There's a lot to consider when making the switch from a traditional leased office to a serviced office or shared coworking space. Some essential questions include:
- What kind of vibe am I going for?
- Which amenities are absolute musts?
- What are the highest-rated operators?
- How much privacy do I need?
Of course, there are more factors at play than just these four. Using other variables such as value for money, facilities, experience, and more, here's the lowdown on two of the most prominent coworking operators globally: Wework and Regus.
About WeWork
Founded over a decade ago in New York by Miguel McKelvey and Adam Neuman, WeWork has since become a massive global entity. It has a whopping 800 locations around the world, including over 180 premium serviced offices in the US. Overall, it manages over 3 million square metres.
Workspaces for Everyone
Initially, the company aimed to create flexible shared workspaces for entrepreneurs, specifically those in the field of technology. Over the years, it's held fast to its vision of creating environments where people from various industries can join forces to do their best work. WeWork casts a wide net these days, but it still caters best to startups, freelancers, and businesses of all sizes with some WeWork locations having entire floors available for larger companies.
Community Is Part of WeWork's Fabric
The company is perhaps best known for its particular aesthetic, which includes innovative architecture, modern layouts, and trendy common spaces. Many offices have glass walls, which is great for creating a communal feel. The end result infuses its coworking spaces with a casual coffee shop vibe. In fact, micro-roasted coffee, tea, and fruit water are free to patrons at every location — and some of them even offer beer on the house.
Upgraded Safety Protocols
All of WeWork's facilities allow 24/7 coded access, and in the COVID-19 era, buildings have been further enhanced to increase sanitization, improve airflow, and make physical distancing easier.
About Regus
As part of the collective of workspace brands owned by International Workplace Group, Regus is another powerhouse operation. Founded by the British entrepreneur Mark Dixon in 1989, the company now has a presence in 106 countries. It's one of the world's largest providers of flexible workspaces.
World's Largest Serviced Office Provider
As far as its US offerings, Regus has over 1,000 locations across central business districts, airports, and suburbs.
Ideal for Corporates
Although all Regus locations come complete with a coffee machine, the coffee-shop vibe WeWork is known for is absent here. While WeWork puts the emphasis on making communal spaces, Regus focuses on creating corporate ones. Individual spaces are enclosed and private while providing all of the extras expected from a serviced office.
Privacy is a Key Feature
Regus's locations exude professionalism and class in every detail. As such, the company is particularly well-suited for legal and financial professionals. agencies, and large corporations. Business addresses and virtual offices are also available for companies that need them.
Regus puts particular emphasis on privacy and security, and its enhanced COVID protocols allow for further physical distancing in addition to its ramped-up sanitization efforts.
How we Compare
We look at a number of factors to help you compare these two serviced office operators and find the best office for your business.
Regus vs WeWork - Just the Facts
| WeWork | Regus | |
|---|---|---|
| The Skinny | WeWork has fast become one of the largest coworking platforms in the world. Known for its inspiring and innovative architectural designs, premium office space and global services, WeWork has effectively created a community that reaches a worldwide audience. | With private offices and coworking desks available in 1,131 locations across 47 states, Regus offers a professional solution for those looking for an affordable desk or office rates whilst still focusing on a corporate atmosphere. |
| Prices | $$$$ | $$$ |
| Style | Modern and trendy office layouts | Professional and corporate office layouts |
| Vibe | Casual, relaxed & community driven | Professional, corporate, privacy-focused |
| Space | Dedicated desks, Co-working memberships (WeWork All Access), Private offices, Suites, Enterprise Suites, Entire floors with private meeting rooms | Dedicated desks, Co-working memberships, Private offices, Suites, Enterprise Suites, Entire floors with private meeting rooms), Virtual memberships |
| Best for: | Startups, Freelancers, Small business, Enterprise clients looking for a private floor, and those travelling interstate | Legal & financial professionals, Agencies, Frequent travellers, large corporates |
| Locations | 182 | 1,313 |
| Meeting Rooms | Rented on an hourly basis | Rented on an hourly basis |
| Virtual Offices | Includes one dedicated business address, mail and package handling and two credits per month to book coworking space or meeting rooms. | Includes business address, virtual offices and virtual offices plus starting from $45 per month |
| Amenities | Turnkey Office Space Open desk & Private office Layouts Desks & office chairs Filing cabinets Lighting Privacy vinyl Air conditioned Reception desk with meet and greet Unlimited WIFI Printers & copiers Paper & pens Paper Shredding Incoming & outgoing mail service Mail & package, notification, sorting & delivery Unlimited tea & coffee Community network events |
Business grade WIFI Phone handset & lines Choice of furniture Workspace layout options Air conditioned Copier/scanner Printers Receptionist with meet & greet Dedicated business address with mail handling Free re-location Tea and coffee packages |
| Access & Security | Keycard Activation / Deactivation with 24/7 Access Guest Management / Keycard Access Security Guards & Video Surveillance Fire & Safety Personnel Lift Access Private parking (by location) Wheelchair access |
24/7 security with code access Lift Access Private parking (by location) Wheelchair access |
| Facilities | Conference Rooms Meeting Booths & Nooks Phone Booths Classrooms A/V Capability White Boards & Dry Ease Markers Furniture & Equipment Coffee machine Fridge Outdoor space Private bathroom Private eating area Private shower Shared kitchen Private showers (End of Trip) |
Breakout areas Access to meeting rooms Use of community meeting rooms (2hrs per day) Coffee machine Fridge Outdoor space Private bathroom Private showers Private eating area Private shower Shared kitchen Meeting rooms All facilities management & outgoing costs including electricity & water |
| Extras | Additional fees apply for conference/meeting rooms beyond monthly available credits | Outgoing telephone calls if using handsets (Telstra standard rates) Printing/copying charged per page or bring your own printer A two month retainer is required as a deposit which is fully refundable Unlimited tea/coffee (opt out if not required) A one time office restoration service to restore the office upon vacating/moving office (carpet cleaning & repainting |
| Privacy | Many offices have glass walls though frosting is available for those businesses with privacy concerns | Privacy is a major point of focus |
| Safety | WeWork has implemented strict Covid-19 safety protocols including increased sanitization, enhanced cleaning, improved air flow, prioritizing personal space, signage, de-densified lounges, single-occupancy work nooks, reconfigured meeting rooms, enhance phone booth cleaning schedules and complementary sanitization products. Nightly trash removal from offices, conference rooms and common areas Daily upkeep of bathrooms, pantries, conference rooms, and common areas Deep clean of offices on a weekly basis Post-event cleaning |
Regus has also implemented strict Covid-19 safety protocols and access to hand sanitizer at entry ways, one way traffic, physical distancing, visible signage, mask wearing and frequent cleaning. |
| Customers | Slack, Puma, KPMG | Microsoft, Google, Toshiba |
| Average Google Star Rating | 4.3 | 3.3 |
Compare US Coworking Operators
- WeWork vs Industrious
- WeWork vs Regus
- WeWork vs Spaces
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