Virtual coworking spaces compared

Type 1: timed sessions with another person

Focusmate describes itself as virtual coworking for getting things done. It pairs you with a partner for a session. The free plan has 3 sessions per week, and Plus offers unlimited sessions for $8 a month billed annually or $12 billed monthly. A Business plan exists for companies and learning communities.

Best for: people who want accountability at a fixed time.

Type 2: virtual offices for teams

These tools put a team in a shared map with video and chat.

• Kumospace: a free plan for up to 5 registered members with a public space, and a Business plan at $16 per user per month (annual billing, 5 member minimum, 14-day trial).
• Gather: the pricing page shows a 30-day free trial of the Essential plan, then $12 per member per month. It is aimed at teams.
• WorkAdventure: open source, so you can host it yourself, with a hosted option to create a space for free. Built for teams, events, classes and job fairs.

Best for: a team or community that wants its own shared space. A solo freelancer usually does not need to run one.

Type 3: a cozy public room

Midnight Cafe is ours. It is a free cafe world in the browser: you sit in a public room, music plays, other people come and go, and you can chat in text. It has no timers, matching, video or voice, so it gives you ambience and not accountability. It is new and small. You can also build a room of your own for friends.

Best for: people who want a pleasant, low-pressure place to work next to others.

Side by side

For the focus-partner side of this, read body doubling online: free and paid options.