WP Engine vs Cloudways
Two web hosting affiliate programs, compared field by field on verified terms. Every figure below was checked against the official program page; each profile links the source. Scoring follows our public rubric.
$200+ per sale (or 100% of first month) · 180 days cookie
Strong — best for professional WordPress and agency audiences
Cloudways
Managed cloud hosting · Hosting
$50–$125 per sale, or $30 + 7% lifetime (hybrid) · 90 days cookie
Strong — best for developer, agency and performance-focused content
The verdict
WP Engine — 83/100
WP Engine wins by 5 points on a longer attribution window (180 days vs 90 days), lower payout friction. Cloudways still makes sense for a specific fit: developer, agency and performance-focused content.
Verified terms, side by side
| Field | WP Engine | Cloudways |
|---|---|---|
| Commission | $200+ per sale (or 100% of first month) | $50–$125 per sale, or $30 + 7% lifetime (hybrid) |
| Model | One-time bounty | Hybrid (bounty + recurring) |
| Cookie duration | 180 days ✓ | 90 days |
| Est. $/first referral | ~$200 ✓ | ~$80 |
| Network | ShareASale | In-house |
| Payout threshold | $50 | $50 |
| Payout methods | Direct deposit, Payoneer, check | PayPal, wire |
| Payment terms | Monthly, 20th (ShareASale) | Monthly, ~NET 45 |
| Geo focus | Global | Global |
| Terms verified | 2026-08 | 2026-08 |
Score breakdown
Subscores are 1–10, weighted per the methodology.
Earnings power (35%)
Attribution window (20%)
Trust & conversion (20%)
Payout reliability (15%)
Ease of entry (10%)
Why pick WP Engine
- $200 minimum bounty with a 180-day cookie
- Bonus tiers for 5+ sales/month
- Also earns on StudioPress theme sales
Watch out
No recurring component
Full WP Engine profile →Why pick Cloudways
- Choice of bounty or hybrid lifetime model
- 90-day cookie beats most hosts
- Technical audience = lower refund rates
Watch out
Requires more sophisticated traffic than shared hosting
Full Cloudways profile →