to lock in your electricity rate for Payless Power’s plans on Choose Energy. Our marketplace offers two options: a six- or 12-month plan. You should always review a plan’s Electricity Facts Label (EFL) to understand the details before signing up.
<h2 class="copy__headline">Are there no-deposit electricity plans?</h2>
Having credit that’s less than perfect can mean you’re required to pay a deposit to sign up for electricity service. But Choose Energy’s marketplace includes cheap no-deposit plans for those whose credit score has room for improvement.
Choose Energy is here to help if you’re looking for a great light company, no deposit plan, and cheap rates. We work with trusted energy providers in deregulated states across the nation. Many residential electricity suppliers offer no-deposit plans. For example, Payless Power provides a zero-deposit electricity plan option for customers who lack great credit scores.
Be careful if you search other sites for a cheap light company. Some energy deals aren’t what they seem. Providers may offer promotional rates for signing up, but the plan itself may not be the best long-term option for you. If you’re searching for a truly cheaper option, we suggest considering a no-deposit plan.
The bottom line: We always have no-deposit electricity plans available. Interested in learning more? Enter your ZIP code above to find cheap no-deposit energy plans available in your area.
<h2 class="copy__headline">Why does Choose Energy run a credit check?</h2>
To find the right plan for you, Choose Energy runs a soft credit check. This is to determine whether you’ll have to provide a deposit to get service – and how large that deposit will be. Energy customers with good credit get more favorable terms. Each energy provider we work with has its own standards for deposits.
Keep this in mind, too. Deposits are just that. Your deposit is refundable and should be returned with interest – if your account is in good standing – when you end your contract. In some instances, the deposit may be refunded once you’ve established an on-time payment record.
No question, credit checks can be troublesome. But there are three reasons you shouldn’t worry when Choose Energy asks to run a soft credit check before signing you up for service:
- It’s a soft check so it won’t hurt your credit score.
- We call our check a Universal Credit Check, which means we check for all partners at once. We identify at once the retail electricity providers that will require a deposit – and those that won’t.
- No deposit electricity plans: Providers we work with have no-deposit options. We’ll identify them and help you get a plan that fits your energy needs.
<h2 class="copy__headline">Cheap no-deposit electricity plans</h2>
At least half the residential electricity customers in deregulated states must pay a deposit before starting a plan. But don’t worry – you have options for a light company with no deposit.
One way to avoid paying a deposit is to sign up for pre-paid plans. With these plans, customers pay a monthly fee upfront for service – but not a deposit. That payment goes toward the customer’s bill for that month. The customer then receives regular updates about his or her electricity usage. If the usage approaches the pre-paid amount, the customer must pay in advance for more electricity.
All that said, you should know this. Rates for pre-paid plans can be a bit higher than those for standard plans.
<h2 class="copy__headline">No-deposit electricity plans in my area</h2>
Electricity rates can differ by where you live. This is especially important in Texas, where transmission charges can vary by the utility company that delivers electricity to your home. (It also repairs poles and lines in case of outages.)
But that doesn’t mean you should conduct a web search for “no-deposit electricity plans near me” or “no-deposit electric rates in my area.” You’ll get some results, but you’ll have to look at dozens of pages. If you enter your ZIP on this page, we’ll show you plans from trusted providers. Simply sort through them and find the one you want.
So, what’s the next step? Enter your ZIP code above to see available plans. Once you settle on a plan, Choose Energy will tell you whether a deposit is required and outline your options if you don’t want to pay one.
updated: 3/4/2021