Introduction
If you’re looking to host your WordPress site, you’re likely considering two of the top managed WordPress hosting providers: WP Engine and Flywheel. But which one is right for you?
Comparison Table
| Feature | WP Engine | Flywheel |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | Starts at $25/month | Starts at $13/month |
| Storage and Bandwidth | More storage and bandwidth compared to Flywheel | Lower storage and bandwidth |
| Staging Environments | Two staging environments (Staging & Development) | One staging environment |
| CDN | Stackpath/MaxCDN | Fastly |
| Cloud Infrastructure | AWS | Google Cloud |
| Load Times | Average 431 ms | Average 740 ms |
| Uptime Guarantee | 99.99% | 99.9% |
| Customer Support | 24/7 support, phone support on higher tiers | 24/7 support, phone support on higher tiers |
| Security | Free SSL, managed WAF, Global Edge Security | Free SSL, Fastly WAF, auto-healing technology |
| Client Workflows | Templates, client billing transfer | Blueprints, organizations, billing transfer |
| Money-Back Guarantee | 60 days | 60 days, 72-hour cancellation period |
Detailed Comparison
Ease of Use
Both WP Engine and Flywheel are designed to be user-friendly, but there are some differences in their approaches.
- WP Engine: The dashboard can be a bit more complex, with more features and options available. However, this doesn’t make it difficult to use; it’s just more feature-rich.
- Flywheel: Known for a cleaner and more straightforward user experience. Flywheel allows you to create a truly clean installation of WordPress without any added extras.
Stability
Both hosts boast impressive stability records.
- WP Engine: Offers a 99.99% uptime SLA and has demonstrated 100% uptime over extended periods. It also features global data centers for enhanced performance.
- Flywheel: Provides a 99.9% uptime guarantee, backed by an SLA, and has shown 100% uptime in monitored tests. Flywheel uses Google Cloud infrastructure and ensures impressive server response times.
Speed
Performance is a critical aspect of any hosting service.
- WP Engine: Utilizes AWS infrastructure and proprietary EverCache® technology, which optimizes caching for high traffic. Average load times are around 431 ms.
- Flywheel: Uses Google Cloud and Fastly CDN for performance optimization. While it is slightly slower than WP Engine, with average load times of 740 ms, it still delivers excellent performance.
Security
Both hosts prioritize security with robust features.
- WP Engine: Offers free SSL certificates, a managed WAF with Global Edge Security, and proactive threat detection. It also includes daily backups and automated updates.
- Flywheel: Provides free SSL certificates, Fastly WAF for application-layer protection, and auto-healing technology for WordPress sites. It also ensures data integrity through daily backups and real-time monitoring.
Pricing and Cost
Pricing can be a significant factor in your decision.
- WP Engine: Plans start at $25/month, with higher storage and bandwidth but also higher costs for overage fees ($2 per thousand visitors over the limit).
- Flywheel: Plans start at $13/month, with lower storage and bandwidth but more affordable overage fees ($1 per thousand visitors over the limit). Flywheel also does not increase renewal rates.
Customer Support Service
Support is crucial for any hosting service.
- WP Engine: Known for its superior support, with 24/7 availability and phone support on higher tiers. The support team is highly praised for their expertise and responsiveness.
- Flywheel: Also offers 24/7 support and phone support on higher tiers. However, some users have reported less satisfactory experiences, especially regarding performance issues.
Client Reviews
Client reviews can provide valuable insights into real-world experiences.
- WP Engine: Generally praised for its performance, reliability, and support. However, some users find the dashboard a bit complex.
- Flywheel: Praised for its ease of use and client workflow tools. Some users have reported issues with performance and support, especially after the transition to Google Cloud.
Pros and Cons
WP Engine
Pros:
- Superior support and reliability
- Advanced features like EverCache® and global CDN
- More storage and bandwidth
- Multiple staging environments
- Excellent performance and uptime
Cons:
- Higher pricing starting at $25/month
- Higher overage fees
- More complex dashboard
Flywheel
Pros:
- Cheaper entry plan at $13/month
- Lower overage fees
- Cleaner and more straightforward user experience
- Client workflow tools like Blueprints
- No increase in renewal rates
Cons:
- Lower storage and bandwidth
- Slightly slower performance compared to WP Engine
- Some reports of less satisfactory support experiences
FAQs
1. What is the main difference in pricing between WP Engine and Flywheel?
WP Engine plans start at $25/month, while Flywheel plans start at $13/month. Additionally, Flywheel has lower overage fees and does not increase renewal rates.
2. Which host offers better performance?
Both hosts offer excellent performance, but WP Engine has consistently faster load times (average 431 ms) compared to Flywheel (average 740 ms).
3. Do both hosts provide staging environments?
Yes, both hosts provide staging environments. WP Engine offers two staging environments (Staging & Development), while Flywheel offers one staging environment.
4. How do the security features compare between WP Engine and Flywheel?
Both hosts offer robust security features, including free SSL certificates, WAFs, and daily backups. However, WP Engine uses a managed WAF with Global Edge Security, while Flywheel uses Fastly WAF and auto-healing technology.
5. Which host is better for client workflows and agencies?
Flywheel is often preferred by agencies due to its client workflow tools like Blueprints, organizations, and billing transfer. These features make managing multiple client sites more efficient.
