Struggling to find the perfect virtual coworking space for your remote work routine? You’re in the right spot!
Having spent years navigating the ins and outs of remote work, we’ve tested and compiled a list of the top virtual coworking spaces just for you. We’ve been working remotely since 2012 and embraced the digital nomad lifestyle in 2019.
Our aim is to provide honest and thorough reviews to help you stay productive and collaborate effectively, no matter where you are, in any time zone.
Read on to discover the potential of each platform and find the virtual coworking space that best meets your productivity and networking needs.
Key Features of Virtual Coworking Spaces
Choosing the right virtual coworking space can boost your productivity and help you connect with like-minded professionals.
Here are the key features we considered while reviewing the best platforms:
- User Experience: Easy-to-use interface that makes navigation simple and minimizes the learning curve.
- Networking Potential: Opportunities to interact with peers, share ideas, and build professional networks.
- Collaboration Tools: Integrated tools like video conferencing, chat functions, and collaborative document editing for effective teamwork.
- Session Effectiveness: The ability to book focused work sessions with a good balance of work and break times.
- Community Aspect: A sense of community through events, workshops, and forums that go beyond just work.
- Customization: Options to personalize the coworking experience to fit individual or team needs.
- Accessibility: Availability across different devices and operating systems for convenience.
- Free features Availability: Whether the platform offers a free tier with useful features or a free trial to test the service.
- Value for Money: Assessing the features offered in each pricing tier to ensure you get the most out of your investment.
As you go through our top picks, keep these features in mind to choose the platform that best fits your remote working style and needs.
Best Virtual Coworking Spaces for Productivity and Collaboration
Everyone’s needs are different, so we’ve listed our top 10 virtual coworking spaces in alphabetical order. Make sure to check them all out before deciding which one to try!
1. Butter
- Butter is designed for remote teams to boost collaboration. It stands out with features like reusable rooms, session planners, and breakout areas for group discussions. It integrates seamlessly with essential apps like Miro and Google Docs to enhance the collaboration process.
Free : Basic access to key features, great for small teams or freelancers.
Paid : Starting at $17 per month, offering more controls and customization options.
- Why We Like Butter: Butter’s relaxed environment is perfect for teams that want to blend work with social activities like coffee breaks and game nights. It’s especially good for creative brainstorming, making it ideal for marketing teams, designers, and educators.
2. CaveDay
- CaveDay adds a unique twist to remote collaboration by placing your team in visually striking virtual environments, like exotic caves or misty forests, to spark creativity and lower stress.
Free : Access to beautiful scenery backdrops and ambient sounds, great for solopreneurs and small teams.
Paid : Starting at $12 per month, unlocking additional environments, custom branding, private rooms, and analytics.
- Why We Like CaveDay: CaveDay makes remote work more visually appealing and immersive. Its calming environments help improve focus and creativity, making it a good choice for teams looking to add some fun and adventure to their workflow.
3. CoFocus
- CoFocus offers 1-on-1 virtual coworking sessions that provide a personal touch. The 50-minute sessions are designed to help professionals stay accountable and focused on their goals.
Free features: Not available.
Paid: Starting at $20 per month for unlimited access to sessions.
- Why We Like CoFocus: CoFocus is ideal for individuals or small entrepreneurs who value personal interaction and want a more intimate coworking setup. It’s perfect for goal-oriented workers like software developers, researchers, and writers.
4. CreativeMornings
- CreativeMornings brings together the creative community through daily virtual events. Start your day with inspiring talks from renowned creators, covering topics like art, design, and writing.
Free : Full access to all online events and active engagement with attendees and speakers.
Paid : Starting at $8 per month for additional perks like exclusive workshop recordings and private community access.
- Why We Like CreativeMornings: CreativeMornings is perfect for those seeking daily inspiration within a warm community. It’s a great space for creatives across disciplines to learn from each other and spark new ideas.
5. FlowClub
- FlowClub provides ambient noise-canceling rooms for deep work and collaboration. Its minimalist design helps minimize distractions and keep you focused.
Free : Access to essential noise-canceling rooms and solo sessions for up to 30 minutes.
Paid : Starting at $10 per month for additional environments, focus music, private team rooms, and detailed productivity analytics.
- Why We Like FlowClub: FlowClub is perfect for remote teams struggling with digital distractions. It offers a structured environment to help you build better concentration habits and stay productive.
6. Flown
- Flown offers persistent virtual offices in scenic locations, with features like always-on video rooms and spatial audio for realistic interactions. It’s great for fostering innovation in distributed teams.
Free: Access to basic persistent rooms for up to 5 team members.
Paid: Starting at $15 per month for additional environments, private floors, and integrations with essential tools.
- Why We Like Flown: Flown is ideal for hybrid teams looking to recreate the energy of in-person interactions. It offers versatile virtual offices that encourage social interactions and innovation.
7. Focusmate
- Focusmate pairs individuals for focused, productive sessions. It’s a secure digital environment that emphasizes privacy and productivity.
Free: Three sessions per week, a good option for those trying out structured coworking.
Paid: Unlimited sessions start at $5 per month.
- Why We Like Focusmate: Focusmate is perfect for freelancers, writers, and anyone needing an accountability partner to stay productive. It’s great for those who require structured time blocks to maintain high productivity.
8. KumoSpace
- KumoSpace offers interactive 3D workspaces that immerse your team in futuristic offices. Customize your avatar, brainstorm on virtual whiteboards, and present in augmented meeting rooms.
Free: Access to the essential metaverse workspace for teams of up to 5 people.
Paid: Starting at $20 per month for additional environments, private spaces, and more room capacity.
- Why We Like KumoSpace: KumoSpace’s immersive digital workplaces are perfect for teams looking to future-proof their remote collaboration. It’s a great choice for those who want to experience the next level of virtual offices.
9. LifeAt
- LifeAt offers persistent 3D spaces designed as your virtual second home, with options like serene apartments and beach houses for hosting meetings and collaborating with teammates.
Free: Access to a basic metaverse residence for virtual meetings with up to 5 colleagues.
Paid: Starting at $10 per month for more environments, avatar features, and space upgrades.
- Why We Like LifeAt: LifeAt’s realistic spaces help improve focus, connections, and well-being. It’s perfect for digital nomads and remote workers seeking a virtual residence that feels like home.
10. WorkFrom
- WorkFrom connects distributed teams to a global network of vibrant coworking spaces, perfect for occasional meetups or hosting offsite retreats.
Free: Access to browse spaces and book credits for booking.
Paid: Starting at $30 per month for member discounts, unlimited bookings, and the ability to organize team sessions at coworking spaces worldwide.
- Why We Like WorkFrom: WorkFrom is perfect for teams looking to meet up in inspiring work hubs around the world. It’s a great way to discover new spaces and boost productivity.
Sure! Here are five more virtual coworking spaces to add to your list:
- Sococo
- Sococo offers a virtual office environment where you can see and interact with your team in real time. The platform includes customizable avatars, room assignments, and interactive maps that mimic a real office layout.
Free: Access to a basic virtual office for small teams.
Paid: Starting at $13 per user per month, offering more advanced features like private offices, team rooms, and integrations with other collaboration tools.
- Why We Like Sococo: Sococo is perfect for teams that miss the physical office experience. It’s ideal for companies looking to maintain a close-knit team environment even when working remotely.
12. Tandem
- Tandem is a virtual office for remote teams that helps you feel connected with your coworkers. It offers spontaneous voice, video, and screen-sharing features, and you can see who is available to chat or collaborate in real time.
Free: Access for small teams to basic features like voice and video calls.
Paid: Starting at $10 per user per month, offering unlimited rooms, integrations with apps like Slack and Asana, and more.
- Why We Like Tandem: Tandem is great for teams that thrive on spontaneous collaboration and quick check-ins. It’s especially useful for fast-paced environments like startups and tech companies.
13. Huddle
- Huddle brings remote teams closer by creating virtual workspaces where team members can see each other and interact as if they were in the same room. It focuses on building team culture and enhancing collaboration.
Free: Limited access to basic workspace features.
Paid: Starting at $7 per user per month, providing more features like custom rooms, integration with task management tools, and advanced analytics.
- Why We Like Huddle: Huddle is perfect for teams that prioritize communication and culture. It’s ideal for companies that want to replicate the feel of an in-person office while enjoying the flexibility of remote work.
14. Remo
- Remo offers a virtual space that mimics real-life networking events, conferences, and coworking spaces. It provides interactive features like table assignments, breakout rooms, and live presentations, making it perfect for events and large team meetings.
Free: Basic access to networking events and small meetings.
Paid: Starting at $50 per month, allowing for larger events, customized branding, and access to more interactive features.
- Why We Like Remo: Remo is ideal for companies that host regular events or large meetings. It’s great for fostering connections and collaboration on a bigger scale, making it a good fit for businesses that want to engage their teams and clients in a more dynamic way.
15. Around
- Around is a lightweight virtual coworking tool designed for video collaboration. It offers features like background noise reduction, camera framing, and floating video circles that don’t cover your workspace, creating a seamless and distraction-free experience.
Free: Access to basic video conferencing features and small team meetings.
Paid: Starting at $10 per user per month, offering additional customization options, integrations, and team management tools.
- Why We Like Around: Around is perfect for teams that rely heavily on video communication but want a minimalist and non-intrusive interface. It’s ideal for creative teams, design agencies, and tech startups looking for a sleek and modern coworking experience.
BONUS: DIY Virtual Coworking Spaces
If you’re looking for a budget-friendly or DIY option, try gathering a group online using platforms you already use, like Zoom or Google Hangouts. Coordinate with friends or colleagues to cowork together virtually. This setup can simulate the experience of working alongside others remotely and can be as simple as dedicating a block of time to focus on individual work while keeping the video call open for occasional discussions.
How to Choose the Right Virtual Coworking Space
The shift from traditional offices to virtual environments has highlighted the need for spaces that offer the benefits of a physical office. Here’s how to choose the right virtual coworking space:
- Determine Your Needs: Do you need a space that fosters creativity or guarantees productivity? Are you looking for deep work sessions or opportunities for networking?
- Explore the Community: Virtual coworking is as much about the community as it is about the space
Make sure the platform you choose has an active community aligned with your interests.
- Test Free Tiers: Before committing, take advantage of free trials or free tiers to get a feel for the platform.
- Consider Long-term Growth: If you’re a freelancer or small team, ensure the platform can accommodate your needs as your workload or team size grows.
- Balance Features and Budget: Some platforms offer all the bells and whistles, but it’s essential to choose one that aligns with your budget and required features.
Final Thoughts on Virtual Coworking Spaces
Whether you’re a freelancer looking to escape isolation or a remote team leader wanting to boost collaboration, virtual coworking spaces offer a modern solution. Each platform brings unique features to the table, making it crucial to find one that matches your work style and team dynamics.
Try out a few from our list to see which works best for you. Remember, the right space can significantly enhance your remote work experience, boosting productivity and keeping you connected with a supportive community.
FAQs: Virtual Coworking Spaces
1. What is a virtual coworking space?
A virtual coworking space is a digital platform that allows individuals and teams to work together remotely, offering features such as video conferencing, chat rooms, and shared workspaces.
2. Are virtual coworking spaces effective?
Yes, they can be highly effective by providing structure, accountability, and a sense of community, which are often lacking in remote work environments.
3. How do I join a virtual coworking space?
Most virtual coworking spaces offer easy signup processes on their websites. Some platforms provide free tiers or trials to get you started.
4. Can I network in a virtual coworking space?
Absolutely. Many platforms prioritize networking by hosting virtual events, workshops, and interactive sessions where members can connect and collaborate.
5. What equipment do I need for virtual coworking?
At the minimum, you’ll need a stable internet connection, a webcam, a microphone, and a device capable of running the coworking platform’s software.
6. Is it worth paying for a virtual coworking space?
If you find that a virtual coworking space enhances your productivity and offers valuable networking opportunities, it’s worth considering a paid membership.
By trying out the platforms listed above, you can find the virtual coworking space that best suits your work style, needs, and goals. Whether it’s finding your flow, networking with peers, or simply escaping the loneliness of remote work, there’s a virtual coworking space out there for you.