Just Energy vs. Direct Energy
How Do Their Electricity Plans Compare?
Choosing an electricity company can take some work, especially if you want to look for a company that offers natural gas and other energy services too. We’ve done the hard part for you by comparing two energy companies: Just Energy vs. Direct Energy.
Just Energy and Direct Energy both offer energy plans to customers in large parts of North America – but which one is right for your energy needs?
Let’s take a look at Just Energy vs. Direct Energy when it comes to electricity rates, green energy plans, and other features.
Find out why over a million customers trust Just Energy!
Just Energy vs. Direct Energy: An Overview
First, let’s take a look at where these companies are based and which energy markets they service. Both companies have residential customers in the U.S. and Canada, but they have slightly different service areas.
Just Energy has headquarters in Ontario, Canada, as well as in Houston, Texas, and services customers in 13 states and 6 Canadian provinces. Its two subsidiaries, Amigo Energy and Tara Energy, also provide services to residential energy customers in Texas.
Direct Energy was originally based in Toronto, Ontario, but moved its headquarters to Houston, Texas in 2012. It’s a subsidiary of parent company NRG Energy. Direct Energy advertises service areas in 15 U.S. states, including New York, Illinois, and Ohio, and three Canadian provinces: Alberta, British Columbia, and Ontario.
In some states, you’ll be able to compare Just Energy vs. Direct Energy side-by-side and choose the energy plan that’s right for you. For example, Texas has a deregulated electricity market, so you can choose from multiple energy providers. In other states, you may have a different set of energy providers to choose from.
Just Energy vs. Direct Energy: Electricity Rates
Mainly known for their retail electricity services, Just Energy and Direct Energy also give customers the option of choosing natural gas plans in certain regions. Additionally, both offer green energy options for the environmentally conscious.
Specific energy rates and plan options will vary from location to location, but below are some of the most popular plans for each company.
Why Just Energy Plans Stand Out
In addition to specific savings or benefits tailored to your lifestyle, you’ll notice when you compare electricity plans from Just Energy that they include:
- Free plan switches1
- The ability to take your services with you (for free) if you move2
- Eco-friendly add-on options
- Auto Pay, for easy payment
- Stat Rewards: Includes bill credits, discounts, and personalized energy-saving insights displayed on smart thermostats and the thermostat’s app.
- GoodBundle: Provides extra electricity rate discounts and HomeWater filtration system discounts, plus waives late payment fees and disconnection notice fees, depending on the selected subscription option.
- Refer a Friend: Gives bill credits for you and your friend when they sign up for an electricity plan through your referral code.
Just Energy Electricity Plans
When comparing Just Energy to Direct Energy, you’ll find that Just Energy offers a variety of plans designed to fit different lifestyles and energy needs. From budget-friendly options to plans that give you free power during off-peak hours, there’s something for every type of household.
Here’s an overview of the plans available:
Basic: Keep things simple with the Basic plan. A straightforward, fixed-rate option that has no hidden fees. This plan offers affordable power and an easy-to-understand bill for anyone valuing stability without extra frills.
Mega Saver: A great fit for larger households that use more electricity. The Mega Saver plan offers one of the lowest price-per-kWh options when your monthly usage hits a set minimum, thanks in part to a $150 bill credit with monthly usage ≥ 2000 kWh. This makes it ideal if you’re looking to keep long-term energy costs predictable.
Nights Free: Enjoy free electricity every night from 9 p.m. to 7 a.m. If your family is home in the evenings, this plan gives you the freedom to run appliances, charge devices, or cool your home overnight without added cost.
Weekends Free: Designed for households that spend more time at home on weekends. With this plan, enjoy free weekend electricity from Friday evening through Sunday night, helping you save while enjoying the activities you love most.
Renters Choice: Ideal for renters or anyone not ready for a long-term commitment. This flexible plan offers dependable service with shorter contract options, so you get reliable energy without being locked into a lengthy agreement.
Beyond these plans, Just Energy also provides an green energy plan upgrade, ensuring your normal usage is offset by renewable energy certificates.
Note that plan information is applicable for Texas and is current as of October 1, 2025. Plans may be subject to change.
Direct Energy Electricity Plans
Direct Energy offers a wide range of fixed-rate and specialty electricity plans, giving customers flexibility based on how and when they use energy. While many plans include added perks like bill stability or free usage periods, some also come with early termination fees or monthly charges.
Here are some of the most popular options from Direct Energy:
Live Brighter Lite: Designed for smaller households or renters, this plan provides steady, fixed rates tailored for low-usage customers. It’s a good choice if you don’t consume a lot of electricity but still want predictable monthly costs.
Live Brighter: A straightforward fixed-rate plan with the option to save through AutoPay enrollment. It’s built for customers who prefer rate stability and the peace of mind of locking in pricing for 12 or 24 months.
Bright Secure: Another fixed-rate plan, this time locking you into a rate for a predetermined length of time and features a slightly lower early termination fee than other plans. Note that this may be a limited time offer from Direct Energy and so may not be available year-round.
Free Power Weekends: Get free electricity every weekend from Friday evening through Sunday night. This plan works well for households that spend most of their time at home on weekends, letting you take advantage of lower costs during your busiest days.
Twelve Hour Power: Enjoy free electricity every night from 9 p.m. to 9 a.m. If you typically use more power in the evenings or overnight, this plan makes it easy to save while keeping your home running.
Note that plan information is applicable for Texas and is current as of October 1, 2025. Plans may be subject to change.
Your Power, Your Terms
Pick from short-term or long-term plans to enjoy maximum flexibility. You call the shots!
Just Energy vs. Direct Energy: Natural Gas
If you live in a deregulated state that allows natural gas choice, both Just Energy and Direct Energy offer supply plans that let you choose your provider. In general, you’ll find that Just Energy offers more contract length flexibility, while Direct Energy focuses on shorter fixed-term options with no cancellation fees.
Enrolling for a gas and electricity supply contract at the same time may also be an option depending on your location.
Just Energy Natural Gas Plans
Just Energy makes natural gas available in states such as Pennsylvania, Illinois, and Ohio. Customers can select from fixed-term contracts, typically ranging from 12 to 36 months.
There are no enrollment fees, and you may be able to enroll for natural gas with electricity for additional convenience. Just Energy also offers green energy options in some areas for customers who want a renewable-focused plan.
Direct Energy Natural Gas Plans
Direct Energy provides natural gas service in several states, including Illinois. Customers can choose from 12- or 15-month fixed-rate contracts. These plans include automatic renewal at the end of the initial term, with advance notice provided so you can review available options before continuing service.
Direct Energy does not require a deposit or enrollment fee, and there are no early termination penalties if you decide to cancel.
Your local utility will still handle the delivery of gas to your home and remain your first point of contact for outages or emergencies. This means they charge you separately for delivery.
Plan information is current as of October 1, 2025, and may be subject to change.
Just Energy vs. Direct Energy Policies
Electricity rates are just one part of the energy business. When choosing between Just Energy vs. Direct Energy, you’ll also want to consider their policies and practices, such as how easy it is to manage your account online and monitor.
Early Termination Fee
First, do Just Energy and Direct Energy charge early termination fees? That depends on which plan you sign up for. In Texas, both companies charge termination fees of around $150 to $175, but these don’t apply to every type of contract.
You can reduce the likelihood of paying an early termination fee by choosing a shorter contract, or by choosing a month-to-month plan with a monthly fee.
Keep in mind that if you choose a more flexible plan type, such as a pay-as-you-go plan, you may end up paying more per kilowatt-hour.
Online Account Access
Just Energy has an online portal that makes it easy to manage your account online. You can view your usage history, estimate your upcoming bills, and more. In some locations, you can choose between multiple payment options, including online billing.
Direct Energy also has an online portal. You can view your bill online or download the mobile app to make a one-time payment or set up AutoPay.
Power Outages
With power outages and rolling blackouts becoming more common in some regions, you’ll want to know what your provider will do to help you prepare for them.
Retail energy providers don’t control the power grid, so they can’t stop the power from going out in times of high demand or extreme weather events.
But they can give you a heads-up. In Texas, Just Energy will alert all customers who have provided a working email address when there may be an electricity emergency that requires involuntary load shedding.”
Contact Details
Finally, how easy is it to get in touch with Just Energy vs. Direct Energy? Just Energy offers customer support at 1-866-587-8674 during the following hours:
- 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. (CST) Monday through Friday
- 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. (CST) Saturday
You can also fill out a contact form or chat with an expert on the company’s website.
Meanwhile, Direct Energy is available at 1-888-548-7540 during the following times:
- 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. (EST) Monday through Friday
- 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (EST) Saturday
You can find additional contact options on a state-by-state basis.
Just Energy vs. Direct Energy Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I see Just Energy and Direct Energy rates side-by-side?
You can compare Just Energy and Direct Energy plans by visiting the Power to Choose website. This site makes it simple to check current offers in your ZIP code, so you can quickly view both providers’ rates and plan options in one place.
When was Direct Energy founded?
Direct Energy was founded in Toronto in 1986 as a competitive energy retailer. Over the years, the company expanded across North America, offering both energy and home services. In 2000, it was acquired by Centrica, the parent company of British Gas. Today, Direct Energy is part of NRG Energy, following its 2021 acquisition.
When was Just Energy founded?
Just Energy was founded in 1997. Since then, it has grown into a North American energy retailer, serving over a million customers through its family of brands, including Just Energy, Hudson Energy, Tara Energy, and Amigo Energy.
Compare Just Energy Rates Today
There’s no such thing as a one-size-fits-all energy company since we all have different priorities. Maybe you want a fixed-rate plan so you don’t have to worry about your bill going up, or maybe you want to choose a plan with free nights or weekends.
When comparing Just Energy vs. other energy companies, you’ll also want to consider your other energy needs, such as whether you want to get natural gas and electricity from the same provider, and whether you want to choose a green energy plan.
Just Energy makes it easy to compare your options by showing you all of the available plans in your ZIP code side-by-side. Enter your ZIP code below to get started.
Disclaimers
- Just Energy will help you find a plan that fits your needs. Please note that new plans will come with a new contract and the end date of the new contract will change to reflect the terms of the new plan. There is no fee to make a plan change, but you will be subjected to the terms and conditions of the new plan as an existing customer.
- While Just Energy does not charge any fees for transferring services within Texas, please check with your utility for potential additional charges. In the event of a utility change due to relocation, you must choose a new plan.