About Flywheel (Managed WordPress Hosting)
Flywheel is a managed hosting platform built specifically for designers, agencies, and developers who create and manage WordPress websites. It is known for its user-friendly custom dashboard, optimized performance, managed security, and expert 24/7 WordPress support.
The company was acquired by WP Engine, but it continues to offer its dedicated hosting and referral program tailored to its target audience. The core product is designed to simplify the workflow of building, launching, and managing WordPress sites.
Flywheel Affiliate Program Overview
The Flywheel program is officially titled the Flywheel Referral Program and rewards partners for referring new customers to their managed WordPress hosting plans.
| Characteristic | Detail |
| Industry | Web Hosting, SaaS (Software as a Service) |
| Product Type | Managed WordPress Hosting, Platform Services |
| Affiliate Program Type | Referral/Affiliate Program (CPS – Cost Per Sale) |
Flywheel Affiliate Program Offers
The program provides affiliates with the necessary tools and favorable terms to promote the hosting service effectively.
| Offer Detail | Information |
| Promotional Materials | Tons of creative assets, including banners, co-branded pages, and social images. They also provide content that converts (blog articles, eBooks, videos, courses) that affiliates can share with their custom referral link. Custom assets are available upon request. |
| Affiliate Cookie Duration | 90 days |
| Accepted Traffic Source | Accepted sources include promotion on a blog, social media channels, or wherever you want, provided it complies with their policy. |
| Accepted Countries | General information is not explicitly detailed, but as a global web host, it typically accepts worldwide customers and affiliates, but payment via PayPal might impose geographical limitations. |
| Explicit Content | Not accepted (As is typical for professional SaaS/Hosting programs). |
| Religious or Political Content | Not accepted (As is typical for professional SaaS/Hosting programs). |
Flywheel Affiliate Commissions & Payments
The program is known for its high commission rate, offering a large one-time payout per sale.
| Payment Detail | Information |
| MLM | No. This is a standard single-tier affiliate/referral program. |
| Commission Rate | 300% of the first month’s payment. |
| Commission Structure | Up to $500 per referral source (This is a one-time payment per customer/source, not a recurring commission). |
| Payout Frequency | Monthly (Paid out the first week of each calendar month after a 90-day holding period). |
| Payout Methods | PayPal (Currently, it is the only method offered). |
| Minimum Payout | No Minimum. Every qualified referral gets paid. |
Suitable Affiliates for Flywheel Affiliate
This program is highly suitable for affiliates who are already in the web design, development, and WordPress community and who work with clients or an audience that needs high-quality managed hosting.
| Affiliate Type | Suitability | Rationale |
| Bloggers | High | Especially those in the web development, WordPress, digital agency, or freelancing niches, as they can write reviews and tutorials. |
| YouTubers | High | Ideal for creating content like “best hosting” comparisons, Flywheel reviews, and “how-to” videos for agencies/developers. |
| Video editors | Low | Only suitable if they also have an audience in the web-related industry. |
| KOC/KOL/Influencers | Medium to High | High for those whose audience is technical (developers, agencies, serious WordPress users). Less suitable for general lifestyle influencers. |
| Livestreamers | Medium | Could be suitable for live coding or web design sessions where they showcase the Flywheel platform. |
Flywheel Affiliate Software
Flywheel appears to manage its Referral Program using an in-house or custom-built affiliate management software/system.
While they are part of WP Engine (which sometimes uses third-party platforms like Impact), the details of the Flywheel Referral Program often point to a proprietary or dedicated system due to its unique “Transfer” feature (for agencies) and the specific commission/payout structure mentioned in their documentation.
3 Alternatives for Flywheel Affiliate Program
Here are three popular alternatives in the Managed WordPress Hosting space to compare with Flywheel: Kinsta, WP Engine (Flywheel’s parent company, but with a separate program structure), and Cloudways.
| Comparison Factor | Flywheel (Referral Program) | Kinsta (Affiliate Program) | WP Engine (Affiliate Program) | Cloudways (Affiliate Program) |
| Product | Managed WordPress Hosting for Designers/Agencies | Premium Managed WordPress & Application Hosting | Enterprise Managed WordPress Hosting | Managed Cloud Hosting (Built on top of providers like AWS, GCP) |
| Average Bill (Lowest Plan) | Starts at $13/month | Starts around $35/month | Starts around $30/month | Starts around $11/month |
| Commission | 300% of the first month’s payment (up to $500 max one-time payment per referral). | $50 – $500 one-time bonus (based on plan) PLUS 10% recurring lifetime commission. | $200 minimum one-time payment OR 100% of the first month’s payment. | Slab Model: $50-$125 per sale OR Hybrid Model: $30 per sale + 7% recurring commission. |
| Conversion (Customer Target) | Agencies, Web Designers, WordPress Developers | High-end Agencies, Developers, High-Traffic Sites | Enterprise, Mid-to-Large Agencies, High-Volume Sites | Developers, Small Agencies, Users needing flexibility |
| Payment Frequency | Monthly (after 90-day hold) | Monthly (after a short hold period) | Monthly (on the 20th of the month) | Monthly (after a 60-day locking period) |
| Withdrawal Threshold | No Minimum | No Minimum | No Minimum | $100 |
| Payment Methods | PayPal Only | PayPal Only | PayPal or ACH | PayPal or Wire Transfer |
| Marketing Materials | Banners, Co-branded Pages, Social Images, Content, Custom Assets. | Banners, Text Links, Custom Landing Pages, Tutorials, SEO Guides. | Banners, Custom Landing Pages, Affiliate Links, Dedicated Affiliate Manager. | Banners, Landing Pages, Deep Linking, Dedicated Affiliate Manager. |
| Entry Fees | Free to join | Free to join | Free to join | Free to join |
