FlyingCDN is an automated WordPress CDN designed for users of the FlyingPress plugin. However, it is not autonomous since it operates on Cloudflare Enterprise.
Is it better than other WordPress CDN providers?
FlyingCDN offers multiple benefits over a typical CDN or even Cloudflare paid plans. Before switching to Cloudflare, it used BunnyCDN. Most users will find this a good thing because, compared with BunnyCDN, you get better features and more POPs.
FlyingCDN also includes smart routing, auto-optimization, and full-page caching that speed up loading times, even during heavy traffic.
It caches website content on multiple edges, allowing visitors to access content quickly. To be clear, I don’t plan to explain the meaning or process of CDN at the end of the article. Instead, I will give you a brief FlyingCDN review. So here’s how to optimize your visitors’ browsing experience with FlyingPress and CDN.
What Makes FlyingCDN Unique?
Almost all CDNs claim to be speedy and boast about their quality. However, I do not totally agree that FlyingCDN is the best.
What makes it stand out is its seamless integration with Cloudflare Enterprise. The process is automatic, and you don’t have to sign up separately for Cloudflare.
If you try to get Enterprise yourself, it costs around $6k a month. However, this service allows you to try it for $5. What makes Cloudflare Enterprise different?
I possess experience using Cloudflare Enterprise (I even use it for this website). Compared to lower plans, Enterprise has access to all global edge locations.
It offers advanced features and enhanced security, resulting in improved performance and security compared to other Cloudflare plans.
And these features make FlyingCDN stand out…
- Robust CDN: 310 edge locations (120+ countries). Even behind proxies, Cloudflare works well despite not being a traditional CDN service.
- Full Page Caching: One of the most essential features. Most CDNs do not support HTML caching; with FlyingCDN, the TTFB is under 100 ms.
- Image optimization: Image optimization is included in the setup, automatically converting images to WebP without changing URLs. Adaptive images (the right size) and compression without affecting quality.
- Robust Security: Cloudflare’s specialty is security, so Enterprise provides you with ample protection. No security plugins or services are needed.
- WooCommerce-ready: Caching speeds up browsing, even with shopping cart items. The origin server will handle critical dynamic requests.
- Adapt to traffic spikes: Cache-hit optimization helps avoid extra queries for page speed, reduces server load, and easily handles traffic spikes.
It’s compatible with any web host, including LiteSpeed hosting, so you can be confident in its versatility. When considering a CDN, selecting a reliable web host is essential. Results in a positive user experience and makes caching more efficient.
My Experiences With FlyingPress CDN
Having used FlyingPress for years, I’d say it’s the best plugin for optimizing WP sites (easy to use with lots of features). I’ve already written a FlyingPress review, so I won’t go into specifics here.
With one of the largest and fastest EDGE networks, Cloudflare is regularly rated among the fastest CDNs. It can reduce latency, security errors, and more.
It’s probably the most powerful WordPress CDN out there. Features robust security, including firewalls, DDoS protection, Wildcard SSL, and bot management.
And you get well-optimized features like Argo Routing, dynamic caching, load balancing, and polish image optimization with FlyingPress CDN.
Edge Caching, AKA Full Page Caching
With full-page caching, users will get a faster time to the first byte. TTFB depends on other factors, too, like your web host, so choose a reliable one like Vultr.
You’ll also benefit from Argo if you have an online store or other dynamic websites. Cloudflare caches HTML, so you’ll see a huge difference when you test your site with tools like KeyCDN and SpeedVitals.
They have a massive CDN network with cloud caching and optimization. This is the time it takes for my website to first byte after the FlyingCDN integration.
When you use full-page caching, your site’s global time to first byte will likely be below 100 milliseconds. This technique can deliver dynamic content. You can benefit even if your site has heavy themes and page builders.
TTFB indicates when the browser receives its first byte of data from a server. When the TTFB is low, users get a better experience because the page loads instantly.
Put simply, a TTFB means being stuck on an empty screen waiting for the server to respond. There’s a significant impact on Web Vitals when TTFB is high.
You can optimize TTFB by using a CDN, improving database capacity (caching in memory), and upgrading your web hosting with better performance with a VPS with cloud control panels.
The only page speed metric I really care about is Time to First Byte, but here are GTmetrix results after using this CDN, too.
That said, FlyingPress CDN integrates with other features, such as Argo, tiered and device caching, etc. Plugins – server-side caches can also speed up the process.
Integrate With FlyingCDN
The first step is to become a FlyingPress customer. And you can only access the FlyingCDN if you are a FlyingPress cache plugin user. So, I don’t see another way to integrate this service since it requires an API key.
I’m assuming you’re using FlyingPress, and you can try the free CDN trial for seven days. And sign up.
Then, go to your CDN dashboard and add your website (don’t use ‘www’). And input your server’s (web host’s) IP address.
During the process, you will receive an IP address and CNAME record, which you should use to update your website’s DNS records.
Access your DNS provider and add or update records. Then, don’t activate the proxy if you are using Cloudflare DNS.
Yup, it’s easy; read the doc if you have a question. Or learn how to integrate.
Verify It Works
With the KeyCDN HTTP Header Checker, you can ensure the CDN works on your site. Check the site URL, and you’ll see the first request headers:
x-flying-press-cache: HIT
cf-cache-status: HIT
cdn: FlyingCDN
flyingcdn-cache: HIT
server: cloudflareIf all cache statuses are HIT, everything is fine.
TTFB affects your web host and caching strategies, such as full-page caching. Web hosts like Rocket.net use this approach.
FlyingCDN vs BunnyCDN vs Cloudflare Pro
| FlyingCDN | BunnyCDN | Cloudflare Pro | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | Start $5/M | Minimum $1/M | $25/M |
| Full-page Cache | ✓ | × | APO |
| Optimizing Images | ✓ | Paid | Polish/Mirage |
| Points of Presence | 300+ | 120+ | 250+ |
| Access All Locations | ✓ | ✓ | × |
| Simple Configs | ✓ | × | × |
| Automatic Process | ✓ | × | × |
| Customizable | × | ✓ | ✓ |
| UI | Minimal | Extensive | Depth |
| Cache Hit Ratio | Very high | High | Average |
Price Comparison
Want to use Cloudflare Enterprise for just $5?
If you buy Enterprise directly, you’ll pay thousands of dollars. However, FlyingPress CDN has no hidden costs, and its prices are more affordable compared to Pro/Business, KeyCDN, Rocket, and even BunnyCDN.
It’s $5 per 100 GB of bandwidth per site. Web hosting companies typically offer tools that allow you to track the amount of bandwidth you’re using. Plus, small to medium-sized sites usually use less than 100 GB of bandwidth per month.
For example, FlyingPress CDN is more affordable than KeyCDN, as using KeyCDN for a website with 1 TB of bandwidth would cost almost $50 per month.
The minimum usage fee is $4, with a minimum payment of $49.
However, FlyingPress CDN costs $50 per month for a site with 1 TB of bandwidth, making it a relatively affordable option.
It offers numerous enterprise and security features, making it a suitable alternative to Bunny/KeyCDN for any WordPress website.
I wouldn’t recommend this option if you like to keep things your way. Also, I don’t think you can buy the Enterprise CDN service at this price.
Where Is FlyingCDN Lacking?
When setting up FlyingPress and its CDN, you’ll immediately feel how minimalist it is… There aren’t that many options. When you’re used to other CDNs, it’s going to feel really simple.
Here are a few little annoyances…
- A significant limitation is that you need FlyingPress to use it.
- You can’t make your hostname look like cdn.example.com. Since Cloudflare functions as a proxy rather than a CDN, it won’t matter.
- You can’t customize anything, which may be okay for average users, but can be a problem for advanced users.
- The UI doesn’t provide as many details as other CDNs. You see balance, bandwidth usage, and integration info. It would be beneficial to view metrics such as cache hit rates, visitor counts, IP addresses, WAF history, and platforms.
- I’ve had trouble figuring out which features are enabled or disabled.
- Lacks detailed documentation.
So far, those are the only things I’ve been annoyed with FlyingCDN. It is ideal for those who prefer a simple and automated experience without hassle. If you’re using low-cost hosting for WordPress, it doesn’t matter how robust your CDN is.
My Final Thoughts For This FlyingCDN Review
So far, I am impressed with FlyingCDN. It is a solid choice for many users who prefer automated solutions without manual setup, but you must be a FlyingPress user to utilize it. Just add the domain, point it to the DNS record, and you’ll love it.
Clearly, it’s cheaper than most, but the lack of customization makes it less suitable for techies who want to change things to suit their requirements.
But it’s a hassle-free service that won’t add issues to your site, even with optimization features. And works with WordPress documentation sites.
It works regardless of the site type (static or dynamic) and the level of traffic it receives. The final decision rests with you—test it to see if you like it or not. If your site has limited caching options, you can utilize them to speed up the process.
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