WeWork vs Design Offices (2025): Ultimate Guide to Premium Coworking Spaces in Germany
WeWork and Design Offices lead Germany's coworking scene, offering vibrant and flexible workspaces tailored to modern needs. Compare their unique strengths and services to choose your ideal space.
Coworking spaces have transformed the professional landscape in Germany, offering a dynamic alternative to traditional offices. As remote workers, freelancers, and small businesses seek greater flexibility and community, the demand for innovative workspaces has soared. Today’s coworking environments are more than just a desk and Wi-Fi—they’re vibrant hubs where professionals from all walks of business can connect, collaborate, and thrive. Providers like WeWork and Design Offices have set the standard, delivering flexible solutions packed with amenities that cater to startups, established companies, and solo entrepreneurs alike. In this guide, we’ll explore how coworking in Germany has evolved, what makes these spaces so appealing, and how the right workspace can empower your business to grow in a rapidly changing world.
Comparing German Coworking Chains: WeWork vs Design Offices
When it comes to premium coworking spaces in Germany, WeWork and Design Offices stand out as top contenders, each offering a distinct approach to the modern workspace. WeWork is celebrated for its vibrant community, frequent networking events, and a suite of modern amenities designed to foster creativity and connection. Design Offices, meanwhile, is renowned for its professional atmosphere, flexible workspace options, and a focus on providing tailored solutions for businesses of all sizes. Whether you’re searching for private offices, fully equipped meeting rooms, or a virtual office setup, both brands deliver a range of coworking options—including hot desks and dedicated desks—to suit every work style. The choice between WeWork and Design Offices ultimately comes down to your individual requirements: do you prioritize a buzzing environment with regular events, or a more refined, professional setting with maximum flexibility? Either way, both providers offer the amenities, services, and community support to help your business flourish.
Historical Snapshot & Brand DNA
WeWork burst onto the scene in 2010 in New York City, reimagining the office as a collaborative, community-driven space where creativity and productivity go hand in hand. With a global footprint spanning over 800 locations, WeWork has become synonymous with flexible workspaces that bring together companies, freelancers, and professionals from around the world. In contrast, Design Offices was founded in 2007 in Germany, with a mission to deliver high-quality, flexible workspaces tailored to the needs of local businesses and professionals. While WeWork’s brand DNA centers on fostering community and collaboration, Design Offices emphasizes professionalism, flexibility, and a deep understanding of what German companies require to succeed. Both brands have shaped the coworking landscape by creating environments where creativity thrives and businesses can expand with confidence.
1 Introduction: Comparing German Coworking Chains
Germany’s coworking universe keeps expanding, but two brands dominate LinkedIn discussions and Slack back‑channels: international juggernaut WeWork and home‑grown powerhouse Design Offices. This wework vs design offices face‑off is more than a metro rivalry; it is a marker of how flexible workspaces have evolved from hip start‑up garages into strategic infrastructure for companies of all sizes. Each brand caters to specific groups of professionals, tailoring their environments and offerings to meet the unique needs of freelancers, startups, and corporate teams.
Both providers promise inspiring workspace design, 24 7 access, and powerful amenities that keep professionals productive beyond standard business hours. Yet their main differences—scale, design philosophy, and services approach—create unique value props for small businesses, enterprise teams, and nomadic freelancers alike. Choosing the right coworking space is essential, as the environment and features should align with your personal work style and productivity needs.
The choice hinges on your work style, budget, desired community, and how often you need to exchange ideas with partners across the world. Below, we unpack every metric—location, coworking environment, private offices, meeting rooms, community events, catering quality, and more—helping you find the perfect solution for your individual requirements. Membership options also play a key role, offering a range of access levels and benefits to suit different working preferences and needs.
2 Historical Snapshot & Brand DNA
2.1 WeWork – Global Disruptor, Uniform Cool
Founded 2010 in Manhattan, WeWork scaled to 700+ office spaces across the world. Its German footprint covers Berlin, Hamburg, Munich, Cologne, and Frankfurt—each central location fitted with bright murals, ergonomic furniture, and signature phone booths. WeWork offers a variety of memberships, including hot desks, private offices, and flexible month-to-month contracts, to accommodate different user needs.
2.2 Design Offices – German Craft, Strategic Locations
Launched 2008 in Nuremberg, design offices—always lowercase in brand voice—now operates 50+ sites across 17 German cities. Flagship strategic locations include Berlin Leipziger Platz, Munich Highlight Towers, and Stuttgart Eberhardhöfe. Each site features locally sourced art, bespoke ergonomic furniture, and communal areas that double as after‑work bars.
4 Network Reach & Geographic Strategy
WeWork’s network in Germany is extensive, with more than 20 locations strategically placed in major cities like Berlin, Munich, and Hamburg. Their focus on central locations ensures members enjoy easy access to public transport and a wealth of nearby amenities. Design Offices, while operating a more select number of sites, excels at choosing strategic locations that balance accessibility with affordability—making it easier for businesses to find the right place for their teams. Whether you’re seeking a bustling city center or a quieter, well-connected neighborhood, both companies understand that location is key. Their networks are designed to support companies of all sizes, offering the amenities and access needed to attract top talent and foster a thriving community.
5 Design & Aesthetic Philosophy
The design philosophy behind WeWork and Design Offices is a direct reflection of their brand identities. WeWork is famous for its modern, industrial-chic interiors—think open spaces, abundant natural light, and bold, vibrant colors that energize the coworking environment. Communal areas are designed to spark creativity and encourage collaboration, with high speed internet and ergonomic furniture as standard. Design Offices, on the other hand, takes a more understated, professional approach, focusing on functionality and comfort without sacrificing style. Their spaces feature sleek, modern design, thoughtfully arranged communal areas, and amenities that support both focused work and spontaneous networking. Whether you’re drawn to the lively, creative buzz of WeWork or the refined, professional atmosphere of Design Offices, both brands deliver coworking spaces that inspire productivity and foster a sense of community among professionals and companies alike.
Design Offices saturates regional markets—Bielefeld, Bonn, Erlangen—providing remote workers and small teams reliable office spaces without commuting to the Big Seven. WeWork focuses on marquee buildings in global finance centres, perfect for internationally‑minded startups raising capital.
4 Design & Aesthetic Philosophy
4.1 WeWork – Uniform, Hip, Collaborative
Neon, plywood, and industrial lighting invite spontaneous collaboration. Common areas buzz with Friday DJ sets and networking events. Phone booths line corridors, offering quick escapes for focused calls.
4.2 Design Offices – Modern German Precision
Think Bauhaus‑inspired palettes, sleek ergonomic furniture, curated art walls, and acoustic curtains that orchestrate focused work. Each floor layers coworking options—lounges, dedicated desks, private offices—around a barista bar serving single‑origin espresso.
Creativity thrives in both brands, but Design Offices feels more executive lounge; WeWork feels more festival.
Design Offices’ hospitality—daily catering and on‑demand smoothie bowls—targets consultants needing client‑ready polish. WeWork emphasises community events and festival vibes, which startups interpret as electricity for ideas generation.
For small businesses or freelancers, Design Offices’ inclusive spaces pricing often undercuts WeWork, especially outside Berlin. However, WeWork’s global network and 24 7 access to worldwide coworking spaces justify premiums for professionals who fly often.
7 Community Engine & Events Programming
WeWork runs three to five community events weekly—product‑launch demo nights, meditation sessions, networking opportunities with VCs. Design Offices curates monthly community events like Chef’s Table Fridays, rooftop film clubs, and work style masterclasses for creative professionals.
Both providers deploy community managers who design events that foster collaboration among companies, freelancers, and teams while respecting focused work zones.
High speed internet SLA: <3 ms jitter both brands.
Office supplies restock every Monday.
9 Addressing Focus & Privacy
Sound‑rated rooms let executives take M&A calls without leaking strategy. WeWork’s glass panels frost at a button in some of their meeting rooms; Design Offices installs solid oak doors in premium suites. Both brands deliver private phone booths for ad‑hoc one‑to‑ones.
10 Well‑Being & Ergonomics
Ergonomic furniture is standard—Sit‑Stand desks, Herman Miller Aeron chairs. Design Offices adds nap capsules and Peloton studio classes; WeWork rolls out on‑site physiotherapy on Wellness Wednesday.
11 Transport, Parking & Accessibility
All German sites sit within 400 m of S‑/U‑Bahn or tram stops—crucial for remote workers without cars. Design Offices offers 150 secure bike racks per flagship and free e‑charging bays, while WeWork maintains underground parking at Potsdamer Platz.
12 Security & Compliance
24/7 manned reception, CCTV, biometric access control, and GDPR‑compliant mail handling keep companies comfortable bringing sensitive IP on‑site.
13 Case Study Walk‑Through: WeWork Ku’damm vs Design Offices Leipziger Platz
Take the U2 five stops between these central locations and observe differences in coworking environment, amenities, and lunchtime catering. Which lobby vibe aligns with your brand’s creativity standards?
14 Pricing Negotiation Cheat‑Sheet
Ask WeWork for two months half‑price if committing to 12.
Ask Design Offices for 20% off meeting room bundles and Friday catering vouchers.
Request extra lockers for hybrid teams.
15 Frequently Asked Questions
Who is WeWork’s biggest competitor? Globally Regus; in Germany design offices ranks high.
What are the weaknesses of WeWork? Higher cost and sometimes crowded communal areas.
Is Spaces better than WeWork? Depends—Spaces lacks German scale of Design Offices.
Is Design Offices cheaper than WeWork? Often yes outside Berlin; spaces pricing varies by location.
18 Conclusion: Which Workspace Is the Right Place?
If your teams crave massive networking opportunities, predictable amenities, and international access, WeWork remains the right place. If your work style prizes boutique elegance, ergonomic furniture, and German‑wide coverage from Kiel to Konstanz, Design Offices provides the perfect solution. For even greater flexibility and access to hundreds of workspaces and meeting rooms across Germany, One Coworking is an excellent choice.
