Decision guide
Coworking vs managed office
Take coworking if your team is under about 25 people, you want to start in weeks and you'd rather keep the exit easy. Take a managed office if you need private, branded space for a larger team and can commit to a year or more — it costs more per seat but includes a fit-out you'd otherwise pay for yourself.
Side by side
| Coworking | Managed office | |
|---|---|---|
| Typical commitment | Month-to-month to 12 months | 11-36 months |
| Cost per seat | Lower entry, rises with private cabins | Higher per seat, but includes fit-out and services |
| Team size that fits | 1-30 people | 25-500+ people |
| Branding | Operator's brand, shared common areas | Your brand, your reception, your layout |
| Capital outlay | None | None — the operator funds the fit-out and amortises it |
| Who runs facilities | Operator | Operator |
| Exit | Notice period, usually 30-60 days | Lock-in with a defined exit clause |
Common questions
Coworking vs managed office: common questions
- What is the difference between coworking and a managed office?
- Coworking gives you seats inside a shared, operator-branded workspace with common areas you share with other companies. A managed office gives your team a private, branded space — often a full floor or wing — fitted out for you and run by the operator on a single monthly invoice. Coworking is bought per seat; a managed office is bought as a space.
- Which is cheaper?
- Coworking is cheaper to start and for small teams, because you pay only for the seats you use with no fit-out. Above roughly 25-30 people, a managed office usually costs less per seat than the equivalent number of private cabins in a coworking centre, and it gives you exclusive space for that money.
- When should a team move from coworking to a managed office?
- Three signals: you're taking more than about 25 seats, you need meeting rooms constantly rather than occasionally, or your brand and confidentiality matter to clients walking in. Any one of those usually makes a managed office better value.
- Do managed offices need a security deposit?
- Yes — typically two to six months of rent, against no deposit or one month in most coworking agreements. Deposit terms are negotiable and we negotiate them on the occupier's side.
- Can I switch later?
- Most operators run both formats, so teams often start on desks and move into a managed suite in the same building. Ask for that path in writing before you sign — it's easier to negotiate at the start.