In short, coworking means working in a shared work environment. Unlike a traditional company office, it brings together people from different businesses, including freelancers and small teams. IWG and WeWork are prominent international providers, but identifying the biggest company requires a clear measure: locations, floor area, desks and revenue can produce different comparisons. For someone choosing a workspace, the available options in the right city matter more than a global ranking.
Origins of coworking
The Coworking Wiki community traces an important starting point to Brad Neuberg’s initiative in San Francisco in 2005. Early communities included Spiral Muse, The Hat Factory and Citizen Space. The idea combined independent work with a shared place and opportunities to meet others. It did not create one standard office model: a small community-run space and a large international office network can offer very different experiences.
The advantages of coworking
Working around other professionals can help you meet people, share expertise and build a routine outside the home. It can also provide access to meeting facilities without maintaining an entire office yourself. Greater productivity is not automatic, however. Frequent conversations or a lack of quiet space can make some tasks harder, so assess the setting against your actual work.
Many providers have locations in several cities at home and abroad. That can be useful for business travel if your agreement covers the places you need. A large network does not necessarily mean you can arrive anywhere without a reservation or additional charge.
Major international providers: IWG and WeWork
The original article described these companies as the “big two”. They remain useful names to compare, but a worldwide ranking needs consistent definitions and dates. A total may include private offices, partner-operated centres or other products alongside shared desks. Regional operators and independent spaces also deserve consideration when they serve your particular location well.
1. IWG Group
International Workplace Group brings together flexible-workspace brands including Regus, Spaces and HQ. Its history began with Regus in Brussels. The company’s own overview, checked in October 2026, lists more than 4,000 locations in over 120 countries. This is a provider-reported network figure, not a count solely of coworking desks.
Compare the actual product you intend to use. A private office, a dedicated desk and access to shared areas meet different needs. Ask which locations and brands a proposed plan covers, how reservations work and which services cost extra. Two monthly prices are only comparable when they cover the same access and usage.
2. WeWork
WeWork also operates internationally in flexible workspace. In June 2024 it announced that it had emerged from Chapter 11 and completed its restructuring. The earlier figure of 848 locations and the claim of uninterrupted growth are therefore not a reliable description of its present offering.
Start with currently advertised locations in the cities you need. Establish whether you want a changing shared desk or an office for your team, then check meeting-room allowances, guest arrangements and access hours. The company name alone cannot tell you whether a particular building will suit a call-heavy working day.
How to compare a large network with a local operator
- Usage: Write down the number of people, days and cities you actually need.
- Total price: Include meeting rooms, printing, visitors and any setup charges in the comparison.
- Commitment: Check the term, renewal process, notice period and conditions for adding or removing desks.
- Daily conditions: Visit during normal working hours and assess seating, noise, transport and call space.
For example, access across many countries adds little if you work at one address every week. Someone making two regular trips each month may value reliable access in those two cities much more. Build a shortlist around that pattern instead of choosing the largest headline network.
The future of coworking
Shared workspaces are offered by different types of operators, from local communities to international groups. Their facilities and terms vary accordingly. Rather than relying on growth predictions, find out whether your chosen arrangement can accommodate changes in your team or schedule. A trial day and a written quote reveal differences that a provider’s global size cannot.
