The Ultimate Showdown: WP Engine vs. Flywheel for WordPress Hosting

Choosing where to host your WordPress website is a big decision. It's like picking a home for your website where it needs to be safe, fast, and always open for visitors. Two popular choices for this are WP Engine and Flywheel. These are like two houses, but it can be challenging to tell which is better for your website. This can make it tricky to decide, like trying to choose between two good places to live.

This blog will help you determine the best fit for your website - WP Engine vs. Flywheel. We'll look at what each one offers, like how fast they are, what tools they come with, and how much they cost. Consider comparing two houses to see which has the best features. We aim to make it easier for you to decide where your WordPress site should "live."

And don't worry, we've got help from the experts at trusted10.io They know much about where to host WordPress sites and are here to help us understand all this information. With their guidance, we'll make this comparison easy so you can feel good about choosing the right "home" for your WP Engine or Flywheel website.

Platform Overview: WP Engine vs. Flywheel

When starting with WordPress hosting, WP Engine vs. Flywheel emerge as top contenders, each with unique offerings tailored to different types of users.

WP Engine: A Handy Place for Website Builders

1. Started in 2010: It's been around for a while, helping people make their websites.
2. Suitable for people who like to make websites: It has tools that help you try new things and fix problems.
3. Uses AWS: This perfect technology makes your website fast and always ready for visitors.
4. Helps keep your website safe: It makes backups to get your website back if something goes wrong.
5. Plans start at $30 a month: You get many helpful things for your money.

Flywheel: Great for Designers and Creative People

1. Started in 2012: A newer place, but perfect for people who make websites look nice.
2. Easy to use: You don't have to worry about the hard stuff; make your site beautiful.
3. Uses Google Cloud: Another great technology that keeps your site running well.
4. Friendly prices: You can start with just $13 a month, and it's easy to handle.
5. Excellent tools for designers: Makes it super easy to set up new projects and work with clients.

Both places ensure your website is fast, safe, and works well. They are like good neighborhoods for your website house. Whether you like building websites or making them look pretty, WP Engine and Flywheel have something for you.

Performance and Uptime

Putting your website on WP Engine or Flywheel is like putting your car in a super-fast race. Both places use remarkable technology to ensure your website opens quickly and doesn't keep your visitors waiting.

Key Performance Metrics

1. Time to First Byte (TTFB): WP Engine gets your site going in about 0.21 seconds, and Flywheel is even faster at 0.13 seconds. This is like the time it takes for a race car to start zooming.
2. Page Speed: Once your site starts, WP Engine shows your whole page in about 1.17 seconds, and Flywheel takes a bit longer at 1.36 seconds. This is how long it takes for everything on your page to show up for your visitors.

Uptime and Reliability

1. Uptime: WP Engine promises your site will always be open, like a 24-hour store. Flywheel doesn't say this outright, but they're also good at it.
2. Downtime: Sometimes, Flywheel might take a tiny break, like nearly 90 minutes in a month. But that's not much, and it hardly ever happens.

CDN and Caching

1. CDN: WP Engine uses a unique service called Stackpath/MaxCDN, and Flywheel uses Fastly to ensure your website reaches visitors super fast, no matter where they are.
2. Server-level caching: WP Engine and Flywheel have clever ways to remember your website's pages so they can show them to your visitors quickly without having to think about them every time.

With WP Engine and Flywheel, your website is like a speedy car that's always ready to go. They ensure your website opens quickly and is always there for visitors, day or night.

User Experience and Dashboard Comparison

When choosing between WP Engine and Flywheel for your WordPress website, consider how easily they make things for you. It's like choosing between two smartphones - one has many buttons and settings (great if you love tech), and the other is super simple to use (perfect if you like keeping things accessible).

WP Engine: For the Tech-Savvy

1. Dashboard: WP Engine has a dashboard full of tools and settings. It's like a control panel with many buttons and switches, which can be exciting if you like controlling every little detail.
2. For Beginners?: WP Engine might feel like a puzzle because it has many options and features if you're new to this. It's great if you're into tech, but getting used to it might take a bit.
3. Excellent Tools: For those who love to create and experiment, WP Engine offers excellent tools like easy ways to test new ideas, integrate with Git (a way to track changes in your files), and choose from different places worldwide to host your site.

Flywheel: Keeping It Simple

1. Dashboard: Flywheel's dashboard is like fresh air. It's clean and easy to understand, and you can find what you need. It's designed to make your life easier.
2. Friendly for Everyone: Whether you're making your first website or your hundredth, Flywheel makes it simple. Everything is straightforward, so you can focus on making your site look great without worrying about the technical stuff.
3. Designer-Friendly Features: If you're a designer or work at an agency, Flywheel has some neat tricks. You can tag and organize your sites, make the hosting dashboard fit your brand, and set up new sites quickly with your favorite themes and plugins.

Getting Help When You Need It

Both WP Engine and Flywheel are ready to help you 24/7. They both respond quickly, but they offer help in different ways:

1. WP Engine: You can always ask for help, and if you choose one of the bigger plans, you can even call them on the phone. They also have lots of guides and tips to help you out.
2. Flywheel: They make it super easy to get in touch. You can chat with them instantly or send an email. And if you're a big spender ($250 or more per month), you can even call them.

So, whether you love diving into details or prefer keeping things simple, there's a perfect option for you. WP Engine is great for tech enthusiasts, while Flywheel is ideal for those who appreciate simplicity and design. And no matter what, you can count on them to be there when you need help.

Finding the Best Deal for Your WordPress Site

Picking a hosting service for your WordPress site is like shopping for a good deal. You want to ensure you're getting the most bang for your buck. WP Engine and Flywheel both offer great options, but their prices and what you get for your money are different.

How Much It Costs?

1. WP Engine: Their starting plan, called the Startup plan, is $30 a month. You get 10 GB to store your website stuff and 50 GB to handle people visiting your site, and it's good for up to 25,000 visits each month. If you need more, their Growth plan is $115 a month, giving you more storage and visits.
2. Flywheel: They have an affordable Tiny plan for $13 a month, perfect for smaller sites, with 5 GB of storage and enough for 5,000 visits. Their Starter plan is $25, just like WP Engine, but it's designed to be super user-friendly, especially for designers.

What You Get for Your Money?

WP Engine and Flywheel ensure your WordPress site is well taken care of. They move your site over for free if it's hosted somewhere else, keep it safe with backups, and even let you try out changes on a test site. They make your site fast with special caching and a content delivery network (CDN).

Getting the Most for Your Money

1. WP Engine: If you're all about the details and want the best performance and tools for making and managing websites, WP Engine might be worth the extra cost. It's like paying more for a faster and fancier car.
2. Flywheel: For those who want something easy on the wallet and super simple to use, especially if you're into design or running an agency, Flywheel's Tiny plan is a sweet deal. It's like finding an affordable car that does everything you need.

Choosing between WP Engine and Flywheel depends on what you need for your site and how much you want to spend. WP Engine offers lots of power and tools for those who want to get into the nitty-gritty, while Flywheel keeps things affordable and straightforward, especially for creatives and beginners.

Weighing Your Options: WP Engine vs. Flywheel

Picking a place for your WordPress site is like choosing between two coffee shops. One might have many fancy coffee machines perfect for coffee aficionados (WP Engine). At the same time, the other is cozy, easy to navigate, and great for those who want a good cup of coffee without the fuss (Flywheel). Let's look at the pros and cons of each to help you decide where you'd like to hang out.

WP Engine: The Coffee Connoisseur's Choice

Pros:

1. Fancy Features: Like a high-end coffee shop with all the best machines, WP Engine has excellent tools like quick setup for new projects, easy ways to make changes without breaking your site, and fast content delivery across the globe.
2. Top Performance: Their coffee is always hot! This means your site loads fast, stays online and keeps visitors happy.
3. Tech-Savvy Haven: WP Engine is your spot if you love tinkering with gadgets and making everything just right. It's designed for people who know their way around a website.
4. Always Open: They're always there to help, any time of day, with all the support you need.

Cons:

1. Pricier Menu: All those fancy coffee machines and gourmet beans come at a higher price, making WP Engine a bit of a splurge.
2. Complex Brews: With all the advanced options, it might be a bit much for someone who wants a simple cup of coffee.

Flywheel: The Friendly Neighborhood Café

Pros:

1. Warm and Welcoming: Flywheel's setup is like walking into your favorite local café where everything is easy to find, and you feel right at home.
2. Gentle on the Wallet: Their coffee is excellent and won't break the bank, making it perfect for everyday visits without worrying about the cost.
3. Designed for Creatives: If you're into making things look beautiful and working with friends on projects, Flywheel has tools that make everything a breeze.
4. Helpful Baristas: The staff is always ready to help with a smile, offering support whenever needed, even if you're always there.

Cons:

1. More straightforward Menu: While the coffee is excellent, there might be fewer options for exotic brews or specialized tools.
2. No Promise on Open Hours: They don't make a significant promise about always being open, which might worry some who need their coffee shop never to close.

Sizing Up WP Engine and Flywheel

WP Engine vs. Flywheel comparison for your WordPress site is like choosing between two cars. They might look similar from the outside, but under the hood, they have different features that could make all the difference in your journey. Let's dive into what makes these two hosting services alike and what sets them apart.

What do They Have in Common?

1. Under the Hood: WP Engine and Flywheel are powered by top-notch cloud hosting. WP Engine revs up with AWS, while Flywheel cruises on Google Cloud. They both ensure your site runs smoothly with server-level caching and fast content delivery across the globe.
2. Support Crew: Need help at 3 AM? No problem. Both offer round-the-clock support through live chat and if you choose one of their fancier plans, you can even get phone support.

Where They Diverge?

1. Tech Specs: Though both are speedy, they use different engines. Flywheel partners with Google Cloud and zips your content around with Fastly. WP Engine, on the other hand, teams up with AWS and speeds things up with MaxCDN/Stackpath.
2. Gadgets and Gizmos: Flywheel is decked out with tools for designers and creative teams, like easy ways to organize your sites and make the hosting dashboard your own. WP Engine gears up with three areas (Production, Staging, and Development) for you to tinker and test, while Flywheel keeps it to two (Production and staging).
3. Price Tags: Flywheel is more like an economical sedan with plans starting at just $13 a month, even offering a compact $15-a-month Tiny plan. With its robust features, WP Engine is more of a luxury SUV, starting at $30 monthly.
4. Driving Experience: If you're new to the road, Flywheel's dashboard is like an easy-to-navigate city, perfect for beginners and creatives. WP Engine's dashboard, with its array of tools and settings, is more like navigating a bustling metropolis suited for those who love the hustle and technical challenge.

Choosing Your Ride

Both WP Engine and Flywheel offer smooth, reliable rides for your WordPress site, but your choice for the best WordPress hosting depends on what kind of driver you are. WP Engine is your speed if you're into high-performance, advanced features and are okay with a complex dashboard. If you prefer something more user-friendly, cost-effective, and great for creative projects, Flywheel might be your perfect match. Either way, you're in for an incredible journey with your WordPress site.

Conclusion

We discussed two places for your WordPress hosting showdown: WP Engine vs. Flywheel. Remember, WP Engine is like a big, fancy house with lots of rooms and gadgets for people who love tech stuff. Flywheel is more like a cozy, easy-to-live-in house that's great for people who like simple and creative things.

WP Engine and Flywheel ensure your website is fast and always ready for visitors. WP Engine has many tools for people who know websites, and Flywheel is super friendly for beginners or people who make websites look beautiful.

And remember trusted10.io Our experts are like your friend who knows a lot about websites and helps you pick the best place for your website to live. We looked at WP Engine and Flywheel and shared all this info to help you decide. So, when you're thinking about where to put your WordPress site, it is an excellent place to get advice.