Coworking vs your own office
Workspace choice directly affects your company's daily operations, culture, and costs. The two most common options in the Helsinki metropolitan area are coworking spaces and traditional private offices. Both serve different needs, and the right choice depends on company size, growth stage, and industry.
What do coworking and private offices mean?
A coworking space is a shared work environment where multiple companies operate under the same roof. Access typically includes:
- Dedicated or shared desk
- High-speed internet
- Meeting rooms (bookable by the hour)
- Kitchen and social areas
- Reception and mail services
A private office is a space exclusively for your company's use. It can be a single room in an office hotel or an entire floor in an office building. Leases are typically 1-5 years.
Cost comparison
Costs depend heavily on location and team size. Below are averages from the Helsinki metropolitan area:
| Coworking | Private office | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 person | 200-450 EUR/month | Not cost-effective |
| 5 people | 1,000-2,250 EUR/month | 1,500-3,000 EUR/month |
| 10 people | 2,000-4,500 EUR/month | 2,500-5,000 EUR/month |
| 20 people | 4,000-9,000 EUR/month | 4,000-7,000 EUR/month |
Note the tipping point: around 10-15 people, a private office starts to be more cost-effective. However, coworking prices often include furniture, cleaning, internet, and meeting rooms -- in a private office, these are additional costs.
Flexibility and commitment
| Factor | Coworking | Private office |
|---|---|---|
| Contract length | 1-12 months | 1-5 years |
| Scalability | Add/remove desks monthly | Requires new lease or subletting |
| Furniture | Included | Own procurement |
| Moving costs | Minimal | Significant |
| Notice period | 1-3 months | 3-12 months |
Coworking is superior in flexibility. This is a critical advantage especially for startups and growth-stage companies whose headcount can change rapidly.
Privacy and focus
Here, a private office wins clearly. In a coworking space:
- Phone calls and confidential conversations require a separate room
- Open space can be noisy
- Client meetings require booking a meeting room
- Company materials and equipment are in a shared space
In a private office:
- Full control over the sound environment
- Confidential conversations in your own space
- Clients arrive directly at your premises
- Equipment and materials are secure
Corporate image and culture
A private office strengthens your brand: your own signs, your own interior design, your own look. This is important especially for companies whose clients visit regularly.
A coworking space communicates modernity and agility. It can be an advantage in recruiting, particularly among younger employees. The coworking environment also offers natural networking opportunities.
Networking
A clear advantage of coworking spaces. The shared environment exposes you to natural networking with other entrepreneurs and companies. Many coworking spaces also organize events and community activities.
In a private office, networking is limited to other tenants in the building and requires a more active approach.
Who should choose coworking, who a private office?
Choose coworking if:
- Your team is 1-8 people
- You're a startup or in a growth phase
- You want to minimize initial investments
- Flexibility is more important than privacy
- You value networking opportunities
Choose a private office if:
- Your team exceeds 10 people
- You need privacy (law firms, consultancies, finance)
- Clients visit regularly
- You want to build a strong company culture in your own space
- You have a long-term location plan
Hybrid model: the best of both worlds
An increasing number of companies combine both models. For example:
- A small private office for the core team + coworking membership for remote workers
- Coworking in the capital region + project spaces as needed
- An office hotel that provides your own room but shared services
HQ Finder's selection includes all options. We help you find exactly the right solution -- whether it's a coworking desk, your own room, or an entire floor.
Frequently asked questions
A coworking space is a shared workspace where multiple companies or entrepreneurs work in the same space. Access typically includes a desk, internet, meeting rooms, and shared social areas. Contracts are flexible, often on a monthly basis.
Coworking is cheaper for small teams (1-5 people). A single desk costs 200-450 EUR/month in Helsinki. For teams over 10 people, a private office is often more cost-effective per person.
Typically when your team grows beyond 8-10 people, you need privacy for client meetings or confidential work, or you want to strengthen your brand with dedicated premises.
Yes. HQ Finder's selection includes coworking spaces, office hotels, and traditional offices in the Helsinki metropolitan area. Our service is free for tenants.