Provider comparison

Champion vs Reliant Energy

Champion and Reliant both offer strong customer service, but Champion pairs it with simpler plans, more competitive prices and fairer renewals. For most households, Champion is the better choice.

Last reviewed November 2, 2026

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Side by side

Champion vs Reliant at a Glance

Both are long-established Texas providers with responsive customer service. Champion keeps its plans simple: fixed rates with no bill-credit thresholds. Reliant offers a much broader catalog, including bill-credit and prepaid plans, plus home services like smart home technology and home protection.

Both providers are graded on the same four criteria. The higher grade in each row is shown in purple.

CriterionChampionReliant
Overall grade
A- (higher grade)
C+
Price Competitiveness
B (higher grade)
C
Pricing Transparency
A (higher grade)
C+
Customer Experience
A-
A-
Renewal Practices
A (higher grade)
B-
Our award
Best at the Basics
—
Lowest 12-month fixed rate
13.2¢/kWh
14.9¢/kWh
Contract lengths
6 to 24 months
8 to 24 months
Customer service
877-653-5090
866-222-7100

Grades last reviewed November 3, 2026. Rates are each provider's lowest 12-month fixed-rate plan at 1,000 kWh in the Houston (CenterPoint) area, excluding bill-credit and prepaid plans, refreshed daily. How we grade

Our four criteria

How Champion and Reliant Compare

  1. Price Competitiveness

    Champion BReliant C

    Champion's rates are competitive but not always the lowest in Texas. Reliant prices above the market average. Champion usually gets you a similar level of service for less.

  2. Pricing Transparency

    Champion AReliant C+

    Champion keeps it simple: fixed rates, no bill-credit thresholds and no promotional pricing. The rate you sign up for is what you pay. Reliant does sell simple fixed-rate plans, but much of its lineup comes with conditions: a lower rate only after the first 1,000 kWh, free nights or weekends, bill credits in months you choose, and bundles with smart home equipment or gift cards. These plans can cost more than they look unless they fit how you use electricity.

  3. Customer Experience

    Champion A-Reliant A-

    Evenly matched, in different ways. Reliant's app is one of the best in Texas. Champion's Texas-based customer service is responsive and knows the market, though its digital tools are less polished.

  4. Renewal Practices

    Champion AReliant B-

    This is Champion's biggest advantage. It typically keeps renewal rates close to new-customer offers. Reliant's renewal offers rarely match current market rates, so shop around before you renew.

Other Differences

  • Range of plans

    Reliant offers one of the broadest catalogs in Texas, including bill-credit and prepaid plans. Champion focuses on straightforward fixed-rate plans.

  • Extras beyond electricity

    Reliant offers smart home technology through Vivint, home protection plans and solar programs. Champion sticks to electricity.

  • Reliability is the same

    Neither provider delivers more reliable power. Your local utility owns the poles and wires and handles outages, whichever provider you choose.

Plan options

Plan Types Each Provider Offers

Which of the major Texas plan categories each provider currently offers. Availability varies by service area, so confirm during enrollment.

Plan typeChampionReliant
  • Fixed-Rate PlansOfferedOffered
  • Bill Credit Plans—Not offeredOffered
  • Time-of-Use PlansOfferedOffered
  • EV PlansOfferedOffered
  • Solar Buyback PlansOfferedOffered
  • 100% Renewable PlansOfferedOffered
  • Prepaid Plans—Not offeredOffered

Neither provider offers: Home Battery Programs.

Not sure which plan type fits your home? Explore Texas electricity plan types

Current plans

Champion and Reliant Plans and Rates

Each provider's lowest-priced current plans at 1,000 kWh, refreshed daily. Compare plans at your own usage, not the advertised rate, and check the Electricity Facts Label before you enroll. Prices shown for the Houston (CenterPoint Energy) service area.

Champion Energy Plans

  • Champ Saver-6

    View EFL

    Term: 6 months

    Features: Fixed · 26% Renewable

    Price at 1,000 kWh: 12.8¢/kWh

  • Champ Saver-12

    View EFL

    Term: 12 months

    Features: Fixed · 25% Renewable

    Price at 1,000 kWh: 13.2¢/kWh

  • Champ Saver-24

    View EFL

    Term: 24 months

    Features: Fixed · 25% Renewable

    Price at 1,000 kWh: 13.3¢/kWh

  • Free Weekends-24

    View EFL

    Term: 24 months

    Features: Fixed · Time-of-use · 25% Renewable

    Price at 1,000 kWh: 13.5¢/kWh

Reliant Energy Plans

  • Reliant Power On 8 Plan

    View EFL

    Term: 8 months

    Features: Fixed · 22% Renewable · New customers only

    Price at 1,000 kWh: 14.0¢/kWh

  • Reliant Power On 13

    View EFL

    Term: 13 months

    Features: Fixed · 22% Renewable · New customers only

    Price at 1,000 kWh: 14.8¢/kWh

  • Reliant Power On 18

    View EFL

    Term: 18 months

    Features: Fixed · 22% Renewable · New customers only

    Price at 1,000 kWh: 14.8¢/kWh

  • Reliant Power On 12 Plan

    View EFL

    Term: 12 months

    Features: Fixed · 22% Renewable · New customers only

    Price at 1,000 kWh: 14.9¢/kWh

  • Reliant Power On 24 Plan

    View EFL

    Term: 24 months

    Features: Fixed · 22% Renewable · New customers only

    Price at 1,000 kWh: 15.3¢/kWh

Our recommendation

Which Should You Choose?

Choose Champion if

  • You want simple fixed-rate pricing with no bill credits
  • You'd like renewal rates close to new-customer offers
  • You want strong service without paying for a big-brand name
Read our Champion Energy review

Choose Reliant if

  • You want a broad range of plan types, including bill-credit and prepaid plans
  • You'd like smart home, home protection or solar services from the same company
  • A top-rated mobile app matters most to you
Read our Reliant Energy review

Still deciding between Champion and Reliant? Tell us about your home and we'll recommend the plan that fits your usage, even if it's from another provider.

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Our picks

If Price Matters Most

Champion is our pick over Reliant for most households. If your priority is the lowest possible bill, consider this provider instead.

  • Best for Maximum Savings

    Rhythm Energy

    B+

    For the lowest bill. Rhythm competes aggressively on price and pairs it with one of the best digital experiences in Texas.

    Read our Rhythm Energy review

See every graded provider in our Best Electricity Providers in Texas rankings.

Questions

Champion vs Reliant: Common Questions

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