Coworking : What Is It, Advantages, Costs, Which One To Choose [2023 Guide]

After reading it, you will not only know if coworking suits what you are looking for, but you will also learn how to choose the one that best suits your needs or those of your team.

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What is coworking: An important trend

Coworking is the shared use of a workspace by professionals and independent companies. The objective of this trend is to share equipment costs, spread knowledge and generate synergies that drive all projects.

The fact that companies and freelancers share an office is not something new. And, as we have seen, the definition of coworking does not only imply sharing the space. The concept arose around 2005 when these spaces began to be created, taking collaboration one step further.

In recent years, it has gone from being a workplace trend to becoming the market norm for freelancers, digital nomads, SMEs, and even departments or divisions of large companies. This data from “ Coworking is the new normal and these stats prove it” by Allwork Space bears this out :

• Approximately 35,000 coworking spaces around the world
• In the coming years, an average growth of 10% is expected in this market
• The global coworking market is valued at around $26 US billion.

Coworking, although it is an anglicism, is the word that is being imposed globally. And, even though there are translations into Spanish such as shared offices, collaborative spaces, or collaborative work, these terms do not encompass all the nuances of this work format.

coworking space options

Within a coworking space, there can be various types of locations. Depending on whether it is a company or a freelance, the type of project, and even the environment or privacy that is needed, you can search for one type of location or another. Next, we will see the various options.

1. Private Office

Private offices are reserved sections within the building. They are aimed at entrepreneurs with work teams or companies. They are usually designed for teams of 5 or more people. They offer excellent privacy, but without losing the essence of the collaborative world.

These offices are closed to other coworking members. They can only be accessed by key or identification.

Being private offices, on many occasions, companies or teams can adapt the layout of the tables and the rest of the equipment to their needs. They also allow team meetings without having to reserve rooms, and without the problem of disturbing other coworking colleagues.

In most cases, these offices share common areas and equipment with the rest of the coworking: bathroom, kitchen, dining room, printers, internet, etc. However, depending on the coworking and the needs of the company, some of these common areas and equipment can be integrated.

As expected, the cost of private offices is higher than that of the rest of the location modalities.

2. Open Office

The open offices are also reserved sections within the building and are aimed at entrepreneurs with teams and companies, but with the difference that they are not closed. In other words, these offices share an open space with the rest of the coworking partners.

An open office usually consists of a group or groups of desks reserved for the exclusive use of the hiring team or company. Although there is no physical delimitation with the rest of the open offices (walls or similar), it is assumed that this area is reserved. In this way, a person who does not belong to the work team will not be able to occupy one of those places.

Open offices are more connected than private ones to the coworking environment. However, they are a little less private. In addition, they need to reserve rooms so as not to disturb the rest of their coworking colleagues during team meetings.

3. Dedicated Desk: fixed desk

The dedicated desk or fixed desk is aimed at self-employed professionals or freelancers who do not have a computer. Its main characteristic, compared to the hot desk that we will see below, is that the desk is reserved for the professional who hires it. This means that only he will be able to use the desktop that has been assigned to him.

These desks are generally found in open spaces. Therefore, they are located in a space shared with other independent professionals or companies in open offices. They have an interesting advantage: they allow the professional to establish himself, store his things, and adapt the workspace to his needs. They usually have drawers, lockers, or cabinets with lockers that allow you to store everything that is considered private or valuable.

For example, for a designer who needs to work with multiple screens, a drawing tablet, and other design elements, a dedicated desk will allow him to assemble this entire set and not have to disassemble it every time he leaves the office. It would be unthinkable for a designer to choose a mobile desk and be forced to take their screens, tablet, and other belongings home.

Although the dedicated desk is directed to a single person in a shared space, it still has privacy advantages over the hot desk.

The cost of the dedicated desk is higher than that of the hot desk and similar to the cost per worker in an open office.

4. Hot Desk: mobile desktop

The hot desk or mobile desk is the ideal option for freelancers, remote employees, and digital nomads. That is, for professionals who do not need a workspace as large as an office. And not as stable as a dedicated desk either.

It is the most used option by those who usually combine work from home with work from coworking. It’s also great for employees who travel frequently and are looking for a quality space to work in each city they visit.

It is an option with lower costs than the rest of the modalities. On the contrary, you lose the comfort of having a reserved space within the coworking. In other words, you cannot leave your things on your desk, since that same desk, the next day, could be used by another coworker.

However, in most coworking spaces, even hot desk users have access to common spaces (such as meeting rooms). And, of course, also computer equipment.

Equipment and services included in coworking

One of the advantages of coworking, compared to other office models, is that it allows you to share expenses with other companies and professionals. Therefore, you can access better equipment and more complete services. Most coworking spaces have basic facilities and services available to all their clients. The most common are the following:

• Housekeeping
• high-speed Wi-Fi
• Air conditioning
• Networking events, workshops, and parties
• Porter and security
• Desks, chairs, and other office furniture
• printer, scanner
• meeting rooms
• projectors

There are coworking spaces that, in addition to these “basic” ones, include other equipment and services in their offer. All this is to offer maximum comfort to its tenants. Some examples are:

• Foosball, ping-pong tables, and play areas
• Barbecue
• Free coffee, beer, and soft drinks
• Snacks and Fruits
• 3d printers

In short, almost anything you can imagine. There are as many “extras” as there are coworking spaces. Why? Well, each one seeks to differentiate itself from the others in these aspects.

On the other hand, there are also thematic coworking spaces. These are coworkings specialized in a single type of client, for example, coworkings for artists, for artisans, or even coworkings for photographers. These types of spaces, in addition to the usual equipment, usually include specific means of their sector. In the case of a coworking for photographers, they may have a photography studio. On the other hand, in a coworking for artisans, they will have tools of all kinds. And, similarly, in a coworking for artists, they will have all the materials they need.

Tipos de Coworking

You have already been able to intuit throughout the article that not all coworking is the same: each one has its characteristics. Although there are many ways to classify them, in this section we are going to classify them according to the type of companies or professionals they target.

1. Coworking Generalist

Generalist coworking is aimed at any type of professional, entrepreneur, worker, or work area. One of its advantages is that it is projected to unite different areas and explore new projects. Thus, it is a clear promoter of innovation. For some, it is seen as an advantage not to have their competitors nearby.

This type of coworking is usually the most common. Therefore, it is quite easy to find a space of this type in your city.

2. Coworking by profession

The passage of time and the popularization of coworking spaces around the world have favored the opportunity to specialize in business verticals. Thus, we can differentiate ourselves from the competition. The result is coworkings by a profession that brings together professionals and companies that share the same trade. For example, we can find coworking spaces for lawyers, photographers, or designers.

One of the advantages of this type of coworking is that you work in a very harmonious environment. They are very favorable due to the proximity of the professions, work tastes, and shared language. They are usually coworkings in which collaboration between its members is greatly enhanced. In this way, new joint projects are released that raise the level of business.

Another advantage is related to services and equipment. In coworking by profession, the companies and professionals who share the space also share many of their needs. Therefore, the team that manages the coworking can work to cover all of them. For example, a coworking of lawyers may need a call center to attend to client requests. In contrast, coworking for photographers may require a studio, lighting, and other industry tools.

3. Coworking for artists or creative coworkings

This type of coworking is, in particular, aimed at companies or professionals for whom the creative part is very important. They are coworkings that only accept professionals from this sector. Consequently, its equipment and services are very focused on covering all your needs. In coworking spaces for artists, there are usually larger work tables, creative spaces or rooms for creation, 3D printers, projectors, cutting tables, etc.

Events and workshops are very important. Well, with them we seek to enhance creativity and even business options. These coworkings also hold exhibitions, host galleries, and organize all kinds of markets and pop-up stores.

4. Coworking for artisans

Very similar to coworking for artists, coworking for artisans brings together professionals for whom manual work is very important. They are coworkings whose main characteristic is to take the means one step further: column drills, band saws, electric lathes, laser cutters, etc. In short, all the tools that professionals and companies that work in these coworking spaces may need.

The image of these coworkings is a bit different from that of the usual coworking. Here, the desks lose relevance giving way to workbenches and rooms with workshops. There is usually a little more noise and a little more dust… but that’s what you want in them!

5. Coworking rural

In rural coworking, what changes in the environment? Indeed, coworkings are usually concentrated in large cities; After all, it is where there is a greater concentration of professionals and companies. Even so, there are coworking spaces that shy away from cities in search of an environment of greater peace and tranquility.

Rural coworking is usually aimed at freelancers and independent professionals rather than companies. The reason is obvious: it is easier for a freelancer to change its location than for an entire work team or company to change it. Freelancers or professionals looking for these spaces usually work remotely. And besides, they don’t need anything more than a good internet connection to communicate with their clients or employers.

Some of these rural coworkings have somewhat peculiar characteristics. On many occasions, they are not coworking spaces for a long stay but instead serve as an office for company retreats and events. Commonly, they are companies with headquarters in big cities that are looking for a different space to spend a short period.

6. Coworking de Aventura

Similar to the concept of rural coworkings, adventure coworkings seek to give their clients a different lifestyle than they would in the city. These coworkings are located in locations with great leisure alternatives in nature. We can find adventure coworkings for lovers of surfing or trekking. There are even traveling coworking spaces for travel lovers.

Of course, it is not the usual option for most professionals and companies. However, it is a great alternative to breaking the routine and broadening horizons for a season.

7. Coworking for a large company

The truth is that the coworking concept has been so successful in terms of production, creativity, expansion of fields of work, and innovation that large companies have also decided to enter it. Of course, a company with thousands of employees cannot move to a coworking space, since it would break with its essence. What sense would a coworking made up of only one company have? What they do is send sections of the company to these types of offices. The objective is to benefit from the advantages of coworking in certain areas.

In general, creative departments or those in which collaborations with other companies are an important factor are transferred.

Not all coworking spaces are large enough to support a team or company of more than 50 people. But coworkings oriented to large companies are. Now, the fact that they have availability for large teams does not mean that small companies or independent professionals are not admitted. On the contrary, the formula for success is in the mix.

Top coworking companies

Within the world of coworking, three types of companies manage it. In the first place, there are single-office coworking spaces. That is to say, those that only have a location and that have a local character. Then there are the small coworking chains that have spread to a few locations in your city or even in your country. Finally, there are the big coworking companies. These are multinationals that work in dozens or even hundreds of spaces around the world.

In this section, we want to talk to you about the main coworking companies. Surely, if you are interested in looking for a coworking space, you will see their names appear frequently. All of them benefit from the economy of scale to offer first-class services and spaces.

1. WeWork

WeWork is possibly the most popular and fastest-growing coworking company in the sector. It is quite a giant with almost 600 locations in 105 cities. It welcomes from Fortune 500 companies to small businesses and freelancers who become part of what they call “the community”.

Although the equipment and services of each WeWork office may vary slightly, its aesthetics and style maintain a very identifiable cohesion worldwide. For the plans of the company, business lines are being developed such as coliving (spaces for sharing housing) and the headquarters line. In the latter, the WeWork team helps you find and set up your own company headquarters (oriented to large companies).

2. Impact Hub

“Building communities to generate impact” is the motto of Impact Hub. It is one of the largest communities of entrepreneurs seeking positive change. It has locations in more than 100 cities. However, not all of them have coworking spaces (yet). And it is that Impact Hub is a movement that goes beyond the concept of renting spaces. On many occasions, what he creates are entrepreneurial communities that organize activities, workshops, and training events. These certainly help with your positive impact goals.

3. Regus

Another great coworking company is Regus. Due to their business model and history, they are not only a coworking company but also a provider of real estate resources for companies (flexible offices or headquarters). However, in recent years their interest in coworking spaces has indeed been increasing.

They have more than 3,000 business centers in 900 cities and 120 countries. Although most are not coworking spaces, they still make it one of the largest companies in this sector.

4. Spaces

Spaces is another of the coworking giants. It is present in more than 250 cities around the world. He has a unique style and entrepreneurial spirit. Based in Amsterdam, Spaces has grown very fast since launching in 2008. In addition to their typical coworking space rental options, they also offer meeting rooms and event spaces, even for businesses that are not members of their community.

All Spaces members can also enjoy access to all the company’s clubs around the world.

co-working: average prices

When choosing a coworking space, the price can be one of the definitive factors. This can vary depending on many factors: from the location to the services or the type of space contracted. Therefore, giving a global average price can be complicated. So, we are going to analyze cities that serve as an example for their regions.

In general terms, we can say that a coworking space is a little more expensive than an office if it involves teams of more than 10 people. On the other hand, in the case of smaller teams or freelancers, this price is usually lower.

The following prices are per person.

Average price coworking Madrid

Private office $250

Open Office $180

Dedicated Desk | Fixed desk 180$

Hot Desk | Mobile desktop 150$

Average price coworking Santiago de Chile

Private office $220

Open Office $150

Dedicated Desk | Fixed desk 150$

Hot Desk | Mobile desktop 140$

Average price coworking in Mexico City

Private office $180

Open Office $140

Dedicated Desk | Fixed desk 140$

Hot Desk | Mobile desktop 130$

Average price coworking in Buenos Aires

Private office $170

Open Office $130

Dedicated Desk | Fixed desk 130$

Hot Desk | Mobile desktop 120$

Average price coworking in New York

Private office $400

Open office 380$

Dedicated Desk | Fixed desk 380$

Hot Desk | Mobile Desk $200

Average price coworking Berlin

Private office $380

Open office 360$

Dedicated Desk | Fixed desk 360$

Hot Desk | Mobile Desk $180

Average price coworking Tokyo

Private office $400

Open office 380$

Dedicated Desk | Fixed desk 380$

Hot Desk | Mobile Desk $200

How to choose coworking: Factors to consider

At this point in our coworking guide, it is very possible that you already know if a coworking space suits what you are looking for. Now the question is how to find those coworking spaces that best fit your needs. And, in addition, decide which of them you will move to. In this part of the article, we will give you some advice so that your decision is the best one.

Step 1: Evaluate your budget

The first consideration you should take is the budget you have. If you visit a “high-end” coworking, you will surely fall in love with it at first sight. Of course, its design, its services, and its means make it a place where everyone would like to work. But… can we pay the price of this coworking? Is it an investment that we are going to make profitable?

Both questions are very important. First, we have to know that there are coworkings of all price ranges. Perhaps, by cutting some premium services, we can have an ideal space with a really interesting community. Therefore, knowing what budget you have is vital to rule out many coworking spaces in your search. Still, you should think that entering a coworking space can be an investment. You can get the necessary contacts to help you generate income for your business.

Step 2: Determine the type of space you are looking for

We have already talked throughout the article about the different spaces that exist in coworking spaces.

If your situation is freelance, you will have to decide between a dedicated desk or a hot desk. On the other hand, if you are a company with several employees, you can choose between a private office or an open office. In either case, you continue to enjoy the main advantages offered by a coworking space. However, what varies is the privacy and comfort you get with each of them. And, also, the price will vary.

Taking this into account, you should think about which of the spaces your business requires.

Step 3: Think about the minimum services you need

The variety of services and equipment offered by coworking spaces is unlimited. Some offer little more than a desk and a Wi-Fi connection. Others offer yoga classes, ping-pong tables, or even freshly ground coffee. Not all services are necessary for the day-to-day running of our business. Therefore, it is important to be clear about which ones you need.

However, you should keep in mind that even services that we might consider unnecessary have their benefits within our company. For example, if our company is growing and is looking for different profiles to join the team, a good workspace is a great way to attract talent. People like to work in places where they feel comfortable, where they find facilities, and where they feel motivated. Coworkings are a great magnet for talent and therefore some services can be more than an expense, an investment.

Step 4: filter and visit

Once you know the keys by which you are going to decide what your future workspace will be, it is time to filter and visit. On the coworking websites, you can search and filter, among thousands of coworkings around the world, until you find the one where you want to work.

You will only have to enter the city and the type of space you are looking for to start the filtering. You will be able to select those coworkings that meet your media and service requirements. And that, of course, they adapt to your price range.

Once the candidates have been selected, it will be time to make appointments with them and start visiting them. It is worth spending a little time getting to know these coworking spaces in person. Thus, we will know if they share the spirit of our company or project.

Final words

We hope this article has been useful to you. We want you to be able to decide with us if a coworking is the type of office you need. And, above all, which coworking is the one that best suits your needs? In future articles on our blog, we will continue talking about coworking, how to get the most out of them, and other topics related to teamwork. This is a trend that is on the rise and is being imposed on the day-to-day of the most innovative companies around the world.