WeWork emerged from bankruptcy in 2024, but their $279-339 membership comes with hidden limitations. Compare real pricing, access hours, and guest policies between WeWork and local coworking spaces in San Francisco and Los Angeles.

WeWork restructured and emerged from Chapter 11 in June 2024 and still operates throughout the Bay Area and Los Angeles. But here’s what they don’t advertise: local coworking didn’t go anywhere—and for most solos and small teams, it’s actually the better daily experience. After analyzing the real costs and limitations of WeWork’s current membership offerings, the choice becomes surprisingly clear.

Let’s cut through the marketing and look at what you’re actually getting for your money in 2025.

What WeWork Actually Offers Today (Current Facts)

WeWork Coworking Membership Pricing in California

• All Access membership: $279–$339/month depending on building and current promotions

• Day passes: $29–$59 per day by location (when available)

• Dedicated desks in San Francisco: From ~$523/month

• Dedicated desks in Downtown LA: From ~$447/month

Pricing varies significantly by building, and the advertised “from” prices often apply to only select locations or limited-time promotions.

What’s Actually Included with WeWork All Access

• Meeting room credits: Limited monthly credits, then you pay per hour for overages

• Printing allowance: Monthly limit, overages billed separately

• Coffee/tea: Complimentary (the one true unlimited perk)

• WiFi and basic amenities: Included

The Fine Print That Actually Matters

Guest Policy (All Access)

Guests are allowed only with a booked conference room. That means no bringing a collaborator to work at the hot desk next to you. No informal client meetings in the common area. Want to work alongside someone? That’ll require booking (and likely paying for) a meeting room.

Access Hours

• Standard All Access: Business hours only (typically 9am-6pm)

• Extended hours at select sites: 6:00 a.m.–11:59 p.m.

• 24/7 access: Only with Dedicated Desk ($447+) or Private Office membership

Translation: That $279 WeWork membership? You can’t use it after 6pm at most locations, and definitely not on weekends at many sites.

Groundfloor: Local Coworking That Actually Works

Here’s what Groundfloor offers—no asterisks, no fine print:

• Price: $279/month. Period. No price variations by location or mysterious “from” pricing.

• Access: 24/7 for all members. Work at 2am or 2pm—your choice.

• Trial: Free first-day trial. No day passes because we want committed community members.

• Printing: Included for reasonable use. No tracking credits or surprise bills.

• Meeting space: Member-first access. Book what you need without counting credits.

• Guests: Reasonable guest access for collaboration. Work with clients and partners naturally.

• Community: Smaller, consistent member base. Real relationships, not networking theater.

WeWork vs Local Coworking: Side-by-Side Comparison

*WeWork pricing varies by location and current promotions. Sources: WeWork pricing pages and All Access plan details as of 2025.

When WeWork’s Network Still Makes Sense

Let’s be fair—there are scenarios where WeWork works:

• Frequent business travel: You need consistent workspace in multiple cities

• Enterprise teams: Your company wants a recognized brand for multiple employees

• Immediate private office needs: You need a private office tomorrow, not next month

• Short-term commitment: You only need workspace for 1-2 months

When Local Coworking Wins (Most of the Time)

For the vast majority of remote workers, freelancers, and small teams, local coworking delivers what actually matters:

• True 24/7 access: Work on your schedule, not business hours

• Predictable $279 pricing: No surprises, no location-based pricing games

• Simple guest collaboration: Work with clients and partners without booking rooms

• Real community: Consistent members, genuine relationships, local connections

• No corporate bureaucracy: Direct communication with real humans who know your name

• Neighborhood integration: Programming and partnerships that fit your actual community

The Hidden Costs of WeWork Nobody Mentions

Beyond the advertised price, here’s what WeWork actually costs:

• Meeting room overages: $25-50/hour after credits = $100-200/month extra

• Printing overages: $0.10-0.25/page after allowance = $20-50/month

• Guest day passes: $29-59 per guest per day = $150+ for client meetings

• Weekend access: Often requires upgrade to higher tier = $100+ extra/month

• Parking: Rarely included, downtown rates = $200-400/month

Real monthly cost of WeWork: $450-750+ when you factor in actual usage.

The Bottom Line: Corporate Convenience vs Community Value

WeWork’s post-bankruptcy model still works for some specific use cases—mainly enterprise clients and frequent travelers who value brand consistency over community. But for individual remote workers and small teams who actually use coworking daily, the limitations become expensive frustrations.

Local coworking like Groundfloor isn’t trying to be everything to everyone. We’re focused on being the best possible workspace for our specific communities in San Francisco’s Mission District, Oakland, San Rafael, and Echo Park Los Angeles. That means:

• Understanding that remote workers don’t work 9-to-5

• Knowing that collaboration often happens spontaneously, not in booked rooms

• Recognizing that community matters more than amenities

• Believing that transparent pricing beats complex credit systems

The math is simple: Same base price, better actual experience, real community. Unless you need WeWork’s specific advantages (multi-city access or immediate private offices), local coworking delivers more value for your daily work life.