Earnings Per Share - Schedule of Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2024	Dec. 31, 2023	Dec. 31, 2022
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Net income (loss) attributable to Vistra	$ 2,659	$ 1,493	$ (1,227)
Cumulative dividends attributable to preferred stock	(192)	(150)	(150)
Net income (loss) attributable to Vistra common stock	2,467	1,343	(1,377)
Net income (loss) attributable to common stock — diluted	$ 2,467	$ 1,343	$ (1,377)
Weighted average shares of common stock outstanding:
Basic (in shares)	344,788,634	369,771,359	422,447,074
Dilutive securities: Stock-based incentive compensation plan (in shares)	7,778,426	5,421,752	0
Diluted (in shares)	352,567,060	375,193,110	422,447,074
Net income (loss) per weighted average share of common stock outstanding:
Basic (in dollars per share)	$ 7.16	$ 3.63	$ (3.26)
Diluted (in dollars per share)	$ 7.00	$ 3.58	$ (3.26)
Series A Preferred Stock
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Cumulative dividends attributable to preferred stock	$ (80)	$ (80)	$ (80)
Series B Preferred Stock
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Cumulative dividends attributable to preferred stock	(70)	(70)	(70)
Series C Preferred Stock
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Cumulative dividends attributable to preferred stock	$ (42)	$ 0	$ 0