Energy Ogre? Power to Choose? Going Direct? Here's What Actually Happens.
We're going to tell you the truth about every option—including our own weaknesses. Because you deserve to make this decision with actual information, not marketing fluff.
The Quick Facts
Options We Compare
Energy Ogre Annual Fee
Plans on Power to Choose
Average Time on ComparePower
Feature-by-Feature Comparison
We're showing our cards. Here's exactly how each option stacks up—including where we fall short.
| Feature | ComparePower Free comparison + enrollment | Energy Ogre $120/year subscription | Power to Choose State-run marketplace | Go Direct Call/visit providers |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cost | ||||
Service Cost What you pay to use the service | $0 Always free | $120/yr Subscription required | $0 Government site | $0 But your time isn't free |
Hidden Costs Fees not obvious upfront | ETF risk They switch you even mid-contract | Varies Sales pressure for add-ons | ||
| Transparency | ||||
Shows TRUE All-In Price Includes all fees, not just advertised rate | ||||
Uses Your Actual Usage Calculates based on your real consumption | ||||
Tells You When NOT to Switch Honest about when you're already on a good plan | ||||
| Control | ||||
You Pick Your Plan You make the final decision, not an algorithm | ||||
No Surprise Switches Won't change your plan without explicit approval | ||||
Contract Alerts Notifies you before contract expires | ||||
| Experience | ||||
Time to Compare How long to find your best option | 5 min Self-serve | 10 min Setup + waiting | 30+ min Manual research | 2+ hrs Multiple calls/sites |
Mobile-Friendly Easy to use on your phone | ||||
Enrollment Support Help if something goes wrong | ||||
What You'd Actually Pay
Not advertised rates. Not marketing math. Real annual costs based on typical Texas usage.
ComparePower
Energy Ogre
Power to Choose
Go Direct to Provider
Costs based on 1,000 kWh/month average. Your results will vary based on actual usage. Energy Ogre cost includes $120 annual membership. ComparePower rates reflect average user outcome.
Why "Total Annual Cost" Is the Only Number That Matters
Advertised rates are designed to mislead. We calculate what you'll actually pay.
You've seen it: "9¢/kWh—one of the lowest rates in Texas!" But that rate only applies at exactly 1,000 kWh. Use 850 kWh? It's actually 12¢. Use 1,200 kWh? Maybe 11¢. The "advertised rate" is marketing fiction.
Total Annual Cost cuts through the games. We take YOUR actual usage (from your bill or smart meter), apply it to every available plan including ALL fees, and show you what you'd actually pay over 12 months. Not marketing math—real math.
This is how we calculate the costs shown above. And it's the reason Compare Power users consistently find better deals than those using advertised rates alone.
What You Get With Us That You'll Never Get From a Provider
When you enroll through Compare Power, you get tools that providers won't give you—because they profit when you're confused.
Members Portal
Real-time dashboard, smart alerts ("run your dryer 2 hrs to hit your $50 credit"), and plan performance scoring. Your command center.
Explore Portal →Live Link™
Connect your smart meter for real-time usage tracking, automatic rate alerts, and contract expiration warnings. 24/7 monitoring.
Learn More →Bill Detective
Upload any bill for instant analysis. We decode every charge, expose hidden fees, and tell you exactly why your bill is high.
Try It Free →The Honest Breakdown
Every option has pros and cons. Yes, including us. Here's what you need to know.
ComparePower THAT'S US
Free comparison marketplace
89,247 verified reviews
What They Do Well
- + Completely free—forever
- + YOU choose your plan, not an algorithm
- + See true all-in prices, not advertised rates
- +5 more...
Watch Out For
- − You have to make the final decision yourself
- − No auto-switching if rates drop mid-contract
- − Requires ~5 minutes of your time
- +1 more...
Energy Ogre
Subscription electricity concierge
15,000+ reviews
What They Do Well
- + Truly hands-off—they handle everything
- + Uses your smart meter data for accurate analysis
- + Will switch you to better rates automatically
- +2 more...
Watch Out For
- − $120/year cost adds up over time
- − You don't control which plan you get
- − May switch you mid-contract (ETF risk)
- +3 more...
Power to Choose
Official Texas marketplace
Government site—no reviews
What They Do Well
- + Official PUC Texas resource
- + Lists every licensed provider
- + No commercial bias—government run
- +2 more...
Watch Out For
- − Confusing interface—not built for consumers
- − Shows advertised rates, not true costs
- − Doesn't know your actual usage
- +4 more...
Go Direct to Providers
Call TXU, Reliant, etc. directly
Varies by provider
What They Do Well
- + Deal directly with your provider
- + Can negotiate sometimes (maybe)
- + No middleman
- +1 more...
Watch Out For
- − Salespeople work on commission—not your side
- − No easy way to compare across providers
- − Existing customers often get WORSE rates than new customers
- +4 more...
What They Say vs. What Actually Happens
The electricity industry runs on misleading claims. Here's what's really going on.
9¢/kWh—one of the lowest rates in Texas!
That 9¢ is for exactly 1,000 kWh. Use 800 kWh? It's 12¢. Use 1,200? It's 11¢. These "usage bucket" plans are designed to make the advertised rate look good while most customers pay more.
Free nights and weekends!
The daytime rate is 18-22¢/kWh to subsidize "free" nights. Unless you're nocturnal and run all appliances after 9pm, you'll pay MORE than a simple flat-rate plan. We've done the math—it rarely works out.
We find you the best rate, guaranteed!
They find A good rate. But "best" is subjective—their algorithm optimizes for rate, not for your preferences about contract length, provider reputation, or renewable energy. And they'll switch you even if you didn't ask.
Compare all plans in one place
Yes, all LICENSED providers are listed. But the comparison shows advertised rates at fixed usage tiers, not what you'd actually pay. Most users pick a plan optimized for 1,000 kWh when their usage is 847 kWh—and pay significantly more.
Call us for exclusive offers!
The "exclusive" offer is usually available online too—or worse than online rates. Salespeople are incentivized to close deals, not give you the best price. And existing customers typically get offered HIGHER rates than new customers.
Your rate is locked in for 12 months
The ENERGY rate is locked. Delivery charges, fees, and other components can still change. When TDU rates go up, your bill goes up—even on a "fixed" plan. Always check the EFL for what's actually locked.
No deposit required!
If you have good credit. The asterisk leads to: "Subject to credit approval." Low credit scores mean deposits of $200-400. Some providers are deposit-free regardless of credit—but you have to know to look for them.
Members save an average of 40%
Compared to what? Provider standard variable rates—the worst rates available. Compared to a savvy shopper using free tools? The savings difference is much smaller, and you're paying $120/year for the service.
Which Option Fits You?
Answer 4 quick questions. We'll tell you honestly—even if the answer isn't us.
How much is your time worth?
Be honest—this determines a lot.
See Your Scenario
Pick the situation closest to yours. See what each option would actually cost you.
Which sounds most like you?
Apartment Dweller
1-2 bedroom apartment, 600-900 sq ft
AC runs May-Sept, works from home sometimes
Here's what you'd actually pay:
Want to see your exact numbers? Enter your zip code.
See Plans for My AddressWhy 2.5 Million Texans Trust Us
True All-In Pricing
We show what you'll actually pay—not the advertised rate that only applies at exactly 1,000 kWh.
Always Free
No subscriptions. No hidden fees. We make money from provider commissions—same amount regardless of which plan you pick.
Radical Transparency
We'll tell you if your current plan is already good. We'd rather earn your trust than a quick commission.
Contract Alerts
We'll remind you when your contract is expiring so you don't roll into expensive month-to-month rates.
Neighbor Proof
See what people in your zip code are actually paying. Real data, not marketing claims.
You Stay in Control
We recommend—you decide. No surprise switches. No algorithms choosing for you.
From People Who've Tried Everything
"I was paying $180/month with TXU. ComparePower showed me I could get the same service for $120. Switched in 5 minutes. Why did I wait so long?"
Michael R.
Houston, TX, Verified Customer
"Tried Energy Ogre for a year. Saved money but hated not knowing what plan I was on. ComparePower gives me the same info for free, and I pick."
Sarah T.
Dallas, TX, Verified Customer
"Power to Choose was overwhelming. 100 plans, no idea which was actually cheapest for MY usage. ComparePower sorted it in 3 minutes."
James L.
Austin, TX, Verified Customer
"They told me my current plan was fine and I shouldn't switch. That honesty made me trust them for my next contract."
Amanda K.
San Antonio, TX, Verified Customer
Preguntas Frecuentes
¿Cómo gana dinero ComparePower si es gratis?
Ganamos una comisión de los proveedores cuando te inscribes a través de nosotros—típicamente $50-150. Lo clave: ganamos la MISMA comisión sin importar qué plan elijas. Así que no tenemos incentivo para promover planes caros.
¿Es Energy Ogre una estafa?
No, Energy Ogre es legítimo. Han ayudado a muchos tejanos a ahorrar dinero. Nuestras diferencias: 1) Cobran $120/año, nosotros somos gratis. 2) Ellos eligen tu plan, nosotros te dejamos elegir. 3) Pueden cambiarte automáticamente, nosotros nunca lo hacemos.
¿Por qué Power to Choose es tan confuso?
Power to Choose es un mandato gubernamental, no un producto para consumidores. Existe porque la ley de Texas requiere que los proveedores listen planes públicamente. Muestra tarifas anunciadas en niveles de uso fijos—pero el uso de la mayoría no coincide con estos niveles.
¿Debo llamar a mi proveedor directamente para una mejor tarifa?
Generalmente no. Los vendedores de proveedores trabajan por comisión y están entrenados para cerrar tratos, no ahorrarte dinero. Además, los clientes existentes típicamente reciben OFERTAS de tarifas más altas que los nuevos clientes.
¿Qué pasa si ComparePower dice que no debo cambiar?
Entonces no cambies. En serio. Alrededor del 47% de las personas que verifican ya están en un buen plan. Preferimos decirte la verdad y ganarnos tu confianza para la próxima vez que forzar un cambio que no te ayuda.
¿Qué tan preciso es tu cálculo de "costo real"?
Muy preciso—si nos das tu uso real. Obtenemos tu uso de tu factura o Smart Meter Texas, luego calculamos lo que pagarías en cada plan incluyendo TODOS los cargos. La tarifa anunciada es marketing; nuestro número es matemáticas.
Ready to See the Truth?
Enter your zip code. See what you'd actually pay. Takes 5 minutes. If your current plan is already good, we'll tell you.