If you’ve been researching managed WordPress hosting, you may have come across both WP Engine and Flywheel and wondered whether they’re actually the same company. The answer is yes — WP Engine acquired Flywheel in 2019. But they’ve kept both brands running for different audiences. Here’s what that means for you.
The History
Flywheel launched in 2012 as a managed WordPress host focused on designers and creative agencies. It built a loyal following with a clean, intuitive dashboard and features built around the agency workflow — client billing, site blueprints, and a streamlined handoff process. WP Engine acquired Flywheel in 2019, bringing both platforms under one company.
Are They the Same Platform?
No. Despite being owned by the same company, WP Engine and Flywheel run as distinct platforms with separate infrastructure, separate dashboards, and separate feature sets. Buying a WP Engine plan doesn’t give you Flywheel features, and vice versa.
WP Engine vs Flywheel — Key Differences
Target audience: WP Engine serves businesses, enterprises, developers, and agencies of all sizes. Flywheel was designed specifically for freelance designers and smaller creative agencies.
Dashboard: Flywheel has a reputation for one of the most intuitive hosting dashboards in the industry — very visual, very clean. WP Engine’s User Portal is more feature-rich and developer-oriented.
Agency features: Flywheel’s billing features — client invoicing, white-label options, and bulk site management — were built specifically for agencies managing client work. WP Engine’s transferable sites and multi-site plans serve a similar purpose with different tooling.
Infrastructure: WP Engine’s EverCache® technology is a proprietary differentiator not available on Flywheel. WP Engine also has a broader global CDN network and more enterprise-grade security certifications.
Support: Both offer 24/7 support. WP Engine offers phone support on Professional plans and above. WP Engine’s support team is larger given the broader customer base.
Local by WP Engine — The One Thing They Share
One genuine crossover between the two brands is Local (formerly Local by Flywheel), a free local WordPress development application that works with both WP Engine and Flywheel hosting. It’s one of the most popular local WordPress development tools available and remains free for anyone to use regardless of host.
Which Should You Choose?
If you’re a freelance designer or small creative agency managing client sites and you want a beautifully simple dashboard, Flywheel is worth looking at. If you want broader enterprise features, WP Engine’s EverCache® technology, more plan flexibility, and a larger support team, WP Engine is the stronger choice for most situations.
For businesses and agencies that need proven managed WordPress hosting with enterprise-grade infrastructure, see WP Engine plans through Screenwalker for exclusive first-year pricing. Free migration included.
