In addition to bustling night markets and beautiful urban hikes, Taipei is also home to many coworking spaces designed to serve start-ups, solopreneurs, and the digital economy. With so many options to choose from, finding the right coworking space in the modern city of Taipei can seem overwhelming.
I know from firsthand experience. After quitting the legal profession to follow my heart as both a travel blogger and career coach for lawyers, this multihyphenate needed a place to work productively and comfortably, and also to network with other creatives. Staying at home or drifting between cafés felt comfy at first, but I needed a place where I could focus, one that I could dedicate my workday to and even invite clients or staff to for meetings.
That’s why I’ve put together this guide to Taipei coworking spaces to help you narrow down your search. I’ve tried out a range of spaces with different perks—and downsides—that fit different kinds of workers, from growing start-ups to digital nomads.
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If you’re looking for a coworking space in Taipei where you can sit down, relax, and get work done, both of Workspot’s two locations are comfortable and accessible spots with competitive pricing.
Conveniently located right between two MRT stops, the Da’an location is surrounded by local shops and restaurants, as well as a vibrant nightlife.
It’s very easy to focus here, as most members have designated desks or full offices. In Taipei, it’s rare to find desks or office space with windows, let alone a good view. Many coworking spaces are in a basement or place desks in windowless “boxes.” By contrast, Workspot’s layout is cleverly designed to allow the light to come in.
The Da’an location has two floors and even a shower. It’s one of the few coworking spaces in Taipei that assists both locals and foreigners with the business registration process.
The newer location near SongJiang Nanjing MRT station is more comfortable, with taller ceilings and stunning views of the bustling city of Taipei.
The company also offers professional support for clients who need to establish a legal entity in Taiwan and register a business address in the country. For this reason, I’d put Workspot in the running for the best place for start-ups in Taipei.
Access to the coworking space starts from $3,500 NTD a month at the Da’an location and $6,000 NTD a month at the Songjiang Nanjing location. A dedicated desk in a shared office is available starting from $5,000 NTD a month at the Da’an location and $9,000 NTD at the Songjiang Nanjing location, while private offices can be rented starting from $14,000 NTD a month at the Da’an location and $18,000 at the Songjiang Nanjing location. You can also pay $3,000 NTD to list one of Workspot’s locations as your company address and get access to professional support.
FutureWard is a large coworking space with two locations suitable for growing companies.
The central location is located close to Nanjing Fuxing Station, while the second location is found near Zhongxiao Fuxing Station.
The central location features 15 private offices, a coworking space with both hot desks and dedicated desks for teamwork and networking, and a range of event spaces that can fit 60 to over 150 people. It also has multifunctional printers, complimentary snacks and coffee, and showers.
What makes FutureWard stand out is that in addition to space to work, it provides business services like guidance on procuring visas, accounting, and navigating the Taiwanese legal system, as well as marketing, fundraising, and start-up basics. Thanks to these services, it competes with Workspot to be the best place for start-ups in Taipei, for sure. And at the time of this blog post, the Nanjing Fuxing station is offering free trials every Friday.
The coworking space can be accessed for $5,000-10,000 NT per month, depending on whether you go for a hot desk, dedicated desk, or personal pod. Private offices start from $24,000 NT, while rental pricing for event spaces is arranged on a case-by-case basis.
If you’re looking for more space and amenities to fuel a long, focused workday, SkyCo is a promising option. A Taiwanese-owned business designed by a New York designer and a German Red Dot award winner, SkyCo has a 90-percent Taiwanese membership.
SkyCo has three locations—Nanjing Fuxing, Taipei Arena, and Songjiang Nanjing—each of which is located within walking distance from an MRT station. I scouted out the largest location, in the Nanjing Fuxing area.
The Nanjing Fuxing location has three floors to work in (the sixth, ninth, and 16th), each of which features a phone booth open to all members. There’s also a full-service café on each floor where members can drink coffee, enjoy snacks, network, and work together.
Aside from the café, the kitchen space includes booths set aside for coworking or meetings. Similar to Taiwanese libraries, the rest of the coworking space is dedicated to quiet use. It has sofas and comfortable, high-quality office chairs, as well as tall tables for standing.
Each floor can be reconfigured for large conference meetings, making SkyCo one of the best places for start-ups in Taipei. The 16th floor also boasts the third-largest jigsaw puzzle in the world mounted on the wall.
There are some downsides, however. While most of the space has windows, the “designated desks” are crammed together into a windowless, box-like room. The ninth floor plays music, which I found distracting while trying to get work done. On top of that, the AC is set too high for comfort.
The washroom features a Dyson hairdryer but lacks AC, so it’s pretty uncomfortable to use during a Taiwanese summer. The reception desk takes a break from 12-1:30 p.m.
These issues aside, SkyCo is one of the only coworking spaces in Taipei that offers a free trial. The free trial includes full access to all membership perks but meeting room privileges. After the free trial, renting a hot desk costs $5,500 NT per month, while renting a fixed seat costs $7000 per month (not including tax).
If SkyCo might be the coworking space that meets your needs, you can take a virtual tour here.
The Hive is a more affordable option suitable for new start-ups and independent workers. While it has its shortcomings, it’s still one of the best places for freelancers in Taipei.
This three-floor coworking space is located a block away from 228 Memorial Park and within walking distance from both Ximen Station and NTU Hospital Station.
The first floor has floor-to-ceiling windows that bring in natural light and offer a view of the lively street. It also features a non-complementary café. However, this floor is designed for “coffee talk” and collaborative working, which means it can be a noisy environment—especially given that The Hive is one of Taipei’s more crowded working spaces.
The noise level depends on the crowd and time of day, of course, so I did get to experience some quiet moments. Quiet jazz music and white noise were played over the speakers, which helped.
Unlike SkyCo, The Hive does not offer a free trial. Instead, it offers a $500 NTD day pass that only grants access to the first floor. I was disappointed that a paid pass wouldn't allow visitors to access all three floors of the space.
Access to a “hot desk” on the open first floor costs $4,000 NT per person per month. A dedicated desk costs $7,000 NT per person per month, while private offices are available for $10,000 NT per person per month. Members can book a six-person meeting room for $300 NT per hour, while non-members can book it for $600 NT per hour. The space can also be used for events and booked at special rates.
Hive members are able to access the company’s other coworking spaces across the Pacific region, including locations in Hong Kong, Singapore, Vietnam, Thailand, and Japan. So, if you’re a digital nomad bouncing around Southeast Asia, The Hive might be the perfect fit.
Conclusion
With its relatively low living costs and comfortable lifestyle, Taipei is fast becoming the new destination for digital nomads and entrepreneurs. Most coworking spaces have a mix of pros and cons, so which one is the right one for you really depends on your budget and your needs. Are you ok with windowless spaces, or is natural light a must? Do you like a bit of noise, or do you need quiet? Factors like this will make the difference when you’re choosing an informal home for your start-up or freelance work hours.
Have you tried out any of these coworking spaces in Taipei? What did you think? What do you need in a coworking space? I’d love to hear in the comments down below!