Looking for a Flywheel alternative? Whether you're a designer, freelancer, or agency looking for better value, autonomous hosting, or stronger security, this guide walks you through migrating from Flywheel to MojoShine step by step.
The migration process is straightforward and your site stays live throughout. There's zero downtime for your visitors, and you can keep using Local for development.
Good News for Local Users: You can continue using Local by Flywheel for local development after switching to MojoShine. Local works with any WordPress host!
Why Switch from Flywheel to MojoShine?
Flywheel built its reputation on beautiful design and agency-friendly features. But since their acquisition by WP Engine, many users have noticed rising prices and reduced support. Here's how MojoShine compares:
| Feature | Flywheel | MojoShine |
|---|---|---|
| Starting Price | $15/mo | $9/mo |
| Sites (Entry Plan) | 1 site | 1 site |
| Multi-Site Plan | $30/mo (up to 3) | $25/mo (up to 3) |
| Autonomous Provisioning | No | Yes |
| Visual Update Validation | No | Yes (Autonomous) |
| Container Isolation | Shared resources | Dedicated Docker |
| Free SSL | Yes | Yes |
| CDN Included | Yes | Yes (Cloudflare) |
| Staging Environment | Yes | Yes |
| SFTP Access | Yes | Yes |
| Runtime Security Monitoring | Basic | Falco eBPF |
| Bandwidth Limits | Soft limits | No overages |
For Agencies and Freelancers
MojoShine's Pro plan ($25/mo for 3 sites) and Business plan ($49/mo for 10 sites) are designed for agencies managing multiple client sites. Each site gets its own isolated container, automatic backups, and autonomous security monitoring.
Before You Start: Pre-Migration Checklist
Pre-Migration Checklist
- Note your current Flywheel plan and billing cycle
- List all plugins and themes (screenshot your Plugins page)
- Check for Flywheel-specific configurations
- Document any custom Nginx rules or redirects
- Verify you have access to your domain registrar for DNS changes
- Create a backup in Flywheel's dashboard
- If using blueprints, export any custom blueprint configurations
Flywheel-Specific Features: Some Flywheel features like Blueprints, Growth Suite billing, and their specific caching system won't transfer directly. MojoShine provides equivalent functionality through our autonomous provisioning and built-in caching.
Step-by-Step Migration Guide
Create Your MojoShine Account
Set up your new hosting environment:
- Go to mojoshine.com/pricing
- Choose a plan (Starter from $9/mo, Pro $25/mo, or Business $49/mo)
- Enter your email and choose a temporary subdomain (e.g., mysite.mojoshine.com)
- Complete checkout - AI will provision your site in about 3 minutes
- Check your email for WordPress admin credentials
Export Your Site from Flywheel
You have several options for exporting:
Option A: Use a Migration Plugin (Recommended)
- Log into your Flywheel WordPress admin
- Install "All-in-One WP Migration" or "Duplicator" plugin
- Create a full export package (database + files)
- Download the export file to your computer
Option B: Use Local for Migration
- If you use Local, pull your live site down to Local
- Export from Local using a migration plugin
- This gives you a local backup as well
Option C: SFTP + Database Export
- Connect via SFTP using Flywheel credentials
- Download the entire site directory
- Export database using Flywheel's phpMyAdmin or Advanced options
Import to MojoShine
Bring your content to its new home:
- Log into your new MojoShine WordPress admin
- Install the same migration plugin you used for export
- Use the plugin's import feature to upload your export file
- Wait for the import to complete (may take several minutes for large sites)
- Log in again using your original WordPress credentials
Large Sites: If your export file exceeds upload limits, contact MojoShine support. We can increase limits temporarily or assist with SFTP-based migration.
Update URLs and Test
Your site still references the old domain. Fix this:
- Install "Better Search Replace" plugin
- Search for:
https://yourdomain.com - Replace with:
https://yoursite.mojoshine.com(your temporary subdomain) - Also search for any Flywheel staging URLs if you used staging
- Run on all tables (do a dry run first)
- Test all pages, forms, and functionality
- Verify images are loading correctly
- Test contact forms and any e-commerce functionality
Connect Your Custom Domain
Once testing is complete, point your domain to MojoShine:
- In MojoShine portal, go to your site and click "Add Custom Domain"
- Enter your domain (e.g., yourdomain.com)
- You'll receive DNS records to add at your registrar
- Add the CNAME or A records as instructed
- SSL certificate is automatically provisioned once DNS propagates
Final URL Update
After your domain is connected:
- Run Better Search Replace again
- Search for:
https://yoursite.mojoshine.com - Replace with:
https://yourdomain.com - Update WordPress Address and Site Address in Settings > General
- Clear all caches
Verify and Cancel Flywheel
Final checks before canceling Flywheel:
- Test your site thoroughly on the live domain
- Verify SSL is working (green padlock)
- Check email deliverability
- Monitor site for 24-48 hours for any issues
- Once satisfied, cancel your Flywheel subscription
Migration Timeline
What to Expect
Migrating Multiple Client Sites
If you're an agency with multiple sites on Flywheel, here's the most efficient approach:
- Choose the right MojoShine plan: Pro ($25/mo) for up to 3 sites, Business ($49/mo) for up to 10 sites
- Migrate one site first: Use it as a test run to familiarize yourself with the process
- Create a migration schedule: Plan 1-2 site migrations per day to avoid overwhelming yourself
- Use consistent tools: Stick with one migration plugin across all sites for consistency
- Document any issues: Keep notes on site-specific issues for future reference
Bulk Migration Help: Business plan customers get complimentary migration assistance. Contact support if you're moving 5+ sites and we'll help coordinate the migration.
Common Migration Issues and Solutions
Images Not Loading
If images appear broken after migration, the URLs still reference Flywheel. Run Better Search Replace to update all image URLs. Check both HTTP and HTTPS versions of your old domain.
Flywheel Cache Issues
Flywheel uses server-level caching that's tightly integrated with their platform. After migration, you may want to install a caching plugin like WP Super Cache, though MojoShine's server-level optimizations handle most caching automatically.
Redirects Not Working
If you had redirects configured in Flywheel's dashboard, these won't transfer automatically. Recreate any necessary redirects using a plugin like "Redirection" or by editing your .htaccess file.
Email Issues
If contact forms stop working, you may need to configure SMTP. Install "WP Mail SMTP" and configure with your email provider (Gmail, SendGrid, Mailgun, etc.).
Local Development Workflow
Good news: Local by Flywheel works with any WordPress host. After migrating to MojoShine, you can continue using Local for development. Just update your push/pull workflow to use SFTP or a migration plugin.
Ready to Make the Switch?
Get autonomous WordPress hosting with better security and simpler management.
Start Your Free TrialNeed Help with Migration?
We're here to help make your migration smooth:
- Self-Service: Follow this guide and our FAQ
- AI Support: Chat with our AI assistant in the customer portal
- Email Support: Contact us via the support form
- Managed Migration: Business plan customers get complimentary migration assistance
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to migrate from Flywheel to MojoShine?
Most migrations take 1-2 hours for the technical work, plus up to 48 hours for DNS propagation. Your site remains live on Flywheel during the entire process, so there's no downtime for your visitors.
Will I lose any data when migrating from Flywheel?
No. The migration process creates a complete copy of your site including all posts, pages, media, plugins, themes, and settings. Your original site on Flywheel remains untouched until you're ready to cancel.
Can I still use Local for development after switching to MojoShine?
Yes! Local by Flywheel works with any WordPress host, not just Flywheel. You can continue using Local for local development and deploy to MojoShine using standard migration methods or SFTP.
Does MojoShine support agency workflows and client billing?
Yes. MojoShine's Pro plan supports 3 sites and Business plan supports 10 sites, making it ideal for agencies managing multiple client sites. Each site is isolated in its own container for security and performance.