WeWork Alternatives: A Guide To Flexible Workspaces In 2026

The coworking industry has transformed dramatically since WeWork's Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing in November 2023, when the company reported debts of $18.65 billion against assets of $15.06 billion. While WeWork remains one of the most recognizable coworking brands with operations in major cities worldwide, workplace leaders are increasingly turning to companies like WeWork that offer more flexible workspaces, stronger budget controls, and access to a global network of workspace solutions.

Whether you're managing a distributed workforce, looking to reduce real estate costs, or seeking workspace providers that give your employees access to meeting spaces and conference rooms without long-term leases, this guide covers the major players in the coworking world and helps you find the perfect space for your team's needs.

The current state of the coworking market

The flexible workspace market is projected to grow from $39.57 billion in 2024 to $136.46 billion by 2032, representing a 17.08% compound annual growth rate. Despite WeWork's financial difficulties, demand for flexible workspaces remains strong, driven by the office evolution toward hybrid work and cost-effectiveness.

JLL predicts that by 2030, 30% of all office space will be flexible. Currently, 41% of corporations use coworking spaces, and enterprise memberships grew by 27% in 2024 alone. Companies that once viewed coworking as a solution for startups and freelancers now recognize its value for supporting hybrid work models, testing new markets, and providing employees with inspiring workspaces near their homes.

The coworking industry continues to evolve, with major players like IWG (Regus), Industrious, and Spaces setting the pace for innovation and experience. Many coworking spaces now allocate 15-20% of their space toward non-desk amenities, including lounge areas and networking events, recognizing that professionals seeking flexible office solutions want more than just a desk and high-speed internet.

Top WeWork alternatives for enterprise teams

IWG (International Workplace Group) and Regus

The International Workplace Group is the largest coworking company in the world, operating over 3,000 locations across more than 100 countries. Regus, owned by IWG, is the largest coworking organization in the United States with over 950 locations. Unlike WeWork, Regus has roots in traditional real estate and has operated since 1989, demonstrating long-term sustainability in the coworking model.

IWG provides flexible office spaces and virtual office solutions globally, catering to a wide range of professionals seeking alternatives to long commutes and expensive headquarters. Their offerings include serviced offices, hot desking options, and monthly membership plans that give users unlimited access to locations across multiple countries worldwide.

Spaces

Spaces, also owned by IWG, operates over 130 locations across the US and offers flexible coworking alternatives primarily in larger cities worldwide. The brand focuses on creative, workstyle-flexible spaces with a modern design similar to WeWork's aesthetic and organizes regular events to foster community among its members.

Spaces appeals to professionals seeking creative workspaces that balance productivity with networking opportunities. Their monthly pricing model eliminates the commitment of traditional office leases while providing access to meeting rooms, phone booths, and collaborative areas.

Industrious

Industrious is one of the fastest-growing coworking companies, offering luxury office spaces with a hospitality touch. They focus on creating elegant, professional environments that feel more like a hotel than a typical coworking space. In January 2025, CBRE acquired Industrious for $400 million, signaling strong enterprise confidence in the flexible workspace model.

What sets Industrious apart from other workspace providers is its emphasis on premium amenities, wellness rooms, and personalized support. For remote workers and enterprise teams seeking a refined work environment, Industrious represents one of the biggest coworking companies, prioritizing quality over volume.

Convene

Convene focuses on premium meeting and event spaces with high-end hospitality-driven services. Unlike many coworking spaces that prioritize individual workstations, Convene specializes in providing space for collaboration, team off-sites, and corporate events.

Their full catering services and on-site management make them ideal for companies that need professional meeting spaces and conference rooms without maintaining dedicated real estate. For workplace leaders organizing team gatherings or client meetings, Convene offers a hospitality-first approach that elevates the workspace experience.

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WeWork Alternatives: A Guide To Flexible Workspaces In 2026

READING TIME
9 minutes
AUTHOR
Gable Team
published
Jul 23, 2024
Last updated
Jan 18, 2026
TL;DR

The coworking industry has transformed dramatically since WeWork's Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing in November 2023, when the company reported debts of $18.65 billion against assets of $15.06 billion. While WeWork remains one of the most recognizable coworking brands with operations in major cities worldwide, workplace leaders are increasingly turning to companies like WeWork that offer more flexible workspaces, stronger budget controls, and access to a global network of workspace solutions.

Whether you're managing a distributed workforce, looking to reduce real estate costs, or seeking workspace providers that give your employees access to meeting spaces and conference rooms without long-term leases, this guide covers the major players in the coworking world and helps you find the perfect space for your team's needs.

The current state of the coworking market

The flexible workspace market is projected to grow from $39.57 billion in 2024 to $136.46 billion by 2032, representing a 17.08% compound annual growth rate. Despite WeWork's financial difficulties, demand for flexible workspaces remains strong, driven by the office evolution toward hybrid work and cost-effectiveness.

JLL predicts that by 2030, 30% of all office space will be flexible. Currently, 41% of corporations use coworking spaces, and enterprise memberships grew by 27% in 2024 alone. Companies that once viewed coworking as a solution for startups and freelancers now recognize its value for supporting hybrid work models, testing new markets, and providing employees with inspiring workspaces near their homes.

The coworking industry continues to evolve, with major players like IWG (Regus), Industrious, and Spaces setting the pace for innovation and experience. Many coworking spaces now allocate 15-20% of their space toward non-desk amenities, including lounge areas and networking events, recognizing that professionals seeking flexible office solutions want more than just a desk and high-speed internet.

Top WeWork alternatives for enterprise teams

IWG (International Workplace Group) and Regus

The International Workplace Group is the largest coworking company in the world, operating over 3,000 locations across more than 100 countries. Regus, owned by IWG, is the largest coworking organization in the United States with over 950 locations. Unlike WeWork, Regus has roots in traditional real estate and has operated since 1989, demonstrating long-term sustainability in the coworking model.

IWG provides flexible office spaces and virtual office solutions globally, catering to a wide range of professionals seeking alternatives to long commutes and expensive headquarters. Their offerings include serviced offices, hot desking options, and monthly membership plans that give users unlimited access to locations across multiple countries worldwide.

Spaces

Spaces, also owned by IWG, operates over 130 locations across the US and offers flexible coworking alternatives primarily in larger cities worldwide. The brand focuses on creative, workstyle-flexible spaces with a modern design similar to WeWork's aesthetic and organizes regular events to foster community among its members.

Spaces appeals to professionals seeking creative workspaces that balance productivity with networking opportunities. Their monthly pricing model eliminates the commitment of traditional office leases while providing access to meeting rooms, phone booths, and collaborative areas.

Industrious

Industrious is one of the fastest-growing coworking companies, offering luxury office spaces with a hospitality touch. They focus on creating elegant, professional environments that feel more like a hotel than a typical coworking space. In January 2025, CBRE acquired Industrious for $400 million, signaling strong enterprise confidence in the flexible workspace model.

What sets Industrious apart from other workspace providers is its emphasis on premium amenities, wellness rooms, and personalized support. For remote workers and enterprise teams seeking a refined work environment, Industrious represents one of the biggest coworking companies, prioritizing quality over volume.

Convene

Convene focuses on premium meeting and event spaces with high-end hospitality-driven services. Unlike many coworking spaces that prioritize individual workstations, Convene specializes in providing space for collaboration, team off-sites, and corporate events.

Their full catering services and on-site management make them ideal for companies that need professional meeting spaces and conference rooms without maintaining dedicated real estate. For workplace leaders organizing team gatherings or client meetings, Convene offers a hospitality-first approach that elevates the workspace experience.

Is your hybrid team struggling with workspace coordination?

Many distributed companies find that traditional coworking memberships don't address their real challenge: helping teams find each other and collaborate intentionally. Learn how smart workplace leaders are solving this problem.

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Impact Hub

Impact Hub operates over 100 locations in more than 60 countries, focusing on social entrepreneurship and community engagement. This workspace provider caters to mission-driven businesses and professionals seeking coworking spaces that foster social impact.

Unlike providers like IWG, which emphasize corporate efficiency, Impact Hub offers networking opportunities centered on purpose-driven work. Each location is operated by local entrepreneurs, creating a community feel that appeals to startups and social enterprises.

Knotel

Knotel specializes in providing headquarters for large enterprises and on-demand meeting spaces. Their unique position as a B2B business focuses on large companies that need customized layouts and branding within flexible contract terms.

Acting as an intermediary between landlords and businesses, Knotel leases spaces, renovates and furnishes them, and provides on-site management. For enterprises seeking their own spaces without capital expenditure, Knotel offers an alternative to traditional real estate commitments.

Serendipity Labs

Serendipity Labs provides upscale coworking and meeting spaces designed specifically for remote and mobile professionals. With premier workspaces featuring sophisticated design and security measures, they target professionals who need professional environments without sacrificing flexibility.

Their focus on hospitality-based coworking sets them apart from more casual coworking companies, making them ideal for client-facing professionals who need inspiring workspaces that align with their brand standards.

Office Evolution

Office Evolution is a leading US franchise focusing on small businesses and entrepreneurs. With locations primarily in suburban areas, they serve professionals seeking workspace solutions closer to home, eliminating long commutes to major cities.

Their franchise model allows for local ownership and customization, creating community-oriented spaces that balance professionalism with accessibility. For remote workers in suburban areas, Office Evolution and similar lucid private offices offer alternatives to coffee shops without the overhead of traditional office space.

Workspace aggregators: access to multiple locations

The rise of all-in-one platforms

Rather than committing to a single coworking provider, many workplace leaders now use aggregator platforms that provide access to multiple workspace providers through a single interface. This approach gives employees the flexibility to choose from many coworking spaces based on location, amenities, and availability.

Platforms like Gable provide access to over 8,500 pre-vetted coworking spaces in more than 600 cities worldwide. Unlike individual memberships that limit employees to a single provider's locations, aggregator platforms offer real-time insights into space usage, budget controls, and the ability to book conference rooms, hot desks, or private offices with just a few clicks.

For companies managing distributed teams, the key difference between individual coworking memberships and aggregator platforms is control and visibility. With individual memberships, workplace leaders often lack insight into how much employees actually use spaces, which teams are gathering in person, and whether spending aligns with business objectives.

Gable: a comprehensive workspace management platform

Gable differs from traditional coworking providers by functioning as an all-in-one platform that connects distributed teams with workspace solutions worldwide. Rather than operating its own spaces, Gable partners with existing coworking companies to give employees access to the best options in each location.

The platform offers flexible invoicing with no added fees, allowing companies to manage budgets and spending effectively. Workplace leaders can set budget limits by department, location, or space type, implement approval workflows, and access real-time data on space usage and employee satisfaction.

Key advantages over traditional coworking memberships include no setup fees or minimum commitment requirements, instant booking availability for most spaces, and the ability to onboard new locations within 21 business days when employees need workspace in new areas.

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What to look for when choosing WeWork competitors

Location and accessibility

Location is a crucial factor when choosing a coworking space. In recent years, workers are living further away from employers and aren't fans of long commutes to the office. When evaluating workspace providers, consider whether they have locations across the cities where your employees live, not just major metropolitan areas.

Meeting room availability is often a deciding factor for businesses when choosing a coworking space. Ensure your chosen provider offers conference rooms and meeting spaces that can accommodate your team's collaboration needs.

Amenities and work environment

A coworking space's amenities can significantly influence decision-making. High-speed internet, phone booths, and quality coffee are no longer perks but essentials. Consider whether spaces offer outdoor seating, natural light, and quiet focus areas that match your team's workstyle and flexible space needs.

The design and atmosphere of a coworking space can impact productivity and employee satisfaction. Some professionals thrive in energetic, open environments while others need quiet, professional settings for focused work.

Pricing and flexibility in terms of lease agreements

Flexibility in terms of lease agreements is a key aspect to consider in coworking spaces. Traditional office leases often require multi-year commitments, while the best WeWork alternatives offer monthly basis options or pay-as-you-go models.

Pricing is an important consideration when selecting a coworking space. Understand the full cost structure, including monthly membership fees, overage charges, and costs for additional services like meeting rooms or event spaces. Comparing flexible spaces to office leases can help you understand the true potential for cost savings.

Data and budget controls

For workplace leaders managing distributed teams, visibility into how employees use flexible workspaces is essential for optimizing office space and making informed real estate decisions. Look for providers or platforms that offer dashboards showing usage patterns, departmental spending, and employee feedback.

Budget controls allow you to set limits and approvals that prevent overspending while still giving employees the flexibility to choose where they work. This balance of control and autonomy is particularly important for companies scaling their use of flexible workspaces.

The future of flexible workspaces

The sense of community within a coworking space can enhance the overall work experience. As the coworking market continues to mature, providers are differentiating through programming, networking events, and member services that create belonging beyond desk access.

Accessibility to public transportation remains important for many individuals when selecting a coworking space, but the growth of suburban coworking options reflects changing preferences. 45% of coworking spaces are now in suburban neighborhoods, serving hybrid workers who prefer locations closer to home.

For companies evaluating WeWork alternatives, the question isn't just which provider to choose but how to integrate flexible workspaces into a broader workplace strategy. The most successful implementations combine headquarters offices with on-demand access to coworking, giving employees flexibility while maintaining opportunities for intentional collaboration.

Whether you're looking for premier workspaces in major cities, budget-friendly options for growing teams, or comprehensive platforms that manage workspace access across your entire organization, the coworking world offers more options than ever. By understanding your team's needs and evaluating providers based on location, amenities, pricing, and data capabilities, you can find the right solution to support your hybrid workforce.

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FAQs

FAQ: WeWork alternatives

What happened to WeWork, and is it still operating?

WeWork filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy on November 6, 2023, with reported debts of $18.65 billion and assets of $15.06 billion. The company has since emerged from bankruptcy and continues operating, though with a more conservative growth strategy. WeWork still operates locations worldwide, but many companies have sought WeWork competitors offering better budget controls and access to a broader global network of spaces.

What is the largest coworking company in the world?

IWG (International Workplace Group), which owns Regus and Spaces, is the largest coworking company globally with over 3,000 locations in more than 100 countries. Regus alone operates over 950 locations in the United States, making it the largest coworking organization in the United States. The biggest coworking companies continue to expand as enterprise demand for flexible office space grows.

How do coworking space costs compare to traditional office leases?

Coworking spaces typically cost $200-$600 per person per month, depending on location and space type, while traditional office leases require long-term commitments and additional costs for utilities, maintenance, and amenities. Companies using flexible workspaces report saving up to 30% on real estate costs by eliminating underutilized office space and paying only for workspace actually used.

Can large enterprises use coworking spaces effectively?

Yes, 41% of corporations now use coworking spaces as part of their workplace strategy. Enterprise adoption is driving market growth, with large companies using flexible workspaces for geographic expansion, project-based teams, and to support distributed employees. 32% of Fortune 500 companies incorporate coworking into their real estate portfolios.

What features should I look for in a coworking aggregator platform?

When evaluating workspace aggregator platforms, prioritize providers offering budget controls by department and user, approval workflows, real-time usage analytics, instant booking capabilities, and access to a large network of pre-vetted spaces. Integration with existing tools like Slack, calendar applications, and HRIS systems streamlines adoption and reduces administrative overhead.

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