When I first started my journey to making a full-time income online, I was no stranger to chasing side hustles—everything from survey sites and drop shipping to flipping products on eBay. Like many, I was lured by the promise of quick wins, but most of those ventures ended up being more work than reward. It wasn’t until I committed to building a real online business that I finally broke through, and today I’m grateful to say I’ve built a six-figure income stream that gives me both freedom and flexibility.
Given my background, I’m always curious (and a bit skeptical) when a new program claims to offer the “blueprint” for online success. That’s why I decided to take a close look at Stuart Ross’s Modern Wealthy program—a course that’s been getting a lot of buzz for its authority-based approach to affiliate marketing and promises of passive income.
In this review, I’ll share my honest, first-hand perspective: what you really get inside Modern Wealthy, the real costs involved, and whether it’s a smart move for aspiring entrepreneurs or just another shiny object in a crowded space. If you’re serious about building a sustainable online business, stick around—I’ll break down everything you need to know before you dive in.
Table of Contents
What is Modern Wealthy?
Modern Wealthy is an online training program designed to teach you how to build a profitable business using authority marketing—essentially, positioning yourself as a trusted expert in a specific niche and leveraging that trust to generate income through affiliate marketing and e-commerce. The core idea is to build a brand around your own face, voice, and story, rather than hiding behind faceless websites or anonymous ads. The training walks you through every step: from picking your niche and understanding your target audience, to creating content that attracts leads and building trust so you can recommend products—whether from Amazon, ClickBank, or even Modern Wealthy itself.
Inside the basic program, you get access to a series of video trainings on niche selection, audience targeting, branding, and various marketing strategies. There are also e-books on affiliate marketing fundamentals and e-commerce basics, plus access to a community and a “strategy call” (which, in my experience, is mostly a pitch for higher-ticket coaching). The ultimate goal is to help you set up systems that can generate passive income—building online assets that work for you around the clock, even when you’re not actively hustling.
Recommendation: Here’s The Best Alternative
Who Created Modern Wealthy?
Modern Wealthy was created by Stuart Ross, a well-known name in the online marketing world. If you’ve been around the digital business space for a while, you might recognize him from his previous program, Six Figure Mentors, which also focused on affiliate marketing and building authority brands. Stuart has a big following and is recognized for his teaching style and structured approach, but his reputation is, frankly, mixed.
On the positive side, he’s experienced and has helped many beginners get started with affiliate marketing. On the flip side, his programs (including Modern Wealthy and Six Figure Mentors) have faced criticism for aggressive upselling, vague training, and a business model that some say feels more like a recruitment funnel than a genuine education platform. There are also concerns about the sustainability of the results, with some reviewers pointing out that the most reliable way to “succeed” is by getting others to sign up under you, rather than building independent income streams. So, while Stuart Ross is definitely a real player in the industry, it’s important to go in with your eyes open about his track record.
Who is Modern Wealthy For?
Modern Wealthy is best suited for beginners who want a structured introduction to affiliate marketing and e-commerce, especially if you’re interested in building a personal brand and don’t mind putting yourself front and center. If you’re comfortable being the “face” of your business—sharing your story, creating content, and building trust with an audience—this program could be a good fit. The training is step-by-step and beginner-friendly, and there’s an active community for support, which can be a big help if you’re just starting out.
That said, if you’re looking for a hands-off, faceless way to make money online, or if you’re wary of programs that rely on upsells and recruiting others, you might want to think twice. The business model does require ongoing effort in content creation and audience building, and the most enthusiastic testimonials often come from people who have invested in the higher-ticket coaching. Also, if you’re already experienced in affiliate marketing, you may find the material a bit basic and repetitive. In short, Modern Wealthy is for those who are new to the space, willing to invest both time and money, and ready to build a real brand—not just chase the next shiny object.
Recommendation: Here’s The Best Alternative
How is Modern Wealthy Structured?
When I got inside Modern Wealthy, I found the course content to be pretty straightforward and beginner-friendly. The program is organized into several core modules, each focusing on a different aspect of building an online business through authority marketing, affiliate marketing, and e-commerce. Here’s a breakdown of what you get:
- Modern Wealthy E-book & Fast Start Program: A foundational guide that lays out the authority marketing strategy and how to get started quickly.
- Video Training Modules: Step-by-step video lessons covering topics like niche selection, building your personal brand, creating content, attracting leads, and converting them into sales.
- Affiliate Marketing 101 (Bonus): An extra module that walks you through the basics of affiliate marketing, how to choose products, and how to promote them effectively.
- E-com 101 (Bonus): This module introduces the fundamentals of e-commerce for those interested in selling physical or digital products.
- FREE Vision Call (Bonus): A one-on-one session to help you clarify your business goals and next steps (though, in my experience, this is also where they pitch their higher-ticket programs).
The training is hosted on the Launch You platform, and there’s also an active Facebook group with thousands of members, which is great for networking and getting support as you go through the modules.
Are Modern Wealthy Students Getting Results?
I always look for real student outcomes before recommending any program, and Modern Wealthy does have a fair share of positive testimonials. On Trustpilot, it holds a 4.3-star rating with 78% of reviewers giving it five stars, which is impressive for this kind of course.
Here are a few success stories that stood out to me:
- Dan Holloway (London, England): After joining Modern Wealthy, Dan quit his job as a Senior Sales Executive and is now running his own business while mentoring others inside the program.
- Nicole Nagelgast (Netherlands): Nicole used the training to launch her own physical product and has sold over 10,000 copies of her book, “The Adventure Book.”
- Mark Tilbury (Australia): Mark built a 24/7 online business that runs on autopilot after nine months in the course, and he highlights the supportive community as a big plus.
There are also testimonials from people like Tim Low, who says he matched his lawyer’s salary in just six months after learning online marketing, and Landria Onkka, who credits the platform with helping her quit her job.
That said, not every review is glowing. Some students feel the content is too basic or complain about upsells, but overall, the majority of beginners seem to get value from the step-by-step approach.
Recommendation: Here’s The Best Alternative
How Much Does Modern Wealthy Cost?
The entry price for Modern Wealthy is just $37, which gives you access to all the core training, bonuses, and the Facebook community. This is a significant discount from the “retail” price they list (often shown as $697), and it’s been offered at $37 for quite some time.
However, it’s important to know that there are optional upsells if you want more advanced training or done-for-you resources. These include:
- LaunchPad: $997+
- Accelerate Mentorship: $3,995+
While you can get started with just the basic program, you’ll be encouraged to invest in these higher-ticket options if you want more in-depth coaching and support.
Refund Policy: Modern Wealthy offers a 30-day money-back guarantee. What’s unique is that you can request a refund for any reason—even if you’ve completed the entire course—and you’ll still keep access to the program. This makes it a low-risk investment if you want to check it out for yourself.
Praises For Modern Wealthy
Beginner-Friendly, Step-by-Step Training
One of the biggest strengths of Modern Wealthy is how accessible it is for beginners. The training is broken down into simple, actionable steps that anyone can follow, even if you have zero experience with online business or affiliate marketing. I found the modules easy to digest, and the course walks you through everything from choosing a niche to building your brand and driving traffic. Many students, including those over 60, have highlighted how the structure helped them get started without feeling overwhelmed.Supportive Community
The program offers access to an active Facebook group with thousands of members. This community aspect is a huge plus, especially if you’re new and need encouragement or want to network with like-minded people. I noticed that students often share wins, ask questions, and get feedback quickly, which can make a big difference when you’re just starting out.Real-Life Success Stories
There are genuine testimonials from people who’ve seen positive changes after joining Modern Wealthy. For example, Mark Tilbury from Australia built a 24/7 online business that runs on autopilot after nine months in the program, and others have shared how the training helped them launch products or quit their jobs for more flexibility. While results vary, these stories show that the training can work for those who take action.Transparent Refund Policy
I appreciate that Modern Wealthy offers a 30-day money-back guarantee, and you get to keep access to the basic course even if you request a refund. This lowers the risk for anyone on the fence about joining and shows a level of confidence in the product.Taught by an Experienced Marketer
Stuart Ross has over a decade of experience in digital marketing and business mentorship. His authority in the space adds credibility, and he’s been able to guide many students through the early stages of building an online business.
Recommendation: Here’s The Best Alternative
Criticisms For Modern Wealthy
Aggressive and Expensive Upsells
While the entry price is low, you’re quickly funneled toward high-ticket upsells like LaunchPad and Accelerate, which can cost $997 to $4,000. I found the upsell process relentless, and it’s clear that the $37 course is just the beginning if you want access to advanced strategies or done-for-you resources. Many reviewers and students have called this a bait-and-switch tactic, and it’s a major turn-off if you’re not prepared for the extra costs.Repetitive and Basic Content
The core training modules are often described as repetitive and lacking depth. If you already have some experience with affiliate marketing or have watched free YouTube tutorials, you might find the lessons too basic. Several reviews mention that the course drags out simple concepts and doesn’t provide enough actionable, advanced information to justify the price of the upsells.Questionable Marketing Tactics
I noticed that Modern Wealthy uses some sketchy marketing strategies, such as showing a “retail” price of $697 but always selling the course for $37, and using emotional stories to push you toward buying. There are also complaints about misleading promises and heavy emphasis on selling the dream of financial freedom, which can set unrealistic expectations for newcomers.Limited Student Success and MLM-Like Structure
Despite a large membership base, there are surprisingly few verifiable success stories. Some testimonials are vague or recycled from other programs, and critics argue that the most reliable way to make money is by promoting Modern Wealthy itself—making the business model feel uncomfortably close to multi-level marketing. This raises concerns about the sustainability and ethics of the program.Customer Support Issues
Several students have reported poor communication from the support team, delayed responses to refund requests, and confusion around scheduling calls. This lack of reliable support can be frustrating, especially when you’re paying for higher-ticket products and expect more personalized help.
Should You Join Modern Wealthy?
After going through Modern Wealthy myself, I can say it’s a solid entry point if you’re a complete beginner who wants a structured, step-by-step introduction to affiliate marketing and authority-based online business. The training is easy to follow, the community is active, and the refund policy is generous. If you’re tired of sifting through scattered free content and want everything in one place, Modern Wealthy delivers on that front.
But I have to be honest: the program comes with some big caveats. The basic course is just the tip of the iceberg, and you’ll quickly be encouraged to invest in expensive upsells if you want more advanced strategies or personalized support. The core training is pretty basic, and if you already have some online business experience, you’ll likely find it repetitive. Plus, the business model relies heavily on promoting Modern Wealthy itself, which can feel a bit too close to MLM territory for my liking.
Affiliate marketing is also more competitive and less passive than most people realize. With constant changes in Google’s algorithms and the need for ongoing content creation, it’s not the “set and forget” income stream some sales pages promise. If you’re willing to put in the work, you can get results, but don’t expect overnight success.
So, should you join? If you’re a true beginner who values structure, community, and a low-risk way to dip your toes into affiliate marketing, Modern Wealthy is worth considering—just go in with realistic expectations and a clear budget for potential upsells. If you’re looking for more depth, advanced strategies, or a business model that gives you more control, you might want to look elsewhere.
Recommendation: Here’s The Best Alternative
Modern Wealthy Alternative
If you’re serious about building a real, sustainable online business—and you want a platform that gives you everything you need under one roof—my top recommendation is Wealthy Affiliate. I’ve personally used Wealthy Affiliate and found it to be the most comprehensive and beginner-friendly platform for learning affiliate marketing from scratch.
Here’s why Wealthy Affiliate stands out:
- All-in-One Platform: Wealthy Affiliate includes step-by-step training, website hosting, a powerful keyword research tool (Jaaxy), and an active, supportive community—all included in your membership.
- Beginner to Advanced Training: The Online Entrepreneur Certification and Affiliate Bootcamp courses walk you through every stage of building an affiliate business, from picking a niche to scaling your income.
- No Expensive Upsells: You can start with a free Starter account (no credit card needed), and the Premium plans are transparent and affordable compared to other programs—no surprise $1,000+ upsells.
- Supportive Community and Live Coaching: You’ll have access to live chat, forums, private messaging, and weekly live webinars with experienced marketers.
- Legitimate, Proven Track Record: Wealthy Affiliate has been around since 2005, with millions of members and thousands of success stories. It’s consistently rated highly for effectiveness, value, and support.
If you want to avoid aggressive upsells, get real support, and follow a proven roadmap, Wealthy Affiliate is hands-down the best alternative to Modern Wealthy right now. You can even test-drive the platform for free to see if it’s the right fit for you before making any commitment.
Recommendation: Here’s The Best Alternative
Anthony Smith is an internet entrepreneur. He created the Side Hustle Ideas Database to help people find side hustles for making extra money, with the potential of turning into a full-time income.
After graduating from the University of Pennsylvania with a business degree, he gained business experience at a consulting firm. At the same time, he tried various side hustles including freelance writing, blogging, and eCommerce. He managed to turn his side hustles into a full-time business, earning over $3 million. Now, he enjoys financial freedom and travels around the world as a digital nomad.