WP Engine vs Flywheel (2024 Comparison)
WP Engine offers premium WordPress hosting with advanced performance optimization and robust security features. Ideal for businesses seeking a reliable and scalable hosting solution.
- Advanced performance optimization features.
- Comprehensive security measures.
- Robust developer tools.
- Higher pricing compared to competitors.
- Learning curve for beginners.
Free plan?
NoStarting price
$20 per month
Flywheel provides user-friendly WordPress hosting with affordable pricing and free SSL certificates. Perfect for small to medium-sized businesses looking for simplicity and reliability.
- User-friendly interface.
- Affordable pricing plans.
- Free SSL certificates.
- Limited advanced features.
- Less extensive CDN network.
Free plan?
NoStarting price
$13 per monthWhat is WP Engine?
WP Engine is a managed WordPress hosting platform that offers robust performance, security, and scalability for businesses of all sizes. It provides a seamless experience for developers and marketers by offering features like automated backups, one-click staging, and a global CDN. WP Engine helps its customers by ensuring their websites are fast, secure, and always up-to-date, allowing them to focus on growing their business without worrying about technical issues.
What is Flywheel?
Flywheel is a managed WordPress hosting service designed to simplify the process of building, launching, and managing WordPress sites. It offers features like nightly backups, free SSL certificates, and a user-friendly dashboard. Flywheel helps its customers by providing a reliable and secure hosting environment, allowing them to focus on creating beautiful websites without the hassle of server management.
Pros and Cons of WP Engine vs Flywheel
Pros & Cons of WP Engine
- WP Engine offers cutting-edge performance optimization tools, including EverCache technology and a global CDN, ensuring your website loads quickly and efficiently, providing an excellent user experience.
- With daily backups, malware scanning, and a dedicated security team, WP Engine ensures your website is protected from threats, giving you peace of mind.
- WP Engine provides a wide range of developer tools, including SSH access and Git integration, making it an ideal choice for developers looking for flexibility and control.
- WP Engine's premium features come at a higher cost, which may not be suitable for budget-conscious users or small businesses with limited resources.
- While WP Engine offers powerful features, beginners may find the platform challenging to navigate initially, requiring time to learn and adapt.
Pros & Cons of Flywheel
- Flywheel's intuitive dashboard makes it easy for users to manage their websites, even if they have little technical experience, streamlining the hosting process.
- Flywheel offers competitive pricing, making it an attractive option for small to medium-sized businesses looking for reliable hosting without breaking the bank.
- Flywheel includes free SSL certificates with all plans, ensuring your website is secure and trustworthy, enhancing user confidence and SEO rankings.
- While Flywheel offers essential hosting features, it may lack some advanced options that developers or larger businesses require for more complex projects.
- Flywheel's CDN services are effective but not as extensive as WP Engine's, which may impact content delivery speed for global audiences.
WP Engine vs Flywheel: At A Glance
Value to Price
WP Engine offers a comprehensive suite of features that justify its pricing, making it a great choice for businesses seeking premium hosting solutions. Flywheel, while slightly more affordable, provides excellent value for small to medium-sized businesses. If you are looking for a more feature-rich platform, WP Engine is the better choice.
Ease of Use
Flywheel shines with its intuitive interface, making it easy for beginners to manage their websites. WP Engine, while user-friendly, offers more advanced features that may require a learning curve. If you prioritize ease of use, Flywheel is the better option.
Functionality
WP Engine excels in functionality, offering advanced tools and features for developers and marketers. Flywheel provides essential functionalities but may lack some advanced options. If you need a platform with extensive functionality, WP Engine is the superior choice.
Scalability
Both WP Engine and Flywheel offer scalable solutions, but WP Engine's infrastructure is better suited for larger enterprises. Flywheel is ideal for small to medium-sized businesses looking for growth. If scalability is a priority, WP Engine is the better option.
Integrations
WP Engine offers a wide range of integrations with popular tools and services, making it a versatile choice for businesses. Flywheel also provides integrations but may not be as extensive. If you need a platform with robust integration options, WP Engine is the better choice.
Customer Support
Both WP Engine and Flywheel offer excellent customer support, but WP Engine's support is slightly more comprehensive, with 24/7 availability and a dedicated support team. If customer support is a priority, WP Engine is the better option.
Security
WP Engine provides top-notch security features, including daily backups and malware scanning. Flywheel also offers strong security measures but may not be as comprehensive. If security is a top concern, WP Engine is the better choice.
Overall Rating
WP Engine scores higher overall due to its robust features, scalability, and security. Flywheel is a strong contender, especially for those seeking ease of use and affordability. If you need a comprehensive hosting solution, WP Engine is the better choice.
WP Engine vs Flywheel: A Detailed Breakdown of Key Features
Performance Optimization
WP Engine offers advanced performance optimization features, including EverCache technology and a global CDN, ensuring fast load times and a smooth user experience. Flywheel also provides performance optimization tools, but WP Engine's offerings are more comprehensive. If you need top-tier performance optimization, WP Engine is the better choice.
Backup and Restore
Both WP Engine and Flywheel offer automated backups and easy restore options. However, WP Engine provides more frequent backups and additional restore points, making it a more reliable choice for data protection. If backup and restore capabilities are crucial, WP Engine is the better option.
Staging Environment
WP Engine offers a robust staging environment that allows developers to test changes before going live. Flywheel also provides a staging environment, but WP Engine's is more feature-rich and user-friendly. If you need a powerful staging environment, WP Engine is the superior choice.
SSL Certificates
Flywheel offers free SSL certificates with all plans, making it easy to secure your website. WP Engine also provides SSL certificates, but Flywheel's implementation is more straightforward. If SSL certificates are a priority, Flywheel is the better option.
Content Delivery Network
WP Engine includes a global CDN with its plans, ensuring fast content delivery worldwide. Flywheel also offers CDN services, but WP Engine's network is more extensive. If a robust CDN is important, WP Engine is the better choice.
Developer Tools
WP Engine provides a wide range of developer tools, including SSH access and Git integration, making it a great choice for developers. Flywheel offers essential developer tools but may lack some advanced options. If you need comprehensive developer tools, WP Engine is the superior choice.
Pricing Comparison of WP Engine and Flywheel
To assist you in making an informed choice, we’ve outlined the pricing plans and essential features of WP Engine and Flywheel. This comparison will highlight the best option for your WordPress hosting needs.
WP Engine Pricing Plans
- 24/7 WordPress technical expertise for continuous support.
- Managed WP, PHP & MySQL updates for seamless performance.
- Proactive WordPress security to protect your site.
- Site monitoring alerts to keep track of site health.
- Ongoing technical planning & business reviews for strategic growth.
- Custom onboarding for personalized setup experience.
- On-demand site health assessments for proactive maintenance.
- Prioritized senior technical support for critical issues.
- Dedicated technical account manager for personalized support.
- Advanced DDoS & managed WAF for enhanced security.
- Application performance monitoring for optimal site performance.
- Platform designed with burst capacity for handling traffic spikes.
Flywheel Pricing Plans
- Supports 5,000 monthly visits ensuring stable performance.
- Provides 5GB storage for essential website data.
- Offers 20GB bandwidth for smooth data transfer.
- Includes simple SSL certificates for secure connections.
- Handles 25,000 monthly visits for increased traffic.
- Provides 10GB storage for more content and media.
- Offers 50GB bandwidth for enhanced data transfer.
- Includes FlyCache for optimized site speed.
- Supports up to 10 sites for diverse projects.
- Handles 100,000 monthly visits for high traffic.
- Provides 20GB storage for extensive data needs.
- Offers 200GB bandwidth for large data transfers.
- Supports up to 30 sites for extensive management.
- Handles 400,000 monthly visits for massive traffic.
- Provides 50GB storage for substantial data needs.
- Offers 500GB bandwidth for extensive data transfers.
Our Rating Methodology
We thoroughly evaluate each WordPress hosting service, focusing on key factors like performance, security, and customer support. By analyzing user reviews and conducting in-depth testing, we ensure our recommendations meet your needs. Each factor is weighted to provide an accurate final rating, helping you choose the best hosting solution.
WP Engine or Flywheel: Which One Matches Your Business Needs?
Choose WP Engine If You Need ...
- Advanced performance optimization
If you need a hosting platform with advanced performance optimization features, WP Engine is the better choice. Its EverCache technology and global CDN ensure fast load times and a smooth user experience, making it ideal for businesses seeking top-tier performance.
- Comprehensive security measures
If security is a top priority, WP Engine is the superior option. With daily backups, malware scanning, and a dedicated security team, WP Engine provides robust protection for your website, giving you peace of mind.
Choose Flywheel If You Need ...
- User-friendly interface
If you are a beginner or small business owner looking for an easy-to-use hosting platform, Flywheel is the better choice. Its intuitive dashboard and user-friendly features make it easy to manage your website without technical expertise.
- Affordable pricing plans
If budget is a concern, Flywheel offers competitive pricing plans that provide excellent value for small to medium-sized businesses. Its affordable options make it an attractive choice for those seeking reliable hosting without breaking the bank.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Martin Lunendonk
Martin Lunendonk is a senior tech writer specializing in website builders, web hosting, and ecommerce platforms. With a background in finance, accounting, and philosophy, he has founded multiple tech startups and worked in medium to large tech companies and investment banking, bringing deep expertise and reliable insights to his software reviews.
