Globug is New Zealand’s specialist prepay electricity retailer. Instead of receiving a monthly bill after using power, Globug customers load credit onto their account and use it down — like a prepay mobile plan. The model suits renters, people managing tight cash flow, or anyone who wants to monitor their real-time electricity usage and spending.
Type: Prepay electricity retailer
Billing: Load credit, pay as you go — no monthly bills
Contracts: None
Credit checks: Not required
Best for: Renters, cash flow management, real-time usage monitoring
How Globug Works
- Sign up — No credit check, no contract, available at most NZ addresses
- Top up credit — Load credit via the app, online, or at a top-up agent (many dairies and service stations)
- Use power — Your credit decreases as you use electricity in real time
- Monitor usage — The Globug app shows current balance, real-time usage rate, and estimated days of credit remaining
- Top up before you run out — The app sends alerts when balance is low
If you run out of credit, your power disconnects. You top up, power reconnects immediately (no technician required if you have a smart meter).
Globug Pricing (2026)
Globug’s unit rates are typically higher than comparable post-paid plans — this is the trade-off for the no-contract, no-bill model.
- Unit rate: approximately 34–42c/kWh (major urban areas, incl. GST)
- Daily charge: approximately 55–80c/day
- No break fees or exit costs
- Top-up minimums apply (typically $20 minimum top-up)
For a household using 7,000 kWh/year, the annual cost premium vs. a competitive flat-rate plan could be $200–$400/year.
Globug’s Strengths
1. No credit checks or bond Globug is available to anyone regardless of credit history, income level, or rental status. This makes it genuinely accessible when other retailers require credit checks and bond payments.
2. No surprise bills With post-paid billing, it’s easy to lose track of usage and receive a larger-than-expected bill. With Globug, you always know your current balance and spending rate.
3. Real-time usage visibility The Globug app is one of the best for real-time electricity monitoring in NZ. You can see exactly how much power you’re using at any moment and how quickly your credit is being depleted.
4. No long-term commitment Zero contracts. Move house or switch retailers whenever you want. Top up when it suits your cash flow rather than facing a fixed monthly bill.
5. Cash flow management For households managing tight budgets, topping up $20–$50 when you can afford it is often more manageable than a $150–$200 bill arriving on a fixed date.
6. Multiple top-up channels Top up online, via the app, at a bank, via EFTPOS at top-up agents. Very accessible even without internet access.
Globug’s Weaknesses
1. Higher unit rates than post-paid plans The prepay premium is real. Compared to a competitive variable plan from Electric Kiwi or Frank Energy, Globug will typically cost $200–$400/year more for the same usage. This is the cost of the flexibility and accessibility.
2. Risk of disconnection If you run out of credit, your power disconnects. While reconnection is immediate once you top up, the risk of running out — especially on cold nights — is a genuine downside. Managing this requires attention to your balance and ensuring you top up before running low.
3. Smart meter required Real-time credit deduction requires a smart meter. Most NZ homes have one, but if you don’t, Globug may not be available or may work differently.
4. No fixed-rate protection Globug rates can change — you’re not locked in at a rate. For rate certainty, a fixed-term post-paid plan is better.
Who Is Globug Best For?
- Renters who move frequently and want zero commitment
- Households where a credit check or bond deposit would be an issue
- People managing cash flow on a week-by-week basis
- Short-term residents (temporary workers, people between homes)
- Anyone who wants real-time visibility of their electricity spending
- Households that have previously received unexpected large power bills and want to avoid that
Globug vs Standard Plans — When to Switch
Once your financial situation stabilises and you can manage monthly post-paid billing, switching to a competitive post-paid plan (Electric Kiwi, Frank Energy, or similar) will likely save $200–$400/year. The process is straightforward:
- Check Powerswitch for the best post-paid plan at your address
- Sign up with the new retailer — no need to cancel Globug first
- Use remaining Globug credit before your switch date
Verdict
Globug fills an important niche in the NZ electricity market — accessible, flexible prepay power for those who can’t or don’t want to commit to post-paid billing. The higher unit rates are the price of that accessibility. If you’re in a stable situation and can handle monthly billing, a post-paid plan will be cheaper. But for its target market, Globug is the best (and often only) practical option.
Rating: 3.5/5 — Excellent for its target market; higher cost than post-paid alternatives.