virtual office vs coworking vs private office in makati city which should you choose
Setting up a business in Makati City is a smart move. It is the financial heart of the Philippines, home to major banks, corporations and professional firms. But the workspace you pick matters just as much as the address. Rent too much space and you burn through cash. Pick too little and your team or your image suffers.
This guide explains the three most common flexible workspace options in Makati, what each includes, what they cost per month and per day, and how to decide which fits your business and budget. You'll also see how LgoConnects, located on the 51st Floor of PBCOM Tower along Ayala Avenue, makes a prime Makati presence affordable for startups, freelancers and growing teams.
The Three Options at a Glance
Flexible workspaces generally fall into three categories:
- A virtual office, which gives you a business address and support services without a physical desk
- A coworking space, which gives you a desk in a shared, professionally managed office
- A private office, which gives you your own enclosed, furnished room
Each one trades cost against privacy and presence, so the right choice depends on how you actually work.
Why a Makati Address Is Worth It
Makati's business district around Ayala Avenue, Salcedo Village and Legazpi Village has one of the highest concentrations of corporate offices in the country. Being based here helps in practical ways:
- Clients, banks and investors tend to view a Makati address as established and trustworthy.
- The MRT and major bus routes make it easy for staff and visitors to reach you.
- Restaurants, banks and shopping centers are within walking distance.
- You are surrounded by potential clients and partners in finance, law, consulting and technology.
The challenge has always been cost. Traditional office leases in Makati require large deposits, fit-out costs, utilities and long commitments. Flexible workspaces remove most of that burden, which is why they have become the go-to choice for lean businesses.
Virtual Office: The Most Affordable Way to Have a Makati Address
A virtual office gives your company a professional business address in a prime location, along with services like mail handling, without the cost of a physical desk. You work from home or anywhere else, while clients see a respected Makati address on your website, invoices and business cards.
What it typically includes
- A business address in Makati's financial district
- Mail handling and notifications
- Use of the address for business registration, client outreach and branding
- Optional access to meeting rooms and private offices when needed
- Administrative support
Best for: freelancers, online sellers, consultants, remote teams and foreign companies testing the Philippine market.
Our price: plans start at ₱999 per month, which works out to about ₱33 per day. The final rate depends on the services you choose, such as mail handling and workspace access.
Price elsewhere: other Makati virtual office listings range from roughly ₱1,951 to ₱4,502 per month, or about ₱65 to ₱150 per day. That means the same Makati business address can cost two to four times more elsewhere.
Things to consider: you won't have a daily desk, so you'll book a meeting room whenever you need to host clients.
Coworking Space: A Real Desk Without the Lease
A coworking space is a shared office where you rent a desk rather than an entire room. You can choose a hot desk, where you sit at any available seat, or a dedicated desk, which stays reserved for you. Wi-Fi, utilities, printing, reception and shared meeting areas are normally part of the package.
What it typically includes
- Fast, reliable internet
- Printers, copiers and shared office equipment
- Meeting room access
- Common areas and a professional environment
- A community of other entrepreneurs and remote professionals
Hot desk or dedicated desk? If you only come in a few days a week, a hot desk keeps costs down. If you work on-site daily and want a consistent setup, a dedicated desk is worth the extra.
Best for: freelancers, startup founders, remote employees and small teams who want structure and networking.
Our price: coworking plans in Makati start at ₱14,998 per month, or ₱499 per day.
Price elsewhere: some other Makati operators advertise monthly hot desks at around ₱9,000 and dedicated desks at ₱12,000 or more, while day-pass rates elsewhere run from about ₱550 to ₱850 per day. Our ₱499 day rate sits below those day passes, which makes it a good fit if you only need a desk on certain days rather than a full monthly membership. Comparing what each rate includes before you commit can save you a lot.
Things to consider: shared spaces can be busier and less private than a closed room. Across the Makati market, coworking is usually cheaper per seat than renting a whole private room, so compare the per-seat cost against your team size.
Private Office: Privacy and Your Own Space
A private office is a furnished, lockable room for you or your team. Utilities, internet, maintenance and amenities are bundled into one monthly fee, so you avoid the setup costs and surprise expenses of a traditional lease.
What it includes
- A fully furnished, move-in-ready private office
- Reliable high-speed internet
- Utilities and daily maintenance
- Access to meeting rooms and other amenities
- Reception and administrative assistance
- A secure, professional setting
- Pantry access with complimentary coffee and water
Best for: growing teams, businesses handling confidential information, and companies that regularly host clients.
Our price: private offices in Makati start at ₱11,990 per month, which works out to about ₱400 per day.
Price elsewhere: many other Makati providers list private offices at about ₱12,300 to ₱15,000 per person per month (roughly ₱410 to ₱500 per day), and some premium tower listings go as high as ₱26,920 per month for a single-person office, or about ₱900 per day. Because our rate includes utilities, maintenance, internet and pantry in one fee, there are fewer hidden costs to plan for.
Things to consider: it is the largest commitment of the three, though still lower than a conventional lease once fit-out, utilities and deposits are counted.
Cost Per Day at a Glance
If you think in daily terms, here is how our Makati plans break down (monthly price divided by 30 days):
- Virtual office: from ₱999 per month, about ₱33 per day
- Private office: from ₱11,990 per month, about ₱400 per day
- Coworking space: from ₱14,998 per month, or ₱499 per day
Daily figures are for comparison only. Plans are billed monthly, and your final rate depends on the services and contract you choose.
Why Other Providers Often Cost More
Many Makati workspaces charge noticeably higher rates than our starting prices for virtual offices, private offices and day passes. Here is why the gap often appears:
- Prime-tower premiums. Some providers price for the prestige of a specific building, which adds cost without adding services you actually need.
- Per-person pricing. Many operators charge per seat, so a small team's bill grows quickly.
- Add-on fees. Meeting rooms, printing, pantry access and administrative help are often billed separately.
- Minimum contracts. Longer commitments can raise your total spend before your business is ready.
We keep pricing clear and start low, while still placing you in the central business district on Ayala Avenue. Always compare what is included, not just the headline number, so you know exactly what you are paying for.
Which Option Is the Most Affordable?
Ranked by our starting prices, from lowest to highest per day:
- The virtual office, from ₱999 per month (about ₱33 per day)
- The private office, from ₱11,990 per month (about ₱400 per day)
- The coworking space, from ₱14,998 per month (₱499 per day)
The virtual office is by far the lowest-cost route. After that, the right choice depends on how you use the space. If you only need a desk on certain days, a coworking day pass means you pay only for the days you come in. If you work on-site every day, or need privacy for a team, a private office gives you a whole room with utilities and amenities included.
A practical strategy many small businesses follow is to start with the lowest-cost option that meets their needs, then upgrade as revenue grows. Begin with a virtual office, book meeting rooms only when clients visit, and move to a desk or private office once your team expands. This keeps your Makati presence while protecting your cash flow.
How to Decide: Five Practical Questions
- How often will you actually need a desk? If rarely, a virtual setup saves the most. If every day, a desk or room makes more sense.
- How many people are on your team? Solo professionals can usually do well with a virtual or coworking plan, while teams of three or more often benefit from a private room.
- Do you meet clients in person? If so, make sure you have meeting room access or a private office.
- What does your monthly budget allow? Choose the lowest tier that supports your work, not the biggest one you can afford.
- How sensitive is your work? Confidential calls, HR matters and financial discussions are better handled in a private room.
What We Offer in Makati
We provide affordable, professionally managed workspaces for startups and entrepreneurs, with locations across Metro Manila including Makati, BGC and Ortigas. Our Makati office is on the 51st Floor, PBCOM Tower, Ayala Avenue corner V.A. Rufino Street, in the middle of the central business district.
Members benefit from:
- 24/7 accessibility, so you can work on your own schedule
- Biometric entry, for quick and secure access
- Quality amenities, including Wi-Fi, printers, copiers and shared equipment
- Affordable, clear pricing, with plans starting at ₱999 per month
Support Beyond the Workspace
We also help businesses with the tasks that come with growing:
- Business registration and legal consulting
- Recruitment assistance and payroll management
- Employer of Record service, so you can hire in the Philippines without setting up a local entity
- Digital marketing, SEO, website design and brand design
- Mobile app development and UI/UX consulting
- Contact center solutions
Handling your workspace and these business needs with one provider usually saves both time and money compared with juggling several vendors.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a virtual office in Makati cost per month and per day?
Our plans start at ₱999 per month, or about ₱33 per day. The final price depends on the services included, such as mail handling and workspace access.
How much is a private office per month and per day?
Private offices in Makati start at ₱11,990 per month, or about ₱400 per day, and include furnishing, internet, utilities, maintenance, reception support and pantry access.
How much is coworking per month and per day?
Coworking plans in Makati start at ₱14,998 per month, or ₱499 per day.
Can a virtual office address be used for business registration?
Our Makati address can be used for business registration, client outreach and branding. Requirements vary by agency, so confirm your specific filing with us and the relevant government office.
What is the difference between coworking and a private office?
Coworking means renting a desk in a shared workspace. A private office is an enclosed room reserved for you or your team, offering more privacy and branding control.
Which option is best if I only need a workspace occasionally?
A virtual office with meeting room bookings, or a daily coworking pass, lets you pay only for the time you actually use.
Can I upgrade later?
Yes. Many businesses start small and move to a bigger option as they grow. Just ask our team about upgrade options.
Where is the LgoConnects Makati office?
On the 51st Floor, PBCOM Tower, Ayala Avenue corner V.A. Rufino Street, Makati City.
The Bottom Line
There is no single best option, only the one that matches how you work and what you can comfortably spend. A virtual office is the cheapest route to a respected Makati address, at about ₱33 a day. A private office offers privacy and room to grow, at about ₱400 a day, which is lower than many comparable Makati providers. Coworking adds a real workspace and community, with day passes from ₱499, below the day-pass rates at many other operators. Whichever you choose, flexible workspaces let you build a strong presence in Makati without the heavy costs of a traditional lease.
Ready to find the right fit? Reach out to the team at LgoConnects to book a tour or request a quote for the Makati office.
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